Saturday, 19 May 2012
The Parable of the Bottled Water
A man, lost in a desert with only one bottle of water with him, travels to find civilization. On his way he finds another man also lost. The second man is emptying the contents of his bottle onto the sand. The first asks "Why are you emptying that bottle?" The second replies "My father will come and bring many bottles of wine. I do not need the water." "I see." responds the first. He looks round. "I do not see anyone coming." "You just need to believe it." The first is skeptical. "I think you've wasted your only water." "Well, if there's no wine, what's the point of you having water then?" The first replies to the question "It's the only water I know I'm going to get, so I should not waste it hoping for something better."
Friday, 21 October 2011
It's the End of the World and I Feel Fine
Remember the run up to May? In America there were billboards warning of the coming Rapture on the 21st. Radio shows talking about how Earthquakes would take place and the "saved" would go to heaven. The rest of us suffer until October 21st and then go to Hell. Yet another doomsday prediction from Harold Camping. A Christian radio broadcaster who claimed that the Bible yielded knowledge on how to calculate the date of the rapture, and finally the end of the world.
Apparently this guy made similar predictions before. Again May 21st on 1988 and on September 6th 1994. Naturally you'd think after these 2 his credibility would have been destroyed. However there was a big fuss over the 2011 predictions. Billboards, radio campaigns in America, and even here in my home town were a group who bought it, leaving warnings taped to Chick Tracks.
May 21st came, I did my Saturday shift as normal and came out and don't recall any of the natural disasters Camping claimed would take place. No earthquakes, no fatalities. Just a normal Saturday.
Does Camping admit being wrong? Did the donations sent by his followers to spread the warning get refunded? No. The weasel just simply changes the details. He claimed the Rapture did take place, but rather than all the "saved" go to heaven, they now stay with the rest of us, oh and the Earth won't suffer from disaster until the end at October 21st.
The months rolled by. The warnings became understated. Downplayed, but remembered. It is now morning on the day of judgement. In my location the sky is a pale blue. The news sites report nothing out of the ordinary other than Gaddafi's death. Being in the UK, I realise there are other parts of the world that have been 21st of October longer. I can safely conclude that the end once again never happened.
You'd think people would disassociate with people who made false predictions. After all, Making a big claim and getting it wrong. Yet, people accept the excuses they make, or in some cases make the excuses for them. This has been the case since the early days of that funny cult of Christianity.
If the gospels are to be believed, we have Jesus himself claim that many of his early first followers will not taste death before the end comes. That his is the last generation. That his disciples will not finish preaching to the whole of Israel before the end comes. Even on foot, I doubt it takes 2000 years to walk. After Jesus left, Even his successor Paul believed he was in the last days.
Here we are, almost 2 millienia later, and those who clutch to these broken promises claim without reason that they actually refer to a future generation. And usually that means us living today.
Jehovah's Witnesses make excuses now for the failures of the end to come in 1917, 1918 and 1975. And yet, they still have high numbers of members.
I never understood why they seek an end to the earth they live on, but anyone making a prediction of a set date, don't be so quick to sell everything to spread their message.
Apparently this guy made similar predictions before. Again May 21st on 1988 and on September 6th 1994. Naturally you'd think after these 2 his credibility would have been destroyed. However there was a big fuss over the 2011 predictions. Billboards, radio campaigns in America, and even here in my home town were a group who bought it, leaving warnings taped to Chick Tracks.
May 21st came, I did my Saturday shift as normal and came out and don't recall any of the natural disasters Camping claimed would take place. No earthquakes, no fatalities. Just a normal Saturday.
Does Camping admit being wrong? Did the donations sent by his followers to spread the warning get refunded? No. The weasel just simply changes the details. He claimed the Rapture did take place, but rather than all the "saved" go to heaven, they now stay with the rest of us, oh and the Earth won't suffer from disaster until the end at October 21st.
