Thought of the Day #8 ~My Opinion/Questions on Religion, and It’s Influence in the United States

*Disclaimer* This post is opinionated of course, and purely inquisitive/ intended to be thought provoking, and gain me some more understanding on this topic from other people. I am one who is hungry for knowledge and discussions when social matters are involved. I do still respect anyone’s point of view of course, as by our 1st Amendment right’s, we have our right to freedom of speech and I will defend yours. This topic today is just an important topic that I feel needs to be brought to light.

 

This comes to mind today. I always see loads of posts every day in my newsfeed telling other people that that should try to be more like Christ, or that they should try their faith. Well in my opinion, I feel like a lot people are almost the opposite and are fake; they try to use it as an excuse to spread their racism, or hate; or their own political agenda. Well here’s a few things.

For one, what’s with all these megachurches; all these other super fancy, and very expensive religious buildings? Buildings that can have room/seats for thousands of people. Do you really think that this is what Christ would want? I feel like he would tear all of them down and be utterly embarrassed. I think he instead would’ve used all those millions upon millions that are used in these buildings to go to the poor, and homeless. Also, to other important things like education, or things such as medical research to help make people well,etc.

In my eyes, I see people being manipulated into thinking this is alright. Well, some of you may wonder what us atheists, and other truly non-religious people that don’t follow any books (or specific guidelines) thinks about all this. I feel that many of them would share this same view. A lot of what people do today has been grossly perverted and turned into something else that defeats the entire purpose. These big time religious leaders make money off of people. Look at the televangelists, or owners of the megachurches. Do you really think they deeply care about you?

Many only tend care about money, image, and power. They get the best of many people by using charm and apparent word of God. I honestly believe that if people were to truly follow the goals of their religions, they would create simple shrines in their homes for worship, or build more basic/much less expensive buildings, and give as much money and help as possible to all of those who are in need. Instead, they keep making money, and breaching the separation of church and state that this country was built off of, to not have it interfere with our politics. (Utah politics greatly ignores this of course, not picking on you, just stating the truth.)

They’re also tax exempt. Seriously, why do they need to be tax exempt? They interfere with as much as they can get away with in our government. Churches pull in billions each year; do you honestly think that every available cent of that is going into the good of mankind? It pisses me off that I always have people try to tell me that religion is so good, and that I should follow. Well, I question everything and none of it adds up to me; I don’t just take someone’s word for everything and throw my life into their hands. So why do you guys feel the need to do this so desperately.

I personally, see that they’ve become very corrupt and use this to manipulate the American people. Look at other developed countries, they still have religion, but most of them don’t have it so entwined into their politics like a lot of folks in the US are trying to do here. The United States isn’t, and never was a ‘Christian Country’. ‘In God we trust’ didn’t appear on our money until the mid 1950’s, nor did ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Alliance. People need to get a history check, and get their facts straight.

Now, I’m 100% atheist and any religious references to Christ, or God, is purely to relate to any religious people end up reading this. I see many people making posts to defend their beliefs over and over. I feel it’s my turn as I normally chose against posting related material. I don’t care if people are religious, if it’s what you need to be happy in life; to give you purpose…well there’s nothing wrong with that. Do your thing! But I feel like people need to be more inquisitive to what’s going on this world, and not leave their mind closed to it. Especially to all of that occurring in third world nations.

Unfortunately, I strongly believe that America have become too ignorant and focused on themselves, and don’t really seem to care about the rest of the world much. Even though it can have direct effects to us long term. If you have an opinion, I want it to stay civil, no BS or it’s deleted.

~To restate~ This post is me wanting to get more info from other people, as I am curious a curious fellow. This isn’t just a jab at religion. It’s my opinions, and it has a purpose so I understand others more. As always, thanks to all of the continued support, and thanks for reading!

~J. A. Ross

© RossJ781.com 2/19/2016

 

 

 

Loot Crate November 2015 – Combat Theme

My second major video that I’ve released for my YouTube channel. I’m finally starting to get this channel in gear, but alas, it’s still in it’s infancy and is beginning to start it’s life’s journey and grow.

Give it a watch and tell me what you think. After being away from the camera for a few years, it takes some getting used to, in getting back into the swing of things.

