Get Off Your A$$!

Get off your ass!

No, seriously.

Put down the TV remote, bag of potato chips, IPhone, get off your gluteus maximus and go outside.  Feel that?  Yeah, that’s this awesome natural phenomena called sunshine.  

Feels good, right?

First off, I would like to just come out and openly admit that I often fulfill the American stereotype of slothfulness and lethargy.  I check my Facebook umpteen times, pin way too many pins on Pinterest, watch a lifetime’s worth of YouTube videos, eat food out of “boredom”, and a million other things that are probably considered a waste of my time.  

Granted, there are times when I actually make the DIY’s I pin or watch nerdy educational videos, but many times I just mindlessly browse through web page after web page like a zombie without really gaining anything from it.

So why do I spend countless hours on things that don’t really add anything to my life, and make me feel like poop after I think about all the wasted time I spent?

Probably because it is a lot easier checking email or Facebook or Instagram than actually doing the things that make you feel good and fulfilled. 

Exhibit A: I have a bucket list board on my Pinterest with things that I want to do ranging from finishing a knitting project (which I recently just did!) and go paintballing to try zip lining and go on a mission trip.  The sad thing is that many times people have all these awesome and ambitious goals, but they much rather talk about them or “pin” them than actually take steps to accomplish them (mostly I’m talking about me…but I’m sure this goes for just about everyone).  

It’s sad to think that all the time I spent on things that don’t actually make me happy or fulfilled could have been used to carry out my aspirations or to help people or animals or the world in general.

That being said, I was fortunate enough to accomplish some items on my bucket list this summer and do some truly worthwhile activities before I go back to college.  Some of these include:

• Getting my first, official full-time job
• Spending quality time with friends and meeting new people
•  Going on a trip to the Adirondacks with friends and climbing Mount Marcy…New York’s highest mountain!
•  Finishing my first knitting project
•  Exploring Penn Caves in PA, going to a Renaissance Festival, jet skiing, boating, camping, playing tennis, having movie nights, having campfires, going to the drive-in, and a bunch of other fun excursions.

It has definitely felt good to actually do the things on my list as opposed to just thinking about them and daydreaming that they would happen.  One of my adventures this summer that helped to remind me to actually do the things that I desire to do as opposed to thinking about them was when I went on a road trip with friends to the Adirondacks, and we climbed to the top of Mount Marcy.  It took us around 11 hours to go up and back down the mountain, but it was definitely well worth the time.  Although the “trail” up the mountain was more like a steep, rocky creek bed and it was often monotonous and a pain-in-the-butt (literally!) to climb, the feeling of being at the top of the mountain was, for lack of a better word, awesome!

Indian Pass: the halfway point to Mt. Marcy

It was definitely a better feeling to actually climb the mountain than to “pin” about climbing a mountain from the comforts of my living room couch. 

This brings me back to my original point of getting off your heinie.  Stop dreaming about doing something/being something and actually take physical steps to do it.  If it is a huge dream like traveling the world, then start a savings account specifically for that goal.  If it is something smaller like working out on a daily basis, then start small by exercising for 15-20 minutes a day.

***Side Note: As always, whenever I give advice on my blog, it is usually because I’m the one that needs it the most.***

As everyone knows but so rarely actually understands, our lives are finite.  We are not sparkling Edward Cullens who live forever.  People have died before us, we are one day going to die, and people will die after us.  The book and movie The Fault in Ours Stars by John Green and the ice-bucket challenge that has blown up Facebook to raise awareness for ALS has really made me recently contemplate this idea.  I mean, everyone knows they are going to die, but I think it is a concept that often seems so abstruse and distant. 

The overall reality is, however, that we are all going to die, and the one thing that actually matters is how you decide to spend your time while you are alive.  With so many external factors we don’t have control over (like cancer, ALS, other people, etc.), it is comforting to know that we do have control over how we use our time and our attitudes/outlooks on life.

