Can I Get a Witness?

The other night at 9:00pm, a pair of Mormons show up on my doorstep.  I had difficulty arguing the lateness since I was in the middle of playing Lego Batman with my daughter, though I managed to slip out of any lengthy conversation by stating that I was about to get the kids to bed (something I legitimately should have been doing).  A part of me secretly imagined what might ensue if a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses had happened upon my porch at the same time.  The following morning during my commute, I imagined myself playing devil’s advocate with them regarding their faith.  But really, who am I to throw stones – they are entitled to their beliefs.  Though I’d like to think that I’m equally entitled to my privacy.  If they return, it will likely be to square off with my better half – after which they won’t be back.  🙂

Blurbsday: Religion

This is a topic that I could easily write a lot about.  But I’m attempting to keep myself in check.  People seek answers in religion.  But all I’ve found were more questions.  Here are a few:

Christianity:  If the path to heaven is through faith alone and our actions play no part, then why do our lifestyle choices make any difference?  And if the path to salvation is only through Jesus Christ, then what chance did the dozens of generations before him have?

Judaism:  Does it make sense that God would create a world where only people born into certain families or who worship him a certain way deserve his love and redemption?

Islam:  Ditto.

Mormonism & Scientology:  Ditto, but with hints at a lot of other questions.

Buddhism:  You’re cool.

Atheism:  I kind of agree your stance, but do you have to be so dickish about it?

I’m sure that some of this will piss people off, and I’m sorry for that – to an extent, I’m being glib.  But also not.  Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, but I have trouble personally putting stock in any set of beliefs that minimizes any other group as less worthy of blessing, whether it be women, homosexuals, gentiles, non-believers, prostitutes, politicians, etc.  I also have trouble with a belief system that cannot embrace reason and science as integral rather than contrary.  We are all people, all born naked and alone in this world, all prone to falter, to fail, to fall.  If there IS a God at all, and if he cares whether we succeed, then wouldn’t he want us to succeed together?  But I guess that kind of questioning sets me apart from the crowd.

Sorry – this was more than a blurb.  I tried.

Coming to Terms

I’m feeling rather introspective at the moment.  Life is full of change and complication and agendas that could care less how well you keep up.  If you don’t take time to reflect on where you have been and where you are going, the journey loses a lot of its meaning.  These words feel somewhat ironic as most of the time I find myself giving my wife the opposite advice – she has a tendancy to let the past and the future overwhelm her so I ground her by telling her to focus on the present.  In truth, we need balance; we need to live in the moment while not losing sight of the past or losing focus on the future.  But no matter how much it is preached, it is a difficult lesson to embrace. Read more “Coming to Terms”

Political Beliefs

Do we live in a christian nation?  Do we live in a white nation?  Do we live in an English-speaking nation?  Do we live in a straight nation?  While most of these traits represent the majority of our citizens, I think most would agree that the answer to all of these questions is no.  So why is it appropriate for our lawmakers to cater to any of these majorities as if they are the voice of America? Read more “Political Beliefs”