Ministry of Free & Independent Thought

We, as humans, possess many traits. Some even qualifying as qualities. Others being seen as faults. What many people fail to realize, is that we all possess the same group of traits; we just show them at different extents than others.

Traits that are generally considered qualities are ones that make other people around us happy. Yes, for us to be considered good or likeable or what-have-you, we must possess traits that allow other people to respect our opinions and way of life without them having to bend themselves to accomodate.

Think about the traits in your spouse/partner/significant other that made you fall in love with them. Was it the way they open the door for you? The way they selflessly devote themselves to making you happy?

How about your friends? Why are they your friends? Do they listen to you when you need someone? Do they support you throughout your decisions?

Now think of this: What are their motivations for being that way? Do you think it is simply because they love and respect you and want you to know that? That could be part of it. But really think about it. What are your own motivations for being the way you are? Is it because you want them to be happy? Or is it really because you want them to be happy with you?

When you do something for someone, is it not because you want them to continue loving you? The idea of a selfless act is exactly the opposite. None of us do a single thing without thinking of ourselves first and foremost.

One may argue; “I adopted a starving child from Africa!” or “I gave an organ to a complete straner!” This all may to well and true, but do these actions make us any less selfish? No. In fact, they go to prove our selfishness. How so? When that person thought of adopting that poor child or giving that organ, they thought about how much they would enjoy doing such.

When we do something for our lover, we do it so they will continue loving us. When we do something for our friend, it is so that they may continue being our loyal friend.

This doesn’t make us bad or anything. It is simply how we are. Fundamentally, it is our chemical makeup to be this way. No one – not a single person – is innocent of this. And simply something to think about.

Thoughout my day, I sometimes think of this and laugh, because it’s so true and so harmless.

The History of Christmas

What exactly does the word ‘christmas’ mean? More Christ? Hmm. Nah, we’re just lazy Americans who like to make everything simple for our diminishing minds that are oh-so-clouded by tissues of fat… That’s a topic for another blog… Christmas is quite simply a dirivitive of “Christ’s Mass.” A mass is most generally referred to as a gathering of a large number of people, usually in celebration or feast. So a gathering in celebration of Jesus Christ, you say? But what ever did this man do for us on this day of December (or Nisan 14) , some 2000 years ago, that deserves a special day?

That’s a damn good question!

Paganistic, money-mongering, evangelical boy lovers will tell you that this is the date on which Jesus Christ, our saviour was born. Where is the evidence to suggest this? In Luke 2:8, we are painted a picture of Jesus’ birth. The shepards are tending to their flocks when they hear the news of Jesus’ birth. Shepards would not tend their flock [of sheep] in the cold season; their flock would freeze. Also, the guiding star? Not visible in winter. Three kings that were guided by the star? Sent by King Herod to kill Jesus.

What many people overlook, also, is that Christmas is a very pagan-based holiday. How so? When was the date chosen for Jesus’ birthday? It obviously wasn’t when the scriptures were written. It was actually determined by Roman Catholic leaders some 336 years AFTER his birth. They called it Feast of the Nativity. I’m only twenty-two and can’t even find my birth certificate… Imagine all the facts and evidences I’d lose in 336 years, especially if they weren’t documented in my memory. Hmm… You may also find it interesting that the church determined this day to compete with other non-church-related (aka pagan) holidays. At that time, the Cult of Mithras celebrated the birth of their god of light on the exact same day. What better way to attract people to your religion than to offer grand feasts (free food)?

Even Christian writers before this initiation of the celebration of his birth dubbed birthday celebrations as paganistic. See writer: Origen of Alexandria. (Not ‘origin’.)

So what can we take from this?
- Jesus was most likely born during the warm months, when shepards tended to their flocks.
- The star is not visible during winter months.
- Three wise men (kings, magi) were sent to kill Jesus, not offer gifts.
- Roman Catholics CREATED this December 25 date to compete with rival religions.
- It was considered paganistic and self-righteous to celebrate your own or someone else’s birth.