 Maybe it is just me, but I also find it kind of reassuring to know that I’m not the only person who is going to eventually be pushing up daisies.  I think just realizing that all of humanity will “suffer” (I put this in quotation marks because I don’t think death necessarily equals suffering) the same end gives you a sense of connection and empathy to and for your fellow man. 

Since life is so fleeting, uncertain, and often uncontrollable, it doesn’t make sense to deliberately waste time on things that do not add anything to your life.  Let go of any item/idea/person/belief/insert-any-other-factor that is holding you back from doing what actually makes you feel happy and fulfilled in life (and I mean happy/fulfilled for the long run, not just what makes you the mind-numbing, instant gratification kind of happy).  

Go out and help people. 

Create something.

Learn something.

Meet new people.

See new places.

Try new things.

Expand your way of thinking.

Challenge yourself.

Do something.

Get off your ass, and make your own way in this crazy, messed-up, and beautiful world.

Because you know what is a hell of a lot scarier than temporary discomfort, fear, and even death?

Regret.

NOTE: Here are some interesting YouTube videos that relate to this post.  The first one is about productivity by AsapSCIENCE, and the other is a Vlogbrothers video by John Green.

Life As An Herbivore: Reasons Why I Turned Vegetarian

Main Reasons Why I Am a Vegetarian and Addressing Frequently Asked Questions:

It is hard being an herbivore in a county where the main food staples are the four “B’s”: beans, beer, beef jerky, and bacon.  However, I have successfully been meat-free for a whole year now!  In celebration, I thought it appropriate to write a blog about why I chose to become a vegetarian 12 months ago and also address some frequently asked questions and misconceptions about being a veggie lover.

1. I don’t believe it is right to kill animals:

This is usually the typical reason why people freely choose to become veggie-lovers (or for health reasons).  Call me “fluffy”, “a tree hugger”, or just plain “crazy”, but I do not think it is morally acceptable to take the life of an animal (although I know there are grey areas…which I will discuss later). 

2.  Today’s meat industry sucks:

Have you actually seen where most of your meat comes from?  If you haven’t, you probably don’t want to…not a pretty sight. 

With that being said, you definitely need to do a little research into factory farms and slaughterhouses and the disgusting, unsanitary, and inhumane methods they use in preparation of the hamburger and chicken nuggets that are sitting in your freezer right now.

Prepare to vomit.

3.My reasons for eating meat were insubstantial compared to my reasons for not eating meat:

My main reason for eating meat was because I grew up eating it and, to be completely honest, meat tastes really dang good!  Who doesn’t like a pulled pork sandwich oozing with BBQ sauce or chicken nuggets dripping with honey mustard?  I can guarantee you that I DID NOT become a vegetarian because I abnormally despised chicken tenderloin, roast beef, or General Tso’s chicken. 

However, this rationalization for eating animal flesh is perhaps the scumbagiest justification one could give.  The whole “I couldn’t ever give meat up; I like it too much!” argument is not a good one.  You’re just being a selfish, lazy scumbag (I gave this same excuse before, so I also fall under the category of “selfish, lazy scumbag”.). 

Using this same logic, one can make the argument that they could not give up gambling, smoking, cheating, stealing, murder, cannibalism, *insert any other activity that society deems morally unacceptable here* because they like it too much. 

Scum-to-the-bag!

4. I would rather not have a dead animal corpse in my body:

Human corpses I’m completely okay with…but animals?  Eww.  Gross.  

***Side Note: before I get reported for being a cannibal, I would like to just say that there is this little bitty thing called sarcasm…and that there are not multiple human body parts wrapped up in tinfoil in my freezer…that would just be plain sick.***

5. I’m not a vegan (although I do support them!):

I personally have not found anything morally wrong with eating animal products like dairy, eggs, and honey if an animal is not killed or hurt in the process.  However, I do not want to support farms (especially factory farms) who participate in animal cruelty.

Personally, I would like to buy all the animal products I consume from farms I know are local and cruelty-free (this is significantly easier to do when I’m at college for I can control what I buy), and I really want to be more proactive in this area.

