I thought I had already straightened all of this out with my post on the Anti Christ and all things religion. The gist of the message was, “if it is not real, then it does not exist”. However, I am still being battered with tales of make believe entities including vampires and, new to the list, Chupacabra… a beast of Latin-American folklore. Here is a photo of a suspected Chupacabra:
I will admit that I was wrong when I initially suspected that this was just a very, very ugly dog. Turns out it is a very, very ugly dead coyote. Alas, another false alarm. Just like all of the other false alarms that we have endured for centuries.
A colleague of mine, who is about the most sincere person I know, is convinced he has seen a ghost. Better yet, he is also convinced a ghost (or several) lifted him a couple inches off of his bed. I swear to you that he believes this. Another person I work with has actually seen Bigfoot…walking down the sidewalk. I know it sounds like a joke but they are sincere in their beliefs.
So the question is “why the need to make up all of this stuff”? Researchers tend to agree that it is the brains desire to be able to explain everything. A system of “cause and effect” that we simply are born with. If we don’t have a good reason for something, we just make something up to explain it. One of the more ridiculous examples of this was televangelist John Hagee blaming Hurricane Katrina on the fact a gay pride parade was scheduled and God was pi**ed. Again, I am not making this up.
So, considering that religious folks already believe in a being they can’t see, are they more likely to believe in other stuff? Interestingly, because religious people have an omnipotent God, they are actually less likely to believe in Bigfoot, for instance. In fact, according to research, the more often they go to church the less likely they believe in other paranormal activities. Interesting, huh?
Elizabeth is no doubt chomping at the bit to say, “Of course stupid people believe in religion and ghosts, they’re stupid!” Sorry to burst your bubble but studies show that Ph.D.s are as likely as high school drop outs to believe in all things paranormal. That’s right. Dr. Phil is as likely to talk to his dead cousin as the dude living in the gutter down the block.
So, do not discriminate against your religious and paranormal friends. They are merely filling a gap that the human brain insists must be filled. And really, what is the harm in believing? If it makes you a better person, how is that a bad thing? Just stay away from any extreme and your life will be just swell.
One last note to my UFO believing friends. I know you don’t like to be lumped in with the other loons because, technically, Unidentified Flying Objects really do occur on a fairly regular basis. I saw one when I was about 8 and standing with a group of adults…a big ball of fire in the sky that just evaporated. Most definitely an unidentified object. However, later that evening I was not kidnapped and anal probed by beings with big black eyes. UFO’s? No problem. Aliens? You might as well join your local Bigfoot club. Or as Jim Morrison used to say, “Out here we is stoned immaculate”.
Happy hunting whatever you are looking for.
November 26, 2008 at 8:26 am |
Brother / Sister in Faith,
The Almighty is much misunderstood by many, some claim to believe and yet believe not.
I’ve touched on the Topic “Who is The Almighty Allah” See:
http://thetruereligion.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/who-is-allah/
I’ve also touched on Topics such as “The True Religion” I will soon be posting a new article taking from the Blessed Holy Bible…
It will be called “Islaam in the Bible” giving reference and very indepth answers.
All over the world Priests, Missionaries, Rabbis are reverting to Islaam…
Some may Question but why are all our religious scholars becoming Muslim.
The Answers might just be in my blog posts.
Find out More from Former Christian Priests, Missionaries, Rabbis etc…
Search for the names listed from my blog posts and you’ll get their details should you have any questions.
With love to all for the pleasure of Allah.
Al-Farooq
November 26, 2008 at 8:46 am |
Al-Farooq, I read with interest your article on Allah. It seems like a reasonable position.
I wonder what some of our Christian readers will think?
November 26, 2008 at 10:01 am |
From the mouth of an Atheist self who has checked throughout religions said should he choose religion he would be Muslim.
I’ve seen Atheist ask Christian leaders to give them proof of the existance of The Almighty and they failed but when they asked me the same questions…
They Accepted! Question is can people of other faith accept the truth?
We all know the truth hurts but after the pain, anger and hurt is over one comes back to reality and your human senses and realize the truth.
Ask some of your Christian readers what they think?
I’ve been asked many questions by Christians on the Bible, they needed answers where the priests and missionaries could not answer them.
The Blessed Holy Bible in it is truth and guidance for mankind truely those who believe will have understanding of the Scripture.