~J. A. Ross

Book of Souls: Phobius – Review of the Prologue

Book of Souls: Phobius. I have yet to find out more details of this book, that is in the process of it’s final revisions and awaiting eventual publication. My friend who is the author of this book, S. Justin Marley, began writing it during his 17th year. He has since in recent months completed the story itself for book 1 of this future series. A time consuming and tedious process it will be however to finish these final revisions. He does have a good amount of time though, as It’ll take a couple of years for it to get published as he’s planning on leaving in a few months to go on a 2 year LDS mission to support his faith. Upon returning, he is hoping to get Book of Souls published and onto the shelves for all to enjoy as soon as possible. Today, I had the privilege to read the prologue for his book and I got a taste of what’s to come! *spoilers present for this Prologue.

‘The Great War consumed the continent of Phobius. From the Dragon bluffs of the west to the Flat Mountain of the east, the war was everywhere.’ This is the beginning of the prologue and we are immediately informed of a massive continent wide war. Shortly, we are introduced to the very villainous and menacing Mordir, whom had led a war among his own kin, who are an ancient race of immortals. We find that Mordir has all but wiped out these immortals, except one whom is leading his own campaign against Mordir’s forces. We then get sucked right into the action as Mordir is attacking the village of the Akuma Clan. Havoc and toil run amok this town as he ruthlessly slaughters the majority of it’s inhabitants. We get introduced to a brave archer named Bartlebee who defiantly stands up to him. Soon after we meet Everett, a green dragon, and Matthias Akuma. He is essentially a powerful being, and the clan is adequately named after him.

They all begin battling Mordir. Mid-fight, Matthias sends Bartlebee to fetch his infant son, Simon. During this time we’re also introduced to Masomi, the father-in-law of Matthias. During the intense battle, Bartlebee has returned with the boy, and they set him a safe distance away from the ongoing action. Mordir certainly is taking a bit of beating at this point. With descriptions such as, ‘He grasped at his eyes, his screams and gurgles were incoherent, inhuman’, and ‘Mordir’s figure was faint beneath the incineration’, we get a great incite of how this battle is going. However, don’t let this fool you as Mordir is one tough cookie! He is self healing, and is a very powerful incarnation. The purpose of this battle is actually quite interesting. Our three heroes are in a desperate attempt to trap Mordir’s soul in Matthias so he can ultimately destroy him, save some of his power; and then they have a goal to use this remaining power for the benefit of good.

One thing that soon leads to an exciting climax for this prologue is the use of vortexes that Mordir has created. These open a hole in time and reveals a dark place known as ‘The Void’. These vortexes are mentioned early on in the initial attack on the Akuma village. In a way, in my opinion at least, they work in a similar manner to that of a black hole. They can suck objects, people, dragons,etc. into them, and this of course means… impending doom! So in this climatic battle, Mordir has been removed from his body and is in the form of his very soul. The body is destroyed by Everett’s fire, and Matthias remains by the current homeless soul. The soul soon in anger has a final burst of power where he creates a vortex near them. It starts sucking up things around it and throws Bartlebee off balance. He then begins to get sucked into this vortex.

Everett the dragon boldly attempts to come to him in his time of desperation, and sadly fails as they both end up being consumed by the vortex and tossed into The Void. Matthias in agony and anger goes after the dragon but is told to stop by Masomi. Too late. Matthias is cought in the gravity and is being assigned to his fate. Masomi try’s to save his son-in-law but he declines and tells him to watch after his son Simon. He tries to tell him one last thing, but is cut off as he loses his grip and gets thrown into the vortex and it closes with an unsettling description, ‘the vortex closed. The space rippled and became blurry where the hole had been’. Masomi ends up defeating Mordir and putting his soul inside of baby Simon. It then ends and the future of Masomi and his grandson are left uncertain to us. Well… at least until we get ahold of the rest of the book of course!

So there we have it thus far! I’ll be expecting a world full of many more mythical creatures; new, and exciting characters, and enticing landscapes as we’ll get to explore the vast lands of Phobius! I feel that this Prologue was quite imaginative and will lead to an engaging story as a whole. Some predictions of mine: Simon will end up being the main protagonist (Kind of a given!), we’ll get to meet another important dragon (One can have some wishful thinking), and that Mordir will make another appearance as his deviant self, sometime in the future. I would again like to give thanks for Justin giving me a chance to read, review, and give some insight into the beginning of this upcoming fantasy story!