The months rolled by. The warnings became understated. Downplayed, but remembered. It is now morning on the day of judgement. In my location the sky is a pale blue. The news sites report nothing out of the ordinary other than Gaddafi's death. Being in the UK, I realise there are other parts of the world that have been 21st of October longer. I can safely conclude that the end once again never happened.
You'd think people would disassociate with people who made false predictions. After all, Making a big claim and getting it wrong. Yet, people accept the excuses they make, or in some cases make the excuses for them. This has been the case since the early days of that funny cult of Christianity.
If the gospels are to be believed, we have Jesus himself claim that many of his early first followers will not taste death before the end comes. That his is the last generation. That his disciples will not finish preaching to the whole of Israel before the end comes. Even on foot, I doubt it takes 2000 years to walk. After Jesus left, Even his successor Paul believed he was in the last days.
Here we are, almost 2 millienia later, and those who clutch to these broken promises claim without reason that they actually refer to a future generation. And usually that means us living today.
Jehovah's Witnesses make excuses now for the failures of the end to come in 1917, 1918 and 1975. And yet, they still have high numbers of members.
I never understood why they seek an end to the earth they live on, but anyone making a prediction of a set date, don't be so quick to sell everything to spread their message.
Friday, 7 October 2011
The Good Person (Short Story)
(This is purely fictional)
I keep my hands in my coat pockets as I walk along the dark street. It's queit until I am stoped by an man holding out a leaflet. "Are you a good person?" he asks. "Reasonable" I reply. "Well let's just see, mind if I ask you some questions?" I look at my watch. I believe I have time. "Ok" I reply.
"Have you ever told a lie?" he asks. "Hasn't everyone?" I respond. "And what do you call a person who lies?" "A lier" I shrug. "Ok, have you ever stolen anything, like a pen from work?" "Yeah, so? Are you a cop or something?" This guy is starting to annoy me now. "And what does that make you then?" he asks accusingly. "Want me to say 'I'm a theif'?" I sharply respond. "It's Gods law" he replies, "Now have you ever looked at a woman you're not married to with lust?" "Your mother."
"Now now, no need for that" He says trying to put on a goofy smile. "You see, Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust, you have already commited adultery with your heart." "Not my prefered organ" I respond. "An have you every been angry with anyone?" I shot him a dirty look. "It's just Jesus says that you have commited murder in your heart." "no doubt you're gonna tell me I'm gonna go to hell after I die." "You don't have to. You see, Jesus died for your sins, and if you just ask him for forgiveness, all your sins will be gone." "Is that so? All sins?" "All sins" he replies, "but you have to ask now." "Ok, I will, but one thing first." I grap his neck, plant my knee a couple of times into his crotch and toss him aside. While he is on the floor, I stamp on his neck and hear it snap. I see him there dead on the floor. I get down on my knees. "Forgive me Jesus for I have sinned. I accept you as my lord and savior."
And this is how I was saved. I now finish writing this as my execution comes close. I have killed many people, mostly for fun, but hey, every time I asked Jesus for forgiveness, so it's all good. So now, one jab, and I get to meet the big guy who set this sweet deal.
I keep my hands in my coat pockets as I walk along the dark street. It's queit until I am stoped by an man holding out a leaflet. "Are you a good person?" he asks. "Reasonable" I reply. "Well let's just see, mind if I ask you some questions?" I look at my watch. I believe I have time. "Ok" I reply.
"Have you ever told a lie?" he asks. "Hasn't everyone?" I respond. "And what do you call a person who lies?" "A lier" I shrug. "Ok, have you ever stolen anything, like a pen from work?" "Yeah, so? Are you a cop or something?" This guy is starting to annoy me now. "And what does that make you then?" he asks accusingly. "Want me to say 'I'm a theif'?" I sharply respond. "It's Gods law" he replies, "Now have you ever looked at a woman you're not married to with lust?" "Your mother."