We are nearing the end of the world but it’s none of my worries I rather use the time we have left to be a Good Muslim and life the lifeslye of the Prophets from Adam right down to Moses, Jesus and Mohammed May Peace and Allah’s blessings be upon them all.
We know Jesus will return question is will the christions recognise him? He looks like a Muslim, speaks like a Muslim, prays like a Muslim, called to Islaam which means “Total submission to the will of Allah” the thing is he is a Muslim and the Muslims will welcome him saying As’salaamu Alaikum and greet him with open arms welcome our brother we have been waiting for you.
“Let Thy Kingdom come” The Kingdom of Islaam has already come “Let Thy will be done” We the Muslims always say Inshallah (If Allah wills) we are the promissed people see the Bible we are called the brother Israelites.
With love for the pleasure of Allah.
Al-Faarooq which means “One who distinguishes between right and wrong”
November 26, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
It’s quite simple, explained in Phillipians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Notice it says EVERY knee will bow? It also says His name is above all names–including Allah. Maybe you’ll get the anal probe while bowing before Jesus–wouldn’t that be something?
November 26, 2008 at 1:05 pm |
Did you just the words “Jesus” and “anal probe” in the same sentence? Bravo!!!
November 26, 2008 at 1:06 pm |
I thought you’d like that. Get out your K-Y jelly
November 26, 2008 at 1:27 pm |
None for me, thanks. I roll old school.
November 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm |
Alfaarooq1:
Muslims believe that suicide bombers (euphemistically called “martyrs”) are rewarded with 72 virgins in Paradise after they have completed the job. Martin Bodek has(http://factsofisrael.com/blog/archives/000079.html) has 72 questions for the bombers:
1) What if the bomber wants girls with more experience?
What do you call a relationship with 72 women, a menage-a-soixante-deux?
2) What if one virgin is no good in bed? Does she get replaced or is he stuck with 71?
3) If he’s gay, does he get male virgins?
4) What if he’s celibate? What does he get?
5) What if he hasn’t reached puberty yet? Does he get 72 Xboxes till he comes of age?
6) If he’s bi, does he get 36 of each?
7) If he blows himself up while building the bomb, does he still get credit?
9) Are they like 72 wives or 1 wife and 71 concubines?
10) What if he’s ugly or smells bad and the virgins don’t want anything to do with him?
11) Is there viagra in paradise? Ya know, just in case?
12) Is there an age of consent?
13) When they’re deflowered, do they get replaced by new virgins or are they “born again”?
14) Do they become his common-law wives eventually?
15) If he has a tryst with a 73rd virgin, do the others consider it cheating?
16) Do the virgins have a union? If so, can they strike if they’re not satisfied?
17) Is there a temp agency that replaces virgins if they call in sick?
18) What if the bomber’s into animals? Does he get accommodated?
19) Why 72? Is 71 too few? Is 73 too many?
20) If it was a female bomber, how do the male virgins prove their virginity?
21) What happens when paradise runs out of virgins?
22) Can a bomber make reservations on specific virgins before he blows himself up?
23) If there are no virgins available, is he put on a waiting list?
24) If he’s a catholic priest, does he get 72 little boys?
25) Would you call a female bomber a bombshell?
26) Would you call a child bomber a bombino?
27) Is it not 73 out of respect for Barry Bond’s home run record?
28) If the bomber previously dated one of the virgins, does it get awkward?
29) Do they have a bomb squad in paradise just in case one of the charges didn’t go off?
30) Did they start using female bombers because they ran out of virgins for the guys?
31) If she’s a lesbian, do they “convert” the virgins, or will straight girls suffice her?
32) Does a hermaphrodite bomber get hermaphrodite virgins?
33) If so, are there 72 available?
34) If they run out of virgins, do they get inflatable dolls till they find more?
35) If a bomber finds an infidel in paradise, can he blow him up and get 72 more virgins?
36) Could the Koran have had a typo and it actually provided just one 72 year old virgin?
37) Is Muslim hell being one of the 72 virgins?
38) Instead of 72 guys, would a female bomber settle for 1 man who does dishes and garbage?
39) Do the bombers go broke on Valentine’s Day?
40) If he’s monogamous, does he pick one of the 72 or does he get a supermodel?
