Freedom of Belief: As Long As No Harm is Done

I think everyone is free to believe in whatever they want as long as they don’t harm anyone else, or force their beliefs on others.

@nemozerosquared My favourite band since 1990 has been Bad Religion. They have a song that goes, "Do what you want, but don't do it around me." That's kind of my "words to live by" statement of the day. Everyone seems to have lost their damn minds. I'm seriously questioning reality with the lack of conscientious thought and moral deficit I've been seeing in the world. I mean, at least in my life, people have never been super great examples of humanity. Lately, it seems like everything has gone completely bizarro world rules. Every time I see a news story online, I think, "wtf??? Jerry Springer and the National Enquirer would be more legit than the crap they've been pushing." I've decided that my need for socializing has dramatically dropped. Being a hermit seems kind of reasonable. This can not be real life. It just feels like a bad joke.

I’ve known of Bad Religion for decades, but have never given them a proper chance. I should remedy that soon. I do like the lyrics! ☺️ I was trapped inside organized religion for over 12 years. What I discovered is that as long as the human race remains to live together in society; social hierarchies or “clicks” will persist. There will always be those who feel superior (the clergy) to others (the layperson). I’m not saying this applies to everyone who practices a religion. There are some who do so in earnest. I’m proud to claim I’ve known a few in my life. My point being; clicks will eventually form knowingly, or not whenever a group of individuals come together to unite in whatever interest in most cases. I think religion attracts the weak spirited and faint of heart. I also think some know this, and exploit it to their advantage. I think it comes down to loving the feeling of having power over others, and the fear of burning for all eternity keeps them in check. Jesus said, “where 2, or 3 are gathered together in my name, there I’ll be in the midst of them.” I like that. I only feel like I fit in when it’s just one-on-one with me and someone else. I felt this way with the pastor who baptized me. Jesus said that was enough, and I truly believe that! Anyway, I know I was guilty of a “holier than thou” attitude on occasion during my religious travels as a young and stupid 30-42 year old man child. And, you’re right: this world’s bat shit crazy. I’ve no faith in my government’s mainly 2 party system. They’re one and the same, anyway. Their whole purpose is to give us a team to root for, and it doesn’t even matter which side you choose, as long as you focus your hate and anger on those who live by the tenets of the other team. They know what we’re capable of should we wake up and realize what they’ve been doing to us, and I’m sure they’re very afraid. Anyway, thank you for the thoughtful and well worded comment on my post!

@nemozerosquared My friend, I feel that this has become such a caricature of what life was supposed to be. And religion is just the third political party that no one is willing to admit to. And no matter who "wins", the Religious Party is the one that is going to direct which way the money will flow and which wars are going to be supported . I knew that it was just as corrupt as any government system -if not more- because they are the original government. I believe in not being a hypocrite, although I fall short sometimes. I can admit when I am being a dick or have been wrong in action or belief. It seems like there is no accountability expected of those who have power or money or a good PR team to reshape reality and gaslight everyone into believing that we didn't see what we saw or hear what we heard. Realism is a super power. Being a decent person who treats people with respect and kindness and accepts that what's right is right- but also a matter of perspective and therefore unique to each individual. Everyone is entitled to live their life in a way that fits into their value system and rejoice in the fact that they can believe while not condemning others for a differing lifestyle and belief system. It's what makes us ask questions and learn tolerance. It shouldn't be weaponized into our clique or there's, Black and white, cat or dog. It's so useless and wastes our energy and time for people that are just keeping us busy with dumb shit so we don't pay too much attention to what they are doing behind our backs. Taking our lives and making us look like fools for wanting to believe that good isn't the same thing as weak...that love isn't a disability . I'm so tired of this tabloid reality. I just want to believe that there is something worth living for that won't be corrupted or perverted and worth believing in. I would like one friend that won't act like my fone only works when they need something. I want a government that doesn't act like this is just another Hollywood blockbuster to sell . I want a doctor who listens and takes me seriously without checking my tax bracket first. I want a life. Not this sad imitation . It's not much to ask, but totally impossible to guarantee without giving up some piece of my soul . So I agree with you. You should give Bad Religion another shot. They predicted this 30 years ago. I'm actually surprised the bubblegum influencer crew haven't put their tinfoil hats on and pretended like they discovered them like they discovered skinny jeans and line dancing and equal rights and the fake moon landing. OK. I'm done ranting. I'm gonna eat some bacon, grab another beer, and listen to some loud punk rock that has more integrity than I deserve. We will survive this. Humans are the new cockroach. We will live, even while our reasons to do so fade into a nuclear oblivion.