Why, Oh Why, Didn't I Take the Blue Pill?

A few weeks ago I wrote about evolution/creationism and, judging by the response I got, I touched a lot of delicate nerves. So now I'm going to re-visit the subject with a different point of view.

I realize that evolution is just a theory and not proven fact, and that creationism, or I'm sorry, "intelligent design" is merely an "alternative theory." I understand that people believe in certain things and they'd like their children to be taught the same things, or at the very least to be given a choice in what they will or won't believe in. You see, unlike a LOT of people, and while this is not always reflected in my writings on this blog, I possess an uncanny ability to see ALL sides of an issue. NOTHING gets past me. And it is THIS fact that is the source of my frustration with the creationists, that they are INCAPABLE, or at least unwilling to see the other side(s) of the issue.

If you want your religion, or I'm sorry, "intelligent design" to be presented to your children for their "consideration," that's just perfectly fine with me, with the following caveat : your children should ALSO be given the "theories" of EVERYONE'S beliefs, NOT JUST YOURS.

And so I'VE got a few "alternative theories" that I'd like your children to "consider."

Number one: the Universe is neither created nor sustained by a Supernatural being, it is beginning-less, endless and operates in accordance of natural law. Reality has but two categories, things with a soul, and things without. Cause and effect are the direct result of something known as "karma," that your actions and intentions directly affect your future. Violence, anger, pride, greed and attachment to material possessions are the primary causes of suffering and injustice. There is no afterlife, your immortal soul is "reincarnated" into another physical vessel, determined by the "karma" of your previous lives. Some of you may recognize these as a few of the primary doctrines of a little religion known as "Hinduism," or possibly "Buddhism," depending on where you live. No, I've never heard of it either, but apparently it's the oldest currently practiced religion on the planet, but I guess we can ignore all that, considering it's only practiced by ONE THIRD OF THE WORLD.

Number two: the physical world is influenced, not controlled, by beings known as "kami," whose main goal is to help humans attain happiness and prosperity in life by honoring family, nature, and life in general. "Purification," or the cleaning of one's body and dwelling is the negation of sin and evil. These beliefs are collectively known as "Shinto."

Number three: that humans were created as "vessels" for supernatural, other-worldly spirits known as "thetans." The human mind is comprised of the "analytical," the logical part that views the world with reason, and the "reactive," the part which corrupts the spirit with physical and emotional pain. This is known as "Scientology," or as it's more commonly known, "Grade-A Quackery."

Number four: our bodies are stored in gigantic, towering "hives" in order for artificial robotic beings to use our body heat as an energy source while our minds unknowingly inhabit a computer-generated "life simulation" known as "the Matrix."

Have you noticed a pattern developing here? People who say, "I'm absolutely right and you're absolutely wrong" have obviously never taken the time or effort to question their own beliefs, which, really, is the only true way to test your faith. Personally I was taught to question EVERYTHING, thus my atheism. Only fanatics, crazies, and idiots deal in absolutes. NOTHING is absolutely this or that, at least as much as you can physically prove.

Philosophical arguments are fucking pointless and ultimately worthless. The more you read about differing philosophies, the deeper you get into it, the more you realize that the harder you think about it, the less you truly understand. What philosophy is REALLY about is doubt; that you CAN'T know such things, therefore agonizingly searching for such truths is utterly futile. Which is, in essence, what "dianetics" is all about, the breaking down of one's ability to reason so that you'll eventually be incapable of perceiving the world in a logical manner, thus enabling your philosophical "mentors" to control you with fantastical tales of supernatural beings and miracles and shit. Yes, Scientology is UNQUESTIONABLY bullshit, and L. Ron Hubbard, it's creator, patently admitted so numerous times throughout his life, but can you honestly tell me that the above described procedure is NOT what ALL religions do? Can you honestly argue that the GOOD of religion outweighs the damage it has and continues to do throughout history? That's how we got George "Dubya" Bush. That's how we got Osama Bin Laden. That's how we got 9/11.

Now I'm certainly not saying that death, violence, hatred and war would not exist if religion did not, but how many of those things have existed SPECIFICALLY in the name of god(s)? How many wars have been fought, how many weapons have been created specifically to destroy one's philosophical enemies?

The simple fact is this: organized religion is a creation of MAN, not God, in order to control the hearts and minds of OTHER MEN. That's it. It's about power. It's about money. And which version of bullshit is taught to your children and masqueraded as "science" is irrelevant.

(And don't give me any shit about those last two examples, they're just as likely and provable as any other)

[special thanks to hindunet.org for info]