Has anyone heard of Dante's Inferno? what the crap is that! If you don't know what i'm talking about let me paraphrase- Dante was this guy who wrote a novel/story thingy on all the different stages of hell, and what happens in them. I have to read this interesting, yet retarded 'work of art' for school. It seems that i can't escape all the moral dilemmas religion faces me with. If they don't preach it at church, I hear it from other kids, and if the religious kids don't set the record straight... well now I have to hear about it in school! It seems that I have to listen to everyone else’s' opinion, so I think I should just write down everything I think and believe. First of all, religious people... you're ok with me, and I’m sure this will sound offensive. So, um... sorry. Let me start by saying I’m a realist, and agnostic-ish. My response to everyone who has talked to be about divine retribution, and heaven and hell, and so on-well, you're all crazy. I think it's a really common flaw among people think that they're more important than they really are. I also think that this way of thinking is something that everyone is born with. (I will probably sound crazy as I try to describe this, but hang with me please) Ok so it's pretty well known that all creatures share some basic instincts like survival of one's self or species, or something like that. Unfortunately, I think the human brain is so complex, that it can even trick a person into believe something that is just not true. Let me try to help this make sense: People, like animals, feel the instinct to survive. But because the human mind is so complicated, we have realized one simple thing- everyone dies at some point. Can we all agree on this so far? (Try not to get too technical on me, or this persuasive process won't work) so following this trend of a need to survive, People look forward to the "to be continued" part of life. That is, heaven. (Or hell). People simply can't accept the fact that we might experience the same fate as every other creature on our little blue planet. Despite popular opinions, all dogs do not go to heaven. People feel that they deserve something more than animals, more than a simple life. Is that because we are the top of the food chain or because be have 'free will' or the ability to reason? I really don't know. But for some reason, we're different. In fact we're better. I mean, lets just ignore the fact that many of our kind lie cheat and steal, and lets forget about the history of wars that beings with the first record of civilization. Although we continue to dream up new ways to kill each other more efficiently we're still better than animals, because lets face it- animals kill each other with their claws and teeth, but people kill each other with guns and bombs. It’s simple really, people are just better in general. But of course this philosophy won't fly with society because that's "frowned upon". We need justice! And those who kill others need to be punished! Well this brings us to the creation of hell. Some people are "better" than others, so some go to heaven and some go to hell. It so easy! (Can you feel the sarcasm?) Can we all agree that people have completely "made up" religions? for example, the Greeks. nobody believes in Zeus and Hera any more. So who thought up that religion? or better yet, why did they make it up? the answer is for the reasons i just mentioned. people need to feel important because they are always "better" than somebody, or something else. they won't accept the fact that they are flesh and blood and nothing more. It's easy to see flaws in the Greek's religion though. One cold always climb Mt. Olympus and find that there are no gods living up there. But just like everything else, religion has evolved. New religions have been taught (which all follow pretty much follow the same good/bad afterlife and divine intervention type of system). But these new religions are harder to disprove. They have become more vague and abstract. my favorite aspect of Christianity is how "it all comes down to Faith" or how about this one: "The lord works in mysterious ways" I’ll tell you what's so mysterious, its the fact that whoever came up with this stuff had the great idea of leaving unclear things up to interpretation.
People also can't deal with the fact that somebody could rape and kill their mother, and that person will get away with it. Yes that is terrible, I know. But that doesn't mean that they're going to burn in 'hell' just because you feel like they deserve it. What goes around may in fact come around, but I think heaven and hell are not part of this cycle. People really like being in control and if some situation is out of their hands, people like to fall back on the idea that god will 'take care of what needs to be done'. I know this probably sounds like the most sacrilegious thing you've ever read, but I’m not writing simply to 'stick it to the man' or to upset anyone. I’m just saying what is real! There is nothing abstract or divine about what I believe is real. If it's too much to believe that you are just flesh and blood and this is your only shot at life, then go ahead and believe that there's an afterlife waiting for you where you can see your loved ones, and your lost puppy. But for me, reality is right in front of me. I’m not going to let my mind fool me into thinking that my conscience is really a voice that advocates good and bad choices that are part of some life long test of whatever. Those 'voices' are just me. That’s who I am. This whole ridiculously long blog is supposed to relate to Dante's Inferno, so here goes: Dante was an interesting fellow with great philosophic ideas. But the fact that he just one day dreamed up hell and its nine levels- don’t make it true. There is nothing real about what he is basing his essays on. If the bible is right, then I hope that for the sake of everyone, that we were all never born. I think that a lot more people will go to hell than most people realize. Yep, that's the realists view of what the bible has to say. As for the few people who will make it to heaven... bravo. I hope you have front row seats to watch the rest of us burn in hell. According to Dante, betrayal is the worst of all sins. I hope he's wrong because I have just betrayed Jesus big time! That would land be in the worst pit of hell, with judies! But you know what, I would say go ahead and send me there! Give me everything you've got! Although I could stand up for what I believe is real in some half assed type of belief that would just make me a coward. I would only practice the religion out of fear of what might happen I don’t. (for the wrong reasons) although, according to Dante, the cowards are only subject to some of hell's wrath, I would choose to go as far as I can. I know that's hot headed and stubborn and all. but i think that i could only make clear choices now because once i'm in hell i'd be begging for mercy with every breath i take. i would at least like to have the satisfaction of standing up for what i believed in. and i would admit i'm wrong and suffer the Consequences . Anyways, i don't believe that Dante happened to 'guess right' and tell everyone exactly what hell is all about. but heaven is just too high a standard for me...
i'm ok with accepting my fait of dying just like every other creature will. i don't even think i'll be remembered after i die, but we can only hope... right? Maybe i'll be remembered as the guy who thought he knew everything and blogged on and on and on and on and on....
I believe it's past my bed time.
-steve
ps-once again, sorry to all who i've offended, but at least consider what i've said. (test your faith)
