A personal view on Christianity, life and humanity.

Christianity By Faith

As a child I grew up in an upper class home, with parents who believed in god. They never talked about religion with us kids and let us make up our own minds about what we wanted to believe in. I suppose that if we had asked them about the creation, about life and death, they would have told us their beliefs. But they never needed to. School took care of that. I went to a protestant school, where we from the age of 6 were taught about Christianity.

We learned the stories in the bible and about this religion on a daily basis. This would have been okay, but no one bothered telling us that this wasn’t history. No one told us this was a belief, a religion. We were taught as if this was truth. As children we believed every word the teachers said. Because they were teachers. For us the bible was just another history book that told us about the past.

The disciples were as real as Neanderthals. Jesus as real as Napoleon. So as a child I was a Christian. Because we were not told that there was someone called Darwin, that what we had learned was belief and not truth, and that the bible was nothing more than a written collection of stories about what people believed in 2000 years ago. No one told us the bible was not a history book. No one told us about a theory called evolution.

I grew up in the Netherlands, but moved to Norway at he age of 10. Completely unaware of the scientific theory of evolution that already was accepted as the truth throughout the world of science, I kept up my belief of an almighty god that had created the world in six days. I started singing in a choir, at a local parish. I loved singing and made many friends there. But the parish taught me all about

Christianity put into practice. Pressure, threats, greed, outing, narrow-mindedness and plane intolerance. I got to the point that Christians made me sick to my stomach, they were so fucking sanctimonious it was sickening. I left. To this day I still despise Christians and even hate them.

After my break with Christianity I searched for other religions that would give me the tolerance and answers I so desperately needed. I found Buddhism. It gave me peace with myself and I was a true believer for three years. But I could not let go of my hate and despise for Christians, and I had a harder and harder time believing in the idea of nirvana. Even Buddhism required some belief, and I had grown to be critical of anything that could not be proven. I left Buddhism as I started my first year of college.

And at my first day of college, in my very first lesson, I came in contact with science. Not religious make-believe, not fantasy. But cold, hard facts. At the age of 16, someone finally told me the truth. They told me about Charles Darwin and about evolution. Lightning struck, and from that moment on I was an atheist. I never looked back.



Religion is comfort, it is based on fear and superiority. Fear of what happens when we die. The idea of humans being superior of all beings on this planet. It gives comfortable answers, and allows us to make up a fantasy of eternal life. That we never will die, never will suffer again and that we all will live forever with family and friends that have died before us. It sounds more like a bedtime story for kids.

Seriously, GROW UP! What the fuck is so scary about dying? We live right now, right here. When my life is over, it is over. Why do you need to live forever? Death is a part of life. Our death gives life to others. If we were meant to live forever, then we would have lived forever. We live, give birth to a next generation and then we die.

And why do you need to feel that you are superior to others? What makes you think that you are better than any other creature on this planet? Because of our intelligence? How intelligent are we really? How do you measure that? By how many species we can extinct?

By how many forests we can cut down? By how much poison we can put into the air, the water and the earth? By how fast we can destroy the balance that enables life on this planet? By how many wars we fight? By how many atom bombs we build? How intelligent are we REALLY? Are we smarter than the predators who kill the sick, old and weak prey, so that only the strongest and healthiest animals give on their strong genes to their offspring?

Are we smarter than the earthworms who contribute to fertilizing and turning the soil all over the planet? Are we smarter than the trees, the plants or even the grass, who their entire life work to clean our air of carbon monoxide and create oxygen? Are we smarter than every creature on this planet?

Smarter than the creatures who live in balance with nature? In balance with the forces that allow them to live? Why do we have to feel that we are better than them? Why is it so hard to understand that we are all equal? To understand that we are all related and share the same planet?

To understand that we all have one thing in common, namely life. We are not only idiots, we are evil. The planet is better off without us. Many species have become extinct during our planets history. But we are the first species to have the ability to eradicate not only our own species, but every living thing on this planet.

We are even intelligent enough to understand this, and still we continue our selfish path to total extinction. That is not just stupid, that is plane evil. We are digging our own grave and stand with one foot in it. But instead of stepping out and filling up the hole, we jump in, and make it even bigger. We make it bigger and cover it so that others will fall too.

There are a few exceptions, some native peoples and tribes live in harmony with nature and everything living around them. Some individuals do too. But their attempts to fill our graves are not enough. A shovel can’t fill up graves fast enough when a million bulldozers dig new graves every second. A helping hand can’t pull a man out of a grave if he doesn’t want to be helped.

