**Author's Note** I am not a religious scholar, nor am I even religious. These are my thoughts, although many others have expressed them similarly before. If this entry offends you, ask yourself why.
For years now, tabloids have been selling issues based on the end of the world. Even more than sex, disaster sells. Why else do so many churches gain their members through fear rather than hope? Those who know me personally know that I have little to no respect for most Christians- I've met too many of them. I love the message of Christianity (it's pretty much the same philosophy as many of the older religions it tried to wipe out) with reguards to not judging, loving others, and generally being a good person. But I don't think society as a whole is ready for the message.
Consider. Would a society that is ready to accept peace and love really need weapons capable of wiping out millions of other humans at once? Would such a society be ready to go to war over another nation achieving the same technology? Would that peacful and loving society be more concerned with making quick money off the land or protecting that land? Or would such a society need to spend years fighting and arguing and writing laws about who someone can love and spend their life with?
There's a reason Jesus was famous- he was the oddity. Caring more about others than about himself made him the exception. And the sad irony is that the people who "praise" him the most and spout off about what he taught are the very ones who insult all he stood for. The Old Testament God was fire and brimstone, eye for an eye justice. The New Testament was love thy neighbor, do unto others. But which one are we really ready for? These days, I'm not surprised it's raining- but is it Spring or a warning?
I really would like to know. I can't say I'm surprised by the recent refusal to approve marijuana for medicinal use- I would have been more surprised if it was approved. After all, this is the same FDA that is still not willing to approve Plan B for OTC sales even after its own panel recommended approval. So no, I'm not surprised. I'm no longer even disgusted at the blatant politics being played by what is supposed to be a scientific entity. At this point, I've pretty well given up hope on any real progress being made while Bush is in the White House. I'm still speaking out in my little way about the things I find important, and I hold tight to the victories, because there are a few. But every time I hear a toilet flush, it reminds me of the state of this country.
Just today I got a response letter back from my Governor. The topic wasn't particularly important in the grand scheme, although it is one I'm very passionate about. What was important was what the letter said- that the Governor's narrow view of propriety was more important than the freedom people in the state are entitled to, and the progress we desperately need.
I know Republicans and Democrats generally think they understand each other's motives: Republicans want to return everything to the culture of about 100-200 years ago, while making themselves rich; Democrats want to save the world, assume that we'll all love each other if we just get to know each other, and generally force progress. Me? I don't really understand either of them. You can't roll back time, & you can't force progress. Some people will always hate those who are different. Some people will always care more about themselves than anyone else, if they care about others at all.