- Anonymous Contribution ...

 - Please, appreciate as I do, an individual's choice to contribute anonymously. There is no need, nor any room for stone throwing here. I deeply respect the need for anonymity in many arenas of life, & if the internet can provide that, I'm grateful for yet another contribution ... 

 - A very compelling insight ...

Are both okay? Hey look, don't get me wrong... I'm a double-blind study kinda person. But, while waiting for the results, I rely on my faith to get me through! Golden, I read with relish your well thought out responses. Articulate, insightful and with sound reasoning to back up your stance, while not bashing others. Stacey, I'm glad you saw that this post (Adam's Recent Response) was worth the read... and the discernment. But maybe, just maybe... there's those who stand with a foot on both sides of the line! Not just an 'if you're not with me you're against me' way to think. And, why not?

It matters... of course it matters. This debate provides the impetus to have meaningful discourse over that which has caused humanity to bring the best and worst out in itself. Believe or Don't Believe? Creation or Evolution? By and by, humanity evolves their thinking, as Golden aptly points out. And we can handily see how living things evolve over time to adapt to their environment in order to survive. So, do I (and many other educated, uneducated, intelligent, simple, burdened, unburdened... humans who also believe in a 'higher being / power') believe in evolution. Of course! It's blatantly apparent!

But (you know there's always a 'but') under the things-that-make-you-go-'hmmmmm' department, there are very real and documented happenings that all the see-touch-feel-hear-smell-know kind of logic in the world doesn't explain. Oh sure, I could go on to list some, or tell you about the one I've personally experienced, but that would only throw the conversation into the proving or disproving of these events (you know some of you would 'go there') and sidetrack the point. The higher thinking is... maybe, just maybe... it isn't one or the other. Maybe it's both!

I picture a Belief Venn diagram! Simple, nope. Possible, yep. Why Golden, even you refer to something 'miraculous' ;-) Don't mean to catch you up... my case in point is 'why not?'! Why not come to the understanding that the validity of see-touch-feel-hear-smell-know (and this includes know that you don't know and seek to find out) can give us a good moral compass, and produce new discoveries for the masses, and move us toward acceptance of differences, and support of intolerance for bigotry, hate and oppression? Why not come to the understanding that a higher power (which is recognized in its many forms) is the explanation for that which is miraculous? I know I can't explain miraculous happenings! Can you? A simple 'I don't know' doesn't cut it in my book. I'm all for accepting the fact that there are things I don't know. Things that the most learned people in the world don't know.... yet. A cure for cancer, for instance. Will a higher power come along and plant the cure for cancer in the mind of someone so that there's no more cancer? Likely not! Have there been miraculous happenings in the cancer world? Yep! Some of the most brilliant physicians in the world would tell you, "I don't believe in God, but I do believe in miracles." These double-blind study, don't-believe-in-God, brilliant human beings have witnessed miraculous happenings.

I'll count myself amongst the group of people that have realized this more recent adaptation in human evolution. When it comes to something that is simply beyond comprehension, simply unexplainable, seemingly hopeless, I will not be deterred in my search for the answer, while finding strength in a higher power to continue to look and having the faith that I may just find an answer... or perhaps experience another miracle. Now, not everybody needs to, chooses to, wants to... what-have-you... believe in such a power. They might even be okay with 'I don't know'. And that's fine. Whatever floats your boat. But as for me... I'm living in the best of both worlds!

Someone you just might know.

- From My Heart, To Yours ...

I’ve been writing, for my own mental health, for over thirty years now. It’s exciting, and a little humbling to consider that many of the opinions I currently face are of an age that suggests they were but a distant cosmic alignment when I first put pen to paper. Yesterday, I hosted a dialogue that quickly became diluted by hurt feelings, & what seemed like bitter memories. This is not to suggest that any of these were anything less then valid, more that such ideas can certainly bring out feelings better reserved for a more personal and intimate dialogue.

