On The Topic Of Organized Religion

*apologies for the gratuitous use of the word "I" in this post*


I should probably get this out in the open now, in case any one plans on getting too attached to me as I weave my way around the internet...that way, you can get offended now and you haven't wasted quite as much of your time reading this infidel's/heathen's/goy's/untouchable's random rantings and ravings (interestingly enough, I did attempt to find a derogatory term for a non-Buddhist as well, and I wasn't able to find one).


I am an atheist. Well...agnostic, technically, but we'll get to that in a minute. Namely, I don't believe in any supreme creator in the traditional sense, and I am not even remotely ashamed of this. I cannot abide the thought of faith without evidence (as is faith's very nature), nor can I abide teaching children anything like this or this. And I don't even like kids! These little bastards will run the world one day, though, and that bothers me significantly.


I was born and raised Pentecostal/Assembly of God. You know the ones. Talking in tongues. Laying on of hands to cast out the demons. Faith healing and hoodoo and Lexus driving pastors and a giant collection plate. And blue and gold stained glass, alternating panels in the foyer. This lasted up until what I refer to as "The Age of Decision," which for me happened to be around my 11th birthday...at which point I refused to go. That was all well and good because the Sunday School teacher was really tired of answering my questions. In hindsight, I'm not entirely sure that I ever believed it. It's a nice story, and that's about all.


After leaving the church, Witchcraft and Catholicism entered the fray, though not in that order. They were basically the same thing, anyway. So, what was left? I read the Koran, and I found it to be even less palatable than the Bible, which is something I never thought possible, seeing as how the only thing I ever used a bible for growing up was rolling papers anyway. And the Koran smoked miserably. :( The Torah was more of the same...and then I realized what the problem was. Christianity, paganism, Islam...all of them, really...they're all the same story. They're all the same superstitious garbage that controls by fear and community pressure. I've heard of Jehovah's Witnesses separated from their families by their beliefs. Not even their own parents will speak to them! What sort of religion is that? Women stoned to death for sleeping around! No meat because of what day of the week it is??? We made it all up! The dates? Who the hell cares?!


I believe that all things are connected to each other and themselves. I believe that we are all part of the same tapestry, all connected together and to our world by hidden threads and strings. I am also vehemently opposed to anyone who tries to sway me or anyone I care about to their way of religious thinking. Call it what you will, but we've come too far as a species (in my opinion) to plunge ourselves back into the dark ages with this spiritual "Manifest Destiny." Honestly, I find myself wanting to scream repentance at the heavens from time to time. But not a diety...to the universe itself. For wasting its time.


I feel awful. I think I need a shower.