Religious Ridiculousness

Lately I've been writing a lot about my own difficulties regarding my religious choices. Honestly I've been incredibly negative, but at the same refuse to apologize for anything written because it is how I feel.

Today I read an article through Witchvox about Asatru/Odinism in prisons and the problems with allowing this particular sect to flourish. Reading the article I became increasing frustrated. It seems that the alternate form of spirituality for the white supremacist movement is Norse style Paganism. Why oh why does this have to be? Why do social and political leanings of a particular group of people have to taint a wonderful spiritual path? The proud martial ideals that spring from Norse mythology should be a catalyst for growth for anyone who practices it. A spiritual discipline which helps to remove the chaff of the work-a-day world and brings you down to the raw strength of the warrior archetype, one who can battle against any odds and defeat any challenge. The pride of the warrior here is exploited. True pride should stem from ones ability to overcome difficulty and improve the world around them. To be able to say 'I did that', and know your work is well respected. After all there is nothing wrong with having pride in the things you do. The only time pride bites back is when it's unwarranted, or takes away from someone else.

White supremacists seem to play on this aspect, using it as a tool to recruit the youthful and foolish, which taints Asatru/Odinism and brings it low. But why stop there. There are plenty of other religions which generate their share of nuts, ruining it for everyone.

I read in the paper recently about a Christian religious leader who was having sex with girls as young as 12. Disgusting. I hear all the time about Muslim zealots who talk of destroying the state of Israel, and indoctrinate children to do their sinister will. There have been plenty of depraved stories about the Pagan community as well. Abuse through drugs and sex is no stranger to Paganism, as well as petty social ostracizing because someone won't do what the coven elder wishes. With all this taint, why would anyone want to practice any religion?

Practice indeed, what with all the foolishness that somehow gets generated by people with claims of 'God told me to', or 'It's the will of the Gods'. If somehow you find yourself agreeing with me on this, then ask yourself what you believe. Moreover ask yourself what do you need to feel spiritually fulfilled. I applaud those who take their spirituality personally, looking to rid themselves from the daily trappings of religious foolishness. Recently an old friend of mine wrote a message to people he knew, about his dissatisfaction with the Pagan community and all the problems he's encountered over the past few years. Reading his words I couldn't agree with him more, but where he applied it exclusively to his community, I would take snippets and apply it to all faith groups. I guess that's the good thing about being an eclectic. To quote one of my favourite movies: "They take what they want, and leave the rest. Just like your salad bar." The idea of religion is wonderful because it has the potential to bring people together. But being a human construct, religion has divided people. It causes them to narrow their focus, believe in only one thing, and causes them to say a myriad of things which are hurtful and generally untrue. It's like watching children argue on the playground about who's father is better.

Religion for the most part has the greatest potential for creating disaster on a grand scale, for the utmost trivial reasons. Belief in the spiritual or supernatural seems to attract the most perverse of social saboteurs, men and women who for their own reasons or madness, use their religious practices to finish whatever fiendish machinations they concoct. They attract followers and lead them down a path most dangerous, using their beliefs as tools to inspire, incite, and drive home their depravity. But seemingly normal people believe their rhetoric, and are willing to champion their causes, for whatever reasons, and only add to the terrible confusion and frustration.

I've read once that Paganism was the fastest growing religious philosophy in North America. But given all the problems associated with religious belief, I must wonder if Atheism will trump all the others. At least the belief that there is no higher power can sponsor a sense of control, and the vision of a rational future. No chariot riding men from the sky. No talking snakes. No space rocks sent by invisible Deities. Only reason and science. Rationality, and none of the prophetic mumbo-jumbo to go with it. 'Prove It' is the motto of the Atheist which only announces to the world the skeptical nature of their philosophy. Are they right? They are for them that's for certain. I for one find absolutely nothing wrong with their skepticism, and have a feeling that they'll be the ones who drive the trends of science and technology since they demand progress and evidence. But since they don't believe in the concept of a higher power, they have a tendency to turn up their noses at the beliefs of others. I have seen Atheist friends mock religious belief systems and the followers there of, which I find most disconcerting. Even in a reason based philosophy, there is still intolerance, which only further drives a wedge between the people of the world.

Foolishness seems rampant where ever you go these days, and much of it incited by religious beliefs. We have to change our ways or tragedy will befall us all. If we don't, at best our society will become bereft with people who are purely self serving, and at worst we will destroy ourselves.