I fail to see why people can’t worship their own way without feeling a need to congregate, form a hierarchy, make up a lot of capricious rules, and proselytize to others who are not interested.

People tend to want to have someone to look up to, who can tell them what’s right, and what they should do in any given situation.  A leader that they can turn to in times of need, who might have the answers they seek.  Usually this person has a great deal of charisma, and has an air of being in control.  It can be likened to a father-figure-type situation, with scared children looking to their father for guidance and answers.

As humans, we compartmentalize everything.  “A place for everything...”  We hate to deviate from that, so we organize, find someone to follow, and create regulations to keep people in line.  Organized religion is no different.

Why does one need an “invisible deity in the sky” to tell them to do the right thing?  We should all do the right thing simply because it’s right.  (Personal beliefs must always be taken into account here.  What do I care if you do something illicit, as long as it’s not hurting anyone?)  We should do what’s decent not because we’re promised salvation if we do, or threatened with Hell if we don’t.  In fact, I find that more than a bit insulting.

None of this is to say that I don’t have my own religious beliefs; they just can’t be easily labeled, and folded neatly into a box.  I took some time and care to cultivate my beliefs, not to mention a lot of my own research.  My beliefs are still evolving, and I’m proud of all of it.  That’s what is so great about constantly learning.  You’re never done!  “If you’re not learning, you’re dead.”

I’ve studied a vast array of the world’s religions for years – Christianity, Zoroastrianism, various Pagan paths, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism – just to name a few, and I keep coming to the same conclusion.  No one has it completely right, but no one’s completely wrong either.  I believe it’s the height of arrogance for us, with our tiny human brains, to think that we have religion and the cosmos all figured out.  What’s worse is “sentencing” someone to “eternal damnation” simply because they disagree with you.  Haven’t you ever been wrong before?

Being a somewhat logical, carbon-based life-form, I’d be remiss if I ignored science.  There are just so many things that make too much sense to dismiss.  For instance, I truly believe in the Big Bang Theory.  I just don’t know who or what was the catalyst, and no one else knows either.  We plainly can’t comprehend it.  I guess we’ll know for sure when we die, right? 

I do know one thing, though.  Our souls are made up of energy, and energy never dies.  It only gets recycled.  Where our souls go after this is really anybody’s guess.  Just don’t be so quick to chastise someone else for disagreeing with your beliefs.  Recognize that you’re both travelling to the same destination; you’re just on different journeys.  Who cares how you got there, just as long as you show up?

Until Next Time,

Danielle

I’d like to start with Ann Coulter quotes. (She’s that far, far right wing uberbitch, with the twig-like legs that shouldn’t be able to hold her up, in case you were wondering.)

“Democrats always assure us that deterrence will work, but when the time comes to deter, they're against it.”

“I know Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that's all I really need to know.”

“I love to engage in repartee with people who are stupider than I am.” “I’m more of a man than a liberal.”

“If we're so cruel to minorities, why do they keep coming here? Why aren't they sneaking across the Mexican border to make their way to the Taliban?”

The most natural progression from here is George W. Bush. You’ve probably heard most or all of them, but here goes anyway…

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."

"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." (Well, at least he understands the plight of the “every-man”.)

"I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe -- I believe what I believe is right."

And my personal favorite: "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."

Here are a few more funny political quotes…

Sarah Palin:

"They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan."

John McCain:

"Across this country this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners. And the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent."

"Our economy, I think, is still -- the fundamentals of our economy are strong."

I’d say that’s quite enough for now. Do you have a favorite to share?

Until Next Time,

Danielle

Crawl inside my brain,

Prod around for awhile,

And see what you can exhume.

You could wander around

My mind for days,

And never see the same thing twice.

Just keep your hands and feet

Inside at all times because

You never know what’s coming.

Rapid-fire thoughts

Shoot across synapses,

Like some kind of otiose, trench warfare.

My liquid eyes drink in everything,

And it all stays in my head,

So I play it all guardedly close to the vest.

I’ll never divulge all of my knowledge,

That would put me under a thumb,

And I prefer to have the upper hand.

What makes some people think, “I’m only one person.  What can I do?”  While others stand up, and use the voices they’ve been given.  What makes them so different?  Why do some people believe they can, while others believe they cannot?

One voice can sing quite beautifully all on its own.  It can touch people in ways that they may not even fully understand.  When you coalesce numerous voices, you get a powerful chorus which can move people in compelling, emotional ways.  Music can, and will, move people to tears.

Take away the music, keep the lyrics (or message), and the same is true.  One person speaking up, and just one person listening, can make a difference in some way.  When a number of people get together with a common cause, their impact can be immeasurable.  They have a louder voice.

My point is, don’t ever think you can’t do something because you’re “just one person”.  You can live your life the way you want to live it.  It’s yours, so make it count!  You can let your voice be heard solo, or you can lend it to an already colossal choir.  Stand up for your beliefs.  Be extraordinary!  The choice is yours.

Until Next Time,

Danielle   

There are a few things that I think the government should legalize, in no particular order.  The first thing I'd like to discuss is the legalization of gay marriage.  What's the problem here, folks?  Is it hurting you?  They have just as much of a right to marriage as the rest of us, and I'm so sick of hearing the "sanctity of marriage" argument.  Heterosexuals ruined that a long time ago!  Don't put that on them!  Here's the breakdown, gay men and women deserve not only the same legal rights as their straight counterparts, but the same quixotic rights, as well.  This one really seems like a no-brainer to me!

Next, I'm going to step out on this ledge here, and say that I believe marijuana should be legal.  Have you ever heard the term “angry drunk”?  Yes.  You probably even have one in your family, but I digress.  Have you ever heard the term “angry pothead”?  No, because there aren’t any.  They’re too chill, laid back, chillaxed even.  Additionally, there are way more alcohol related car accidents than weed related.  First of all, the stoner has to actually get up and find his keys, when he’s too lazy to even get off the couch and get a drink.  In summation, potheads are great!  Everyone should befriend one.  Potheads love everyone, except for those who hate on pot.  In all seriousness, marijuana can be used medicinally for a plethora of conditions, too many to name here, but I know it helps cancer patients gain weight.  I wonder why that is. 

Last, I think prostitution should be legalized everywhere.  It works, and has worked, in Nevada for the last couple of hundred years now.  It keeps crimes and disease down.  The girls are tested rigorously to make sure they’re “clean”.  The madam with her fresh, decent rooms replaces the pimp and his fleabag motels.  The girls have real security, and make real money for performing a real service.  Let’s face it, prostitution is the oldest profession in all of the land!

Tell me how you feel, but keep the chastising to a minimum please.  I bruise easily. 

Until Next Time,

Danielle