I
am not a religious man, I am afraid the concept of God completely
escapes me and has done since I was very young. It follows therefore
that religion leaves me cold and in my opinion has caused over the
centuries more harm than good. Religious doctrines are all very well
and perfectly understandable but really! I know humans have this
insatiable desire to want to believe there is some existence after
life. I just believe we cease to exist and that's as it should be.
How arrogant is the human race to believe we are so special? I have
formed many views in my life, some have been changed by experience
and softened by age and a broader view of the world. However as I
have got older I think my view of religion has hardened. I dislike
more now than I did when I was a young man. Perhaps my admiration for
those who have true belief might have altered but I avoid any
discussion on the subject as I can hear myself become quite militant
in my views. Most of us are free to believe and think whatever we
choose, to many of us follow blindly what we are told to believe and
far too many follow those beliefs without ever questioning them. I
have always espoused we should consider all the evidence and then
formulate our own beliefs. I have encouraged this in my sons. As I
write religion is yet again at the centre of the major differences
between countries and the trouble within them. The cloak of religious
interpretation has once more lead a small minority to adopt a
murderous and barbaric way of imposing their agenda on others. The
chaos and disruption this has caused among millions, who only want a
peaceful life and safety for their families has become untenable,
displacing thousands and if the war is not killing them the flight to
freedom often does. Sadly I am not sure there is a solution to any of
it. If one element is defeated I fear another will spring up to take
it's place. It may not happen straight away but it will happen. As
usual we seem incapable or unwilling to learn the lessons from
history.
And
so to Christmas, which is where I was leading to. Not because of it's
religious significance, I think you've got that by now, I like it
because our family is all together and I like giving presents.
Merry Xmas
