A Different View

Ok so many people have been posting this video about why this guy prefers Jesus over religion. I saw the video and must say that I am impressed at how he is able to convey his message so eloquently. However, his argument is not that novel. Over the summer of 2011 a friend of mine and I engaged in a very long conversation about this very topic: Religion and the bible and the existence of God. Needless to say my friend is Atheist and obviously a non-believer. Ironically, maybe to him at least, I agreed whole-heartedly on many of his view points. Below is mine and his view of the church, religion, and God and some of our conversation that we had so long ago.

First let me begin by saying that I am a church going Catholic. I attend mass every Sunday withouth fail unless out of town trips prevent me from attending. Not only that, but I was raised Catholic by my family, went to a private Catholic school until my graduation to high school, and am also a Eucharist Minister at my chuch (those of you who do not attend mass regularly, know the terminology, etc, thats the person "thas gives the bread"). I studied the bible for 8 plus years and will read it from time to time til this day.

Now to the reason many of you may want to read this post and bear with me because it will be lengthy:

Let us begin from the very beginning (a bried history lesson for all). As the bible tells us, creation started with that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eve was tempted by the Devil ate the fruit, shared with Adam and they both got kicked out. From there they had several sons and daughter one of them being Seth. If memory serves correct, Seth is the origination of the line from which Abraham descends.

Abraham then become's knows as the father of all religions (depending on who to talk to). Abraham has two sons that are noted Isaac and Ishmael. Of his two sons Isaac eventually became the father of Judaism and Christianity while Ishmael was the father to Islam; and that my friends is a brief history on the start of religion and where it came from according to all major texts from their respective religions.

Now for the actual argument of religion vs God

In AD 325 a council was called by the Emperor Constantine to the small town in Turkey called Nicea. There, over 1800 bishops were invited to the attend the council to discuss and dispute any claims of Jesus' divinity and lineage. After the council was convened, it was determined BY MAN that Jesus was in fact the Son of God and not just a character or portrayal of an idea. Also, they determined that God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are one-in-the-same and eternal. This council also founded the formation of the Nicene Creed which has become known as the faith of the church or what Catholics around the world believe.

Emporer Constantine plays an interesting role in what today is known as the church in many ways. First he is the one who unified the church and that eventually became established in the city of Rome. Second he formed the first "reader's list" of texts that became the first bible. Once again a major stable in religion and what we come to know about God was formulated BY MAN.

Creation of the bible we've come to know today

In 1604 the creation of the modern day bible was commenced by King James I. The production eventually took roughly seven years but in 1611 the modern day bible was transcribed into English. Now one must realize, this was not the first time that the bible was transcribed into English but rather it has come to be the most known and considered the most accurate of all transriptions. Do you see a theme here? Man once again created the bible as we know today.

Where does Jesus/God fit in all of this?

As you have been reading it seems that most it not all this post is about the formation of the bible and how man created it. You may be thinking to yourself well what does this have to do with God and Jesus? Well, think about it. The majority if not all knowledge of God and Jesus comes from...you guessed it THE BIBLE. Now consider this, if the knowledge of Jesus and God comes from scriptures that were written by man, yes I will agree inspired by God, why is is that people seem to question Jesus and God less than they do the bible?

Food for thought

Heres some more food for thought, there were many more pieces to the bible and many more scriptures that were left out. Why? Because some one after reviewing them thought they were either heresy or obsurd or maybe even both. Does that not strike you as odd? A group of PEOPLE decided what it is that humanity should believe in when it came to religion, religious leaders, prophets and even the Son of Man Himself. What if there was more information that could have benefited the faithful that was simply left out or overlooked?

Now the real questions begin

This gentleman points out that Jesus preached of forgiveness, tolerance, acceptance, love, kindess, and ever other adjective that points to peace and bashes the church and religion for starting wars. He says that this contradicts the very existence of Jesus and what the bible tells us about Jesus. Let me ask you this, do any of you know about the battle in Heaven led by Jesus? The book of revelation points to a battle between good and evil at which Jesus is the center of. He leads his army of angels into battle against the devil and all his minions. Is that not a war? A war led by the peacekeeper himself? Jesus died on the cross for us for our salvation. Martyr have died for their beliefs and faith in Jesus. Now think about this. Every war that was waged on behal of religion was seen as a battle between good and evil. Every person that died on that battlefield defending their beliefs and religion can be considered a martyr. Yes, religion started wars, killed people, and did plenty of harm according to this person; but remember, God gave us free will. God gave us the will to choose between right and wrong, between good and evil. Every war started for religion was started out of free will because that one person believed it was up to him to defend the faith.

