02-08-2003, 12:26 AM
Heaven and Hell are man-made concepts, as is religion as a whole IMO. Did Christ walk the Earth - was he The Messiah? I don't know, I wasn't there. He hasn't come around lately (and who can blame him?). Organized religion was used to keep the people in line back in the day. It was also used to explain the unexplainable - the bible mainly consists of moral vignettes designed to make you think twice about your actions. Some say the words are inspired by God himself, and were passed through man to write to spread the word. Possible? I guess, but considering at present, man has the ability to destroy the world 100 fold, you'd think he'd pass down a few words today to tell us to chill out.
I was raised Catholic, I believe in a higher being, or a God - I don't believe I have to go to a building every 7th day of the week and give donations to show my appreciation to him. I think doing it from my own home, and when I feel the need to open a dialogue with him is a much healthier way to practice my faith - as well as through how I live my life. I think life has much more meaning to it, and to be sheep and take literal the words written for a people who at the time had the education level of a 10 year old somehow seems wrong to me.
If I had lots of sex before I was married and never went to church to tell a priest about it so he could tell me to say 15 Hail Mary's means I'm bound for Hell, then so be it - but I doubt it.
I was raised Catholic, I believe in a higher being, or a God - I don't believe I have to go to a building every 7th day of the week and give donations to show my appreciation to him. I think doing it from my own home, and when I feel the need to open a dialogue with him is a much healthier way to practice my faith - as well as through how I live my life. I think life has much more meaning to it, and to be sheep and take literal the words written for a people who at the time had the education level of a 10 year old somehow seems wrong to me.
If I had lots of sex before I was married and never went to church to tell a priest about it so he could tell me to say 15 Hail Mary's means I'm bound for Hell, then so be it - but I doubt it.