Pride and Prejudice

I'm at a loss as to how best to start this entry as there is no best way. Perhaps the best way would be not at all, however I've tried repression for years and have had no positive results from that so let us give expression a try...thoughbeit somewhat public.

I am not what you would traditionally label as a conservative personality. It is my personal belief that religion has been a tool used for centuries on end for the few to control the many. More wars have been waged and lives lost over religion than any naturally occurring event on this planet. The crusades for example...Waging war on the sole basis that they worshipped differently than Christians. What a crock. Now who did the fighting and dieing? Hmm...was it the priests?

Religions biggest reason for decline? Folks learned how to read. They learned that maybe the priests had been taking advantage.

Fear is the biggest motivator these charlatans use...fear of an angry GAWD, going to damn them forever and ever. Now I'm not advocating killing, maiming, adultery, or whatever...I'm still a proponent of personal responsibility, but to teach people you'll go to hell for playing music, or wearing make-up? C'mon.

I was given a George Carlin calendar for Christmas, and I like this entry in particular:

"I've begun worshipping the sun for a number of reasons. First of all, unlike some other gods I could mention, I can see the sun. It's there for me every day. And the things it brings me are quite apparent all the time: heat, light, food, a lovely day. There's no mystery, no one asks for money, I don't have to dress up, and there's no boring pageantry. And interestingly enough, I have found that the prayers I offer to the sun and the prayers I formerly offered to 'God' are all answered at the same 50-percent rate."

Now I didn't intend to start this as an assault on religion. I'll let anyone believe as they like. All I ask is the same in return, don't push me, I won't push you. But that's never the case is it? Religious zealots can't seem to help but push...crusades anyone?

My chief bitch for this session is prejudice. Now the general association for that word deals with race. Which is just one of many negative aspects of prejudice. I like to believe I keep an open mind, I know I fail on occasion, but I am aware when I don't and attempt corrective action. I am willing to consider all things from all peoples. I am an analyst by nature, and my belief is in logic. Logic depends on data, and I have no idea from whence data may come. Now I filter through that data by applying it. If it works, or just works for me, in a favorable fashion I apply it to my practice. If not I discard it as errant, and file it away as misinformation.

What that means, for me, is that I could learn from those both younger and older, richer or poorer, or even an idiot.

I have rules that I live by, governing principles in truth, and chief among these is consideration. I have found in my time that the masses have a poor understanding of the language they speak, and I am very particular in the words I use and the meanings they convey. However it is also the source of many a miscommunication because oft times there are variations in the meanings that individuals have for words. Hence the need for consideration of all things from all sources.

There are those, however, who feel they can pre-judge how things are or how they will be based on limited, or no information. Belief is an amazing thing; it can enable people to do incredible feats, but it can also cause people to be incredibly blind. A belief for me is an answer in need of constant question...because it could be wrong. People believe that than can predetermine anything they've not experienced have closed their minds to a world of possibility.

I have grown soul-weary from the trials and tribulations I've endured from those whom have closed their minds to *any* other possibilities other than the ones they believe to be correct. They would readily answer me that they know they are right, but refuse to hear any questioning regarding their belief. They can't truly know, because they haven't actually experienced anything, they *steadfastly believe* at best.

I suppose I'll close with this from George Carlin:
"I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly. It's the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out. I'd rather be in, in a good system. That's where my discontent comes from: being forced to choose to stay outside."