Friday, March 28, 2008

Question

So, I often read blogs. I think this is no surprise. But I've been thinking lately that in my reading and encountering experiences I have noticed that some Christians drop god's name every other sentence or word. And usually, though not always, I've found what they're saying or trying to say in these sentences is less and less intelligent the more they invoke god's name. I don't know if this means anything or not. Has anyone else had this experience? I mean, seriously, the arguments, the sentences, every other word?!! I get that some people are Christian. But what is with having to hit people over the head with it? What happened to humbleness, and meekness, and showing people by action not words? Is it really hard for Christians to ACT appropriately so they have to drop god's name in every which way so people will know that they consider themselves good people or something? Maybe I'm anti-Christian. I don't like to think I am, but more and more I tend to roll my eyes whenever I hear people talking about bringing their children up to be good Christians, or how they have such a good relationship with god, Christ, Mary, whomever. I find it so stupid lately. I don't think people who believe in the Christian god, or any god for that matter, are stupid though and that's what I have so much trouble with, cause I know some really good people who happen to be Christian. I also know some extremely horrible people who happen to be Christian. And it always seems that their religion is what enables them or makes them extremely horrible. That they're being horrible - or in some cases mildly mean: ignorant, close-minded, intolerant, judgmental, etc. - BECAUSE of what they believe. As though religion has closed off that part of the brain that seeks logical, rational, I've looked at this from every angle, learned what I could, etc. answers and instead just focuses on - well, my religion says this, so I HAVE to believe it; even if I don't necessarily agree with it, or like it, or have even thought about it enough to actually find out what I believe rather than what the church or the religion or the bishop, pastor, minister, rabbi says...
Does anyone else think this? Maybe I'm just hyper-focused on this all of a sudden and it'll go away. But I'd love to know what people have experienced? Is it possible that the more people invoke god, the more ignorant they are?

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Update

It's been forever since I posted. Please forgive me, because I've been busy. Or lazy. Sometimes both, if that is at all possible. Anyway, I do have news and topics to discuss.

1. The most important thing - I got accepted into the best Library and Information program in the country!!!!!! University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Very excited and nervous (it's the best, and the fourth largest school in the nation, I think...yikes!). But they really liked me...now I just have to figure out how to pay for it. Going into debt though seems totally worth it, considering that after two or three years there I can pretty much write my own ticket for a job. How awesome is that?!

2. I'm reading several books - many are young adult fiction, because I like to know what the students are reading at the school I work and it's just fun. I also bought a book of essays about motherhood - the essays are all accounts of either stay-at-home moms or working moms, trying to figure out why it's so competitive and bitchy. If you're a stay-at-home mom you think working mothers are missing out; if you work, you think stay-at-homes are bored. Either way, not good for respecting and supporting choice, which I think is part of my whole pro-choice philosophy. Not that I'm immune to judgement. I tend to think that both sides are right to some degree; but I ALSO very much agree that working mothers are better for their kids. PROVIDED THAT THEY REALLY ENJOY WORKING and not because they HAVE to work. There's a big difference. Before anyone jumps down my throat, I thought maybe I'd ask people to weigh in then go into my reasons during the comments section.

3. I accidentally picked up a Christian romantic comedy. I didn't realize it was Christian until I actually started reading it. I try not to read Christian fiction, as it's usually too preachy for me. I don't want to be preached at in real life, much less in my fiction. But I tried to read it, figuring maybe I was being judgmental. In this particular case, I was totally right. Bible verses, descriptions of "good Christians," and all the humor was lost when some guy character started talking about "accepting Jesus into your heart." As in, asking someone else if they have. This drives me crazy - keep your religion to yourself. Christians seem to be far too eager to seduce people. And they don't stop either; this has just been my experience. I am not trying to diss Christians.

4. Does anyone really have a rational, good reason for gay marriage to be illegal? Something NOT based on the Bible or their own personal horror at the concept. I mean, the whole love the sinner hate the sin thing might work, but considering that means discrimination on a whole group of people, whom even the Catholic Church admits doesn't CHOOSE their sexuality - unless I read the Catechism wrong -always possible!-(though why god, if god exists, would make a whole group of people that most Christian religions and societies discriminate against and in general do not provide acceptance is beyond my comprehension. That smacks of unjustness.) Asking this leads me to one of my favorite episodes of the West Wing. I think we all know what I'm talking about and if you're like me, just revel in that episode and smile and laugh.

Okay. So I'm ready for congratulations and well wishes and honestly, hopefully death threats of some sort. Also, please use the link titled, I'm Not Sorry. If nothing else, it will start some good debates or posts on other people's blogs.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008