Over the years I have put plenty of thought into the Almighty God, some guy in the sky that everyone in this state is obsessed with.
I can definitely understand why people need to have such a dominating male figure in their lives, however those who honestly feel that he exists aren’t as intelligent as I once gave them credit for. We all remember looking up to those adults in our lives, thinking “Wow….these people have it all figured out. They know everything.” Then as we got older, our minds progressed and we began thinking for ourselves. At that point we go to the completely opposite end of the spectrum telling our parents “You guys don’t know what in the hell is going on here anymore than I do!!” Now 4 or 5 years after I remember saying that exact thing to mom, I’ve made an astonishing discovery……
I have been a solitary practicing pagan for 3 years now. I consider my self to be a fairly open minded individual. So it is for this reason alone that I write this article. You see I live in Utah, Mormon capitol of the world. I have lived in Oklahoma and California (my home) as well and this Utah place is one of the most judgemental and conservative states in the nation. I know that you are wondering where this is going, but I promise that this back ground is relevant. I entered into the Goth scene around the same time I discovered paganism. I fell in love instantly….I finally felt that little “spirit” (that’s what the Mormons call aka the Holy Ghost) inside me. My entire being screamed that this is what was right for me…..I wanted to share my newfound love with the world. In an instant I became a social outcast, I couldn’t understand why I went from that “really awesome chic who kicks ass at Shakespeare” to the Manson-wanna-be/Satanist. That is just the tip of the ice berg as they say. I have seen some of the strongest, most opinionated people I know falter in their feelings after years of bombardment by these people. They have the ablility to so fully exclude you from society that I wonder how these people can call themselves righteous. I thank MY LUCKY STAR that I was able to emerge from this environment with an open mind. So now on that note I’ll get to my long awaited point.
In the begining when man first realized his own existence, way back in time, he had no knowledge of a God. Man was not advanced enough to even begin to comprehend idea an that was so complex as this. Sure he had Gods for different aspects of life, but these were in a simplistic, basic form. He worshipped the sun, the moon, the rain, the earth, which resulted in Gods. These Gods usually appeared in human form, because that is what man could comprehend. Each of these Gods had a very simple, basic task. There was a sun God, a Goddess of the Moon, a God of the rain, a Godess of the earth, of course of God of Death and more. In the begining there was no extravagant description for any of these Gods, man was simply worshipping what he saw. The descriptions of these Gods came with time as man advanced mentally. The Gods became fearful creatures, light hearted adulters, jealous counter parts, weeping mothers, bringers of life and death. As man continued to advance he began to figure out the “real” causes behind things. He discovered that the sun was a burning ball of gas millions of miles from the earth, that the moon controled the tides, the seasons are a result of the rotation of the earth.
So as man discovered the “truths” behind these he began to eliminate the Gods that represented them, as they were useless and incorrect.
This is what lead to Christianity in it’s purest form, monotheism. You see man has discovered almost everything there is to know about our world, that is to say he knows what causes the “simple” things to happen. Yet man still is forced to linger on one God still, inspite of all he knows. You see man has a great fear of the unknown and man still cannot tell for certain what happens to us when we die. Sure everyone has there ideas (call them beliefs if you will) but no one can give concrete evidence as to what REALLY happens. This is the reason that society still has use for a God who has been been dead for a millenia, he gives man an explanation for life after death. That’s it. Sure God has, over the years, taken all the responsibilities of the old Gods. He now explains and encompasses everything from the creation of life to bringing of death. It is just so sad that man, who is such an intelligent creature, can’t except the thought that possibly nothing happens after death….but in his defense maybe man is right, maybe we go to heaven or hell after being spanked or rewarded by an enormous father figure. After all who am I to say that I know what the hell is going on…….all I can say is that I have a good theory on what I think will happen. If I’m right about everything, then go me, if not and I end up standing in front of those pearly gates with the rest of the population I doubt that I will go to “hell”
anyway, I’m a nice person.
21 comments ↓
Very good, I would like to add, that in my mind God also resolves the issue of life BEFORE death.
I have my own personal belifs on God, which is the way that I think it should be. Everyone should view
God(s)/Goddess/Ali/whatever differently. It keeps us on our toes at the very least….
On a personal note I live in Utah as well….
so I know what you’re talking about. It’s not a bad place to live in (although I’ve lived here my whole life so I have nothing to compare it too…), but the words “Anally-Conservative” comes to mind. Not to rag on anyone, but you’d think that a religion that’s been so persecuted would be a little bit more tolerant about other’s beliefs. I guess we’re all only human Well, most of us at any rate…..
no day but today
Vassago
I support what you were saying about the whole God thing and all, but I do in sprits and lost soul that watch over us till we become one. And after death there is no god judging me but souls welcoming me to there world the world of the shodows.
I agree to an extent. If GOD ddoes exist HE/SHE isnt perect or allmighty.
