Shouldnt the question be, Why Evil, not How?

I wonder if it is possible to take a look at the early beliefs of Christianity and be Logical? I find it interesting that the basis for "Original Sin" is taken from a Jewish story and Jews dont believe in Original Sin. So lets see what Adam and Eve are guilty of.

Genesis 2:16-17

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

So let me get this straight, if Adam hasnt eaten from the tree yet, how can he have any knowledge of good and evil? It seems to me he is being judged while not having been given the proper skills to know the difference. That seems blatantly unfair. But lets back up for one minute. Adam is doing ok, but God thinks he should have a playmate, obviously God would know if Adam is lonely(so much for perfection in the company of God), so Eve is now created. Now again I would like to point out, these 2 individuals are with God in a Garden of perfection, they have everything they need, BUT they desire something more, even though they were explicitly told not to take it.

Genesis 3:2-3

"We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

So here we have God saying dont touch this tree or you will die, but how in the world can we expect them to understand the consequence of that act if they still dont have the knowledge of Good and Evil? Isnt that the same as telling a baby to not do something without giving them the skills to understand why? Now even more shocking than not having the proper information on Good and Evil, it also seems God created them with desire for something other than what they have. Wow this is pretty Logical so far.

Ok now it gets really Freaky. Here come the Christians to add something to the story that wasnt in the original, because of what Adam and Eve have done, all the successive generations of humans will be blamed for it, hence "Original Sin". So let me get this straight, because of something my great, great, great........grandfather did(who by the way, didnt understand why it was wrong), I now get blamed for it also. I have no choice in the matter, I am guilty by default. Doesnt this logic get more impressive as we go? This interpretation of the story and its affects on people who believe(and indirectly the ones who dont) is just so profoundly Unjust.

But wait it now gets even more "Logical". Jesus is now to be the "messiah" that the Jews foretold of and he would take the stain of original sin and save us all. Forget the fact that the Jews dont believe it, it becomes Logical because Christians say it is. The really interesting part about this is, not only is Jesus the Messiah, hes also God incarnate. At this moment I think we may want to back up a little bit. The original story concerning the Messiah has no reference to him being "God Incarnate" in fact, this is Blasphemous to the Authors and followers of the 1st story. So here we have one group of people, taking another groups story and then re-telling it the way they think it should be read, regardless if that is not the way it was intended!

This is sooooo convoluted. Mind you I never was very Logical.

So let me get back to the title of the post. Do any of us "know" why Evil seems to be present in the world? I dont need to know the "How"

Crystal Ball, Crystal Clear? For those of us who like the Question.

This post was inspired by my internet friend Doug at Freestyle road trip. Ive recently been following several blogs that seem to have similar threads. It seems the whole bunch of us are all wondering the same thing and with that wonder we all seem to profess to have a crystal ball, or at least the desire to get one. Its funny reading from atheists, Jews, Christians, Deists and many more, that we all have the same wish. To at least have a glimpse of what its all about. This song is for Doug and his Mid life questions. Happy 40th Doug.

I used to like to walk the straight and narrow line

I used to think that everything was fine

Sometimes Id like to sit and gaze for days through sleepless dreams

All alone and trapped in time

All alone and trapped in time

I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me

Or am I even in its mind at all

Perhaps Ill get a chance to look ahead and see

Soon as I find myself a crystal ball

Soon as I find myself a crystal ball

Tell me, tell me where Im going

I dont know where Ive been

Tell me, tell me, wont you tell me

And then tell me again

My heart is breaking, my bodys aching

And I dont know where to go

Tell me, tell me, wont you tell me

Ive just got to know

Crystal ball

Theres so many things I need to know

Crystal ball

Theres so many things Ive got to know,

Crystal ball

Are we so Bad that we need to be Saved?

After several recent conversations, it got me thinking(again). Are we really such bad people that we need to be "Saved". I mean ,like really, do the majority of us continually do crappy stuff to each other, everyday all day long? I like to think that my fellow Human has just as many Good moments as they do bad, and if that is the case then why do many Christians feel the need to see themselves as inherently bad? Im wondering fellow bloggers, do you see yourselves as inherently bad or good?
Hope you like the vid. ;)

Respect or Fear?

Fight, fight were the words everyone was yelling. I hurriedly rushed to the center of the crowd of students. It was I who was to do combat. I was a skinny little kid, my opponent was older and bigger. I was terrified! We both jockeyed for position and then wham it hit me. A direct punch to my head, rather than thinking that hurt, my first thoughts were. "Mark hits a lot harder than you do". It was at that moment I knew I would punish my foe. I made him pay for my pain and suffering that had been doled out to me for years. The crowd took notice. For weeks afterwards I was congratulated and revered for my punching prowess. It was at that moment that my delusion began, I now thought I was Respected but little did I know that it was only Fear. Fear that I may do that to one of them. It took me years to realize the error of my thinking, but in that time I hurt many an opponent not realizing the one I hurt the most was myself. I am healthier now than ever before, but every once in a while I want people to respect me and the old me creeps back into my thoughts. Thank God I have matured ;)

I have been thinking lately about the religious Gods that most of us pray to. Do we Respect them because of their Loving aspects or is it actually because we fear the repercussions if we dont. It seems to me the concept of Jesus was that he layed his life down for us, as any Loving parent would. I understand that sacrifice as I would do anything for my daughter. In fact if need be I could sacrifice my life for her. The thing is the concept that Jesus illustrates seems to have been perverted. There was a time Im sure when people saw the idea and new it was about Love, but now it seems most have learned to attribute fear to it. Fear that you will not be included unless you do as God says. Fear that you will be punished if you dont do the right thing, believe the right thought. I understand those fears. I understand completely from both sides, they are not born of Respect.