I could list here my own personal challenges, personal victories add infinitum, but I’d hope if you’re really interested in that part of the story, you’d take the time to read back in the blog. There’s much to uncover, and going there would wind us down a far different road. We all struggle; we all have successes to celebrate and failures that should be used to motivate us. Some know this, some unfortunately never will.

What I want to accomplish here is to offer something that shouldn’t cause debate, it should allow you to know my position and understand why I believe what I do. I want to do away with the misnomer that “faith” is such a bad word. I hope to show you that faith for me speaks to my passion for freedom. My faith in my fellow man, keeps me open to new ideas, & show that those very ideas have contributed to my successes. I want you to see that for me faith is in lessons learned, relationships worked for, nurtured and maintained, for me faith is in the people I grow to love more everyday.

I grew up with a very devout Catholic father. His faith was the corner stone of our family’s beliefs and practices. I always had the feeling that my mother followed his lead more because it was expected, then she actually was as devout as he. Dad was the only boy to his parents, as am I the only son to mine. When, at a very young age, I expressed a deep interest in theology, and by design the Holy Orders, my father immediately squashed this idea, and reminded me it was my job to carry forth the family name. A very young boy, hurt and confused by a man made idea.

The path I’ve chosen has demanded that I take nothing at face value, much like I’ve told my children & any young person that would lend me an ear; I’ve questioned everything and have never been afraid to crack the spine of a book to find out for myself. To that end the archaeological record certainly shows the existence of a man, a prophet on our planet some 2000K, plus years ago. A point in fact is quite simply that at this time in history, this part of the planet was almost littered with like minded men and women.

We today cannot begin to comprehend, with our finite minds, the depth or breadth of oppression these people lived with at this point in the human record. History has conveniently labeled many of these groups. The only real point to be made here is that the oppressed minority today should unwaveringly be able to cast aside such labels and empathize with the feelings of oppression of any people at any time. Whether one is oppressed by the Hyksos, the Roman Empire, the American Occupation in the Middle East, or straight up, in your face Corporate Greed disguised as North American Democracy, the oppressed masses strain under the lash. As laughable as it may be to some, tragic to others, in 2012, the lash can be seen as the Jimmy Choo’s or Tistoni’s worn by the Wall Street Elite.

As a young man, now grown husband and father, I’ve always imagined the surest form of time travel to be the written word, lovingly penned by candlelight, or oil lamp by the scribes, philosophers, or the prophets of the time. What a fascinating idea, isn’t it? To know that the moment your hand touched the pen, the pen scrawls it’s way across the medium, your very essence was preserved in time, for generations to see. Certainly the physical body performs the action, but the idea left behind, be it on paper, parchment, or gouged into a tree was there as a mark of the creative individual. Long after you’ve left the planet behind; destined for whatever the universe has in store for you, your creative moment in time remains, & carries on; man made theories on eternity be damned, earthly elements willing }:)

I began to understand that the vary books I was reading, the essays researched; were the closest I’d come to the real story. Plato, Socrates Epicurus, Epictetus, Jesus of Nazareth, The Gnostic Gospels, Moses, Frankl, Nietzsche, the list is far too long to run here but you get the idea. I understood pastors, priests, my Philosophy prof. friends, family, they all had opinions but my education would be in the trenches, studying learning and living it day to day. Jon Kabat-Zinn had much to teach, even if it was only learning to listen to the world around me. I learned that even the experience of sitting in a room with 100 other people and listening to a friend lie through his teeth for 45min. straight had much to teach, if but the only lesson was that I never wanted to become that person.

Please, indulge me as I go back. I want to take you back to the archaeological record that shows the existence of a people in the Middle East dating back at least 10000K years, current digs may show earlier settlements yet, of civilized vibrant communities. Here in North America, we may be able to boast some 200yrs. at best, before we need to hop back in boats, give the land back to the Natives who were here first, (oppression anyone?) and head home to “The Old World”.