Well I am glad to see that I am not the only one who knows what it is like to live in Utah and not be of the norm. I totally agree with you on the point that the Mormons have been persecuted sooooo much, so they of all people should be excepting of others. But I have all sorts of different religions involved in my family Buddist, Catholic, Baptist, Mormon, and even pagan ( that’s me!) All of them, except my LDS (Latter Day Saints aka the Mormons) grandmother, could care less what my beliefs. Grandma feels that one day I will see the error of my ways and find some Iron Rod….I don’t what that is supposed to mean…..oh well. I definitely think that anally conservative describes them quite well. On a lighter note I love the closing that you left….no day but today….from RENT. I saw it last night (11/16)! It was fantastic!! Jeff Hornesek from the Jazz was there…..needless to say he didn’t bother returning fot the second act he was so apalled by the content…..uncultered swine. Oh well it’s not his fault he’s been brain washed.
spicey kisses and moist dreams
Raven2181
I saw RENT on the 14th (opening night!!!) It was one of the best damn things I’ve seen in
a long long time. I had to buy the bloody score and everything…
Back to the subject at hand, I’ve feel like I have to say that most of my friends are LDS, and they’re
not bad blokes in the least… just like any religion/orginization/nation, it has those people in it who
exemplify everything that’s irritating about it.
no day but today
Vassago
I will honestly admit that this is the most openminded explanation i’ve come a cross. I can’t say much, because i’m still trying to resolve my beliefs. All there is to say is that most christian religions are prone to shoving their specific beilef down the throats of whomever will stand still long enough.
This is not likely to win them converts. And every where you turn you here mourning over the ousting of prayer from school. If they alowed it, it would have to be the prayer of ALL beliefs. Quite frankly, that thought scares people. There are, as i’m sure we all know, religions the moral majority don’t want to think about. We might corrupt their children.
God was invented to stop us thinking about things.
We need he/she/it so we don’t stop watching our tv programmes and buying our junk and start wondering how we got here, what we’re doing here and where we’re going to.
Ravens simple explanation is right on the money, and as far as Utah is concerned i’d pass on a visit as i would a visit to the Vatican. If people wish to worship a pretend god that’s their business,as long as i am not preached to.I’ve seen the way the supposed religious church going people treat those that are different and it has made me ill.If you read the bible with an open mind you’ll see whose word it really is.I say worship your spirit though the earth and nature and rest assured that when the final hour arrives there’ll be no heaven or hell-just pitch black silent eternity (which of course the dead senses won’t be able to enjoy)
erm yeah, you’re all a bit f*cked
that explains everything. I don’t assume that was god replying.
I believe God to be a woman. God, Hypothetically, Is that one person out there thats right for you or me. Each person has their own God, And that person should be worshipped. And usually is. An example. I dont call my girlfriend ‘My Girlfriend’. I call her ‘My Aphrodite’. This usually makes her feel better yadda yadda. But, I dont have one specific religion. I always make it up as I go along. Just for excitement. Just for something to say in a religous conversation. And I really do call her that, Too.
i believe everyone can believe what they want to believe, but i don’t make up stuff or say stuff to make people feel better eighter. worshipping another human being who may be right at a particular ripple seems, well futile would be a polite word. When we expire nothing will transpire-flesh will turn to bones and those in turn to ashes.there will not be a god or devil. But i would entertain the idea of god being a woman-my chances would be better, but seeing how fucked up the human race and world in general is, i would assume god would have had to be a man-the book of lies states it.
I am amazed at ur article raven. I study religion and i would have to say ur artle on god is the best explanation i have ever heard and the article was very inciteful. Thank You
You are very welcome…I’m so glad that you understood the concept of my article….most did actually. But some girl emailed me and went off me about how I can’t be pagan because pagans believe in God and all of this other bullshit. Let’s just say that the points being made were less than accurate….she was patronizing me and putting me down for being heartless and scientific. Which I am not. Plus she went off on how I should feel all spiritual towards everything…..then she had the balls to try and tell me how all of the gods and goddesses worked….as if I didn’t know. Basically she was trying to prove me wrong with info that I had posted in my article…..stupid bitch. Anyhow I am really interested in studying theology…..I want to attend the University here and major in Theater minor in Theology……I love religion…..particularly Catholocism…..I’m very interested in the chiors of angels and all of that busniess…..any book suggestions?
Hang him higher!!
Raven
I read your Explanation and I felt I had to respond because I have also been treated as an outcast for my beliefs which are predominantly Pagan. I believe you to be correct in stating that God as described by most people does not exist, but you must also know because you are Pagan, that there is Divinity. When you cast a circle or do whatever you do, you can feel the presence of creation from the four elements. I believe this to be god. God is not male or female but both as creation itself is both. Just as you cannot impregnate yourself, creation cannot happen without male and female principle. In order to exist, anything in creation has to have a spark of lifeforce, of the divine, so “god” is everywhere all of the time. What if god was not meant to be personified but simply refered to the lifeforce that makes everything in the universe exist? God would then be an action not a person. There would be no Evil or jealous god, no good and loving god. God just is and its aspects are personified by the pagans. The pagans knew that there whas no real “God of love” they just gave it a name so that they could call on that one aspect of creation.
