Tolerance

All of you that read my blog on a regular basis have a pretty good idea as to my views on faith. Recently I've found a bit more faith in my personal dealings in life, not in any ONE god, but rather an introverted connection with life. Buddhism is pretty close to how I feel about our connection as a whole but I have faith in no god. One of my views remains unchanged, without faith, we are lost. Faith is what made many countries great and faith is what brought many down. Speaking in generalities, most of the religions follow a similar ideal: Be nice to one another, or there will be some one, some time that's going to hold you responsible for your actions.



Recently in the news, the Cyrus Cylinder has come back into the spotlight with its scheduled trip across the United States. Dating back to 600 BC, it has been regarded as an early 'human rights' charter although that has been disputed among some scholars. What it does illustrate is a leader that respected other's choice of who and how to worship. Even 2500 years ago a great leader was made greater through tolerance. When he conquered Babylonia (which was described as a peaceful takeover) he repatriated (freed) the peoples of other areas and restored their places of worship.

Religious toleration makes life grand. People are allowed to do as they please and if you don't follow someones particular creed, well then you'll be judged by their version of the great 'I AM'. This is the part where I make the blanket statement that is often brought as an argument against religion and its perceived forced morals, 'more people have been killed in the name of some god than for any other reason in the written history of man'. That's factual, look it up. Whether that meant a ruling faction killed people who did not subscribe to their creed or killed by ritual sacrifice, more people in history have been killed for religious reasons than any other reason. Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, The Aztecs and even early Mesopotamia that Cyrus repatriated. The violence that we bring upon man isn't created by any god, it's our interpretation of writings that does this. IT'S MAN THAT BRINGS DEVASTATION NOT ANY GOD. 

 As a self proclaimed atheist that dabbles in faith as it pertains to my choices and with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, it really chaps my ass when one of the 'beautiful people' get on the news for trying to take away a baby Jesus diorama on public property, ripping out the 10 Commandments from a courthouse or on the complete other side Fred Phelps protesting the funerals of soldiers "God Hates Gays So He Kills Soldiers" What kind of god would sanction that shit? That asshole really needs to get a grip. Judge not lest ye be judged shithead. When we get to the end, either we'll be judged or it's lights out, the jury is still out on that one.

The point that I'm trying to make is that life is more peaceful if we accept others choices even if those choices completely suck. The devote need to preach their views to people who will listen and the non devote need to accept it for what it is. Appreciate the beauty of life and let others live it as they choose. Whether that means getting all dressed up to meet in an opulent house of worship, wash and pray 5 times a day, going unwashed to a glen to pray to mother earth, rubbing the belly of a fat little statue or just finding peace within yourself. It's all interpretation on our part. Don't blindly hate someone's choice to follow or lead. If what they do doesn't include hurting you or trampling on your liberties, then live and let live.

Am I advocating a conversion to religion? Yes. Whatever gets you through the dark shit, but don't get all high and mighty. Am I advocating a complete lack of faith? Yes, but keep your wits about you. No need to go beating up on the faithful. Even the self proclaimed faithless believe in something.

That's my two cents, spend 'em or put 'em in the dish for the next person.