just don't steal the silverware on your way out

[thejunipertree]

(edited to include the context)

It has been my experience that if a person realizes that they, as just a regular human being, are the most powerful creative or destructive force in their lives - without help from imaginary friends, crystals, religious accoutrements, books, rituals or any of that made-up claptrap, they will invariably shun such things.

My response (this is all in someone else's journal):

"I know I'm the most powerful creative/destructive force in my life. However, I still practice a religion. Minus the crystals and multiply the cigars and rum, of course.

I have a belief in the divine, but I don't believe that the divine dictates what I do or guides me in any way. Divinity, or God (for lack of a better term), isn't some invisible boogums in the sky. It's the remote spark that put everything into motion. I still believe in science to explain most things in this world, but I also still believe in the paranormal (in the truest sense of the word) to explain the things that science hasn't been able to.

If any of my friends thinks this makes me a moron and someone less worthy of respect, that's on them. They're more than welcome to see themselves out. And, to be quite honest, I'd prefer that they did. I don't want to be friends with anyone who thinks I'm some sort of subhuman."

So, this is an open call to any of my friends who believes that:

a. I'm a fucking idiot because I practice a religion different than theirs.

or

b. I'm a fucking idiot because I practice a religion, period.

Anyone who falls into one of those two categories is hereby officially invited to show themselves to the door.

End of story.

Comments

[flemco.livejournal.com]

I have a belief in the divine, but I don't believe that the divine dictates what I do or guides me in any way. Divinity, or God (for lack of a better term), isn't some invisible boogums in the sky. It's the remote spark that put everything into motion.

Now here's one for ya:

I have no problem with that idea. My beef is specifically with those who believe in the Great Invisible Beard Dude/The Big Horned Dude with his Moon Bitch/The Invisible Thingy-thing/[insert deity here] that runs things, and live their lives accordingly.

You believe something, somewhere might have set it all off? Great! I personally have no opinion on it. It's one of those great unknowns that, frankly, I think we'll never get a real answer to. If nothing else (me opinion here), it's a little egotistical for us to think that we can even figure out where it all came from. Humans aren't such hot shit at the mo - we're a fleshy mammalian virus who've been around for less than an eyeblink in the great scheme of time.

But if you believe that some great sentience controls us all and can be placated and swayed by our petty worship, yes, I'd call that idiocy.

I also still believe in the paranormal (in the truest sense of the word) to explain the things that science hasn't been able to.

Such as?

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

I'm getting to this, btw.

I just haven't had the chance to dedicate a proper answer to it beyond, "...buh? NO U SHUT UP!"