I give vegans a big thumbs up for living the completely animal-free life.  You go Glen Coco!

***Side note: eggs are not considered animals (unless they are fertilized).  The majority of eggs you buy are not fertilized (which means a rooster has not been around) and are in the vegetarian-safe zone.  As gross as it sounds, eating eggs is basically like eating chicken period.  Just think about that one for a little while….***

6. Where do you get your protein and other nutrients from? 

Milk, yogurt, cheese, any other form of dairy, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, soy, black beans, and other numerous vegetables are some of the places I get my protein from on a daily basis.  One cup of Greek yogurt is 25% of my daily protein, and I eat that stuff like it is nobody’s business!  The whole misconception that vegetarians do not get enough protein/nutrients is just that, a misconception.  However, I should also note that there are people who try to go vegetarian that do not get the protein or the nutrients they need.  The thing with being a vegetarian is that you have to eat a variety of things (not just carbs and starches!).  If you are not willing to try a variety of different foods on a daily basis and be smart with what you eat, then being a vegetarian is going to kind of suck for you.

7. If I become a vegetarian, then I am going to starve!

This is a bit dramatic. 

I can guarantee you that you will not starve.  In fact, there is a butt load of scrumptious foods that you can eat and that also taste really good!  Again, you just have to be smart and willing to scout out meat-free recipes (Pinterest.com is great for this!).

8. Being a vegetarian is too expensive!

Oh contraire Mon frère!

Granted, if you buy expensive vegetarian “meat” products like veggie burgers, fake chicken, and the likes, then your grocery bill will probably rack up.  However, if you just buy your own products to make veggie burgers and all that jazz, then it is actually quite affordable. 

For example, a can of black beans (which has a lot of protein in it) costs a few cents.  Tofu (for those of you who like it) is only $1.99 a pound at my local grocery store. 

It is just a matter of shopping smart.

***Side note: vegetarians don’t just eat tofu all the time.  I rarely buy it.***

9. I could not bring myself to actually kill an animal (although there are certain times I could…grey areas), so why should I eat it?

When I was a little girl, my older brother used to go outside and shoot birds, squirrels, little chipmunks, and basically anything that moved with his gun.  I used to ball my eyes out as I saw the poor little creatures twitching like crazy until their limbs eventually became still. 

I hate to see animals suffer. 

I hate to see their limbs twitching as their bodies try to cling on to life.

I hate to see their once glistening eyes fade black as the life drains out of them.

I couldn’t physically bring myself to kill an animal, so why should I have the pleasure of eating it?  Call me a pansy or a wimp, but I’m just being honest.  I’m pretty sure everyone (even people who have grown up slaughtering/hunting animals) has gotten a gut-wrenching feeling when they first saw the life drain out of an animal.  It’s the natural human reaction to seeing things die.  Although many people push past this emotion and are able to kill animals more easily, I personally cannot (although I could if I had to).

10. I don’t think it is wrong to kill for certain reasons:

I’m not a total loon who thinks that life is completely black and white.  There are shades of gray (and no, I’m not referencing that Twilight-wannabe, mommy-porn, sadomasochistic novel). 

For example, if an animal is attacking you or will potentially cause you harm (like a spider on your leg), I don’t think you should just stand there and let nature run its course.  Obviously this is a situation where it would be morally acceptable to kill that animal.

Same goes if an animal is in excruciating pain or suffering.       

What if eating meat is the only means for survival?  This is definitely one of those grey areas.  I am not going to tell a person who needs meat to live that they have to die in order for an animal to remain alive.  In this particular scenario, I believe it is the lesser-of-two-evils for the human to eat the animal.

With this being said, I also know that this scenario is very unlikely (although not entirely) for nearly every American citizen in the United States.  Eating meat is rarely a necessity for the majority of privileged first worlders. 