41) What if he doesn’t like either gender? Does he just klutz around in paradise?
42) Eternity is long, and eventually he’ll grow bored of his 72 women. What happens then?
43) How does he pick the 72 to begin with? Lottery? Beauty pageant? Police lineup?
44) Is he allowed to covet his neighbor’s virgins?
45) Do the virgins have agents and/or contracts?
46) If so, can a virgin request to be traded or put on waivers if she’s unhappy?
47) What should he say if one of the virgins asks “Does this Burka make me look fat?”
48) If he gives the wrong answer, is he uh, screwed?
49) How is anyone expected to handle a catfight amongst 72 women?
50) Did the 9/11 hijackers who didn’t know they were going to die get 72 virgins too?
51) Are scouts employed to find virgin talent?
52) Do the virgins ever retire, or do they remain virgins forever?
53) If they retire, what kind of pension plan do they get?
54) Wouldn’t it be interesting if they’re virgins because they’re ugly?
55) So is it 72 Muslim girls or like 1 virgin from every culture?
56) Wouldn’t it be sweet if Lorena Bobbit got hired as one of the virgins?
57) What does Gloria Steinem have to say about all this?
58) When he gets home, does he have to say “How was your day?” to all 72 virgins?
59) Do they have counseling for sexual addiction in paradise?
60) If the virgins start hogging the remote, is he in hell?
61) They must take up an entire theater when they go to the movies, huh?
62) Are there restaurants in paradise that can accommodate a reservation for 73?
63) If a virgin suffers from multiple personalities, is she considered two virgins?
64) Does he get all the virgins at once, or do they have an installment plan?
65) Is the bomber entitled to subsitutes, exchanges, or refunds?
66) What if all the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put the bomber together again?
67) Is “not tonight, dear, I have a headache” a valid excuse in paradise?
68) Do the virgins come with a warranty?
69) If so, does paradise replace defective parts and provide on-site service?
70) What do you call a lifetime warranty if you’re dead?
71) Do siamese twin bombers get 144 virgins?
72) Who gets to clean up all those nasty sheets?
November 26, 2008 at 4:55 pm |
I am approving this comment because I choose not to censor but I think you are being disrespectful to Alfaarooq1. He was trying to actually EDUCATE the people here on a subject that few of us truly understand and you end up mocking him.
What happened to the person that was complaining about what a “coarse” culture we have become?
Racist.
November 26, 2008 at 5:28 pm |
First of all, I commend you for taking the time and effort to read up on Islam. Most don’t and because you have, you are entitled to comment on it. I spent some time perusing Alfaarooq1’s link in his post called “The True Religion”. I have taken the liberty of copy/pasting some of the text which pretty much sums up his thesis:
Islaam is the true religion with the Almighty, reference to this is the Final Revelation.
The Holy Quraan and the answers provided by The Almighty Allah self.
The true religion is in fact the religion which will overpower all wrong beliefs, it will make sense, and it will offer the best of offers to us the creation of The Almighty.
The true religion is so vast and far greater then that known to our minds.
The true religion is a VAST GREAT KINGDOM…
Why Islaam?
Because Islaam over powers all other beliefs Allah is Incomparably Great.
I would like to add that the Koran states:
“Verily, for the Muttaqun [righteous], there will be a success (paradise); gardens and grapeyards; and young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age; and a full cup (of wine)” (An-Naba 78:31-34).
Tannerleah, did you just read the words “full-breasted” in the above paragraph? Are ready to convert? You will have to change your user name to Imam Tannerleah. For those not in the know…the wiki definition for imam is:
In the Shi’a context, Imam has a meaning more central to belief, referring to leaders of the community. Twelver and Ismaili Shi’a believe that these Imams are chosen by God to be perfect examples for the faithful and to lead all humanity in all aspects of life. They also believe that all the Imams chosen are free from committing any sin and have a status directly parallel to those of a prophet, infallibility which is called ismah. These leaders must be followed since they are appointed by God.
Hmmm, sounds a lot like Catholicism.
Salaam my brother.
November 26, 2008 at 8:27 pm |
How can anyone worship a god who rewards martyrs?
November 26, 2008 at 8:36 pm |
So God did not reward Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King? Hmm…doesn’t seem very nice of him.