"Now now, no need for that" He says trying to put on a goofy smile. "You see, Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust, you have already commited adultery with your heart." "Not my prefered organ" I respond. "An have you every been angry with anyone?" I shot him a dirty look. "It's just Jesus says that you have commited murder in your heart." "no doubt you're gonna tell me I'm gonna go to hell after I die." "You don't have to. You see, Jesus died for your sins, and if you just ask him for forgiveness, all your sins will be gone." "Is that so? All sins?" "All sins" he replies, "but you have to ask now." "Ok, I will, but one thing first." I grap his neck, plant my knee a couple of times into his crotch and toss him aside. While he is on the floor, I stamp on his neck and hear it snap. I see him there dead on the floor. I get down on my knees. "Forgive me Jesus for I have sinned. I accept you as my lord and savior."
And this is how I was saved. I now finish writing this as my execution comes close. I have killed many people, mostly for fun, but hey, every time I asked Jesus for forgiveness, so it's all good. So now, one jab, and I get to meet the big guy who set this sweet deal.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
"With faith, all things are possible." Ten years on
Faith.
How we are told by our pastors that it can do anything. How they preach from a book that promises with faith, one can drop a mountain into the sea. Many scoff at such a claim, but I know that faith, can be an extremely powerful force, and equally as dangerous.
Faith means to accept something without evidence. Even in this day and age people accept claims, even absurd ones at face value. That there are extremely powerful beings that affected our creation as well as the entire universe, yet demand unquestioning loyalty in exchange for eternal post-mortem paradise. These beings through their books and scriptures often claim to be the only one of their kind, and worship of others is not only folly, but forbidden. the infidels must be put to death. Despite the lack of evidence these so called "gods" exists, people still demand allegiance to them. Believers of other gods or non believers alike, are only fit for destruction.
I remember coming from from school ten years ago today to find the news on the TV. What I saw was the power of faith. The Twin Towers of New York City, 2 of the world's mightiest skyscrapers has been brought down. Not by some divine punishment by a god, nor by prayer, but by men who were willing to kill themselves, and thousand others, for the lie of eternal bliss.
In the name of their god, muslims who let their fanatisism overide not only basic human morality, but common sense and even basic self-preservation. As a result, thousands died needlessly. Their gods did not save them, Christians, fellow Muslims, Hindus. Regardless of whever the victims beleived or not, they all shared the same fate.
Faith is indeed truelly powerful. It may not have brought down mountains, but it did bring down 2 mighty towers, and it slew thousands. It destroys rationality, morality and self preservation.
To destroy everything, all you need is faith.
How we are told by our pastors that it can do anything. How they preach from a book that promises with faith, one can drop a mountain into the sea. Many scoff at such a claim, but I know that faith, can be an extremely powerful force, and equally as dangerous.
Faith means to accept something without evidence. Even in this day and age people accept claims, even absurd ones at face value. That there are extremely powerful beings that affected our creation as well as the entire universe, yet demand unquestioning loyalty in exchange for eternal post-mortem paradise. These beings through their books and scriptures often claim to be the only one of their kind, and worship of others is not only folly, but forbidden. the infidels must be put to death. Despite the lack of evidence these so called "gods" exists, people still demand allegiance to them. Believers of other gods or non believers alike, are only fit for destruction.
I remember coming from from school ten years ago today to find the news on the TV. What I saw was the power of faith. The Twin Towers of New York City, 2 of the world's mightiest skyscrapers has been brought down. Not by some divine punishment by a god, nor by prayer, but by men who were willing to kill themselves, and thousand others, for the lie of eternal bliss.
In the name of their god, muslims who let their fanatisism overide not only basic human morality, but common sense and even basic self-preservation. As a result, thousands died needlessly. Their gods did not save them, Christians, fellow Muslims, Hindus. Regardless of whever the victims beleived or not, they all shared the same fate.
Faith is indeed truelly powerful. It may not have brought down mountains, but it did bring down 2 mighty towers, and it slew thousands. It destroys rationality, morality and self preservation.
