Water Bill update – My realtor contacted me yesterday to let me know that the owner of the villa I rent from are going to reimburse me for the overpaid water bills.
That’s SAS (sweet ass sweet).
Currently listening: By the Way
By Red Hot Chili Peppers
Release date: 09 July, 2002
I’m referring to an interview recently conducted with Elton John. Here are the main excerpts:
Canadian Press
Published: Monday, November 13, 2006
LONDON (AP) – Organized religion fuels anti-gay discrimination and other forms of bias, pop star Elton John said.
“I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people,” John said in the Observer newspaper’s Music Monthly Magazine in an interview published Saturday. “Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays.”
“But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion,” said the singer, who exchanged vows in December in a civil union ceremony with Canada’s David Furnish. “From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn’t seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings, and it’s not really compassionate.”
John also criticized religious leaders for failing to do anything about conflicts around the world.
“Why aren’t they having a conclave? Why aren’t they coming together?”
John said those in his own field have been similarly lax.
“It’s like the peace movement in the ’60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don’t seem to do them any more,” he said. “If John Lennon were alive today, he’d be leading it with a vengeance.”
I really hope I don’t sound like an atheist when I say that I agree that all types of religion should be banned. Not only does it cause hatred against gay people, but organized religion believes a woman should not have a choice about her body, certain religions create religious freaks aka terrorists, and I find such a narrow view when it comes to being open minded about this life.
Think of how many wars have been fueld by religion…how many lives have been lost from it…I understand that it gives people peace of mind and something to believe in, but I’m really against the narrow views that religions promote.
I do believe that there is a higher power, although I don’t know what. I don’t believe a “god” that created us all would want me to go to a building every week and run through the same motions of prayer, sitting, standing, kneeling…and would promote discrimination against other human beings and would want us to wage wars against people who don’t believe what “I” believe.
I understand this blog will go against many people’s way of life, their beliefs and their routines. I don’t wish to change your mind about what you believe, I simply am looking at the down side of religion and I agree with Elton John’s opinions. I see too much destruction caused by people’s religious beliefs everyday on the news and in the world around me.
And on one last note, why can’t the religious leaders come together? Why don’t they? Because they don’t agree with eachother? It feels like one big catch 22. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…I think this whole world would be a better place if everyone kept their religious beliefs to themselves instead of waging wars and hatred upon other people because of them.
Everyone will always have an opinion on their god(s), that won’t change, but the way we treat every single human being, no matter who you are or what you believe must change…otherwise self destruction is inevitable.
Update 11/14/06
Another thing that comes to mind that really bothers me about all of this – Stem Cell Research. Certain religions are against this…think of how many lives can be changed with this technology and there are people opposing this??? I don’t get it.
Overall religion makes me feel uncomfortable, it always has. I can’t stand being told that I should go to church and how living with someone before you are married is a sin. I went to Catholic school and being around Priests and Nuns I always felt like I had to conform myself to something I wasn’t. I’ll never change myself for anyone or anything. I have respect for people and morals, I keep an open mind with everything I come across in life. Instead of being told how to react to things that are different I form my own opinions and I listen to both sides of the story. I really hate the idea of a religion telling me what is wrong and what is right. I feel a sane person can make those decisions themself.
Currently playing: Gears of War
Release date: 07 November, 2006
i respect all of this, but don’t you think BANNING any form of religion sums up discrimination of any kind in a pretty tight nutshell? what about people’s right to believe in God in any way they choose?
Posted by Amsterdam on Monday, November 13, 2006 – 7:02 PM
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That’s true…I just get overwhelmed with the hatred that religions promote…ultimately I just wish that when I think about religion that hatred wouldn’t come to mind. I think too many people are ostracized because of religions.
Posted by Charley on Monday, November 13, 2006 – 7:12 PM
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After going through all the different stages of confusion. Religious questions that go unanswered, “Have Faith.” To complete atheism and ultimately after so many scientifically unprovable questions coming to a belief that SOMETHING is out there.
To put it simply when people ask me what I believe I say I DO believe in God, I just don’t believe in mankind.
If it just so happens that mankind played a major part in writing (editing) religious scripture than so be it.
…and I agree with Jesse, I was going there but I lost myself. The problem with “Established Religions” is that they have always pushed for the extremes. Believe or die. We, the evolved society we strive to be, would only be doing the same.
I think people have a right to be as extreme as they choose to, whether it be religiously fanatical or flamboyantly gay, as long as it doesn’t intrude or impose upon others.
i’d also like to say that i agree with hektik, about mankind being the one at fault, not religion in general. when it gets to the point where religion generates hate, its only because the people in power at that moment in time are generating hate…we are the masters of our own demise.