November 26, 2008 at 9:00 pm |
As I have posted before, when you start to see the absurdity of other religions, then you are free to see the absurdity of your own religion. Now, for some levity and parity, here are some quick Jewish jokes:
Why do Jews have big noses? Because the air is free.
What do Jewish wives make for dinner? Reservations.
What’s a Jewish dilemma? Free ham.
Define: Genius… A “C” student with a Jewish mother.
And my favorite:
A Jewish Texan buys a round of drinks for all in the bar and announces that his wife has just given birth to a baby boy weighing 20 pounds which even for a Texan is atypical. Congratulations shower him from all around, and many exclamations of “Wow!” are heard. A woman faints due to sympathy pains.
Two weeks later, he returns to the bar. The bartender says, “Say, you’re the father of the Texas baby who weighed 20 pounds at birth. How is he doing? What does he weigh now?”
The proud father answers, “Fifteen pounds.”
The bartender is both puzzled and concerned. “Why? What happened? He already weighed 20 pounds at birth. How is it he lost so much weight?”
The Texas father takes a slow swig from his long-neck Lone Star, wipes his lips on his shirtsleeve, leans into the bartender and proudly says, “Had the bris.”
November 26, 2008 at 9:03 pm |
Your readers may not know what a bris” is: a circumcision!
November 27, 2008 at 9:33 am |
He’s just, not nice.
November 27, 2008 at 10:52 am |
Just = Vengeful. Not cool for any god.
November 27, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
My comment relates to topic of “ghosts”, or things so totally unconceivable to some. Yes, I have said this before…they do exist. And for you “Mr. I can’t open my mind to “What if”‘, there was a show on the History Channel last night about the White House and the Lincoln bedroom. From what many visitors, personnel, and even past Presidents believe, Lincoln’s ghost still resides at 1600 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. I didn’t get that off of the internet either so it has to be true. Happy dog days of Thanksgiving – no pun intended (oops was that inappropriate?)
November 27, 2008 at 3:04 pm |
Anon – the “ghost in Lincoln’s bedroom has been Bill Clinton for many years. He and Monica still meet under the bed and have cigars. I am quite sure that the noise and rumbling felt in the bed seems like a ghost. Case solved.
Yes, “dog days” IS inapproprite but you found exactly the right place to say it. I have no boundaries…at least that I am aware of.
November 27, 2008 at 4:25 pm |
I wish the world was so understood to allow us to say there is no Bigfoot, ghosts, or UFO’s. Unfortunately for you, there is much that is unexplained and even more to be discovered. Just as religious people show their ignorance by stating that their god exists, so do you by stating that these phenomena don’t.
November 27, 2008 at 5:18 pm |
So, religious folks are ignorant for believing in an invisible God but folks that believe in invisible ghosts are not? Um…ok.
By the way, conceptually, I am open to any paranormal idea. I just need a teeny, tiny bit of evidence. I can’t help it, it’s my skeptical nature.
November 27, 2008 at 7:46 pm |
Who wants a god they can see anyway? Not me. Rubbing Buddha’s belly is a little creepy. God created everything and everyone so He is justified in his rewards/punishment. (Beware Mr. Tannerleah) If science could explain God, I’m out.
“He who has ears, let him hear” Luke, Matthew, etc.
And how can you say you’re open to paranormal activity? Puh-leez. You don’t know what you believe.
November 27, 2008 at 7:47 pm |
Elizabeth,
Shalom!
LOVED the jewish jokes.
Toda.
Art
November 27, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
Art,
Al Lo Davar (על לא דבר). Looking forward to our shopping excursion!
November 27, 2008 at 8:28 pm |
Art, I believe that pumpkin pie is yummy!
Liz, shouldn’t you be eating tofu right about now?
November 29, 2008 at 12:50 am |
I believe that we are half breeds. Half animal, half alien. The point where beast became man is when we made contact. This explains “the missing link.”
http://www.showcaseofthebizarre.com
November 29, 2008 at 11:27 am |
Showcase – Not really on board with all of the crazy stuff but The Amazing Racist is undeniably hilarious.
November 29, 2008 at 8:33 pm |
The best is when he tries to bring the cross into the store and knocks all the groceries down! Quite a few people find his humor offensive however. Sometimes it’s good to let go of everything for a while and just laugh. If we can’t laugh at ourselves then we shouldn’t laugh at anyone right?