Firstly I believe that the key to a good post is a good title. Titles are the first thing you see, it's supposed to hint at the content, and intrigue the potential reader. Obviously, this one is a play on the book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" and is also controversial. Based on the context it's probably about religion.
Spoiler alert, it is.
Because who is better to talk about a concept that has been around since the beginning of humanity than some 16 year old with a blog?
Pretty much anyone, really.
But that doesn't mean I won't insert my two cents.
So, there are many views on religion, from the extremes of atheism to the overzealous "Jesus freaks out in the streets" written about by Elton John in Tiny Dancer.
But at its most basic. it's all the same.
And I don't think anyone is wrong. And just because One religion says one thing that doesn't mean another religion saying another religion is wrong. Because it's all the same idea. Explaining how and why we are here.
"But Bailey, Jesus isn't a bald fat guy or a six armed goddess."
And to that I say:
"You're right, but you're missing the point."
Now I'm not the first person to think this, I got this philosophy from Community creator Dan Harmon. Harmon described religion as: "a connection to the unknown, not the answer to it."
I like to think of all of this as an internet modem.
And don't worry, science is also included in this. We still don't know why the big bang happened. We have theories, but no solid evidence or answer. I mean, science says we have atoms, and religion doesn't say we don't. Science doesn't explain what made atoms, not really. But religion offers an explanation.You need a balanced diet. You can believe in both without wither being entirely wrong.You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, in my opinion. As was written by Michael Crichton in The Lost World:
“A hundred years from now, people will look back on us and laugh. They'll say, 'You know what people used to believe? They believed in photons and electrons. Can you imagine anything so silly?' They'll have a good laugh, because by then there will be newer better fantasies... And meanwhile, you feel the way the boat moves? That's the sea. That's real. You smell the salt in the air? You feel the sunlight on your skin? That's all real. Life is wonderful. It's a gift to be alive, to see the sun and breathe the air. And there isn't really anything else.”
Whether you agree or not it makes a lot of sense. We may always be wrong in the long run.
Now back to that internet modem thing.
Let's say all of life's mysteries and the unknown are like the internet. We see the effects of it everywhere, from the existence of life to a Facebook message, but you can't hold either thing in your hands, but you know they exist. You cannot hold life any more than you can a gigabyte of data, you can hold a vessel containing them but you cannot hold either without its vessel.
Now that you get that comparison think of ideas like science or Christianity as a modem/internet provider. Your internet provider gives you a modem to connect the internet. Science and Religion give you a way to connect to the unkown. They aren't the unknown or the internet themselves, they just give you a way to connect. They can't (as of 9/10/2014, support net neutrality) tell you what you can and cannot see or experience because of the internet. They can't tell you that you aren't allowed to change ISPs or use another every once in awhile. That is a persons choice, it is their right to choose how and what to believe in, or what ISP to use. Just because your parents believe in it and the people around you do doesn't make it right. Be an independent thinking human being and use the brain your god gave you and think for yourself. Just because your parents are catholic doesn't mean you can't be a Buddhist. Just because they use Comcast doesn't mean you can't switch to FIOS.
Now, it's not right to discriminate because some people use other ISPs or believe in other religions. It's not right to have a superiority based on yours. You're not better than anyone for what you use/believe. A church sign once read: "God likes loving atheists more than hateful Christians."
Don't hate on people for what they believe in because you believe in something else. Don't hate gay people because your religion isn't down with two dudes getting it on. It's none of your business and as long as they don't discriminate against you for liking the opposite gender it's all good, man. Your life shouldn't revolve around if another person likes the pole or the hole, it doesn't change your life.
Basically what I'm trying to say is love everyone, don't be a dick.
That's it, that's something every religion can get behind. Right?
I think Pope Francis is really a huge supporter of this. He really is an admirable religious leader., especially when there's a good chance the more moving and shaking he does the more likely he is some zealot with a gun will come and put an end to his time as pope. I mean no disrespect by this. I really enjoy this article discussing his best quotes. He's an open minded guy trying to bring Catholicism into the 21st century. How can you not love him? He gives out Joyrides on the Popemobile!
This isn't the 12th century, the crusades are over, did you not see the third Indiana Jones movie? The time for wars over religion should be long behind us. I think we have come far enough as a species to know that that shouldn't matter, that's no basis to judge people. Judge them on their character. It's 2014, get over yourself.
No one is more right or better than anyone else due to their beliefs. All you are doing is looking at the same world through different colored glasses.
As always, I love you all, no matter what you believe in. Or who you love.
Also, if you wanna see action hero Jesus fight zombies check this insane Spanish short-film out.
Again, if you want to reach me and tell me I'm wrong and all about your sexual relations with my mother, tweet me @TheBailey_Fox or email me at bailey.f98@gmail.com.
Peace out,
Bailey S. Fox
Spoiler alert, it is.
Because who is better to talk about a concept that has been around since the beginning of humanity than some 16 year old with a blog?
Pretty much anyone, really.
