America's Problem

Religion is a powerful thing, it shapes nations, creates wars, and serves as the foundation for many people's entire lives. People live by it, people die by it, and people kill for it. We can't be blamed for religion though, the universe is such a large and still mysterious place that we need something to help us cope with the questions we can not answer. But, religion has become dangerous. It has become a threat that we all must take very seriously. I believe religion is important in our lives, not as an explanation for unanswered questions, but as a moral foundation and a motivation to seek out answers to those questions. I think in time science will come to show that metaphysical teachings aren't as far out as we once believed.

Nevertheless, as it stands, religion plagues this nation. Specifically, Christianity, or as I should say 'literalist Christianity'. I call it this because I've come to believe that Christianity, as it is believed and taught today, doesn't reflect the original Christian teachings proposed by the Gnostics, for example, who I think were on the right track. I might be a bit harsh, for not all Christians are the narrow-minded individuals that I've come to associate with the religion. Indeed my closest friends growing up were a strongly Christian family.

But with the appearance of videos such as "Jesus Camp" and a video I'm currently watching about the members of the Westboro Baptist Church, as well as the ties that the current administration and Neocons has with the evangelicals I can't help but be afraid and very critical of Christianity.

My point being is that it is essential that we as Americans both defend our right to religious freedom and prevent the Christians from turning this Nation into a strictly Christian nation and more importantly, educate ourselves both about their beliefs and firmly understand our own so that we can defend our beliefs when they are scrutinized and criticized by the Christians. Don't get me wrong, I think the Christians have every right to be here as we do, but my beliefs are my own and I shouldn't have to worry about being forced to follow someone else's.

I'll continue to write more on this, as well as elaborate more on my useage of 'literalist Christianity' as well (especially once I'm finished reading The Jesus Mysteries.)