There is a big difference between intelligence and wisdom. It is sad to say, but humans have evolved towards intelligent stupidity instead of wisdom. An intelligent and hungry tribe would look at a herd of bison and invent a way of catching them. They would build a trap, or chase them off a cliff.

Then they would have plenty of food for the next months. A wise and hungry tribe would kill the oldest and youngest bulls, the oldest and youngest cows, and let the rest escape. Because they want to eat next year as well. By letting the best cows and bulls survive, they know that there will be calves born to feed them next year.

That this herd will continue existing for years to come, to feed them and their children in the future. A wise man thinks not in term of days or months, he thinks in term of years and generations. He wants his children to have a good life, his great-grandchildren to be proud of the way their great-grandfather took care of their future.

We may be intelligent, but unfortunately wisdom is not humanities strongest attribute.

"What Religion Are You?"

"Life is so generous a giver, but we judging its gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy, or hard. Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the Angel's hand that beings it to you."


VERSE...From beginning to end, our God is there! What is there for us to fear? What can happen that can change this one undeniable reality? We belong to the God who is always there, who always cares for us, and who will always work to bring us salvation! No matter what happens to us tomorrow, or the next day, or the one after that, our destiny lies with the God who stretches from beginning to end and who secures for us life that never ends.MY PRAYER...Father God, thank you for the blessings of this past year. Please guide me as I seek to use your blessings in the coming year. Inspire my confidence about your future for me and fill me with joy because of your salvation. For all that has been good, holy, and gracious, I give you thanks and praise. For all the ways I've sinned, failed, or stumbled, I ask for your forgiveness. And for tomorrow,and another new day and another new year, I await with anticipation and gladness for I know that I will see them come or I will be at home with you where days and years no longer matter. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Ex 20:3



“You shall have no other gods before me. Ex 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol...Ex 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God...Ex 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Ex 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother...Ex 20:13 “You shall not murder. Ex 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery. Ex 20:15 “You shall not steal.Ex 20:16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Ex 20:17 “You shall not covet...
IS YOUR CHURCH TEACHING OF GOD'S TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE FROM THE SCRIPTURE?CHECK AND COMPARE?IF NOT, THINK MY FRIEND, YOU HAVE BEEN DECEIVED...

1Corinthian 6:9-10

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

(Above Biblical quotation are taken from NIV)

1. The Greatest Deceiver of them All
2. A Common Word ...
3. Deuteronomy Deductions
4. Who is the Unlettered Prophet?

Women in Christianity and IslamOverview articles

1. Women in the Qur'an

2. Muhammad's Low Opinion of Women

3. Top ten rules in the Quran that oppress and insult women

4. Women in the Bible: [Part1], [Part 2]

5. Women in Islam: [Part 1], [Part 2], [Part 3], [Part 4]


1. Was Muhammad a Pedophile? An Examination of Muhammad's Relationship with a Nine-Year-Old Girl
2. Muhammad in the Bible? An Analysis of the Muslim Appeal to Biblical Prophecy
3. The Bewitched Prophet: An Examination of Muhammad’s Psychological and Spiritual Stability
4. Talking Ants and Shrinking Humans: An Analysis of Muhammad's Scientific Blunders
5. Murdered by Muhammad
6. Is Islam a Religion of Peace?

"Some Misconceptions about Women in Islam"