What about the farmers and slaughterhouses who make their living off of meat?  Again, this is another grey area.  I know people in my area who raise beef cattle and pigs and other various animals to eat.  I’m not going to tell these people that they have to just up and stop what they are doing and face the high probability of going into debt or poverty.  I value their lives, and do not want to see these people go through financial hardships and suffer because of my beliefs.

11. What about animal testing, pets, squishing insects, population control, animal attacks, if you were starving, etc.?

Animal Testing: I mainly disagree with the use of animal testing.  First off, it is kind of an archaic method.  There are numerous new technologies out there that can successfully test new products without the use of animals.  Many times, animals do not even have the same reaction a human would to a certain product. 

One form of animal testing I am SUPER against is cosmetic animal testing.  Although I have bought make-up products in the past that were tested on animals, I have begun to be more cautious of what I buy and purchase only cruelty-free products (these have special labels on them). 

I will not let animals suffer because of my vanity.

***Side note: The top name-brands like Maybelline and Cover Girl test on animals!  Three make-up brands that are really good and that do not test on animals are Physician’s Formula, Almay, and E.L.F. (this brand is also super cheap!).***

Pets: Some people make the argument that having and keeping pets is a form of animal cruelty.  Although I do not think people should randomly take animals from their natural habitat (unless they are injured, there is a baby animal that was deserted, etc.) and keep them in cages (like taking a wild raccoon or something), I don’t think it is wrong to have pets.  Honestly, domesticated animals could not really survive very well in the wild (although I am sure when they were not domesticated they could).  Taking domesticated cats and dogs and throwing them out into the wilderness is probably not the greatest idea.  As long as the pet owner is taking care of their pets, I’m perfectly okay with it.

Squishing insects: I kill insects.  Am I a hypocrite?  Perhaps.  I would like to note, however, that I do not go out of my way to kill insects.  If I see a spider web outside, I leave it be.  If I see a spider dangling from my ceiling, however, I kill that sucker.

Population Control by Hunting: I don’t really feel super educated on this issue, but I thought I would bring it up anyway.  Some people argue that we need to hunt to control the population of animals such as deer.  However, (before I make this point, I’m just going to admit that I really don’t have any actual evidence/didn’t do any research to support this assumption) I feel like nature could probably do a pretty good job at balancing itself out without the interference of humans.  I mean, a population can only get so big before it has to level out (I know at least that much from college Biology).

***Side note: I do plan to do some more research into this in the near future!***

Animal attacks: I’m pretty sure I said this somewhere else in this post…but if an animal is going to cause you harm, then I think it is the right thing to do to defend yourself and hurt/kill that animal.

If you were starving: If, for some reason, you find yourself trapped on a deserted island with animals as your main food source, what should you do?  Personally, I don’t know what I would do because I have yet to experience that situation.  Like I mentioned above, I believe that if someone needs to eat meat in order to survive, it is the lesser-of-two-evils to eat the meat. 

12. Circle of life: animals eat other animals…why can’t we?

Since animals run around naked all day, have incestual sex, lick their pee-pees, and do a bunch of other gross things…we should do all these things too!

…

I feel there is no point adding to this argument.

I mean, there are those select few who also participate in some of the animalistic activities like those listed above (nudists, people of Oramel, etc.); however, these activities are generally frowned upon by society.

13. I’m not saying animals have more value than humans: 

I’m not putting animals on an equal playing field as humans.  However, I still believe that animals have value (not just on a dinner plate) and should likewise be respected.

***Side note: kind of an interesting thing to think about…but how do we actually measure value?  By intelligence?  By physical capabilities?  Just by species?  Personally, I find it extremely hard to measure value…especially in a non-biased, objective manner.***

14. But, what about the plants you are eating?  Aren’t they alive too???

Really?

It’s a bit ludicrous, but I have actually been asked this question quite frequently.  Usually, this question is asked kind of snidely by people who just want to mock vegetarians/vegans.

Yes, some plants have certain sensory mechanisms that can make them feel certain sensations.  Scientists today are discovering new things about plants and how complex they really are.  Who knows, perhaps plants really do feel pleasure and pain just like humans and animals do.  The thing is, we do not actually know that.  However, we do know for certain that animals most definitely feel pain and suffering.