So now let me ask you this, how wrong is the bible and how wrong is religion?

Final thoughts

After reading this, as confusing as it may be, I hope to have given a greater understanding of the biggest problem with Religion, belief in God, the Bible, and perception of Jesus. So long as man is at the forefront of either, there will always be the ability to choose. To choose what others should believe, what others should do, and what others should say.


To sum it up, the problems is not with the bible, with the church, with God or Jesus. THE PROBLEM IS WITH MAN!!!
As a result, I suggest you do as I do, read because reading will provide you with knowledge, question because questioning will lead you to answers, but most importantly place your trust and faith in God to show you the way, enlighten your path, and enrich you mind, body, and soul.

Happy New Year...

So my bestfriend (the annoying mosquito) and I had a deep conversation one knight a few weeks ago (as we do very often) and it was decided that I needed a blog. For the next few days I pondered "what the hell can I put in the blog?" I had so much to say, so much on my mind, and so much in my heart that needed an escape. Every thought seemed to be the perfect way to start my blog but I never really could find the right sequence or the time to start it. Then I thought, "a new year typically brings a new beginning, why not start the blog then?" So here I am publishing my first post on my new blog created by my bestfriend.

That my dear readers is my best friend Jen with her beau JJ (who also happens to be my fraternity brother). Jen and I met one random night back in Feb of 2011 when I offered to give her a ride back to her dorm so she would not walk alone. Contrary to popular belief nothing other than a "thank you" was exchanged. I honestly thought that would be the last time that I either saw or spoke to her but sure enough a few days later I had a new friend request (guess who?). As fate, destiny, chance, serendipity, or what ever else you may believe in, has it, Jen and I struck a friendship like no other. We shared our fears, dreams, wishes, hopes but most importantly we shared our care for each other. I owe plenty to Jen as she has helped me through some of my most difficult times over that last year or so and helped me keep my head on straight. One such story is the one below.

Brace yourself folks, the ride it about to get interesting...

In September of 2010 I met the most interesting girl in the world who became known as "the munchkin." (the only good thing about that picture) The munchkin and I attended training for work over the next three months and grew really close. Unfortunately, she was taken and so was I and our relationship could be nothing more than "just friends." Ironically enough, the munchkin and I both became single around the same time in February of 2011. We had always remained good friends and would talk frequently either at work or even "after hours." After February, the next few months were rather confusing and rocky. We casually dated, stopped dating, dated again, stopped talking, talked some more then completely cut each other off. Then one fateful night in August it all came together. I started talking to the munchkin again and it was as if we never skipped a beat. Next thing I know 8/19/11 rolls around and she becomes my girl and I am the happiest person in the world. At that point I felt invinceable (or however the hell you spell it). But, Manny is still Manny and I did certain things (that shall remain nameless) that jeopardized our relationship greatly. However, the love the munchkin had for me was far greater than any stupidities that I could ever do and our relationship endured. It endured until once again I did something that I WILL FOREVER REGRET. December of 2011 I called it quits. The days following the split were unbearrable for both of us. I cannot say exactly what she was feeling as I truly do not know but I can only imagine the pain that I have caused her. To this day I WANT THE MUNCHKIN BACK and love her "to the moon and back" but I feel like I cannot be with her because of everything that has happened. I will be completely honest when I say writing this I feel my heart breaking ever so slowly and I cannot contain the tears I cry from the pains of my decision. I miss her ever so much and want nothing but the best for her even if (as I suspect) it is the love from another. So this my friends is how I will begin my 2012, tear filled eyes, a heavy heart, and nothing but regret for letting go of possibly the best love I will ever know. MUNCHKIN IF FOR SOME REASON YOU EVER READ THIS KNOW THAT I AM TRULY SORRY!!!