I'm writing this because I think I need to be honest with myself. I hope that anyone who reads this who I consider a friend or more, won't see me any different than they did before they read this. After 31 years I have finally come to the realization that I may, in fact, be a Humanist. For the past couple days I thought I was agnostic, holding on to the belief that there could possibly be an omnipotent being out there. Holding on because, come judgement day, I wouldn't be cast into a lake of fire by said God that loves me. I would be able to say, "Hey! I always thought there was a chance you were there, I just wasn't sure. Does it still count?"
Growing up I always loved science. Being able to explain how and why things happened always peaked my interest. We never were the church going types in my family, but my mother is Catholic and she believes in Jesus, God, and spirits. She never forced religion on us although we had the standard crosses and various other religious artifacts about the house. I myself believed in God and Jesus. Being a kid of science, I questioned why the Bible didn't mention dinosaurs and was more fascinated by evolution rather than the biblical version of how the world was created. But I never went any further than that.
The age of the Internet opened my eyes to a whole new world of information and knowledge. Included in that was the various contradictions in the Bible. If this book is the word of God given to men, why are there so many contradictions and scientific inaccuracies. How can an all-knowing, all-seeing God, screw up his/her own words? How can the very being that worked out the intricate details of the human brain, give me false information? Am I making up what I'm saying about the Bible? Not at all. <----click
At the same time, what am I supposed to think about this?
Why should I worship such a vengeful, jealous, and cruel being? Out of fear? Why should I be afraid of someone/something that is supposed to love me unconditionally yet threatens to condemn me to an eternity of suffering if I don't follow certain principles and guidelines. Guidelines, stories, and "laws" that contradict themselves throughout the rule book, supposedly written with words from his very "mouth"? I may be wrong in my basic analysis but something isn't right. Why kill the sinner instead of the sin? Why kill all the first born of Egypt when the Pharaoh was the issue? Why do some "good" Chrisitian people die horrible deaths while some "evil" people live through old age? Why does God allow still born babies?
Do I think religion is bad? Not necessarily. Having faith in whatever you put it in is important. Be it God or the Tampa Bay Bucs winning the Super Bowl, believe what you want but don't force it down peoples throats. How many people have been killed in the name of God or religion in the history of the World? From the Crusades to Jihad, people have died trying to force their beliefs on masses of people. Why would I want to be a part of that? I know there is no "proof" of God, only belief. Can it be that simple for people?
Another thing that bothers me about religion is how people will pick and choose different verses and scriptures in the Bible and state them as fact with no room for deviation. Homosexuality is a big one that people are talking about in the media today. If you're homosexual you're doomed according to the Bible. We are to accept that as fact, nothing more. Yet people fail to mention the other "facts" in the good book. For example,
Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. If I my son didn't get circumcised, I would have to throw him out of my house.
Exodus 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people If I get called in to do an OR case on Sunday because somebody gets in a car accident, I should be killed.
Leviticus -21:16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
21:17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
21:18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,
21:19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,
21:20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;
21:21 No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. - You're basically screwed if you're handicapped. God wants no part of you.
Here's a famous letter to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who famously recited the bibles interpretation of homosexuality. Whether this is an actual letter to her is not the point. It brings up some other "laws" from the bible that religious leaders tend to ignore.
"Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.Your devoted disciple and adoring fan, Jim "
There are plenty more examples of this yet the general religious population is left blind. Not saying I'm a scholar nor did I study the bible but unless you actually study the Bible, you would never know this (thank God for the good ole Internets)! I've looked at site after site and I'm more convinced in my beliefs than ever. Is this to say that I'm right and Religion is wrong? Not at all. Are Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Baptists, people who practice Voodoo, Gypsies, various American Indian or African tribes wrong in what they put their faith in? Of course not. To each their own. I do know what philosophy I believe in and what I want to be a part of, Humanism.
Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernatural ism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values—be they religious, ethical, social, or political—have their source in human experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological abstractions, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny. - The Humanist Magazine
That's an "ideology" that I personally believe I could be a part of. I believe in being good to people and everyone is valuable. It's not forced and it seems rather simple. It's actually a sound ethical system. It allows me to do unto others because of the kindness of my heart, not from fear of repercussions. I guess I'm not an atheist because I do not reject the idea of God for others. I'm still doing research on the main principles but the basic jest of it sounds good to me.Like I said, I hope this doesn't make any of the people in my world see me differently. I'm still the same person I've always been. If you want to debate, I'm open to it. If you want to point me in a specific direction that shows me that I'm "wrong", I'm open to it. Critics and criticism, I'll expect it. I just appreciate you reading this and letting me open up.
Hallelujah Hollaback!!
Michael