When you, begrudgingly to be sure; discuss Religious Oppression we, as a relatively “free” people, cannot begin to fathom the level of political and religious oppression that these people lived with for 1000K’s of years. The Temple System of the time was arguably the most oppressive religious system ever imagined by human kind. When coupled with the politics of the Priest Class that Enjoyed its benefits, & the military occupations that reaped its rewards we’re left to shudder at the implications on the people it exploited.

So we can now begin to appreciate those that bravely spoke out against these oppressors, & the systems they lorded over their people. Suddenly we may even begin to relate to their causes, their arguments & while a language barrier may prevent direct translations, the ability to empathize allows us to connect with a universal struggle. It is here where I begin to connect with the prophets of the time, recognizing a common thread. While I’d never imagine myself a prophet, let alone a person in such a position of leadership; I can recognize that my own personal struggles matter little to those in power over me, that my success or failure is ultimately my own to determine. I also recognize that my gifts afford me the opportunity to share in the struggles of those around me, & to refuse this is less then human, we are after all dependant on one another to some extent, & united we may rise to an occasion. Divided we will certainly fail.

I’m aware that many who read this will frown at the idea of Theology, but I hope you can, at least for the purpose of this argument, submit to the fact that, at its heart it is nothing more then the rational inquiry into Religious questions. For me, this is a balanced idea, along with the archaeological record, that looks at what happened when the man, Jesus went to his death. What happened? There were certainly many others being persecuted at the time, why has his story stood out. It absolutely benefitted many institutions to promote him. Without question, the most pagan, poly theistic super power of the time, The Roman Empire, road his coat tails all the way to the bank; just as so many do today. Yet, what was it about his story that caused so many to document it at that time. By most estimates this began before his own generation had passed on.  Why was his story, the biggest best seller human history has ever known?

I’m pretty sure we know why today & it’s very simple. I’m not the first to suggest it, quite possibly the first you’ve considered, or maybe the loudest   } :) It is actually a theory that is running rampant and has been for a number of years now. Obviously squashed by the people who depend on your tithes to pay the bills, but certainly no less powerful. A few things stand out, we’re certain he studied the letters of Isaiah so we can safely assume he knew the story of a “Jewish Savior”, also it is clear that the idea of a “Risen Savior” was alive and well at the time and associated with a rebel known as “Simon of Peraea” killed by the Romans as early as 4BC, very close to Jesus time. Possibly a contemporary of Jesus’ cousin John (the Baptist). So we see these ideas were alive and well in the population. I point to these things simply to show you that in much the same way we scramble for news about Beiber, Brad & Angelina, and Snooki; these people had the same ability to grow rumor and ideas.

Sin & the “payment for one’s sin” was an idea lorded over this people. It infected the population & controlled every aspect of their day to day lives. We clearly see its ill begotten ideas even today. It was lorded over them in such a way that the idea of being “clean” was far more a priority for most, then even food or shelter, and the only way to be clean was to submit to the Religious Authority, its Priest Class & it’s laws. Jesus, the man a prophet from Nazareth, came with a simple message, if you believe you are free, then you are. His assertion was simple; there was no need to submit to any human authority. Here we can begin to submit our own interpretations, but For Me (and many others); the message is clear and simple

We can get bogged down on language; various religious interpretation and grammar add infinitum. Or simply read the idea and take it on our hearts in the same way we would with any other stimulating text. Ask yourself how we can get emotional over a FB timeline, but not a written document over 2000K yrs. old!? (I shake my head!)

 One man challenges one of, if not the most oppressive political, religious system in human history, his actions were documented, & like all of “recorded” history, are subject to interpretation. His message was quite simple; treat your fellow man as you would like to be treated, and you are free, if you choose to be. In later years Sorren Kierkegaard went on to write “People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use”. This is where real freedom begins; with the freedom of thought. A free thinker is a powerful man.

