Inspiration

Eskimo insight

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Eskimo: If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?
Priest: No, not if you did not know.
Eskimo: Then why did you tell me?
 – Annie Dillard

While not politically correct, and with apologies to the Inuit, this quote sums up very well how we become manipulated my religions of all kinds. The power of suggestion is a very potent  tool used indiscriminately by the religious community  to get into the heads of vast populations.

“A majority view does not make it normal, it simply makes it average.”

The real power of religion is the use of vague, unsubstantiated statements presented as fact. For many this culminates in a series of unfortunate beliefs, because it’s judged safer to accept unproven nonsense rather risk decent into the equally unproven lower regions offered by most religions.

We are perfectly capable of being at peace without religion. We only question ourselves because those who have quasi authority over their flocks feel obliged to remind us that we are flawed.

If we live in a cave on the moon and do not know about God, we’re free and clear. However if we somehow learn about God and choose to dismiss the concept, then according to some we’re in deep trouble. It takes a certain amount of strength to dismiss dogma of any kind. A majority view does not make it normal, it simply makes it average.

-GSG (God Seeker Guy)

Divine defects

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Why are we here? Is the human condition important? The answer of course is yes, we’re obliged to think so or we would have difficulty getting up in the morning to make coffee. The gods, however, could have done a much better job of constructing humans. We rust very quickly, most of us non-ecclesiastics are flawed, and few of us can resist the evils of jam-filled doughnuts.

Nietzsche said “woman was God’s second mistake” – meaning of course that man was his first. If God was just practicing when creating man, his efforts backfired. He should have given Noah plans for a leaky boat and left the planet in peace.

After Eve’s epic picnic with Adam, the human race has endured a rocky relationship with the divine. We struggle constantly to measure up, but never seem to satisfy the demands of our heavenly hosts. To be sure, we are not perfect, but if the gods created us, they should take some responsibly for their flawed design instead of blaming us for their faulty workmanship.

Although we all eventually end up at the return counter, in the interval, it seems we’re obliged to endure endless reminders that we are failing at the herculean task of being human.

-GSG (God Seeker Guy)

Poisoned fruit

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“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

Granted Nietzsche was probably a manic depressive lunatic, but he did make a few good observations, this is one of them.

The western world has become so ‘politically correct’ that we’re terrified of speaking our minds, which fosters interaction on a very superficial level. Whenever God Seeker Guy expresses his opinion, even in a mild diluted manner, he is accused of being ‘poisoned fruit,’ apparently a Christian catch-all for anyone with opposing views.

Obviously, we must have respect for others and treat others in the same manner in which we wish to be treated ourselves. (God Seeker Guy will do doubt be hearing about that last line!) However, that does not mean that we are required to hold back our opinions just because we might offend someone’s sensibilities. God Seeker Guy welcomes a challenge; the only way to test an opinion is to defend it.

It seems there is a universal fear among anyone attempting to communicate, which includes most blogs, and undermines the opportunity for honest and perhaps risky opinion.

Reaching out on the media platforms available to us should create a diversity of views, and generate interesting and controversial dialogue. Why does that not happen? Why do we see so much saccharine stroking and little honest feedback?

It seems social media has become dangerous zone in which to establish a presence. GSG has been reminded that every word written is sent off to cyberspace, and at some point, we lose control of our declarations. We’re constrained by the fear of retribution from family, colleagues and bosses who often make quick judgments without much thought.

Online communication is in danger of becoming victim to the same controls that religious entities hold over their followers, except the weapon of choice is insidious political correctness. Technology, it seems, is a double-edged sword. We have the tools to stand above the crowd, but prefer to remain regulated by the tribe.

-GSG (God Seeker Guy)

In the news – Where is the trust?

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The BBC reported this week: “Child sex allegations involving one of Iran’s best-known Koran reciters are causing shock and anger in the country, days after several accusers took the unprecedented step of going public with the claims.”
See BBC report

Clearly, the above story demonstrates that the Christian church holds no monopoly on betraying the trust of its flock, particularly when it comes to abusing the more innocent members. Many, but not all, religious leaders have repeatedly shown themselves to be riddled with corrupt spirits and questionable moral fiber.

It’s very dangerous to follow too closely any one teacher or any one creed, for you never know if the guru you are expected to revere is in fact made of far inferior stuff than yourself.

The church, any church, has long preached one thing and practiced another. “It has served us well, this myth of Christ” – a statement often attributed Pope Leo X, illustrates how hazardous it is to live your life according to decrees formulated by tutors who live by a double standard.

It’s particularly hideous when the children of the world fall victim to adults who preach the Holy Books, but follow the path of something even more sinister.

-GSG (God Seeker Guy)