Religion... what a touchy subject...

I HATE RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS!

Bear in mind that there is a difference between a religious person and a religious zealot. I think everyone should be able to worship or not worship in whatever way they see fit as long as their worship doesn't include criticizing others for not being a pious as themselves. Isn't pride one of the deadly sins?

Pride is defined on Dictionary.com as a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

It seems to me that people who push their religion on you or criticize your beliefs, or lack of beliefs is exemplifying pride. And they try to tell me I am going to Hell!

Why, pray tell, am I destined to burn? Is it because I had pre-marital sex... alot. Or maybe because the last time I was in a church, I had un-pure thoughts about my neighbour's wife... What can I say? I coveted. Could it even be as simple as the fact that I was baptised as a Roman Catholic and the Mormons are right?!?

When it comes down to it, religions are some of the most non-inclusive, judgemental people on the face of the Earth. How many wars have been fought in the name of so-called peaceful religions attempting to convert or rid themselves of blasphemers? How often do people use religion as a excuse for violence or prejudice?

Don't get me wrong, I think religion has it's place. I just wish there was a religion out there (maybe there is, if you know of one, let me know) that has all of the good points of religion and none of the bad. Who cares if homosexuals get married or for that matter, do whatever they want to do in the bedroom? How does that affect my life? What about abortion. It is interesting that we recently had a religious group come to town to protest at the local abortion clinic. As my wife and 10 year old son drove past the group, they were forced to look at 4 foot pictures of dismembered late term fetuses. My wife couldn't look away because she was driving and my son was in the back seat, so she couldn't cover his eyes. How is it that a group of people can do these types of things in the name of a "loving God"?

One of the funniest things I have heard of in recent years is the idea of missionaries. I used to think that a missionary was a person who went to a foreign country to do aide work while spreading the teachings of their church to whoever will listen. These people do good work and help others who are less fortunate. Who does a couple of 19 year olds from Colorado coming to my door to ask me if I love Jesus help? Am I in such bad straits that I need missionaries coming to help me? I guess they would argue that my soul is in need of help. Maybe they are right, but I don't think that a couple of brainwashed teenagers are going to help me with that.

Oh well, I know that not all religious people out there are the same (which is why I want to make it clear that it is the outspoken, closed minded ones that I am referring to), but you cannot deny that in judging others, you are exhibiting pride -- one of the 7 deadly sins. I have lots more I could say on the subject, but I would probably end up causing riots like that Danish newspaper.

So I guess when I die, I am going to burn but at least I'll have lots of interesting company like all of the other heathens and members of all the religions in the world that were wrong!