Are you there God?

So i have been noticing lately that religion is popping up everywhere. I know this sounds strange. I am currently reading the book "Under the Banner of Heaven". This book is about the Fundamentalist Mormons. So I am noticing the crazy end of religion. I am also seeing it come up in my fellow bloggers blogs. Talking about praying and that they need to do it more. I am also seeing it in my news. Each presidential candidate having to discuss their religious view points.

Okay, I am not religious. Never have been, never will be. I don't need this greater power to get me through this world. I was raised as a Presbyterian, but i was more into the choir and bell choir than the actual bible stories. I also don't like to be guilted into believing something either. That isn't religion, that is a threat. If God is so forgiving, he wouldn't care if you who you were cause he made us in the likeness of him, yes? And how dare it be said that someone isn't allowed into heaven because they don't believe in Jesus, or that they are gay, or the color of their skin. This is why i have great issues with religion. It's hypocritical.

As i have been reading the book, these current day Mormons killed a woman and child because God spoke to him and told him that he needs to do this. Now, people are saying he is insane. Okay I am not going to fully argue that, but how about if this was 200 years ago? or hello.... Jesus going around saying he is the son of God. If someone walked around today saying that, he would be locked up. And the fact that everyone laughs at the ideas of other religions. Look at the Greeks and them having a God for many different things. That idea is silly. But they lived a long while, believed this and built shrines to them (which people go visit) and wrote stories. If this was in one book called the Bible, would it still be around? So how can people put down other religions when if they look into their own, they would see the ridiculous stories that are in there.

I had a discussion with a coworker about this. He believes in Jesus and God and the whole package. We were talking about the Golden Compass, so that is how the conversation started. I don't normally pick this as a discussion knowing the potential of it going all sorts of wrong. Well we discussed heaven and hell and the Bible. I said that I can't believe in a book of STORIES that was written HOW many centuries after the death of Jesus. First off, if i am going to believe in a book of stories, then noone can make fun of Scientology. They are doing exactly what the Christians did, just more recent and with aliens. I said it is like the game we played as a kid. It is the game telephone. Where one person says something and by the time it gets to the end, the whole thing has changed. Now don't get me wrong. There is very possibly a guy named Jesus, and he may have been a really great man. But I don't think he was the son of God. As for heaven and hell, that is something i think the church uses to scare people into behaving and doing good. Having good morals. Now yes, i do think good morals is important. But i do believe that when i die, i am dead.

Another thing that scares me about religion is the my God is better than your God. Most wars are fought because of religion. That or oil.... but I am tired of each side saying that God is on my side. Okay if there is a God, do you really think he would want war? How about every award show. I want to thank God for winning this award for me. How about thanking the nice people that voted for you. Cause God is currently busy with the war that is going on somewhere else. He may have better things to do than grace you with an award.

Lastly, before i go into a more crazy downward spiral of religion and piss off too many people, i am tired of it coming into play with politics. I don't give a shit what religion you are. Can you run the country with out God? If yes, please apply. Is it me or wasn't there a separation of church and state? unfortunately, religion does get in the way cause of issues like the death penalty and abortion. Because people have religious stand points on it. First off, don't play God and kill people. Second off, it's my body so leave me alone. If men could give birth, that issue would be moot.

I am leaving you with an interesting thing i saw on the Daily Show the other night. I know this may be a bit much, but it's been in my head for a couple weeks. I don't think religion is fully bad. I think people use it in a bad way. Go ahead pray and believe. That is healthy. But don't force people into your beliefs. And respect others differences.