Rant

It has been awhile since my last post. I am offering no excuses but I was in an accident adn have had to curtail some activities.

Nevertheless I am back and more sarcastic than ever. during my recovery I have had time to really think about what it means to be human and to be a part of the community of people who don't fly full loaded passenger planes into buildings nor fly over beaches filled with tourists trailing a banner showing aborted fetuses.

That is missing the entire point of faith. When we first came up with the idea of belief it was supposed to comfort us and give us strength to face whatever challenge was staring at us. I suppose that sitting in a dank cave not knowing why the environment around you was loco then it was somehow understandable that our ancestors would see divine intervention everywhere.

Faith now has become an excuse for the less honest amongst us to commit all manner of crime against their fellow humans and all the while claim that they were doing the work of God or Allah or whatever. It is as if the mainstream churches and mosques have lost their willingness to curtail the activities of their rambunctious offspring because secretly they approve of the madness for it attains their political ambitions.

For if there is one thing both religious and political fanatics cannot abide it is the annoying concept of freedom and the ability to choose. They cannot hide in a free and open society where anybody can say "Hang on a moment, what heck are you saying here?" so they have to try and make somebody be "in charge" because without that we humans can go and do anything we want and not be held accountable.

Wrong Sparky. We humans are held accountable in the end by a legal system that owes it's origins from English Common Law than the Ten Commandements. What most Western religions can't seem to get through their thick skulls despite secular attempts is the notion that we are all individuals and therefore all have clear ideas of right, wrong, and the area in between. The Christians and the Muslims fundamentalists are like two spoiled children who have reached adulthood and now their parents have come to realise that maybe letting them get away with murder was not such a hot idea after all. I am not saying that all muslims and Christians and jews are bad because I have know many individuals of great morality and integrity who are as insensed by the madness as I am but one must remember that these individuals are overwhelmed by the vast numbers of sheep who just blindingly follow along.

Unfortunately those individuals are fighting a losing battle. In trying times people search for ways to make themselves feel better, to calm their fears and make them feel safe. Or am I being far too harsh in my words? Is there nothing even worth holding onto in religion? The answer has become: No. Sprituality and religion are two very differant and very opposite things. Religion is all about control and keeping the masses distracted. In this time of year I ell both sides to shut the hell up and let us enjoy the season without all the nonsense. I am aware of the Christian reasons for the holiday but the original festivals were to honor pagan gods such as Saturn and Mithras. New evidenc is suggesting that Christ himself was born in September or October. But these days the holidays are a time to try to have peace and spend time with relatives that you may not get to see on a regular basis, not spending time in church. Life is far too short to be wasting it.

With all the things going on right now we need some peace with relatives, some down time where our only concern is do we have enough egg nog or are there enough cookies to go around. We should tke the approach to Christmas that my nieces and nephews take: Flit from table to table, vainly trying to taste everything, ripping into the presents under the tree and just generally enjoying this time of year.

Enjoy this time of year. Spare a thought for our service members in harm's way, be they Army, Marines, Air Force, or Navy. They are fighting a war for the rest of us to live free from tyranny and fear. Spare a thought too for the less fortunate of our human family. But always remember to have fun, eat too much, chase the kids around the tree, hug your mom and Dad, and generally cut up while you can. Never pass up an oppourtunity to spend time with loved ones.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Have a Great Saturnalia!