That’s it. Today I deeply appreciate the life lesson he taught some 2000K yrs. ago, it took me damn near a lifetime to discover it, "treat others as you like to be treated, seek truth & your own freedom", & by extension, "challenge the existing system" & yes he is my single biggest hero. Like Martin Luther King, Jr, Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, and so many others. So many of these great men and women have been forgotten by history. Like them he went to his death, carrying a message of non-violence, and reform for human rights.  It saddens me that men bastardize these lessons for their own profit & in many cases the greatness of the person is lost. It certainly wasn’t the last time history saw great men exploited for the religious machine ask the Mahatma, oh wait …

So there it is, to an intellectual community that prides itself on measurable tangible proof, the information is available, if you really want to find it. When, on August 2’nd 1939, Albert Einstein wrote his famous letter to, then President F.D. Roosevelt, morality most certainly met science face to face. Can we be so pious as to not respect his "moral" epiphany? I’m surely assuming much here, but we’d be foolish to not recognize the obvious religious overtones, of this point in history as well. Before I finish I believe it is paramount to recognize that the “Religion” we all rail against today is the product of men. Maybe give God, the universe, the great expanse of space, whatever it is you find yourself having a real difficulty with, a break. Just recognize that men have created the issue, men have exploited men. At the end of the day, men carried out these atrocities. They’d have done it all in the name of "The Great Chicken" if they were led to believe it was the right thing to do. To paraphrase the great mind of George Carlin, I don’t believe any God would be giving a shit about my job situation, or my sex life, that would be my issue to deal with, and I’m pretty sure if Jesus showed up on CNN he wouldn’t be saying God Bless America, he’s be blessing everyone, & encouraging us to get over our pompous bullshit, but who am I to speak for the big JC !? Now I’m one of them }:(

We should never blame Religion, Science, Drugs, Alcohol or Momentary Insanity for the Deeds of Men. If we have anything, it is the freedom of choice, & more then one person has come through history to remind us of that.

I’d like to end with the words of a great man & a powerful mind, as prefaced in the picture from yesterday’s post:

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind”. (Albert Einstein)

 - Know Today, That You Are Loved ! S.

- A Very Intelligent Response ...

- I recently posted a piece in response to the strong opinions being voiced all over FB, regarding religion & creationism vs. science and evolution. From the wonderfully intelligent and articulate Adam Golden, I give you the most powerful and passionate comment ever posted on my blog ...

                                        https://www.facebook.com/adam.golden.37017

      

 Ok, starting from the top. It’s true that no one really knows. However once upon a time no one really knew the shape of the earth, whether the earth revolved around the sun, or vice versa. In those times I’m sure that there were those that said “ What does it matter anyway?” but due to the questioning of a few intrepid questioners who studied, explored, and made educated assumptions based on observable realities eventually both of those unknowable questions were answered. 

 What does it matter? Why is the debate important? It’s important because what we have here is two diametrically opposed systems of thought, both of which deal with the most important questions of human reality, and only one of which can be correct. The first system is one based on reasoned careful study of secular data such as history, physics, geology, palaeontology and a host of other scientific disciplines which are themselves based on carefully gathered factual information which can be tested, proved or disproved and reproduced at will. This first system tells us that both the creation of the universe, and the creation and development of our race, and all other species was a slow process of trial and error over trillions of years. Ultimately culminating in a set of circumstances just right for our development and growth as a species. 

 The second system is based on a few texts written in an age when superstition supernaturalism and mysticism were rampant on the earth. This system requires that it’s adherents accept it’s teachings and principles absolutely, without the benefit of demonstrable facts, or corroborating evidence. It values obedience over exploration, acceptance of doctrine over critical reasoning and has throughout history taken the view that all truth comes from itself and no other source. It is a system committed to the suppression of facts which don’t conform to it’s stated truths. A system which has throughout human history suppressed, persecuted, and even murdered those who have proven, with hard evidence, the fact that their doctrines are incorrect. 