Link : http://www.islamhouse.com
Some Misconceptions about Women in Islam
Summarized from: What Does She Expect Better?
Islam gave women rights and privileges at a time when only barbaric manners and values dominated.
Yet, some people argue that Islam has alienated women in some domains. In fact, this belief is a misconception. People who say
so, may have read about it in a magazine or seen it on TV. A quick examination of the issues judged as unjust to women will
certainly correct the misunderstanding.
Man as the head of the household:
Some people believe that a woman in Islam is regarded as inferior to man since the Quran says (what means):"Men have
one degree above women." [Quran 2: 228]
In the Quran it also says (what means): "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has given the
one more than the other and because men support them from their means." [Quran 4:34]
This verse implies that it is a man's duty to support his wife, and not the reverse, but this, in no way, makes him superior to
her.
In fact, the rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man but they are not necessarily identical. Since
men and women are not created identical, they have different physical and emotional qualities, jobs and privileges. This does
not mean that women are inferior.
On the contrary, women are considered crucial members of society in Islam since they are assigned the job of bringing up
future generations. People today tend to look down at housewives but, in fact, raising children is one of the most important and
difficult tasks. The way a mother brings up her child determines the way he will behave in the future. This duty, which requires
patience, love, understanding and wisdom was significantly assigned to women in Islam because her nature suits this job.
Allaah The Exalted, in His Wisdom, has assigned a role for each member of the family so that there would be no arguments
concerning who should do what. If a sailboat has two leaders, each will want to follow a path, leading ultimately to chaos and
even a crash. In the same manner, how many times have your parents fought over some decision because each had their own
point of view and wanted to apply it? This is precisely why it is preferable to have one leader for each household. However, this
does not give the leader the right to be a dictator, or to neglect the role of his companion. This does not make him superior to
other members of his family. It just gives him a larger duty.
Inheritance:
Some people claim that Islam is unjust towards women because it entitles them to inherit half of what men get. In fact,
those people only know one side of the truth.
First, the principle of women inheriting half the money is only applicable in 45 percent of the cases. In the other 55 percent,
women inherit the same amount or sometimes even more. For example, a mother and a father each inherit the sixth of their
son's property when they are not the only inheritors.
In addition, the laws of inheritance in Islam are proportional to the duties of spending. Indeed, a man in Islam has the
responsibility of supporting his family, his brother's children (when his brother dies), his parents (when they retire and do not
have an income), his children from his previous marriage (if he has them) and his household, including his wife and children. A
woman, on the other hand, does not bear this responsibility. She has the freedom to use the money she collects from her dowry
or work as she pleases.
You might object here, saying that women today are working and helping their husbands pay the expenses, which entitles
them to share equality with men. In fact, you should know that women's economic assistance to their husbands, which has
become the norm today, is only an answer to the females’ wishes. Islam does not oblige women to spend on their households.
It is a free choice many women have themselves taken today to feel more liberated, so it does not entitle them to a bigger
portion of the inheritance.
Polygyny:
Polygyny is one of the most questioned principles that Islam grants men and women. Indeed, many people wrongfully
accuse Islam of injustice because it allows a man to have up to four wives. Nevertheless, like every instruction in the Quran,
polygyny has a reason. You see, Islam is a practical religion that acknowledges the needs and temptations of human beings and
provides laws that deal with them, thus preserving harmony and morality.
- Polygyny might be the solution for a couple if the wife is barren, the husband wants children of his own and the option of
separation does not appeal to both parties.
- If a woman is chronically ill and is unable to perform her marital duties. Polygyny may also be the solution when the
couple does not want divorce.
- Polygyny is the religion's answer to cases where some men have excessive sexual needs that cannot be fulfilled by one
wife. This in no way means that men should abuse this right and use it whenever they fancy a woman. It is rather a chance
Islam has provided to prevent men from committing adultery. Many people who condemn polygyny cheat on their wives, calling
this phenomenon a 'swift affair.' Islam, at least, has offered the second woman the option of being called 'a wife' rather than 'a
mistress', especially in some countries where women remarkably outnumber men.
- Polygyny may settle the problem of an increased number of unmarried women, especially during wars.
However, polygyny has some limits and conditions to be met. Indeed, the Quran instructs the man to be fair with his wives
on all levels, including treatment, money, house, etc. The only level where the man may have an uneven stance is the level of
the feelings that he cannot control:
The Quran says (what means): "You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so
do not incline too much to one of them [by giving her more of your time and provision] so as to leave the other hanging [i.e.
neither divorced nor married]. And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allaah by keeping away from all that is
wrong, then Allaah is Ever-Forgiving and All-Merciful." [Quran 4:129]
Finally, it is worth knowing that Islam gives a woman the right to refuse polygyny for her husband by setting it as a
condition during the marriage procedures. If this condition is set, then the woman is granted divorce if her husband marries
another while he is still married to her.
You might ask, why could not there be polyandry (a woman having more than one husband)? The answer is simple. Islam
did not allow it because Allaah is All-Aware that it will create a problem of kinship. This means that the child may not know who
is actually his father (it could be anyone of the four husbands). In addition to the psychological damage it may cause, this
problem also complicates the issue of inheritance. Even birds and animals do not allow polyandry.
In fact, to understand this Quranic verse, you should see another one, related to the issue in question. It reveals the wisdom
behind this concept.
http://www.islamhouse.com

"Build a relationship with God"

"Good Deeds Are Not Enough"

There is no one who is good enough or kind enough to know God. Many people try to earn a place in heaven by performing "good" deeds such as attending church, giving money to the poor, or by getting baptized.