Also, we can live without eating animals; we cannot live without eating plants (unless by some strange phenomenon you can create your own food by photosynthesis).

***Side note: look up “breatharians”***

15. Why are you so worried about animal rights when there are far greater issues with human rights such as abortion, world hunger, poverty, etc.?

It is hard for me to understand this question.  Just because I am passionate about animal rights and vegetarianism, it seems that I also cannot be equally or more passionate about human right issues or that I should not worry about animal rights because human rights are far more important.

This logic just falls flat on its face. 

Yes, I believe all these other issues are of critical importance, but I also believe that animal rights are of critical importance (perhaps to a different degree) as well.

 Why can’t I advocate for both?

Or, as the little girl says off the Old El Paso taco commercial:

¿Por qué no los dos?

16. The “all or nothing” approach, and why I believe this is idiocy:

I’ve heard people argue that, if I’m a vegetarian and advocating for animal rights, then I have to become super extreme and protest against all forms of cruelty (including human and the environment).  I also essentially cannot buy anything for that matter, because generally every item we buy can usually be linked to some form of environmental harm, animal cruelty, or slave labor. 

If I don’t do all these things, then, the argument goes, I am a complete hypocrite and should not even bother being a vegetarian.

This “all or nothing” approach is a bit stupid to me.  This will come as a shock to everyone, but I am not perfect.  I, along with the rest of mankind, am not some angelic super-being who always does the right thing every single moment.  Half of the time it is a struggle to discern what the “right” thing even is!  Because I am not a supernatural saint sent from Heaven, I make mistakes, am ignorant to certain issues, don’t know what the “right” action is to take, and sometimes I’m just a plain ol’ scumbag.  Does that mean because I advocate for a few good causes and not for others that I am a hypocrite?  Perhaps, but then, the logic follows, so is everyone.

I think the most important thing is that, when you become aware of an issue or problem, don’t just ignore it and push it off to the side.  Become more mindful and knowledgeable about the issue and try to pursue ways you can make it better (I especially need to be more proactive in this area). 

The “all or nothing” approach just does not work.  People are not perfect; they make countless mistakes.  The real error, however, is when one is aware of an injustice or wrongdoing and has the power to take corrective action, but does not or refuses to.

17. I have no idea if I am “right”:

I don’t 100% know if being a vegetarian is the “right” thing to do.  I don’t know if humans are morally supposed to eat meat or not.  This blog post is not meant to be about me shoving my beliefs in other people’s faces and doing the whole “I’m right; you’re wrong.  I’m big; you’re small.  I’m smart; you’re dumb.” extravaganza.  What I really want people to get out of this post is to better understand why I chose to become a vegetarian, to gain a new perspective, and (hopefully) to become more conscious of their eating habits.

I can’t make anyone give up their omnivorous life and become an herbivore.  Like I stated above, I’m not even certain if being a vegetarian is the “right” kind of lifestyle.  One thing that I am certain of is that my choice of not eating meat is a personal conviction that I feel pretty passionate and firmly about. 

I love animals, and it is one of my life’s aspirations to decrease the amount of suffering and suckage (yes, I realize this is not a real word) there is in this wonderful, yet often messed up world.  

This is why I am a proud veg head.

***Note: I realize that there are probably questions and misconceptions that I have accidently forgot/left out, and that I did not give a ton of details for some of my answers.  I didn’t want to turn this blog post into a novel, so I figured I should probably stop typing soon.  If you have any questions, comments, concerns, rants, raves, etc. that you would like to share, feel free to message me or leave a comment.***

***One More Note I Swear: If you are wondering why I decorated this blog post with a zillion vegetarian pictures, I found a ton of funny/true pins on Pinterest.com and had to share!***

In Summer!

Oh man.

It has been quite a while since I attempted to write anything.

So much for writing a new blog post every week!

