Happy Easter

Luke 23:46

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:
and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.


Luke 24:34

The Lord is risen indeed,
and hath appeared to Simon.


Luke 24:51

And it came to pass,
while he blessed them,
he was parted from them,
and carried up into heaven.


I'm told that these passages define the essence of Catholic faith. More than a statement of a supernatural being, and creator of all things; but a testimony of life from death, personally witnessed by the mere mortals of that day. The ultimate proof of everlasting spirit, which if you obey God, will be given to you, along with everlasting peace and love.

According to the Pope, you have to prove your worthiness. There is a Hell, and you must be good, to be allowed in God's Heaven. Somehow I picture a naughty and nice list, but I don't want to be crass.

Is it vulgar to ask, who is this God? What is his character, what are his morals, and what does he want from us, his creations?

Do you have to prove your commitment to God, by being willing to kill your son? Is eternal adoration of him, all he created us for? Is eternal adoration of God our only reason to exist? That's the reward of hard life on Earth? That's what God wants most of all, a mass of beings adoring him? If true, his ego could be compared to that of a tyrant.

Why would he choose one group of people over all others, declare them his special children, yet proclaim that all who want eternal salvation must come to, and obey him. Is discrimination part of his character? For those who want to believe, isn't making one group of people superior (in his eyes) to all other groups of people, a recipe for jealousy? Isn't jealousy a cause for hate and violence?

If forgiveness is part of his philosophy, why cast out Adam and Eve and allow pain and suffering to be the destiny of the human race? Tough love? Intimidation to obey? He created the serpent and he knew what Eve was going to do. If human being's free will is so disappointing to him, why did he create us that way?

The Bible is a great book, a real page turner; but the contradictions are more than confusing.

In a time of little education, stories taught morals and helped form people's behavior. In a barbaric time of lawlessness, the idea of peace, love, and eternal spirit was euphoric. To identify and define a Creator, how he wanted us to live, and promise a better eternal life after death, was hypnotic.

Why was God so directly involved in the lives of people thousands of years ago, yet has ignored us recently? Wasn't the killing of millions of Jews in WWII a much more violent crime than the slavery of Jews in Egypt? Where are the prophets of our day, and why does God not send them to us? Please don't cite Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggert, Benny Hinn, ect., ect..... If those are God's leaders, God has lost.

Set the story, set the rules, and then prove the Creator is supernatural. He can raise people from death, make the blind see, feed thousands on a few fish, walk on water, and other supernatural feats. An all knowing being, that knows your inner thoughts, with the power to create and destroy all things. Such power must be obeyed, and cannot be ignored. FEAR! Are you a good, God fearing person?

If there were no God, would you be a rapist, or a murderer? Can you be a decent human being without knowing God? Must you be told by some God, that you have to treat others as you would want them to treat you? Are humans only good because of the threat of God's dissatisfaction? Is there no reason to be good to our fellow man, unless there is God's eternal promise?

I heard on the radio today that over 90% of Americans claim to believe in God. Where is the reflection of that statistic?

There's more money in this country now, than ever before, yet charitable contributions are down. We cut programs for the needy. We put homeless people in jail because we are afraid to have them sleeping outside. Our heroes are athletes, movie stars, rap singers, and the most popular news is that of the drug and divorce lives of the rich and famous. We are willing to kill to secure oil for ourselves, from those who own it. Success is determined by how much money we have and material goods we own. Our leaders claim to be followers of God to gain our acceptance, but their behavior says something else. I could go on, and on, and on.

If you want to live by the Bible, great. If you want to believe in supernatural fairy tales, fine. But don't claim it, then not live it! Christ didn't die for our sins so we could just keep sinning. We are supposed to change our ways. Our morals are different than our ancestors, but are they better?

The world would be a much better place with less religious authority, and more "due unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Don't wait for God to make things better, God is waiting for you to make things better!