Today I won't have any particular topics to discuss, but maybe just several odd topics instead.
My first topic, since it is the thing that is currently on my mind, is religion. This is always a touchy topic, as someone always gets offended, but I stopped caring about people getting offended over religion quite some time ago (since all I have to do is say I don't believe in a god in order to offend someone). If you read this and are heavily religious/spiritual and feel the need to discuss the topic with me afterwards, keep these thoughts in mind:
1. I have no desire to argue about religion ... been there, done that ... too many times.
2. I will not be converted. Been there, done that.
So really, don't waste your time.
Chances are, you are reading my blog because we are Facebook friends and you saw the link I posted about a new blog post. In this case, you may be aware that I like/share/post a lot of atheist/agnostic/wiccan/pagan/anti-theist-related things. This seems to allow for people to assume that I am an atheist liberal who hates religion. Let me debunk a few of these in case anyone thought otherwise.
1. Statement One: I am an atheist.
Okay, fair enough. I post a lot of atheist-like things. I don't believe in a god(s), this is true. Though, I tend to take a more agnostic approach on this. There could be a god, but I am just more inclined to not think so. I am more likely to be polytheistic than monotheistic. Why? Because it is easier to justify the existence of evil if there are multiple gods than if there is just one, omnipotent one. Either way, I really just don't think so. When I think of the suffering in the world, I cannot accept the idea of a god.
My beliefs are complicated, just like anyone else really. I really enjoy many different types of paganism. New Age Paganism, I find, is very peaceful. People who support nature and love, while discouraging hatred and anger. Taking from the old religions and breathing life back into them. I have no issues with religions that speak of peace and love (and aren't missionary). Sometimes I consider myself pagan, because their connection with nature is beautiful to me.
So in the end, it depends. Some days I feel pagan, some I feel atheist, and some I feel agnostic.
2. Statement Two: I am a liberal.
I really am not a fan of being categorized politically. I do not consider myself liberal nor conservative. There are things I lean left and things I lean right. I would not vote for a Democrat nor a Republican. I think our two party system is a huge joke. Honestly, I think we should completely do away with our entire system, start over from scratch. The most important thing to me is environment, because once that's gone then I guess no one can complain about politics, eh?
3. A hate religion.
No. I hate nothing. I am not a huge fan of religion. I think that the way many of the younger Japanese view it is a good way to view it. Religion is dangerous. If you believe in something and keep it to yourself, then so be it. Enjoy. Once you tell people what to do with your beliefs, then there is a problem. I've done a lot of religious research. I've read the Holy Bible, the Quran, the Book of Mormon, the Vedas ... and anything I could get my hands on related to religion. I know about religion. I don't find a lot of them to be as peaceful as they say they are. There have been a lot of cultures that have been destroyed and lost thanks to 'peaceful' religions. I respect others and their right to believe in whatever. I have a policy that as long as you are hurting no one, do whatever you want. Once you step out of those bounds is when I have an issue.
So there's that. A few things cleared up on that topic. One thing that always seems to surprise me is that I have a lot of people who request me to go to church events, or like religious-related pages. Perhaps they think they are trying to 'save' me. A nice gesture, but I am already saved.
I think of religion and beliefs (and life) as a path. Everyone has a path, and that is their religious/life/spiritual/whatever journey. As you go along, you build your own path. Sometimes you stop and make shelters or struggle to find where you are and where you're going or what you believe in. Occasionally your path my cross others, but your path is still your path. Whatever is correct on your path, may only be correct on your path. A religious zealot, I view, is someone who decides it is their job to go and try to build other people's paths. While they do that, they go onto a path that is not theirs ... that is different ... and then try to make it their own, or like their own. But the uniqueness is that everyone's path is different. Everyone has a different truth, a different goal to achieve. I have no problems with the person who goes onto someone else's path and offers help or advice. It is when they try to take over, tell you how to build your own path where the problems arise. Religion is a private thing to me. I don't mind discussing it, but it is your private thing, your belief. Not mine. Just because it is your truth, does not make it my truth.
There is my short religious talk. My second and final topic is Alaska and how Alaskans on my Facebook are the biggest whiners when it comes to weather. Seriously?
This is what happens every time it snows in June, the winter is a little late ending, it snows in September or October, it gets -40, roads are icy, or any other normal weather that happens in the middle of Alaska:
WHINE. WHINE. WHINE. WHINE. WHINE.
If this is you ... why do you live in Alaska, the interior especially? Because people from Anchorage on my Facebook don't complain. Isn't that embarrassing? I thought people from the interior were the 'real' Alaskans. No, because they complain every time the weather is extreme, which the interior is known for. Unless you are a teenager and you have no choice, you have absolutely no reason to complain. Save up. Move out of the interior. Unless you are a teenager, you had to have rather made the choice to come to the interior, or made the choice to stay there. So why are you complaining? Suck up!
My favorite is when people complain about having winter for nine months as if it is abnormal in the interior.
This is just one of my great pet peeves. Along with people spelling ridiculous 'rediculous'. I love Alaska, and being away from it for two winters has really made me appreciate it. I love cold weather. I love snow. That is why I will return to Alaska and not complain (except when it is 95 degrees, what is up with that shit?).
So I guess I mostly just complained this week, but I hope you enjoyed my rants nonetheless!
Also, I need someone who has Pokémon X and Y to trade with me. Seriously. I have some Pokémon that require trade evolution.
~Until Next Time
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