UPDATE ON MY LIFE THUS FAR: I finished my first year of college in May with a 4.0 and made it on SUNY Geneseo’s President’s List.  Yah for me!  What have I done with my summer vacation?  Well, I wrote and published a few novels, learned a new language, founded a charity organization, won a Nobel Peace Prize, and successfully established world peace. 

No big deal or anything.

In actuality, I have been scrubbing toilets for 8 and ½ hours a day, 5 days a week (although, I did get “promoted” to cleaning and waxing floors all day instead).  I also have been eating incessantly, lounging around my house, and catching up with old high school friends.  As for all the other lofty accomplishments I listed above…well…I think you know where this is going.

I always have these grandiose expectations of what I am going to accomplish during winter/summer vacation.  Ideally, I planned on practicing my Spanish daily, reading at least one book per week, completing the knitting project I started, working out at least five times per week, expanding my vocabulary by learning at least one new word a day and using it in a conversation, posting a new blog once a week, keeping up with the headlines every day, refreshing my dance technique, going on all these adventurous excursions, and working a full time job. 

Needless to say I have not quite stuck with everything as I had hoped, but, with that being said, I still have genuinely enjoyed my summer thus far.

Although I may not have been able to check many things off of my “summer to-do list”, I still have had some pretty awesome experiences.  For starters, I have had quite a few fun/adventurous/spur-of-the-moment outings with friends who I have not been able to hang out with much when I was in college.  I also like my job pretty well (although I still complain about it…I mean, it’s still a job) and am grateful I have my own, semi-steady income.  So yeah, overall I have to say my summer is, from a pessimistic point of view, not super suckish.  From a more optimistic point of view, I have to say my summer vacation has been pretty dang good.   

However, I still have over a month of summer ahead of me.  I could still become really motivated, develop a rock-hard willpower, and put a check mark by each and every one of my goals. 

…Or, I could just flop down on my bed with a bowl of Perry’s ice cream, my cat Fritters, and Netflix episodes on my laptop and call it good. ;)

NOTE: this is just a short-and-sweet post quickly updating on my life so far.  I know I am REALLY, REALLY, REALLY bad at consistently posting to my blog, but I do want to get back to actually writing more habitually.  Maybe if I physically type out my writing goals I will be more apt to stick with them.  Here it goes:

Rachel’s Writing Goals That She Promises (Hopefully/Fingers Crossed) To Keep:

1.      I will write a minimum of 2 blog posts each month (unless some traumatic event takes place that impairs me from doing so…like a tragic Great White shark attack accident that results in the loss of both my hands).

2.      I will follow my #1 goal and NOT make excuses/put off writing because I am too “busy” scrolling through Facebook statuses and watching Netflix.

3.      In the case that I mess up on my goals (accidentally, of course), I promise to deactivate my Facebook account for 1 week.

4.      In the case that I don’t deactivate my social media account, I promise to go 1 week without coffee (yikes!).

5.      In the case that I don’t go 1 week without coffee…well, let us hope that my lack of discipline and self-control does not get to that point.

ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: Since July marks the one-year point of me being an herbivore, I think it only appropriate to write a post about why I chose to become a vegetarian in the first place.  That will be my next blog post!

                       HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING SUMMER!

On Religion

***NOTE: if you are going to read this blog post, PLEASE read it all the way through!***

There are a handful of controversial subjects that either people try to steer clear of in their conversations with others or they enthusiastically pursue (there is also a middle category where it depends on the time, place, and people present).  These hot topics range from politics and abortion to homosexuality and religion.

Personally, I usually don’t spout my personal beliefs unless someone specifically asks me (with the exception of close family and friends).  However, I’ve been contemplating writing this article for a while now, and I am going to attempt to tackle the oh-so-touchy subject of religion. 

To give a little bit of background about myself, I grew up in a Christian family where I attended church (mostly a Wesleyan church) and church functions on a pretty regular basis.  Around eighth grade I became really committed to going to youth group and reading/studying my Bible on a daily basis, and I desired to become a “strong Christian”.