End result?

You may be committing a sin when you celebrate your own birthday, or even what you may think is that of your saviour’s. Not a happy thought, is it?

Keep in mind that Santa Claus, his sleigh and reindeer, carolling, gift-giving… Are all based on pagan practices. Google “origin of” and insert one of the above and you will see what I mean.

sources:
Cult of Mithras

http://canada.virtual.museum/Exhibitions/Noel/angl/cultes.htm

http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/traditions/christmas4.htm

Feast of the Nativity

http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/traditions/christmas4.htm

I’m here to dispute evolution. Yes, that’s right! Not only do I dispute the very ideals and beliefs about god, but I also reveal secrets about evolution. Here we go!

If you believe in evolution, this may just change your mind… Or if you’re ignorant enough to believe what anyone will tell you if enough people with college degrees lie about it and ‘make it law’. Truth is, evolution – the theory – is NOT a fact. It is, however, a ‘scientific fact’. How is this so? A scientific fact only requires a bit of research (be it 100% conclusive or not) and a theory to back it up! (See: wikipedia.com/Fact)

So those who say that putting faith into an intangible, “magical” god without having “facts” or “proof” to back it up, are obviously also confused about their own beliefs in evolution. Now, some may say, “Well, thanks to carbon dating, we can establish periods in time in which certain lifeforms and rock belong, thus proving evolution.” This just isn’t true. Let’s explain carbon dating. What many accounts fail to mention, is that radiocarbon dating (aka carbon dating, c14 dating, etc.) is only accurate up to 60,000 years prior. Whether or not even this is a true timespan, is left to you to determine. But this is commonly accepted as accurate information. (Source: http://www.c14dating.com/k12.html)If it is only accurate up to 60,000 years, there is absolutely NO way to prove millions of years of evolution with this method.

Now, on to plants. When did plants get here? Where did they come from? Truth is, no one knows. Google it, or what-have-you, and you will find nothing about how single cell organisms (the basis of evolution) became multi-cell organisms (plants, animals, etc.). They say that it happened sometime about 200 million years ago. Note, again, the lack of proof that it happened and when it happened.

Going back to the idea that all life is derived from a single cell organism… The theory is that we all evolved from a single bacteria. Well, let’s look at bacteria, shall we? There are about 2000 different types of bacteria. Bacteria have a lifespan of anywhere between twenty minutes to a couple weeks. Within this period, they reproduce more bacteria. Bacteria that are exactly the same as their parent. Every time. (Source: http://www.ehow.com/i/#article_4614584) So, the theory that some magical bacteria one day decided to go rogue and become multi-cellular is simply a blatant lie. Again, try to look up exactly how this magical single cell bacteria morphed into a multi-cell organism some 200 million years ago.

ow about dinosaurs? Well, just recently, dinosaur remains that were ‘dated’ at 68 million years, were found with soft tissue still in tact. Soft tissue has been accepted to only be able to preserve for about 100,000 years in good conditions. (Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050325100541.htm) Now, this team of scientists is insisting that tissue can live longer, rather than accepting that dinosaurs and the world is not millions of years old and actually lived during the same period as man, as that would throw the entire evolution theory out of sync.

If you believe in creationism and that dinosaurs were here during the same period that man was, you know that even 100,000 years is just too old. In the book of Genesis, we can read that God created man and animals at the same time. He also commanded all animals and man to feed upon the fruits of the land, making them non-meat-eaters. It’s also widely accepted fact that the earliest dinosaurs were herbavors. Just like all animals were originally. When Adam and Eve betrayed God, were cast out of the Garden of Eden, and had their children, the world was no longer peaceful. Cane committed the first murder. Animals began eating other animals. Also, in the account of Noah and his arc, Noah is commanded to take up pairs of all the domestic animals and not the beasts of the land. Hmm, what could this be? Dinosaurs, maybe? These scriptures are easily found via Google searches, thus my lack of citation.