 If that weren’t enough there is more than one variation of the second system. Each one absolutely certain that it is the “one true faith” and so these various faiths war against each other as well as against the secular system. Often these are symbolic wars such as the war against contraception or the war against medical intervention, but just as often these conflicts are literal wars. The Iran/Iraq war, the Serbian conflict, the various African religious genocides, and most notably the Crusades to name a few. Whether literal or symbolic the cost of these wars in both material and Human lives is shockingly sickeningly high. 

 Why does it matter? Because in an age where we control weapons capable of demolishing whole cities at a go, in a time when we can control viruses of such lethality that they can kill tens of millions in a matter of days we can not afford to look at the world through any lense but that of hard, proven fact. We cannot afford to have an electorate who believe that the prophesized end of days is close at hand and welcome it. We cannot afford to have leaders who believe that their god is on their side and so they can do no wrong. In an age when our understanding of ourselves, our world, and the universe has reached heights undreamed of by any age before us we are beginning to have the ability to truly understand the miraculous scope and depth of the wonders of reality. Through our telescopes and microscopes we have the ability to witness wonders and truths which should relegate the posturing gods of the old books to insignificance. But rather than this being the case what we have is a world of religious moderates who are quick to distance themselves from the distasteful parts of their own literature, to separate themselves from the “radical” practitioners of their faiths ( who more often than not are doing no more than holding true to a literal reading of those same texts) and instead what was once literal fact is transmuted into metaphor meant to be interpreted. “ Ok so we were wrong about that, but the rest is absolutely true.” or “ You can’t take it literally, it’s meant to be interpreted” become the common refrains of these moderates who hold to their beliefs more out of tradition or apathy than any real faith. 

 Why does it matter? Because followers of this second system demand the right to have their faith held up in our institutions of learning along side subjects such as math and science, as though they share a level of truth or veracity. Because whole generations of children are raised to believe that faith is more important than evidence. That if your faith and your reason come into conflict it is your reason that is at fault. That morality comes from faith and without faith there would be no morality, completely ignoring the fact that most of the most heinous offences against morality in human history can be directly traced back to faith of one type or another. 

 Why does it matter? Because we have been ruled by fear and superstition for too long! Because the age of knowledge and reason so long sought by so many is upon us and it is no longer necessary to lean on the crutch of supernaturalism for support. It is important because the world is faced by real problems and god (allah, vishnu, thor, imhotep, whatever) is not going to save us. Science might save us, reason might save us, a critical, thoughtful educated outlook on reality might save us, but only if we can put aside the antiquated ideas that limit and divide so many of us and concentrate on the simple secular truth that nothing is going to happen unless we make it happen. 

 No one really knows but isn’t working toward discovery through study, the application of reason and the gathering and testing of observable fact a better, nobler and more productive use of our time and energy than clinging to outdated parables and social strictures because we fear a death we don’t understand or because we’ve fallen prey to the crippling belief that we are somehow incapable of anything glorious in and of ourselves? It’s time to reclaim the power we, somewhere along the line, ceded to some outside caregiver. 

 Those two scientists at the beginning to of the blog both stated that their work led to more questions. Just because we don’t have the answers doesn’t mean they aren’t out there, and just because we don’t understand a thing doesn’t make it divine or magical. If religion had had it’s way neither of those learned and exceptional men would have been allowed to seek their answers let alone find them. All exploration and experimentation would have long ago ceased because all that we need to know was set down for us by shepherds and fishermen twenty centuries beforehand. All logical thought would be suspended in favour of mysticism and subjugation to invisible spirits, and THAT is why it matters!!

 - While I'm certain, many of the people who've read my blog may be deeply bothered by some of the things written here, I hope you consider the ideas of the generation coming behind us ...

   Love; S.

- So Over The B.S. }:(

 - O.K. ; seriously, when will you all take a step back, put your "opinion" aside, & consider another idea? 