To destroy everything, all you need is faith.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Art Gallery
I walk into a gallery. People are in there, however there is only one painting in the room and no one is looking at it.
I look at the painting, a grotesque image full of suffering, violence and death. I see why it is avoided, yet I am unable to turn away. A man speaks to me, asking me to check a much better painting. I turn my head and I see nothing there. The man tells me of the beauty of the painting I just do not see. I tell him there is nothing there. He gets angry at me. I wave my hand where his painting is supposed to be and feel nothing. The man tells me more of his painting and how wonderful it is. The images he describes however seem appealing in some parts, but appalling in others. Humouring him I ask about the painter. He describes a neurotic control freak, yet described him as loving and social. Like the painting, I doubted his existence.
He tells me of the joy the imaginary painting gives him, but I point at the only one there. I tell him that is all I see. He tells me the painting does not exist. I put his hand on the frame. I can tell he can feel it, but he denies it. He once again tells me of his painting, however he now warns me that if I do not praise his imaginary painting, the painter will attack me. I felt insulted, but I knew his threat was empty and walked away.
A woman approaches me, She also has an imaginary painting she wants to share. I listen to the images she describes. Some slight variations, but ultimately the same imaginary painting. A different painter is credited. Again a person who thinks only of himself yet autistic, violent yet peaceful.
I once again turn to the painting that's actually there. While largely ugly. I see specks of life, hope and peace. The painting may not be pretty, but I'd happy admire the real, than force myself to accept a fantasy.
I look at the painting, a grotesque image full of suffering, violence and death. I see why it is avoided, yet I am unable to turn away. A man speaks to me, asking me to check a much better painting. I turn my head and I see nothing there. The man tells me of the beauty of the painting I just do not see. I tell him there is nothing there. He gets angry at me. I wave my hand where his painting is supposed to be and feel nothing. The man tells me more of his painting and how wonderful it is. The images he describes however seem appealing in some parts, but appalling in others. Humouring him I ask about the painter. He describes a neurotic control freak, yet described him as loving and social. Like the painting, I doubted his existence.
He tells me of the joy the imaginary painting gives him, but I point at the only one there. I tell him that is all I see. He tells me the painting does not exist. I put his hand on the frame. I can tell he can feel it, but he denies it. He once again tells me of his painting, however he now warns me that if I do not praise his imaginary painting, the painter will attack me. I felt insulted, but I knew his threat was empty and walked away.
A woman approaches me, She also has an imaginary painting she wants to share. I listen to the images she describes. Some slight variations, but ultimately the same imaginary painting. A different painter is credited. Again a person who thinks only of himself yet autistic, violent yet peaceful.
I once again turn to the painting that's actually there. While largely ugly. I see specks of life, hope and peace. The painting may not be pretty, but I'd happy admire the real, than force myself to accept a fantasy.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
The Emperor's New God
Remember the tale of The Emperor's New Clothes? (No, not the Disney movie with the llama.) Basically, the Emperor of this new land is approached by a pair of men who claim to be able to make a magic suit of clothes that do not appear visible to the stupid or those unfit in their positions of office. So the Emperor pays for this suit. Naturally he sent his ministers to inspect the work. As they could see no clothes, they pretended to see something otherwise they thought they'd be out of a job. The Emperor himself made an inspection and he too saw nothing but claimed he did, due to peer pressure.
Then came the day he tried on his new "gear" and went to present himself to his subjects. The crowd too pretended to see something for fear of being labeled foolish. All except a young boy who dared to state honestly what he saw. A naked Emperor. The spell of peer pressure was broken and the crowd laughed at the Emperor. Emperor himself is forced to realise he had been a fool, not because he failed to see the clothes, but to realise there were none.
An interesting story, but I get something out of it that Hans Christian Andersen, the story's author may not have realised.
Here we have a claim made, a fabric that cannot be seen by the foolish. A similar claim is made in Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Naturally this verse is pointed to in attempts to convince atheists that there is a god.