My point is, the people that outcast you for what you belive do not understand any of the nature of the God they worship, nor do they adopt the forgiving attitude which is the Icon of their religion.
And about being called Satanic. I’ve been called this many times and finally came up with a good retort that might help you. Pagans don’t believe in Satan. Christians do. The first qualification to beleiving in Satan is believing in Christ. Satanists are Christians. Albeit Christians set for the destruction of their own religion but christians nonetheless. You have to be Christian and belive in the teachings of Christ to set yourself in opposition to them. You cannot oppose, or be apart of that which you believe does not exist.
I read your Explanation and I felt I had to respond because I have also been treated as an outcast for my beliefs which are predominantly Pagan. I believe you to be correct in stating that God as described by most people does not exist, but you must also know because you are Pagan, that there is Divinity. When you cast a circle or do whatever you do, you can feel the presence of creation from the four elements. I believe this to be god. God is not male or female but both as creation itself is both. Just as you cannot impregnate yourself, creation cannot happen without male and female principle. In order to exist, anything in creation has to have a spark of lifeforce, of the divine, so “god” is everywhere all of the time. What if god was not meant to be personified but simply refered to the lifeforce that makes everything in the universe exist? God would then be an action not a person. There would be no Evil or jealous god, no good and loving god. God just is and its aspects are personified by the pagans. The pagans knew that there whas no real “God of love” they just gave it a name so that they could call on that one aspect of creation.
My point is, the people that outcast you for what you belive do not understand any of the nature of the God they worship, nor do they adopt the forgiving attitude which is the Icon of their religion.
And about being called Satanic. I’ve been called this many times and finally came up with a good retort that might help you. Pagans don’t believe in Satan. Christians do. The first qualification to beleiving in Satan is believing in Christ. Satanists are Christians. Albeit Christians set for the destruction of their own religion but christians nonetheless. You have to be Christian and belive in the teachings of Christ to set yourself in opposition to them. You cannot oppose, or be apart of that which you believe does not exist.
hey wasn’t invented(well thats what i believe) if he was why do we still think about things. why do we still worry about eveything. if your a christian or whatever you don’t have to blame him cause you don’t know him.
I am from white suburbua in a small town that right in the middle of virginia, a hour long drive to d.c and Richmond. I have come to blindly beliving to god, to being atheist, to beogn agnostic. I am not sure what to belive in. I feel that god was created to easy the presure on people’s minds. If we just die after death, if there is nothing, there would be chaos and people would just start goign on illing rampages not beliveign or beliving to that. Why was a perfect, all knowing, all seeing, “God” created? simple. like in a math class, when a prolem can not be wroked out, a theroy is created to make it work. In the same instance, why was god created? we could not explain why we are here, how we got here, what we are doing here, and what will we do after we leave here. God explains all of this to us and makes life all nice in pachy. The only reason we have gods is to ease our inds abotu life and what we will do durring and afer life. God is comfording to a lot of people and that makes believers out of many. sorry it is so long but i am tryign to search for an answer on some questions, if u can help or have any questios e-mail me at tuff420gong@hotmail.com
talk to you all later,
Mike from white suberbia
religion is probably the most talked about thing in the world.
I feel as though i had my mind warped as a child. I was brought up in a very strict religion and it was all i knew. God HAD to exist because they said so. But now I have a mind of my own and i can think for myself.
I don’t know whether or not there is a God, in a way I don’t care. But if there was a god then i’m sure if he loved us as much as everyone says he does then he wouldn’t want allthe glory and worship that is given him. He’d just want us to appreciate him as he appreciates us.
We don’t have to go to Church or be part of a religious sect to show that we love him. He knows, and thats that.
Vixodus
xxx
God is an imperfect being, for who would create such a judgemental and lousy race such as humanity? If there was/is a God then His children suffer more than He ever could have…… The One I believe created us is the Goddess of Darkness, my patron, and I can feel her presence surround me anywhere I am, even in the presence of a blasphemous Christian…. That is true power.
"You see man has discovered almost everything there is to know about our world, that is to say he knows what causes the "simple" things to happen. Yet man still is forced to linger on one God still, inspite of all he knows. You see man has a great fear of the unknown and man still cannot tell for certain what happens to us when we die.
about the god….
it’s no use to state my views anymore.
they’re of no importance.
what i want to say is that the reason humans
have not abandoned this god of theirs is that
we actually know very very little of our world,
the world in this case containing the seas, the human mind, and what’s beyond Pluto.
human race might know enough of the world to know
whether it’s exploited or carressed and being made furtive. but of seas, of which many many percents of our planet is made, there is no truthful knowledge…of our minds, wh have no idea. enough of an idea to create behavior modles, and drugs on basis of statistics.
of what’s beyond our universe, there’s no knowledge at all. We know oh so little.
that’s why there’s god.
as you said. when we learn to understand why we love, if an octopus the size of a truck really exists and who is beoynd our universe; then we no longer need god.
there’s more to it than where we go when we die.
where are we when we live?