I-God

Note: The following was with reference to the States, I ain't no idea how the rest of the world is responding to the same news. :-) And its just for humor, though its content is true with reference to The New York Times.

Image courtesy of thundersquee.com

The recent Iphone apps that are becoming the talk of town are the one targetted at God and his (dis)likes. Both religious representative, atheists have begun producing Iphone apps for the benefit of their believers. These apps serve the purpose of  wanting to have a conversation with another with opposing beliefs and getting them to see reason.

"Say someone calls you narrow-minded because you think Jesus is the only way to God," says one top-selling application introduced in March by a Christian publishing company. "Your first answer should be: 'What do you mean by narrow-minded?' " -The New York Times

By not being 'broad-minded'? What kinda question is that?

BibleThumper, an app for the skeptics to share some humor around their religious counterparts. It allows the users to be ready to 'attack' with phrases from the Bible.

Some christian foundations are becoming increasingly worried at the rising numbers of atheist and Christians who are evolving into skeptics. Hence, they are doing their part to outnumber the Iphone apps that might influence minds by coming up with their respective apps for the religious ones. Then again, there are many such apps in existence already.

Image courtesy of iphonesaviour.com

For the non-believers who happen to own an Iphone and lack apps that are similar to their mindset, have Jason Hagen to thank for. Apparently, he bought an Iphone and was disappointed by the overwhelming number of religious apps and nothing for individuals like him. Voila! He soon wrote the now famous app, The Atheist Pocket Debator. 

Iphone app created by religious personels like the Fast Facts; provides immediate access to Bible information and everything else related to it. It encourages the user to question non believers and their apparoach towards religion. For instance,

"When someone says, "There is no truth,' " the Fast Facts app advises, "ask them: 'Is that true? Is it true there is no truth?' Because if it's true that there is no truth, then it's false that 'there is no truth.' " - The New York Times

When I first read that, man, I was laughing out loud. It sounded hilarious and yeah perhaps a little confusing at the same time. I was even planning on putting it up as a facebook status, such are the days of social networking. 

One interesting and funny one was by The Atheist Pocket Debater,

If Jacob saw the face of God (in Genesis 32:30), and God said, "No man shall see me and live" (in Exodus 33:20), then "which one is the liar?" he asks. - The New York Times

That was freakin' hilarious! If I were to use this on Jan, she will skin me alive and hang me out to dry. =.= 

Powerful Power

Back in 2008 when I was reading the Communist Manifesto for a particular Socio-Political elective, I concluded the writings to be rants of a dysfunc communist who went by the name, Karl Marx. The ideas he proposed were a tad twisted as his beard appeared to be. His mind was a one way track that possibly was due to his deprived upbringing. Which, I am assuming, was the basis for his theories.

Then again, I also have to agree, bits of what he conveyed did make sense. Quoting Marx,

"Men is a perpetually dissatisfied animal".

He felt or perhaps knew that men was always after something. If his primary needs were fulfilled, he develops new needs and maybe just wants. And once again according to Marx,

"These new needs are the first historical act".

That was how history was created. If man hadn't had the curiousity to to ask questions and seek something better in replacement of his existing life, science would probably not have ventured far. Or at least that is what I think. When these needs manifests itself onto man to a point, whereby being the best takes over being better, greed takes over.  

And for the most famous Marx Theory which was in favour of communism was probably a result of how he felt about Religion in particular. 

"Religion is the opium for the masses."

Religious beliefs functioned to blind people so they could not recognise their exploitation and their real political interests. Religion emphasises salvation, compensation for misery and alienation on earth. Which justifies social inequality. As of recent, news on destruction is often followed with a "salvation according to his/her beliefs". This statement of his, may not be the best way to describe religion or its devotees. Then again, on some levels, people are lead by blind faith. Who's to say for that?

Oil leak in America and Obama's response to the entire incident is almost always making headlines these days. How citizens are upset at the governing party to be taking matter slowly and perhaps lightly instead of the attention it requires. His popularity status compared to the time when he was campaigning, has certainly headed for a plunge.

Politicians and Citizens. These parties will never be satisfied. Both these sides will never cross each other. As a citizen you will always be disatisfied with the way things are run. You will have hoards of opinions on how things should run. However, once inside the Oval office, you will be just as 'good' as the one before you. Even if the leader does understands your situation, what he attempts to do to better your life will eventually fall short of your expectations.

"Without government, human beings would compete for territory, resources and power. Fighting would be common, survival would depend on strength and cunning". 

- Hobbes, Thomas

In other words, we will no longer be the civilised beings we are now. It will all be a matter of kill and grab. Self before others. Or perhaps we already are evolving into that mentality...

And people send you this...

A forwarded mail I received quoted what people might have said against God and the aftermath. It gave me an impression of a threat mail. I ain't kidding. It was along the lines of "If you spite him, he will kill you". What was that about? "Sending God's message" is heavily misinterpreted in the current society. Instead of spreading God's message of love, they tell you to fear him and join in the demonstration. An inclination born outta fear.

Worse still was the content of the mail. It appeared kiddish to be quoting celebrities and their supposed words and affirming that wass what caused them their demise is just outta the world.

