My first post...

So here we are - my first post. Let me begin with the following disclaimer:

I am fully aware and conscious that many of the opinions I will share in the blog will shock, provoke and perhaps even insult some readers. These posts will be made up of words and only words, and to quote one of my heroes the great George Carlin, there are no such things as good words or bad words - only good or bad intentions. Therefore let me make it clear that my only intention is one of self expression and whenever possible to provoke thought and perhaps a laugh or two. Please know that your reaction to my post is purely your own responsibility.

Now on with it then...

I have been racking my brains on where to begin...the PQ and their silly would-be-Premiere Marois? Herr Harper and his band of rednecks? Bob Gainey and his obsession with midgets? Perhaps something light such as why Shepherds Pie is known as Chinese Pie in Quebec...

As luck would have it, a discussion on a finance chat board led me to the golden trough of opinions to be vented. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, as my first post I deliver unto you - my opinion (should be yours too)

The context of the chat:

In response to a plea for financial advice from an unemployed man with few options but personal bankruptcy, the gentleman below recommended he should give away all his remaining money to the church and trust God to save him. At first I laughed and kidded with this gentleman thinking it was a joke - alas it was not.

The post that invited my opinion:

Tomorrow everything will be taken from you, and the question will be asked, "What have you done with the gifts God has given freely?" Everybody has a choice, what is yours? Open your heart to truth, and you will see what I see.

My first reply:

My choice is to believe in the potential for goodness in men without the need for a God or a fear of God...just out of pure humanity. More unspeakable atrocity has been committed in the name of "God" than any other guise... if anything the choice is made even clearer by this - stay away from "God" and chances are you will be a better person. As for seeing what you see - no thanks! I opened my eyes 3 years ago and have never seen so clearly in all my life. I only wish the same for you some day.

To which he responded:

I think you are mixing religion with God. Religion is mans attempt at understanding God. Man has a conceited streak which contaminates truth. That is why we have so many religions. Man also uses religion for his own personal gain. I am talking about truly knowing your maker, not about any religion. You can find God anywhere, not only in church. You have made your assumptions due to the life experiences you have encountered. Einstein believed in a Creator. E=MC2 was being taught by Jesus 1900 years earlier. With faith you can actually move mountains. When we study the tiniest levels known to science currently a theory, we see strings of energy in every atom. Unlocking this energy is the key to all miracles. God created the sciences for man to learn about Gods creation,. We are only infants in this wonderful universe.

Which left me no option but to bring down the full force of my opinion (should be yours too)

Nice apologist manifesto - and quite convincingly recited I may add. The true and awesome power of the universe is unlocked in science, fact and rational thought. And Einstein believed not in a "creator" as you say, but a creative force of nature...and where you got "E=MC2 was being taught by Jesus 1900 years earlier" I'll never know, but it is not only false, it is insulting to imply that the greatest scientist of our time was only spewing rehashed theories from a character in a book.

If you ask me to believe that somewhere down the study of creation we may stumble upon a creative force that is responsible for this beautiful universe, I may CHOOSE to believe it - with scientific proof and rational thought.

If you ask me to believe that this creative force is in any way divine, all-knowing, omnipotent, responsible for anything that happens in my daily life or the daily lives of any creature to have lived in the universe...I cannot. If you ask me to believe that this creative force sent messengers to earth, possessed people, spoke to people, I cannot. If you ask me to believe that this creative force has any effect whatsoever on the decision making capabilities of a man to choose between right and wrong, I cannot. To do so would be utterly ridiculous and irrational.

I choose to take responsibility for my actions, decisions and human experience. And the sooner the rest of humanity can do the same the more chance we have of making it through the next 200 years as a race. For the truth is that men of "God" can currently be linked to most of the non-essential struggles of our time, never mind most of the human atrocities of the past 5000 years...

Instead of working together as a race to lift people from poverty, desperation and desolation, we divide and destroy in the name of "God." So please spare me your apologist speak, because you and I both know that you believe in Jesus and the bible. At least assume responsibility for that.

And there you have it - the ice is broken and the first post is done. I welcome your comments, I only ask that they be kept in clean language and as rationally thought out as possible.