No One Really Knows, & What Does It Matter Any Way

That's it. That's all; end of discussion. Director General of CERN, Rolf Heuer, after discovering the Higgs/Boson or God Particle is still paraphrased as saying there's even more questions now. Lead scientist Ari Patrinos who lead the study to map the human genome; in my humble opinion, an even greater and more significant feat, can also be paraphrased as saying that this discovery leads only to far more questions. So if your paying attention, these ground breaking feats of human science lead to far more questions then answers.

Let's assume, let's "Hypothesize" for a moment. I'll pose the theory, you speculate. Adam & Jamie go ahead with their study, and stumble upon ground breaking proof that shatters forever the idea of creationism. What happens next? Do all the non-believer's take to the streets? Do they finally get their parade, the week after "Pride Celebrations"? Maybe they all launch into legislation to take back funding from separate schools, or have all faith based education removed from society. How would that be better then the hate mongering that exists today? I have freedom, just as long as I believe what you tell me to!? If I don't then you look down on me, or I'm stupid, gullible, "un-educated". Well I guess all the PhD's in theology musta been dumbasses all along! My question is basic: to what end? What does it mean? Really, what would it change? So you have your proof, ... now what? What life changing event would take place that would make me or any other person of faith have a better life? You get your "I told you so", & get to publicly pat each other on the back, ... O.K. ... Now What !?

 - or maybe ...

Jesus shows up, he materializes in front of hundreds of millions of live television viewers; w/ Bill Maher on his lap! It's like a scene right out of Star Trek, "zzzzzzzupe" right next to Anderson Cooper, just as Bill's choking back a big, sticky, green bowl of Strawberry Cough. He says: "all the atheists need a hug", that the real far right evangelicals are "whack jobs that need to stop putting words in his mouth". Then he says he'll be sticking around just for a couple of weeks. He wants to take care of some things, like making sure all of Oprah and Trump's money goes to the homeless, while these two annoying shits get real jobs like cleaning out cow barns for dairy farmers; "appropriate justice for overt corporate crimes", he says. He then assures us that the book of Revelations was a joke that Paul wrote while he was bent on some bad wine, and all he really wanted for us; was to see everyone smile more often. He feels bad about disease but he's gonna make sure that the dicks who screwed w/ the food chain get what's coming to them, he's gonna fix that, the hunger problem & wants us to learn to Crank the Tunes more often, & lighten up. O.K. !? ... Now what? What really changes? A world of haters, non-believers & skeptics would remain ...

 - what if ...

To the atheist scenario 2 is an absolute joke; laughable, insulting maybe. To the practicing Christian, the whole idea of 1 and/or 2 may be insulting if not down right offensive. To me, it's all meaningless, because in the grand scheme while all this energy is wasted on pointless debate; I prefer to find reasons for offering compassion and understanding to both sides, and everyone in between. What if? ... what if that's the grand purpose? What if, while all this pointless bullshit bickering and arguing grabs so many in it's tornado of mindless finger pointing, the real epiphany comes to the few who choose to say: "So What, Who Cares Who's Right & Who's Wrong, What Does It Matter Anyway"!? That's my truth, I choose to look for common ground & understanding, & if that's Holier Then Thou, then I don't give a shit, because I'm not the one passing judgement. I'm on a public forum, not limited to family & friends, offering an idea ...

Discussion, debate, the sharing of ideas in a Mutually Beneficial forum has it's place. From the beginnings of civilization these are the tried, tested & proven tools to grow our humanity. Awareness is key though, and the awareness that some things can not be legislated escapes many of us. A persons faith, belief & desires are shaped within the individual. These are honed through singular, personal experience. The morality of a man Is His Own & must be a personal journey, encouraged from the earliest days of consciousness. The reverse is bitter, angry rebellion. Parents for generations have broken hearts to prove this, add infinitum.

 - so there it is, comment away, the box beneath remains open }:) ... Love; S.