I have recently been bombarded by two,
more than eager, bible beaters wanting nothing more than to convert a lost soul
in a vain attempt to gain brownie points from their almighty. My first encounter was fairly brief. A short, stalky man, in what seems to be
somewhat of a uniform for these guys, consisting of well pressed khaki pants,
nicely polished brown loafers and a semi-casual collared shirt, caught me off-guard
while I was outside doing what I am sure was some random activity, and
attempted to tell me of all the joys of Jesus Christ. Being the antagonist that I am, I quickly rebutted
with something along the lines of how I was a Satanist and that he would be
awful angry with me if I allowed another god in my house. I said this knowing that Satanists have no
kind of belief in Satan whatsoever, but his reaction showed me that he knew
nothing of this. I often use this tactic
to both, test their knowledge and to shock all these puppets found scattered
throughout these one horse towns all across this so-called Bible belt, and it’s
not hard. Very few of these people have ever
encountered an opposite view, much less one given to them by such a brash
individual. I’m guessing that they have
never really had to defend their beliefs due to the fact that everyone they
associate themselves with is just as gullible as they are. It’s not until they run across someone like
me that they ever get the notion that their thought process might be completely
flawed, and even then and after, they do not relinquish their old world
beliefs. Who are they to “know” and to
be so dead set in their ways? And how much goddamn energy and time is wasted
pursuing these childlike dreams, going door to door just to try and convince
someone that their way of thinking is the only correct way. These are resources that could be better
spent enhancing their view on the real world and the agenda of the people who
truly have control, and time that they could devote to things that might
actually make a difference, not just in their life, by spending more time with
their families, but in the lives of others
After
I had dismissed the first of the would be converters, I simply retired back into
my sanctuary and gave it no more thought.
A few weeks later, as I scrambled to get ready for work, a knock came at
the door and my immediate response, in the frantic state I was in, was to
simply yell across the room and ask who it was.
After a brief moment of silence, I quickly snatched up a shirt and made
a mad dash to the door to see just who in the hell was disturbing me. As soon as I flung the door open I noticed that
it was him, the same guy as before, passing out the same type of nonsensical
propaganda. He asked some random
question or told me who he was and what he was doing and I immediately declined
any kind of invitation or leaflet he might have. Saying this I proceeded to close the door
when he spoke up again. “I remember
you. Didn’t you say you use to believe?”
“No
sir, what I said was that I was raised southern Baptist.”
“But
you were saved, right?”
“Yeah,
when I was like eight, a long goddamn time before I could think for myself.”
This
little back and forth went on for a while until his partner showed up and
chimed in. Then it was just the three of
us exchanging generic dribble out of nothing but anger and excitement. After, I think it was me that broke the tension
with a light hearted smile; we all agreed that if we were all willing to have a
sit down, then there should be no reason why we can’t have a civil debate. I enjoy debating and I am willing to try my
hand at civility.
I
decided a few days later, if they were available, which they were not, due to
personal reasons, then we should get this thing started. A few days after I left a message, the man in
tan, did come knocking again, eager to sit with me but, at the moment I was
busy dealing with some personal business and wasn’t quite in the mood to debate
anyone over anything. We agreed then on
a day that would be good for both of us.
I told him that I had to get my mind straight, which included various
personal activities, and that I should be more than ready by two o’clock on that
day. I have recorded the lengthiest of
our conversations so far. I figured this
would lend to less confusion when I sat to type the whole thing up. I had planned to record them all, but a few
unexpected visits and his distaste for being recorded made it a bit more
difficult than I had anticipated.
Even
with me being the arrogant, know-it-all I am, I plan to try my best to be open-minded
during all of his and my upcoming discussions, but I will warn you I will only believe
things within reason. Whose reason, we
will decide later. Hopefully it will be my own but that is not always the
case. To me personally religion is far
outdated. Of course no one knows what
really happens when one dies, but the rest of it that they try and convince you
of is pure fantastical bullshit, at least in my opinion.
Of
course this is only one man’s opinion of one aspect of the religious industrial
complex, but this fragmented belief structure shapes the world we all live in
by dictating the laws that constitute moral activity. And they do this with total disregard to the separation
laws put in place. Vice crimes are
church crimes and therefore have no place outside the church.
Follow
me, as I am sure to make an ass out of myself, in a somewhat futile attempt to try
and understand this whole “faith” thing.
It’s something that has bothered me for a while and there must be some
reasoning behind it. Even Anton Lavey
knew religion held a soft spot in people’s heart, no matter the deity. Why do so many people need faith to survive? Why blindly follow someone who knows as much,
or less than you do about what is really going on? These are the questions that really intrigue
me, and I hope to find some sort of answers on my own.
If
you care to comment and tell me why you have faith, all would be welcome.
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