Posted by Amsterdam on Monday, November 13, 2006 – 7:12 PM
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Here is a true Christian story out of the true Christian book.
In a time long long ago, in a country far far away an Egyptian Pharaoh put a whole bunch of Jews in Prison. Moses went the pharaoh and said, “Hey, let my people go”. The Pharaoh didn’t and instead of God just coming down himself and saying,”hey Pharaoh, let ‘em go before I have you whacked”, he put the people of Egypt through 10 plagues. He covered them in all kinds of bugs and frogs and crap. He turned the water to blood so there was no drinking and good-bye fish. He killed all their live stock, nailed them with serious storms and finally out of an incredible act of compassion, he killed every first born child. There is a kind, loving and caring Christian/Judaic God.
The people of Eygpt didn’t do anything. They weren’t at fault. Most of them probably hated the Pharoh like most of us hate Bush. Yet they suffered horribly at the hand of God.
Posted by Justin on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 – 11:26 AM
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this kind of thing is why different religions can’t coexist peacefully. someone says something about their God (God was never fanatical), and then someone else says “That’s bullshit.” (moses, etc…) Not that anyone is at fault here, but we have to be able to tolerate other people’s opinions. I don’t think that can happen, because we are human, close-minded and imperfect (mankind is at fault). So, once again, the friction between religious people comes from intolerance, not the religion itself. If everyone of every different religion had no issues with any other religion in general, there would be no religion-fueled violence. It’s PEOPLE, and their FAULTY INTERPRETATIONS of religion, and their INTOLERANCE. We’re all guilty, so i’m not pointing the finger here, just thought I’d point that out.
Posted by Amsterdam on Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 2:52 PM
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Which is why I have come to believe and happily live with the idea that the Bible is a book of morals, not history.
Learn from it, don’t drown in the details. Adam & Eve had children and their children had sex with each other?
I think not.
Adam & Eve represent human life in general. The early forms of mankind. There wasn’t really a dude named Adam or a dudette named Eve because it wasn’t important. The significance of that part of the story is the fact that God made it happen.
People don’t understand the purpose behind the creation of the Bible and get lost in the details.
Well, getting rid of religions is not going to happen and nor should it. People should be able to practice their religion. I myself don’t really have one. I was raised sorta Catholic but after college found myself to be more of a Buddhist.
I definitely agree that some religions manifest hateful biggots who don’t want to let anyone do anything they think is wrong. They cite passages in the Bible that they interpret to mean what they want to believe it means. God can’t be that hateful!
I don’t think religion was meant to turn people against each other but it has and does. There is no way of stopping it. Its just a matter of people like US having the bigger, louder voice.
Posted by Apple Something on Monday, November 13, 2006 – 7:32 PM
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I was reading this somewhere last night… So right on.
I am reading War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges, and it touches on some of the same themes of hatred and the war machine, and how religion and ‘culture’ plays such an integral part in all of this nonsense.
I agree too Charlie… Fear (and subsequently hate) is a force that drives so many people.
I completely agree with this. Has there ever been a war that wasn’t fueled first by religion? I can rant for hours about this but I’ll let Sam and Gene speak for me.
“We desperately need a public discourse that encourages critical thinking and intellectual honesty. Nothing stands in the way of this project more than the respect we accord religious faith.”
-Sam Harris
“We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes. ”
-Gene Roddenberry
Whoa now, i don’t want to leave this one alone, at the risk of contradicting my previous statement about tolerance of other peoples opinions…I think that God created us not to be perfect, obediant followers, but to have free will and to come to Him anyway. Man is fundamentally faulty, I’ll agree with that, but God doesn’t blame us for His own mistakes, He blames us for our sins that we commit when we are in complete control of our free will. And he gave us a way out, remember.
But thats just an opinion I have, and I am not going to start a war with anyone who doesn’t believe it lol
Posted by Amsterdam on Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 3:00 PM
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There shouldn’t be any religions,because they’re all focused on believing they’re right,and competing for that new convert.And with each new convert is that competitive laugh thinking with pride. They also make alot of rules and they add conditions to Gods promises which was never meant to be and usually alot of people turn their backs on God. God is to be the focus,the personal relationship with Jesus. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. The thing I have found with alot of people that have become born again is forget where they came from. God woes us with love by the Holy Spirit, we change by seeking him on a daily basis, the bible praying and not focusing on ourselves to much. I know that this is what happened to me. Jesus is compassionate and even though there are things in the bible God rebukes like homosexuality and murder if he was here he wouldn’t be putting Elton John down, he would accept him the way he is dine with him. When a person truly seeks God daily and desires to be in his presence he just eventually has no desire to do certain things any more,the interest is gone,and when you realize that you no longer want to do things that are wrong according to what the bible says,it was easy and God never made you feel like shit . Sorry for preaching it’s because I have experienced this closeness with God and I know its real and that what I know of him is he’s not anything like what alot of those religons protray.