I continued to attend youth group and church functions and study The Word steadily until the end of tenth grade/beginning of junior year.  That is when my beliefs began to metamorphosis little by little (it was more like a process that was continually happening over time than like some major, philosophical epiphany).

Currently, I do not consider myself a Christian by its standard definition.

Before anyone mentally judges me and puts me on their prayer list so that I don’t end up in eternal damnation in the fiery pit of hell, please keep reading and hear me out.  Then, after you have seen my views from my perspective, by all means go ahead and judge away (although I think the time you would spend praying for me could be put to much better use…like perhaps donating your time/money to help those in need).

Anyways…getting back on track…I am going to list out some of my personal insights into the concepts of religion and spirituality in order to better explain (to those who desire to know) my current belief system.

(1)   I do not think Christianity is the only way for “salvation”.  I think it is extremely ignorant for people to think that their religion is the only “right” religion and way to think.  First off, I guarantee the majority of religious people out there (and I’m referring mostly to Christians since they make up a vast majority of Americans) do not have a clear understanding what principles and belief systems make up other religious traditions.  How many people have actually read the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist texts, or even the Bible itself?  It’s surprising how few Christians have actually done any real research or reading of their own Christian Bible!  It is even more shocking to me that people can be so assured of their religion even if they do not have any substantial knowledge of any other religious views (and stereotypes do NOT count as substantial knowledge).

 

I don’t think people even think about why they believe what they believe in the first place.  Personally, the main reason I called myself a Christian for most of my life was because I lived in a predominantly Christian country.  My parents are Christians.  I’m surrounded by people who are also Christian.  I was socialized my whole life that Christianity is the only right religion, that the Bible is the Word of God, and that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.  If I was born into perhaps a predominantly Hindu country, I guarantee I would believe that Hinduism was the only right religion and way of life.

Another fact that I find interesting and I don’t think many Christians seem to realize is that the religion of Christianity has not just always existed.  In fact, Christianity just began roughly 2,000 years ago.  The religions of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many others existed long before the birth of modern-day Christianity.   

***SIDE NOTE: modern-day Christianity also looks a whole lot different than the Christianity of 2,000 or even a few hundred years ago.***

(2)   I do not believe the Bible is the Word of God.  Although I DO believe the Bible contains some divine moral truths and has a substantial amount of literary value, I do not think it was written by “God” through the medium of select men. 

During the few years where I was trying to become a “good Christian” and read my Bible adamantly, I would read passages that put a bad taste in my mouth and made me wonder how a loving God could be so cruel and yatta-yatta.  However, I usually pushed these thoughts aside and told myself not to question God and to have faith in His goodness.

When I asked other Christians why some of the Bible passages were so troubling, I got various responses.  Some were very honest and said that they didn’t know, but that it was good to keep questioning.  Others attempted to interpret the passages in any way they could to make God turn out to be always righteous and good and us humans as bad and corrupt.  Both these answers were very unsatisfying, especially the last one.  Oftentimes I felt (pardon my French) that some of the people were trying to pull out any justifications they could from their asses in order to back up their Christian view of God and the Bible, despite what was obviously written in the text.

Also, after reading multiple texts from other religions, I can’t help but notice how incredibly similar the Bible is to other spiritual texts and visa-versa. 

I could (and possibly will) potentially write a whole blog post on just the Old Testament—not to mention the New Testament—alone.  However, this is supposed to be just a semi-brief overview of my personal views, so I won’t go super into detail now.

(3)   There is a big difference between truth/knowledge and beliefs/faith.  I think this is a huge thing many people don’t get.  I personally believe that truth and faith are equally important and should be in balance with each other; however, I also believe it is a huge mistake to equate truth/knowledge WITH faith/beliefs.  Truth/knowledge is something that you can prove and know for complete certainty.  Beliefs/faith is something that you believe/hope to be true, but that you are not completely certain about (NOTE: strong beliefs are [or at least should be] those backed up by or based off of truths). 

