Biblican Heroes not as Perfect as Greek Gods! And, a Way to Lower Gas Prices!

Update 7/30/08

Lieberman defends Hagee: His Holocaust comments were ‘taken way out of context.’

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody today, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) defended radical pastor John Hagee’s late 90s comment that “Hitler was a hunter” sent by God in order to get “the Jewish people” to “come back to the land of Israel.” “A comment Pastor Hagee made about the Holocaust was taken way out of context,” Lieberman told Brody. Lieberman, who compared Hagee to Moses at the Christians United For Israel conference last week, added that Hagee’s “a dear friend” for whom he has “the greatest admiration.”

I think certain statements can stand on their own, regardless of the context in which they were used.

[Original post below]


<--Adam, Eve, and dinosaurs having a picnic outing [according to the belief by millions of Americans who know these "all-vegetarian species" lived together in harmony]

When a US Senator says something about the Hellenic gods, I notice--even if that senator is uninformed and often acts like a barbarian. According to Joe Lieberman (I-CT), the Biblical heroes, unlike the demigods of Greek mythology, "are humans--great humans, but with human failings."

First, I'm glad to hear that the old Hellenic gods were superior, but the fact is that they were far from perfect. What made the Hellenic religion more humanistic was that the gods, except for immortality and other super powers, weren't all that different than the people. Even Zeus, the god of gods, was notorious for exhibiting human emotions and committing errors in judgment. But, something has to be said for a religion that had a god of love (Aphrodite & her cohort, Eros), and of wine (Dionysus). Not to mention, all the other gods involved in pursuing pleasurable activities and showing humans how to have fun! Or was it the other way around? Anyway, perhaps the ancient Greeks were also the first ones to try to trick the gods, and even question their existence!

This reminds me of the Ibo tribe in Africa who created their own gods, built temples and made offerings to them. But, once a god became unreasonable, like asking for human sacrifices, then the Ibo destroyed his temple and image--never to be spoken of again! Nice!

The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have much in common. All seem to believe that it's a great moral act when a father who hears voices proceeds to put a knife to the throat of his son in order to prove his faith to his maker!

What's the occasion for Lieberman to be making another idiotic reference to religion? Well, as you may have heard, the US has many, many totally delusional lunatics who faithfully follow bigots like pastor Hagee! [check the link for more info & video about Hagee] Hopefully, after the coming election, the Dems will increase their Senate numbers so Lieberman can be deemed useless [he caucuses with the Dems as an Independent, so the Dems are in the majority; otherwise there would be a 50-50, and Cheney would give the Repubs control of the Senate]

Even though I believe in the separation of church and state, and that creationism or intelligent design "theories" [don't even qualify as theories because they don't really explain anything, except by making references to some ..magical events] have no place in a science class, I think it is a good idea to teach comparative religion in schools. Religion should be taught as part of human civilization, anthropology, culture, and ideas. Of course, religion (many versions of the definition about god) should not be an indoctrination but a critical approach to understanding the forces that have shaped human societies.

It's about time the people--especially the ones who profess an absolute conviction that their god is the only true god--really learned what's in the holy scriptures they hold so dear, and why others equally profess different religious beliefs. As you may have suspected, I'm not a religious person, but what I find truly astonishing is that 99% of the religious persons I had a discussion about faith do not know much about their own faith.

It's no coincidence, that the vast majority of people accept the religion of their parents or the prevailing faith of their locality. The accident of the birthplace determines the flavor of faith. This fact alone should offer some pause for thinking. I mean, even if we accept the existence of GOD, his nature is extremely important. What kind of god he is, what are his reasons, his expectations, his imperative laws, etc. Obviously, people strongly disagree among themselves about God's qualities and many are willing to kill the infidels, in the name of their God--as the Christian God, for example--commands. [link, here]

At any rate, if we are to discuss the reality, to evaluate certain choices, make public policy, debate the national priorities, we have to do with using reason--which should be the currency of understanding; it's better to avoid references to the supernatural since we cannot agree how may angels fit on the head of a pin.


UPDATE, 7/28/08

It's my belief that humans should look for answers by using the scientific method and to take personal responsibility for their actions. I happen to think that asking a deity to do things for you is not a good thing, even if it makes you feel good. Such an activity adds to a delusional belief that a conscious entity out there is aware of you and can take care of you, if you follow a prescribed set of rules--which include shutting off your critical mind.

This video of people praying for lower gasoline prices may not represent the majority of Americans, but please start paying attention to the absurd beliefs our fellow countrymen hold. Just look around at all those ridiculous claims (bolstered by "divine revelation") certain leaders make and the millions of people who willingly become their flock!

When I pray to Zeus and ask for something, he has three answers: 1. Yes, 2. No, 3. Wait. Of course, I don't know which one it is, but it's always one of the three! George Carlin used to pray to the Sun or to Joe Pesci (can't remember which one), but Carlin said he got the same results!! Wow!