But that doesn't mean I won't insert my two cents.
 | ||
| Thought I'd lighten the mood before the heavy controversy. |
So, there are many views on religion, from the extremes of atheism to the overzealous "Jesus freaks out in the streets" written about by Elton John in Tiny Dancer.
 |
| Careful who you call a freak, buddy. (Just kidding I love you) |
And I don't think anyone is wrong. And just because One religion says one thing that doesn't mean another religion saying another religion is wrong. Because it's all the same idea. Explaining how and why we are here.
"But Bailey, Jesus isn't a bald fat guy or a six armed goddess."
And to that I say:
"You're right, but you're missing the point."
Now I'm not the first person to think this, I got this philosophy from Community creator Dan Harmon. Harmon described religion as: "a connection to the unknown, not the answer to it."
I like to think of all of this as an internet modem.
And don't worry, science is also included in this. We still don't know why the big bang happened. We have theories, but no solid evidence or answer. I mean, science says we have atoms, and religion doesn't say we don't. Science doesn't explain what made atoms, not really. But religion offers an explanation.You need a balanced diet. You can believe in both without wither being entirely wrong.You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, in my opinion. As was written by Michael Crichton in The Lost World:
“A hundred years from now, people will look back on us and laugh. They'll say, 'You know what people used to believe? They believed in photons and electrons. Can you imagine anything so silly?' They'll have a good laugh, because by then there will be newer better fantasies... And meanwhile, you feel the way the boat moves? That's the sea. That's real. You smell the salt in the air? You feel the sunlight on your skin? That's all real. Life is wonderful. It's a gift to be alive, to see the sun and breathe the air. And there isn't really anything else.”
Whether you agree or not it makes a lot of sense. We may always be wrong in the long run.
Now back to that internet modem thing.
Let's say all of life's mysteries and the unknown are like the internet. We see the effects of it everywhere, from the existence of life to a Facebook message, but you can't hold either thing in your hands, but you know they exist. You cannot hold life any more than you can a gigabyte of data, you can hold a vessel containing them but you cannot hold either without its vessel.
Now that you get that comparison think of ideas like science or Christianity as a modem/internet provider. Your internet provider gives you a modem to connect the internet. Science and Religion give you a way to connect to the unkown. They aren't the unknown or the internet themselves, they just give you a way to connect. They can't (as of 9/10/2014, support net neutrality) tell you what you can and cannot see or experience because of the internet. They can't tell you that you aren't allowed to change ISPs or use another every once in awhile. That is a persons choice, it is their right to choose how and what to believe in, or what ISP to use. Just because your parents believe in it and the people around you do doesn't make it right. Be an independent thinking human being and use the brain your god gave you and think for yourself. Just because your parents are catholic doesn't mean you can't be a Buddhist. Just because they use Comcast doesn't mean you can't switch to FIOS.
Now, it's not right to discriminate because some people use other ISPs or believe in other religions. It's not right to have a superiority based on yours. You're not better than anyone for what you use/believe. A church sign once read: "God likes loving atheists more than hateful Christians."
 |
| There's irony if a homophobic sports fan is singing"We Are The Champions" before a game. |
 |
| Back to Elton, him loving men in no way changes how good his songs sound. Or his place in music history. |
Basically what I'm trying to say is love everyone, don't be a dick.
That's it, that's something every religion can get behind. Right?
I think Pope Francis is really a huge supporter of this. He really is an admirable religious leader., especially when there's a good chance the more moving and shaking he does the more likely he is some zealot with a gun will come and put an end to his time as pope. I mean no disrespect by this. I really enjoy this article discussing his best quotes. He's an open minded guy trying to bring Catholicism into the 21st century. How can you not love him? He gives out Joyrides on the Popemobile!
 |
| How can you not just like the guy? He just seems like a cool dude. |
No one is more right or better than anyone else due to their beliefs. All you are doing is looking at the same world through different colored glasses.
As always, I love you all, no matter what you believe in. Or who you love.
Also, if you wanna see action hero Jesus fight zombies check this insane Spanish short-film out.
Again, if you want to reach me and tell me I'm wrong and all about your sexual relations with my mother, tweet me @TheBailey_Fox or email me at bailey.f98@gmail.com.
Peace out,
Bailey S. Fox
I don't particularly feel like emailing you, so if you read this comment, great, otherwise, oh well.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to add my two cents, and I'll be quick.
There's a reason that Pope Francis is not getting shot by religious zealots, his actions are not that groundbreaking. The changes he's made in the church are more along the lines of changing how it is perceived rather than how it actually is. If you imagine the church as being a sick person, say a leper (a stand-in for being anti-marriage equality, anti-contraceptives, etc), rather than treating the leprosy with antibiotics, Pope Francis is performing plastic surgery so that it doesn't look quite as hideous.
To comment on the rest of your idea, what have you to say about religions, like Catholicism, that have it as part of their very definition that they do not treat everyone the same (LGBT people in the case of Catholicism)? If you say they're doing it wrong, then obviously some 'internet modems' (the ones as tolerant as you) are better than others, if you say they're fine just the way they are, then you may not be judging people but they're going to continue to, and ultimately nothing changes or improves.
Basically, intolerance of the intolerant is necessary to maintain a society free of discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, or sex.