Posted by I am the 1 and only on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 – 5:23 AM
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Um….maybe you would sit and dine with Elton but I’m pretty sure the Christian god would “toss him into the fire” as the scriptures state. The christian bible cleary states that all the laws must be abided by. Anyone “lukewarm” will be damned. I don’t want to get into a philosophical debate with you but your whole compassionate paragraph contradicts your actual religion. If you don’t think so, go back and read your bible.
i’m a very religious person and i know what i really believe in…everyday, im with different kinds of people of different beliefs yet i am able to live peacefully with them…i dont really believe that it should be labelled as a source of conflict to the extent of banning it….
Posted by gCel on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 – 5:43 AM
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I did a blog on this subject also. Someone wrote me asking if I was offended by his statements. I am not affended, but I don’t agree with him. As a Rasta I don’t consider myself religious but I do burn a spiritual fire on Elton and homosexuals.
Posted by TCOOO: 18 Karat Reggae [Now on ITunes] on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 – 8:03 AM
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i agree with you and, it seems, with everyone else’s comments. i believe in a higher power, but sometimes i just wanna be thankful for that and not really think too much else about it…it’s not God i have a problem with; it’s people who try to tell me how to live and what to believe that grates me.
“No real Christian hates gay people. We hate the act of Homosexuality. “ None the less you hate. What’s to hate? Why does what they do in their bedroom having any bearing on your life? They think what you do in your bedroom is disgusting. Why not just leave them alone and let them live their lives the way they want to?
Posted by Justin on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 – 11:35 AM
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I don’t think the issue is about being gay or not, nor how long it takes someone to realize that in their life… The issue is how you treat those people.
How would you treat your brother or sister if you found out they were gay?
I disagree heartily…I don’t think being gay is a choice. Gay people are hated and discriminated against, and their lives can be severely complicated by sexual confusion…I don’t think anyone would choose that path knowingly.
Posted by Amsterdam on Saturday, November 18, 2006 – 1:35 AM
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So if you found out that there was a “gay gene” or a chemical difference that “made” someone gay. Then it would be biological. If that were the case would you still call it a sin, tworld?
You can’t tell me that is a learnt behavior in all these species of animals. You can’t tell me that is “unnatural”. I may buy unnatural in one or two, but not 500 species of animals. And I am sure there are other species not listed.
I believe it is natural, and has some sort explinable “natural” source. It could be genes or a chemical difference or something else completely different.
It is too closed minded to reject other possibilities outright. That is one of the problems with religious people, they “know” they are right because God told them so.
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On another subject, the idea of sacrificing living things to a god has got to be the most stupid thing religion has brought us. And most all religions believe it, including yours (which I assume is Christianity).
Posted by Kip on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 – 12:22 PM
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well, i wouldn’t go as far as to ban religion, but i do believe that life (and the last 2,000 years) would be a hell of a lot better without it. more people have been hurt, controlled, subjugated, tortured, and murdered in the name of religion than for any other reason in history. the crusades, the inquisition, and 9/11–why? because people disagree on each other’s interpretation of the invisible man in the sky–my god is better than your god and if you disagree, i’m gonna kill you. religion, i suppose, can be good, inasmuch as it helps you improve yourself–but religion also frequently gives very dangerous people very dangerous ideas.
the fact that in the 21st century, religious groups are able to control information and influence education (ie “intellegent design” vs. evolution, what is allowed in sex education, etc)–not to mention national policy–boggles my fucking mind. it needs to be removed from public secular discourse; you can’t legislate morality. and here’s an interesting moral question: who is the more virtuous–the atheist who lives a good life and does good works for their own sake, or the religious person who does so because they’re either seeking some reward or afraid of some punishment in the “afterlife”?
i wouldn’t ban religion, because that is a limitation on human freedom (which ironically is something that a lot of religions seek to do), but i DO demand freedom FROM religion; believe what you want, but don’t you fucking DARE expect ME to live my life because of YOUR book of fairy tales.
dear jesus and mohammed–please protect me from your followers.
funny, but as holy as the word SOUNDS, “amen” merely means “so be it”…that’s it…nothing really holy or religious about it…unless of course you’re a priest who has just defiled an altar boy and then sealed the deal of silence over a candy bar with the word “amen”…or something like that…
Posted by RUBBER LOVEBUTTON aka Steve Turner, music whore on Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 5:50 AM
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So if man is the problem than not religion, then why not allow homosexuals to be married? Because religious men do not want it.
People cherry pick the Bible and find the one sentence that supports their belief and ignore other parts. From a biblical point of view all sins are based on the 10 commandments. Unfortunately I do not see a “Thou shalt not have sex with someone of the same sex.” listed as one of the 10 commandments handed down from God. Everything past that is made up by man.