The mail had these...the ones in BOLD I wrote them, in case you assume the mail came with it :)


Title: Untimely Death!

Here are some men and women who mocked God:

John Lennon (Singer)
Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1996). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times. He later also clarified the statement once the churches started going after him. Sort of like a comparison to say how well their music has been received in the public.

Tancredo Neves (President of Brazil)
During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure, he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died. He probably was sick before the elections. And again he was displaying his confidence. God prefers to stay away from politics.

Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian Composer, singer and poet)
During a show in Canecio (Rio de Janeiro), while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some into the air and said "God, that's for you". He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner. Smoking Kills and it says on the packet itself. Don't blame God for this!

The man who built the Titanic
After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said, "Not even God can sink it". The result: I think you all know what happened. The captain crashed it into a MASSIVE ICEBERG!

Marilyn Monroe (Actress)
She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said"I don't need your Jesus". A week later, she was found dead in her aparment. Maybe she belonged to a different religion. Possible.

Bon Scott (Singer)
The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang"Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On the 19th February of 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit. Vomit freaking hell choked him!

Campinas (2005)
In Campinas, Brazil, a group of friends, drunk went to pick up a friend...The mother accompanied her to the car and was worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car"My Daughter, Go with God and May He Protect You". She responded "Only if He (God) Travels in the trunk, cos inside here...it's already full. Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car was could not be recognised what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact...The police said there was no way the trunk could have been intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken. The girl was freaking drunk!

Christian Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer)
said the Bible (word of God) was the worst book ever written. In June 2006, she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. The way the opinion was worded sounds rather harsh, but aren't we suppose to question and learn? Not question and die.

(Followed by Bible verses....)

The content was not required! That is certainly not the way to invite people to join a community. Some of the people probably didn't even mean what they said. I mean seriously, there are many religious people who use phrases such as Even God can't stop me. It was suppose to convey their confidence. I believe it was a just a manner of speaking. How about devotees who are committed to visiting shrines, holy places and when faced with a failure go all out with God and start screaming at Him? I have heard people say God loves all regardless of what one is. Not, God kills depending on how one is.

And Death is almost always untimely! Duh! I am not in favour of this mail! :( :( :(

DO NOT mess with kids!

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher was saying how it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human given its small throat. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I go to heaven, I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if he went to hell?". The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children as they were drawing. She approached one girl who was working diligently. She asked the girl what she was drawing. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God". The teacher paused and said "But no one knows how God looks like". Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her 5 and 6 year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'honor' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat brothers and sisters?" One little boy (the oldest of the family) answered, "Thou shall not kill".

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer she's a lawyer', or 'Thats Michael, he's a doctor'." A small voice at the back of the room said, "And there's the teacher and she is dead".

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now class, if I stood on my head, the blood will rush into and my face will turn red." "Yes", the class agreed. "Then why is it that when I am standing in an ordinary position, the blood doesn't rush to my feet?" A little fellow shouted, "Cos your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up at the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the tables was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and pasted it on the apple tray: 'Take only ONE. God is watching'. Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end was a large tray of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note that read: 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'

God

Inspired by Naz's post, the whole divine idea seemed liked an interesting topic to be tackled with:)

God is an entity. God is you and me. Treat a starved child to lunch. You are his God. A Surgeon who made it possible for a blind girl to regain her sight, the doctor is her God. Buddha was a prince who became a monk, who advocated ways for mankind's betterment. He was a teacher, he was advocating but they made him God. If only he had a book published titled "The Highly Effective Habits" - Gautama Siddhartha, he would have had fans instead of devotees. Ram was a fictional character from the epic that Valmiki wrote. He was characterized to be the ideal man. He was eventually made God. All their transformations gave way to religions, followed by rituals and soon enough the basis on which these figures were looked upon were lost. What was left was blind faith, exaggerated rituals and categorizations of people under religions.

Being happy is a form of Godliness. Render a helping hand, that too is Godliness. God never created Religion and one need not be a member of a religion to know God. Have unlimited love for another without expecting anything in return, that is Godliness. Now, that would be a little difficult. We have always expected some sort of a gain for our efforts. That is when God enters. Considering his love is unconditional, perform actions just like how God would :)

Religion in Cheena Land

I was writing an essay on the Chinese Economy. Not a topic I would have tackled if not for the essay. Anyway, besides the negative aspects of China. I realized there are some things that I do admire China for.

For instance, No one asks the other for their religion. Religion is present, yes, but no one takes it as a serious issue to be introduced or discussed. The official forms do not ask for the religion. The professors are not interested in who you believe in or if you even hold a belief for that matter. Don't assume that there are no places of worship in this country. Of course there are. Buddhist Temples, Mosques, Churches,Taoist Temples and what not. The places of worship exist because the Chinese do practise religion but they do not see religion as something significant in their everyday interactions. It could be due to the Government's strict regulation that says along the lines of "no public display of worship". Personally, I think that was a great move by the Chinese government. No one is limited from praying, just don't create a scene and all is fine. No religious riots. And no one is defined by their God or the way they pray.

Was this not, how the world was, in the beginning?