And what about Darwin? The guy who started all this hooplah! Plenty can be said about this naturlist, but the most hard-hitting of all truths about Darwin, is that near the end of his career and life, he often would state that he thought the origin of man was of a creationist descent, and not that of evolution.

Whatever you believe; it’s all a bit much either way. I have to believe in creationism, simply because it’s ridiulous to think that a single cell organism can change on a whim in its short lifetime, without free will or a higher power guiding it. Especially when it is a proven fact that a bacteria is still a bacteria after reproduction. Every time. And why are primates still around? Did they simply decide they didn’t want to evolve? There are too many holes in science. Does this make me a church-going bible thumper? Not at all. This makes me educated and simply choose to find my own way through self-guided research.

Evolution. No major truth. No facts that strongly prove this theory. Magical single cell organism that somehow morphed into a multi-cell organism. Modern day prophets?

Creationism. No facts that strongly prove this theory. Magical heavenly bodies, miracles, etc. Ancient scientists with skills in writing?

Believe the words of ‘educated’ men or ‘enlightened’ men?

This blog assumes that what is in the bible is true to some or to full extent.

With that… Let’s get on with it.

My parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I respect what they believe… but when it comes down to a few things, I’m drawn away from the whole religious aspect of things. Let’s try to outline this in a sensible manner…

Disclaimer: this is not an attack on the JW faith or any faith. In fact, JW’s do not believe in some of the things I speak of in this post. My upbringing spawned my thoughts here.

The creation of Man:
Very first book in the bible. God creates Jesus. His first creation. Then he creates a myriad of angels and the galaxies and what-not. Satan is Jesus’s brother. If not in the way we think of brother, definitely in a sense that they are of the same origin, except that Jesus is considered the only true Son of God.

It is told that God creates Man in His image, basically. He creates Man and a partner for him. He gives Man free will so that he may make decisions for himself. Along with free will, he gives Man emotions. With emotions, one of Man’s most deadliest of aspects comes in – curiosity. Now, knowing that Man is driven by curiosity, He (God) still decides to put the tree of Forbidden Fruit in this Garden of Eden that Man has been bestowed.

This raises a question in itself:
1) Why would He place a tree (or a luring trap) to dangle in front of Man?

Let’s save this one for a bit later. Now, Satan – Jesus’s ‘brother’ – descends upon the Garden of Eden with wickedness in his heart, seeking to corrupt God’s creations out of jealousy.

Now, it says that God is all-seeing, correct? We’re all familiar with this ideal. So, then, why does God allow Satan to descend upon the earth? Is He, too, curious as to what will happen? Doesn’t He know all outcomes of all situations? Is He not all-seeing?

So, with this tree dangled in front of them, Eve is convinced to take of its fruit. With her seductive nature, she convinces Adam to do so as well.

God is, obviously, angered by such. But did He not know this would happen, considering the circumstances? Did He not watch this? Why the hell did He even put a tree there in the first place, if not to tempt Adam and Eve, in a very similar way as Satan had.

There are many points to discuss/argue, but I believe this is one of the most intriguing. God, being the selfish being that He is, created Man in HIS image (because He loves Himself so much), and not only told them to obey and worship Him, but told them not to partake in the fruit of the most beautiful plant in their environment.

Pretty selfish and wicked in itself if you ask me…

Another biblical idea we can tackle in this blog; Hell. The pure idea of the existence of Hell, or a place of eternal banishment and suffering, is contradictory to the idea of God. In the bible, it says that Hell is separate from God entirely. However, it also says that God is everywhere…

God is everywhere:
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

Supporting facts that God is absent from Hell:
“I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness,”? (Matt. 7:21-23).
“depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire” (Matt. 25:41)
“but your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isa. 59:2),

As you can see, this is all pretty conflicting. If God is everywhere, how is He not in Hell?

Also, what kind of message is sent when we think of Hell? Basically, it is an ultimatum; it is God saying, “Worship me or perish in eternal Hellfire.” Sounds like a gun being pointed at your head…