It is quite absurd when Christians say they know God exists and that they know the Bible to be true/the Word of God.  They should say they believe that God exists and etcetera. 

Logically, no one can prove that God exists and, consequently, they cannot prove that He does not exist.  This applies to all other religions/belief systems…that is why they are called “beliefs”. 

Because no one knows for certain (although some will argue that they do and, in that case, I would LOVE to hear their hard “evidence”) that their version of a higher power/religious views are the “right” ones, I think it is absolutely absurd and beyond ignorant for a person to think that their belief system is the only way/absolute truth.

Unfortunately, a vast majority of people have this mindset, and that is why many of the world’s wars and conflicts have been based off of people’s conflicting religious views. 

(4)   Religion can be a very good thing!  I don’t want people to get the false idea that I am some religion-hater/angry-at-God/hard-core-atheist (I don’t really consider myself anything besides “spiritual”.  Labels are very over-rated and I don’t think I really fit into any box anyways).  I am open to nearly all religions (okay, perhaps not something like Satanism or religions where they accept human-sacrificing and that type of thing….) and am willing to participate in a variety of religious activities regardless of the religion (like attending a church/synagogue/mosque/temple/etc.) and learning more about the proponents that make up that belief system.

I believe that religion can be a very positive thing for it gives people a collective value system to follow and a deep sense of community and connectedness to fellow human beings. 

The only problem I have when it comes to certain religious people is their unwillingness to be accepting and open to other people’s beliefs.  I’m not saying there are not certain inalienable and fundamental morals that everyone should follow, for I personally believe there are, however, people have the right to differentiate in their personal beliefs.

People are going to have different views on issues like “what happens after death”, and you know what?  That’s perfectly okay!  That doesn’t mean they’re right (or wrong), and it doesn’t mean that your beliefs are right (or wrong) either.  That’s the beauty of beliefs; everyone has different perspectives on the fundamental life questions like “what happens when we die”.  If you get upset/offended over someone who has contrasting religious views than you and feel the need to “convert” them to your religion and mindset, then you are just going to live a very sheltered, possibly miserable life believing that everyone who isn’t of your faith is going to suffer eternal damnation.  

(5)   I admit that I do not know…and that is okay!  It may come as a shock, but I don’t actually know everything (although I probably will never admit this to my mother!).  I am still growing in my knowledge about religion and spirituality, and my belief system is growing with it.  The exciting thing is that I will continue to grow my entire life.  As I become more knowledgeable (and hopefully wise) and I have more life experiences, some of my beliefs and views (with the exception of fundamental values) will more than likely expand and change too. 

As for the whole matter of what I actually believe in concerning a higher power, supernatural beings, and the afterlife/salvation, my overall belief is that it does not matter what I believe.  Regardless of whether I believe in a monotheistic God (I do happen to believe in a “higher power”/divine purpose for life), whether there are in fact supernatural creatures like demons and angels, and whether I believe in a Heaven or Hell...if such things do actually exist (or other religious versions of these things), they will exist whether I believe in them or not.  Believing in something does not make it so and likewise with not believing in something.

Overall, I think it is important to grasp the concept that we are all sensitive, mortal beings trying our best to make sense of the world and to reassure ourselves of what happens after death in order to have more security and avoid the fear of the unknown.  This is why I believe religion has the potential to be a very powerful and positive force in people’s lives. 

 

The fear of the unknown and our attempts to make sense of it is the one thing that connects all of humanity together.  This in turn allows for us to be able to better relate with other fellow human beings and have a sense of love and empathy for one another.

*I am pretty sure I could write a whole book on my views concerning religion and philosophy, but for the sake of everyone reading this blog, I will cease rambling on now.

**John Green, author of “A Fault in Our Stars”, and his brother Hank post some very insightful YouTube videos on their vlog the Vlogbrothers ranging in topics from book reviews and politics to religion and theology.  Below are some of their videos on religion I found very insightful.  I HIGHLY recommend checking them out along with some of their other videos!