I think it is the Christian view that everybody is a sinner and all fall short of the glory of God. So if that is the case if two women can’t get married because they are sinners, than a man and woman can’t get married because they are also sinners.
The Bible also condones slaves, concubunes, incest, and poligamy.
Posted by Kip on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 – 12:35 PM
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I’m trying to understand all of your posts but they sound like a priest talking in church. Talk to me in a language I can understand – consider this blog “Religion For Dummies” (the book).
charlie, just shut up and practice those pentecostal scales i taught you ten years ago or you will be forced to listen to me do awful tapping licks from the eighties for the rest of eternity…
Posted by RUBBER LOVEBUTTON aka Steve Turner, music whore on Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 5:45 AM
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I was under the impression you were against marriage for homosexuals.
So as far as you are concerned it is O.K. for homosexuals to get married, as long as it is not done in your church. I can agree with that.
But for the government to say two people can not get married is wrong because it is a religious issue. The government should not get in the middle of differences in religion. The only reason the government gets involved with marriage, is because it is a legal contract between two people. And like anything else, the marriage contract should not discriminate based on race, religion, or sex.
Churches used to be against interracial marriage too. As that was “unnatural” also. Fortunately most people have come around on that and in a few years people will come around to allowing homosexuals to marry also.
Posted by Kip on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 – 2:49 PM
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So you are declaring marriage as only a religious institution and nothing else?
I now realize (from your MySpace Profile) that you are not American, but Jamacian. So the national beliefs that Americans have may not be the same as Jamacians. So I am speaking purely from an American perspective.
In America we believe in a separation of church and state. The people who came to America wanted to escape from State sponsored religion. (Like the Church of England for an example.) When the constitution was written it was made very clear that the State (The US Government) could not favor one religion over another. This was the only way to allow people to practice their religion without interfearence from the government.
In the United States a church wedding is a optional part of getting married. You may be married in a church, but you are not officially married until you sign a marriage license. You can also sign the marriage license at the local court house and be married with no church involvement. And in many parts of the United States, if you live together unmarried, but acting like man and wife, for a long time, you become “common-law” married. You are considered officially married without the church or the marriage license!
So while marriage is an important part of many religions, it is not only a religious act, it is a governmental act also. It is a contract between two people. I saw somewhere that there are 900 legal benefits (in the US) for married people versus non married people. Most are as simple as to what happens to joint property when one of the partners die, and who gets to visit when you are in intensive care at the hospital.
These are legal issues not faith issues. Which is why this part of marriage is not religious, but governmental.
The other concern I have is that the Government should not be able to say who can and can not get married. We have had this in the U.S. in the past. It was illegal in most of the U.S. for black and white people to get married. Fortunately that was changed but it took many many years for all places to repeal the laws. History is repeating itself, now with gay (which stands for Good As You) people. Some parts of the US are sayng that certan types of people can not get married. It is wrong. If you love someone and want to spend your life with that person, then you should have the ability to be married and have that marriage recognized by the government.
Posted by Kip on Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 11:32 AM
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Amen on the ban. Religions are organizations decided to control the weak minded
Posted by Drew aka Double A on Friday, November 17, 2006 – 10:49 AM
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Nothing starts a comment train like talk of religion. While I say “everything in moderation”, some people need their support systems such as religion to keep them going in life. But it’s kind of odd when you think about Catholocism’s origins (as an example). It was meant to teach people moderation by telling them not to have too much sex or too much ’sinning’ in general by way of fear and what did that lead to? Everything from the Crusades to fanatical Catholics who bomb abortion clinics. What a vicious circle.
You know, I was actually thinking about this recently. I keep hearing about gay marriage/unions and how much politics are affected by this subject. All these politicians arguing about how gay marriages/unions should be banned via constitutional amendment just made me think about how much religion is ingrained in our government and how that should not be the case. The sole reason why gay marriage is an issue is because of religion. Why is religion affecting the government that is supposed to be unbiased from religious belief? This is just one way that the people are using the government to force their beliefs onto another part of out culture. I could go on with this topic, but I’m watching Enterprise and have to stop.
Posted by Jeffroe Q. Boecefus on Saturday, November 18, 2006 – 12:32 AM
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whats up with birth control being “against the rules” for Catholics?
Posted by Amsterdam on Saturday, November 18, 2006 – 1:39 AM
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I agree with that 100% because people these days are using the religion on everyone I think that is total wrong to do such a thing no one wants to be punshed into doing something they dont want to I sure know that I was pushed my self and I am glad to be out of all that crap.
Posted by Babygirlnumber 1 on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 – 12:39 AM
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