Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

For some intangible reason, I decided that I wanted to voice my general opinion on religion this morning:

Where religious organisations do a great deal of good in this world, Organised Religion, and more specifically the practice of same, is, in my opinion and admitedly limited experience, almost exclusively Fear-based and acts as a great hindrance to the spiritual advancement of the human race.

Disclaimer:

The preceding statement is a sweeping generalisation; if you choose to take issue with it, that's entirely up to you, but I'm more than willing to argue the finer points if you want.  This statement is effective as of 8.44 AM, Mountain Standard Time, Monday, 7th March 2005, and is subject to change.  Actually, I'd be rather surprised if it didn't change; not necessarily in the next day or so, but since it's taken me a number of decades to get this far, odds are that the current state of flux will continue.  I am not singling out any one religion, though my own experience to date has been almost exclusively with one, the connection with which was mostly sundered well over a decade ago.  (I still think it would be sort of cool to be excommunicated.)  I am well aware of the inevitability of certain biases to creep into the equation, regardless of how far removed one attempts to be.  The above statement does not, in any way, preclude my belief in a supreme being or any progeny which are purported to have been sent to us in an attempt to Show Us The Way.  The fact that I believe myself to be no less a son of God than was J.H.C. would probably irritate a few people though.  In my opinion, he was just more 'with it' than I am, or ever will be in this lifetime.

Comments

[Tina]

Hey, Simon .... You go to Catholic school, too ? I'm in a place right now where I'm trying to figure out just what it is that I believe. I have plenty of faith, it's religion that gives me pause. My 24 year-old anti-everything son is a good one to argue the finer points with !! Gotta admit, he makes me think. Tina

[Simon]

"I have plenty of faith, it's religion that gives me pause."

That's a pretty good synopsis there for me too, Tina. I hit 'pause' on religion a number of years ago and still haven't hit the 'play' button again.

[Lynn S]

Well stated. Moreover, I am highly impressed that you were able to get away with saying that and get only two comments. Whenever I mention religion I always find out that I have more readers than I thought I had.

[Simon]

Well Lynn,
The post title may preclude many folks taking me seriously. And that's fine too. If they don't take Star Wars seriously, then I don't wanna hear from them!