It is not unheard of that people who have lost faith in the gods they are supposed to worship still attend ceremonies because everyone else does. These closet atheists still claim to others they believe in order not to appear foolish just as the people in the story do. They fear their peers will look down at them. They fear to be ostracized and shunned by the community.
Like the swindlers in the story, the preists and the rabbis sell this god like the magic fabric. Seen only to those who truely beleive, and unseen to the "unwise." Lining the coffers from the tithes and other donations in exchange for this fictional god's love.
Nowerdays it's easy to see things as they are. Because like in the story, people have dared to say "there is no god." People are realising they have been lied to. That there is nothing there.
Who is the more foolish, the one who cannot see something magical, or the one who pretends to?
Then came the day he tried on his new "gear" and went to present himself to his subjects. The crowd too pretended to see something for fear of being labeled foolish. All except a young boy who dared to state honestly what he saw. A naked Emperor. The spell of peer pressure was broken and the crowd laughed at the Emperor. Emperor himself is forced to realise he had been a fool, not because he failed to see the clothes, but to realise there were none.
An interesting story, but I get something out of it that Hans Christian Andersen, the story's author may not have realised.
Here we have a claim made, a fabric that cannot be seen by the foolish. A similar claim is made in Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Naturally this verse is pointed to in attempts to convince atheists that there is a god.
It is not unheard of that people who have lost faith in the gods they are supposed to worship still attend ceremonies because everyone else does. These closet atheists still claim to others they believe in order not to appear foolish just as the people in the story do. They fear their peers will look down at them. They fear to be ostracized and shunned by the community.
Like the swindlers in the story, the preists and the rabbis sell this god like the magic fabric. Seen only to those who truely beleive, and unseen to the "unwise." Lining the coffers from the tithes and other donations in exchange for this fictional god's love.
Nowerdays it's easy to see things as they are. Because like in the story, people have dared to say "there is no god." People are realising they have been lied to. That there is nothing there.
Who is the more foolish, the one who cannot see something magical, or the one who pretends to?
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
The most terrifying thing of all.
What is it that all seek to possess, yet many fear and seek to suppress? What terrifies people more than the mightiest demon. What power in the universe can destroy even gods? Knowledge!
How many times has the status quo been shaken when new knowledge has come to light? The discovery that the world we stand on is a giant ball was too much for some. It forced people to question what they knew before. And again when the remains of the rulers of the earth before mankind were discovered and named "dinosaurs". The word of many gods were proven false when biological evolution by natural section was discovered and verified time and time again.
Yet, even in the 21st century CE, new wisdom is still shunned by those who seek to return us to the dark ages. They cower in shadows and seek to pull others with them with the promise of true enlightenment.
It takes brave people to smash down the walls of ignorance and brave the frontier of wisdom. To challenge the accepted and question the unquestioned takes strength of the mind. True these days one can question in civilised societies without fear of violent reprisal. Unfortunately there are still nations on this world that will use force to suppress undefiled wisdom in favor of holy lies, but it is my hope that now the fortress of ignorence has been breached and is now time to raze it forever.
How many times has the status quo been shaken when new knowledge has come to light? The discovery that the world we stand on is a giant ball was too much for some. It forced people to question what they knew before. And again when the remains of the rulers of the earth before mankind were discovered and named "dinosaurs". The word of many gods were proven false when biological evolution by natural section was discovered and verified time and time again.
Yet, even in the 21st century CE, new wisdom is still shunned by those who seek to return us to the dark ages. They cower in shadows and seek to pull others with them with the promise of true enlightenment.
It takes brave people to smash down the walls of ignorance and brave the frontier of wisdom. To challenge the accepted and question the unquestioned takes strength of the mind. True these days one can question in civilised societies without fear of violent reprisal. Unfortunately there are still nations on this world that will use force to suppress undefiled wisdom in favor of holy lies, but it is my hope that now the fortress of ignorence has been breached and is now time to raze it forever.
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