The truth is that even the most heroic and generous men and women will die and be separated from God forever—unless they call on the name of Jesus and surrender their lives to Him. It is impossible to earn entrance into heaven or into a personal relationship with God. As the Bible states in John 3:7: "You must be born again!"

The Bible further warns: "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) The punishment for our sin is not just a bad day or a slap on the wrist, it's an eternity of separation from God in hell. You may be thinking, "I thought God was a loving God. Why is the punishment for sin so harsh?" It's true that God is a loving God, but He is also a God of justice. It would not be right for a judge to allow a criminal to go unpunished for his crimes, nor is it right for God to allow a sinner to go unpunished.

The evidence of God’s loving nature is in the second chance He gives to every man and woman on earth to be forgiven.

source: ChristianMySpaceLayouts.org

Moral Values Without Religion: Does Morality Depend Upon Religion?

Does morality depend upon religion? Most people believe it does, which is a major reason behind the appeal of the religious right. People believe that without faith in a supernatural authority, we can have no moral values--no moral absolutes, no black-and-white distinctions, no firm demarcation between good and evil--in life or in politics. This is the assumption underlying Justice Antonin Scalia's recent assertion that "government derives its authority from God," since only religious faith can supposedly provide moral constraints on human action.
And what draws people to this bizarre premise--the premise that there is no rational basis for refraining from murder, rape or anarchism? The left's persistent assault on moral values.

That is, liberals characteristically renounce moral absolutes in favor of moral grayness. They insist, for example, that criminals should not be reviled, but should be seen as tragic products of their "social environment"--that teenage mothers are just as entitled to welfare checks as wage-earners are to their paychecks, and that to deny welfare benefits for a child born into a family already receiving welfare is, as the ACLU declares, to "unconstitutionally coerce women's reproductive decisions"--that America is morally equivalent to its enemies, with our own policies having provoked the Sept. 11 attacks and our "unilateralist" actions in Iraq being no different from any forcible occupation of one nation by another.

Repulsed by such egalitarian, anti-"judgmental" absurdities, many people disavow what they regard as leftism's essence: secularism, and turn to religion for their values.
But this is a false alternative. Secularism is simply a viewpoint that disclaims religion; what it embraces, though, may be rational or not. And the absurdities of the left stem precisely from its irrationality--its pervasive emotionalism, its insistence on doing whatever "feels right," its contention that there are no fixed truths, its credo that morality is anything one wishes it to be.

The left maintains that no objective principles exist to validate moral judgments. From its multicultural equalization of all societies--savage or civilized--to its belief in an indefinable, "evolving" Constitution, the left rejects the logic of objective standards and enshrines the arbitrariness of subjectivism. Thus, what the left's opponents should disavow is not secularism per se, but rather the replacement of a religious variant of unreason--blind faith--with a secular variant: blind feelings.

The real alternative to the leftist claptrap is a morality of reason. Such a morality begins with the individual's life as the primary value and identifies the further values that are demonstrably required to sustain that life. It observes that man's nature demands that we live not by random urges or by animal instincts, but by the faculty that distinguishes us from animals and on which our existence fundamentally depends: rationality.

With reason as its cardinal value, this code of individualism espouses fixed principles and categorical moral judgments. It demands, for instance, that the initiation of force--the antithesis of reason--be denounced and that an unbridgeable moral chasm be recognized between the criminal and the non-criminal.

Since life requires man to produce what he needs, productiveness is a moral value--thereby making moral opposites out of the industrious worker and the parasitic welfare recipient. Since life requires man to use his own judgment rather than submissively accept the assertions of others, independence is a moral value--making moral opposites out of the person (or nation) acting on his own rational convictions and the one deferring to the consensus of his neighbors (or the U.N.). Since life requires the mind, man's political system must allow him to use it, i.e., freedom is a moral value--making moral opposites out of America, the defender of liberty, and America’s enemies, who seek liberty's destruction.

A morality of reason counters the relativism and the undiscriminating "tolerance" of the left.
It also counters a morality of faith, and establishes a genuine "culture of life." Individualism upholds your sovereignty over your life--and refuses to subordinate the preservation of that life to, say, the preservation of embryonic stem cells in some petri dish. Individualism defends your inalienable right to your life, including your right to end it--and evaluates, say, opposition to assisted-suicide as a desecration of human life, since forcing someone to live who wishes to die is no less evil than forcing someone to die who wishes to live.

There is indeed morality without religion--a morality, not of dogmatic commands, but of rational values and of unbreached respect for the life of the individual.