Religion and God

I was raised by a devout Catholic and a devout Jew. I attended, from grade school to graduation from high school, two Catholic girl's schools maintained by cloistered nuns. I've been both confirmed and bat mitzvahed. Living both religions made me understand that God is big enough for more than one religion. That thinking fostered my interest in learning about the world's major religions and their histories. I spent a significant portion of my free time, during a 15 year span, reading the religious texts, multiple interpretations of those texts and histories of the texts and religions featured within the texts. Learning a specific religion is a simple matter because there are all manner of people willing to tell/teach a person about "their" religion. It was upon learning the history of each religion that I realized the majority of them spoke of the same God just in a different context. Most religion is nothing more than the retelling and reinterpretation of the previous civilization's myths and fables. Elders or people within a society who wish to gain or maintain control of the society are the ones who establish the myths and fables that are to be adhered to and how they are interpreted. Historically, the interpretation and adherence of the myths and fables did not pertain to the people in charge of making certain the masses followed the rules.

That being the case, I never lost sight that there is indeed a God. However, God is just that, God and outside of the human experience and beyond human definition. God transcends human emotions but is manifested in the infinite goodness and brilliance of which humans are capable. It is my belief that it is humans who love God and not God who loves humans. God's divinity supersedes something as simplistic as human emotions, such as jealousy and vengeance. However, it is the love of God, something divine and greater than themselves, that has granted countless humans, since the dawn of man, the ability and inspiration to achieve great acts and greatness. It is the belief in God that has enabled generations of humans to endure and overcome unimaginable hardship and achieve incredible feats. I learned, as a child, prayers are not intended to change God, they are intended to change the person who prays.

As for my personal feelings toward religion. I believe most religions interfere with people having a true relationship with God in that most religions first REQUIRE people believe in the religion before they can believe or know God. Christianity and Islam have set their prophets as demi-gods. Trust me, I do not require the opinion of ANY man about God for me to know or love God. I do not require ANY rules of ANY man for me to know the inspiring touch of God. That being said, I certainly encourage all people, who believe religion aids them in knowing and fostering a personal relationship with God, to seek a religion that best suits them. However, when an individual and/or group decides to force upon and require others to adopt the cannons of their religion that religion should be abolished and viewed as a threat to society and civilization. Look at the death and destruction caused, for centuries, by Christianity and Islam and tell me I am wrong.

Stress Relief Internet Style

When it comes to relieving stress there is much to be said for taking a moment and "whacking the penguin."

After clicking the link you'll need to double click and hold on the big monster until the moment is just right to stroke the club and give the penguin a truly thorough whacking. It may take a bit of practice to be able to go the distance but this is one of those times that practice is part of the fun.

This is such a gratifying little bit of sport you might find yourself feeling a wee bit guilty and doing it more frequently than you should. However, there is no need to worry, the penguin will be fine, you wont go blind or grow hair on your palms.

Keep in mind; just because you are sure you know how something is going to turn out you really don't know until you give it a whack!