Editorial Column

Travis Jones
Henry W. Grady HS (Atlanta, Ga.)

Religious right is wrong

I don’t believe in the God that supposedly runs our lives. I don’t believe in Zeus, I’m not a fan of Lord Xenu, and I don’t make sacrifices to a Sun God. In fact, I don’t make many sacrifices at all, especially not my self-respect and an intelligent cognizance of my world.

I’m what most people refer to as an Atheist. I have no affiliation with any religion you could point a finger at, and when I peer through the looking glass from time to time at organized religion, I tend to see a nasty shade of Clockwork Orange- the color of a brainwashed mind. I see religion as having an enormous kind of roadmap potential to guide you through your life; however, I am constantly reminded of how such powers are used for evil, rather than for good. Don’t put the magazine down quite yet, however, my pious friends. This isn’t a condemnation of you as a person; think of it as an intervention. In fact, considering the topic, consider it a divine intervention.

This by no means, however, implies that I have a problem with Jesus. He did some good things, he preached tremendous ethics, and, given the opportunity, I would love to sit down and have a drink with the guy. Non-alcoholic, of course. Jesus as a diving figure, however? If I had an original copy of the bible, I’d smack you with it.

The problem, of course, is that no original copy exists, and a newer version of the bible comes out every once in a while. Every new edition has some small addition or subtraction, some small grammatical “error” omitted, and such small changes seem to make no difference if perused every edition or so. The problem is that the book, which I heard has had quite a run on the all-time best seller’s list, could be as many as 12,000 years old. Even the New Testament is around 2,000 years old. That’s a lot of years and a lot of changes, not the mention the tinkerings of kings in the past, or the modernization of the text to better fit our present-day language.

It turns out that the bible has been misquoted more often than Madonna changes religions. The world was upset when Islamic extremists misinterpreted the Koran and initiated the attacks of 9-11. That was most certainly a tragic event, and I am by no means showing any disrespect for the heroes that persevered or the people who died, but the body count is merely a fly on the windshield that is religion. Look at the Holocaust. Look at the Crusades. Look at the Conquistadors. Time after time religion has been an excuse, or a reason for actions with terrible ramifications while holy texts are intended to do the opposite.

; If I had begun my article by saying that I DID believe in Zeus, you may consider my crazy. But if you could travel a few hundred years into the future and proclaimed your love for Jesus, YOU too may be considered crazy. Try and wrap your head around how many religions have sprung up and faded out throughout the course of human history. Now, without experiencing the pain of an aneurism, consider that every member of every religion has embraced their beliefs as the pinnacle of all religions. When you finish processing this information, look me in the eye and tell me that you’re any different. Oh, and don’t preach to me about how long a religion has been in existence. Some religions tend to force them upon others. I won’t name names. You know of whom I speak.

Speaking of trouble makers, I have a question for Mr. Falwell; Is every Jew going to hell? Every Muslim? Every Homosexual? Every promiscuous teenager? Wow. It’s going to be crowded. I hope they have room for me.

He knows when you are sleeping; he knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. That strikes a chord now doesn’t it? Tell that to a small child and they’ll act accordingly so as not to offend Santa. Tell that to a Christian, and they’ll act accordingly, so as not to offend God.

Maybe when it all is said and done, perhaps religious beliefs were only set as guidelines, so that we can all lead more fruitful lives. Perhaps the best way to save a person’s soul is not by assimilating their people, but instead by enriching their lives. Perhaps you should be careful. It’s a long fall from all the way up there on your pedestal.