Tell me, do you Respect your God or Fear it?

A(absent).. D(dad)... D(disease)

"Hello Mrs. T, as you know little Johnny sure does have a lot of energy, hes curious, active, and quite talkative, he must be quite a handful at home." "I know, his Dad died young and Im finding Im just not up to the things he would love to do." "I totally understand, its a good thing hes the only boy in the class without a father, Im not so sure I could handle too many boys with that kind of energy."

So many years have passed since I was that age. I am saddened to see that there are many more boys who have to live with what I did. Now not all fathers have died, and this is what makes it even more tragic. Some just dont care enough to be active participants in their sons life, and others, because of their situations are denied their rights as fathers. What these situations are doing is creating a generation of drugged up kids(Ritalin). Now I know what I am suggesting is controversial but I think we need to ask ourselves, "are the boys of today physiologically challenged because of Nature or because of Nurture(lack of men)?" I know that how I respond to the world is very different than how my female counterparts respond. I also know that as a male if we are not allowed to express our inherent natures then it will surely come out in some other dysfunctional manner. This nature has to be nurtured not only by our mothers but most importantly by our fathers. How we as boys learn to traverse the road from boyhood to manhood is lead primarly from our fathers.

Now I have these questions, In the pursuit of equality for Women have we unintentionally discriminated against our boys? Has the pendulum swung too far in the opposite direction? Are we feminizing are boys?

What kind of Christian are you?

I got this idea after reading a Post written by an internet friend(Jason) at Societyvs.wordpress.com, he wrote the post for de-conversion.com. From what I have gathered by reading the blogs of Jason I would consider him a good man. He has many admiral qualities and is respectful and polite. In my opinion he exemplifies the goodness that Christianity can offer. Now dont get me wrong, there is much in that religion that causes strife and discord, but as I read the bulk of his words I would make the claim that he uses it for the betterment of his life and others. As I have been reading a lot on Christianity lately, I have come to the conclusion there is no real definitive description for what a Christian is. It seems that there are countless interpretations and viewpoints on what it means to be Christian.


Catholic, presbyterian, pentecostal, baptist, Universalist, liberal, conservative, evangelical.........and the list goes on. It seems everyone decides to cherry pick scripture and work their beliefs around that. Sure there may be some points that most agree on, but really its a hodge podge, as Im sure it is with all religions. So I have decided to be Christian, and in the following few paragraphs I will show you what I am going to base my beliefs on. They will all be Bible Based though. Here goes.

1. 1 John 4:16 (English Standard Version)

16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

I think that this is as good a starting point as any, if there is a Creator Im sure it would be Loving. Afterall Im a parent and I love my kids too.

2. John 12:32 (English Standard Version)

32And I,when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

You gotta love this one. From the mouth of Jesus. Hes going to take care of Everybody. I mean damn, we dont have to worry about faith vs works, sprinkled or dunked, Evangelical vs Catholic. Its like WOW, were all ok.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (English Standard Version)

21but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Use that brain.How can we not expect things to make sense, I mean like, really, who here isnt going to research something after thinking, "man that just doesnt make sense." It sure helps when you read all those Nasty scriptures and realize a Loving creator would never do that kind of shit. This scripture has really helped me see how many people actually try to use the Bible for there own purposes( go figure).

4. Galatians 6:7-10

Galatians 6:7-10 (English Standard Version)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.


Damn, you reap what you sow. Its like who/whatever made this Universe had a format. If you do certain behaviours or actions, they will come back to you. Now thats just freaking genius! I believe its the old adage "what goes around, comes around idea". I am sure we can all relate to that one, especially if you have Kids.

5. Matthew 7:1-5

Judging Others 1"Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Firstly this one is for all you "nice" Christians who are going to jump all over me for Cherry Picking, I hope none of you live in glass houses. On a second note, couldnt we all live by this one. And if we did, do we not "know" the world would be much much better.

I wrote this to show how if I wanted, I could be Christian too. I would be no different than anyone else who reads the bible and trys to inform his/her life by it. The "FACT" is you cant live the bible 100% literally, anyone who believes they can is at best delusional, at worst Homicidal.

Im not sure if most people know this, but the term Christian was first used as a slur. I see how that has come full circle as many, many people who have had terrible experiences with the faith now see it the same. For all the people hurt by the assholes of the religion, just remember, they are not real Christians, LOL Oops.

Grace........We all could use a little of that.

Though I do not consider myself Christian as I dont believe Jesus to be God, I am still in awe of many of the writings attributed to the Bible and its writers. One such writer has talked greatly on something called "Grace". What a beautiful concept, isnt that something we all wish we would get once in a while?" Havnt we all screwed up so badly we just wish someone would say "Dont worry is all right?" I love it when my wife tells me she loves me and forgives my bull.... I think St. Paul rambles on about how such an idea of "Grace" is applied, but hey, I forgive him.

Enjoy the vid.........It pretty much sums up Grace for me.

Duality, Whats up with that?

Man/Woman, Happy/Sad, Good/Bad, Night/Day........Im sure we've all noticed how everything in this world seems to have its opposite. If man did not have woman he would cease to exist, just as woman would without man.Our bodies require both positive and negative ions for nervous input. Its without a doubt necessary for everything in this world to have an opposite for the continuation of life as we know it. My question is, why do you think that is? I would love to hear from Philosophers, Scientists and just plain old folks who think they have the reason. Then lets see where that takes us. By the way try to limit the quoting of Scriptures of any faiths, Im looking more at how your own brain works it.

Heres a couple of Videos that pretty much show our Dual Natures. Hope you enjoy.