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For the same reason that the Greeks created Zeus (lightning)... to explain what they cannot understand. They personify the tornado and think it CHOSE to get them and not that other person (or rather that the god who controls the tornado did). Tornadoes are not cognizant, they don't choose this path or the other, their inner workings (which we still don't understand 100% IMO even with the Twister science) make them take this or that path... that's MY thinking.
But many people don't like to think that they were just unlucky, that it was 'just' weather, 'just' mother nature, 'just' science because that's not how they live their lives, not how they make their own choices. They think because THEY think things through and base their choices on their beliefs, morals, finances, etc that everyone else, everyTHING else must too. Therefor there must be SOME reason behind this house being hit and that one being left alone.
Many, IMO, do this because if that isn't the case... if it really IS just nature then we're nothing but animals waiting to die and enter the void. It's much nicer to think that for being a good person you'll get a reward than to think that after living a decent life you'll just be snuffed out like any rabid animal would be. That we as a species are special, that we are not subject to the whims of nature, that we have a reason to live beyond instinct, that we are better than the dumb animals and that we have a responsibility to be 'good'... not simply to perpetuate the species like animals do but because if we don't then there's hell to pay... literally.
Also, there are some that without hell hanging over their heads they would do SO many things... anyone read Lord of the Flies? See what happens when Authority isn't there? When no one is looking? When there is no punishment OR reward for good or bad behavior? Some will be 'good' no matter the reward... some will NOT. Some are wired to be selfish, to put their own desires ahead of those of the pack... and some are not. Some are hardwired to selfish animal instinct, some are hardwired with human sensibilities. Taking religion away from those who are hardwired the "wrong" way could very well be a disaster... Jack's group comes to mind... *shudder* but for those who have evolved (nature OR nurture) beyond that, sic Ralph's group, having a god to worship or not really won't make much of a difference in their behavior.
And I second the cult feeling... I attended church as a child because they came and picked me up... it got me out of the house and just about ANYTHING was better than home... loved school, friends, church whatever to get away... but the entire time I was questioning, and often wondering just how deluded ARE these people? Eventually fessed up that I just don't believe in that bunk.
Also, whatever you do do NOT ever try and talk to someone who claims to be a Christian* about the wacky stuff in the bible... you will be IN for a chewing... take Deut Ch 13 for instance... I made the massive mistake of mentioning that that was awfully similar to the 'kill the infidel" crap that everyone is so in a tizzy about the Quran saying and BOY oh BOY did I get torn a new one. What REALLY chaps me about that is the fact that they didn't even bother breaking out their book and reading it before chiming in... didn't have a CLUE what I was talking about and flat out refused to even look. Just assumed that THEIR book, the TRUE book, couldn't possibly have anything to do with THAT cult.
*You may know the ones, never attend, never give, never read the bible, claim to believe in god but never mention Christ specifically? Constantly breaking one or more of the Big 10... I know a lot of these.
Hmmm rant much? Anywho, moving on... the In Laws still do the egg hunt.... we all go over and eat a meal, do not pray over any meals there btw, then some of the parents (depends on the year who) sneak out front and scatter a boatload of candy stuffed plastic eggs, then the four grands go out and hunt them... then we come in, jabber a bit more then go home.
BTW while I've got you on the line why in the nine hells do they call it GOOD Friday? Certainly wasn't good for JC... never did understand that one. Easter I get... from Ēostre... and I can get Christmas... Christ's Mass... of course Friday comes from Frigga (in a round about way)... but why Good?
Anywho... Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday it's a Get to know your neighbors and celebrate they aren't scalping and/or putting holes in us day... I'm willing to celebrate that... given the number of murders, shootings, etc nowadays I reckon Thanks should be giving that you've got good neighbors... though interesting that it morphed to something excluding them completely and battening down the hatches to a family only meal... *shrug* Eh, I love food, just an excuse for a lot of it.
Valentine's... nice day for a cuddle.
St Paddy's... wear green, be glad spring is hear (I loathe cold)... works for me.
Christmas we eat (some years sit down other years soup and sammiches) and exchange gifts with family... again no praying involved but lots of hugs and thank yous to each other.
New Years is a nice little evening AT HOME, too many crazies on the road.
Eh... anything I forgot? Think this post is long enough.
Edit... one more thing... those in this topic might find it amusing... check out my BYC page... just hit End to get to the bottom where I talk about our four chickies... think y'all can appreciate the humor (and history) in what names we chose for them.
For the same reason that the Greeks created Zeus (lightning)... to explain what they cannot understand. They personify the tornado and think it CHOSE to get them and not that other person (or rather that the god who controls the tornado did). Tornadoes are not cognizant, they don't choose this path or the other, their inner workings (which we still don't understand 100% IMO even with the Twister science) make them take this or that path... that's MY thinking.
But many people don't like to think that they were just unlucky, that it was 'just' weather, 'just' mother nature, 'just' science because that's not how they live their lives, not how they make their own choices. They think because THEY think things through and base their choices on their beliefs, morals, finances, etc that everyone else, everyTHING else must too. Therefor there must be SOME reason behind this house being hit and that one being left alone.
Many, IMO, do this because if that isn't the case... if it really IS just nature then we're nothing but animals waiting to die and enter the void. It's much nicer to think that for being a good person you'll get a reward than to think that after living a decent life you'll just be snuffed out like any rabid animal would be. That we as a species are special, that we are not subject to the whims of nature, that we have a reason to live beyond instinct, that we are better than the dumb animals and that we have a responsibility to be 'good'... not simply to perpetuate the species like animals do but because if we don't then there's hell to pay... literally.
Also, there are some that without hell hanging over their heads they would do SO many things... anyone read Lord of the Flies? See what happens when Authority isn't there? When no one is looking? When there is no punishment OR reward for good or bad behavior? Some will be 'good' no matter the reward... some will NOT. Some are wired to be selfish, to put their own desires ahead of those of the pack... and some are not. Some are hardwired to selfish animal instinct, some are hardwired with human sensibilities. Taking religion away from those who are hardwired the "wrong" way could very well be a disaster... Jack's group comes to mind... *shudder* but for those who have evolved (nature OR nurture) beyond that, sic Ralph's group, having a god to worship or not really won't make much of a difference in their behavior.
And I second the cult feeling... I attended church as a child because they came and picked me up... it got me out of the house and just about ANYTHING was better than home... loved school, friends, church whatever to get away... but the entire time I was questioning, and often wondering just how deluded ARE these people? Eventually fessed up that I just don't believe in that bunk.
Also, whatever you do do NOT ever try and talk to someone who claims to be a Christian* about the wacky stuff in the bible... you will be IN for a chewing... take Deut Ch 13 for instance... I made the massive mistake of mentioning that that was awfully similar to the 'kill the infidel" crap that everyone is so in a tizzy about the Quran saying and BOY oh BOY did I get torn a new one. What REALLY chaps me about that is the fact that they didn't even bother breaking out their book and reading it before chiming in... didn't have a CLUE what I was talking about and flat out refused to even look. Just assumed that THEIR book, the TRUE book, couldn't possibly have anything to do with THAT cult.
*You may know the ones, never attend, never give, never read the bible, claim to believe in god but never mention Christ specifically? Constantly breaking one or more of the Big 10... I know a lot of these.
Hmmm rant much? Anywho, moving on... the In Laws still do the egg hunt.... we all go over and eat a meal, do not pray over any meals there btw, then some of the parents (depends on the year who) sneak out front and scatter a boatload of candy stuffed plastic eggs, then the four grands go out and hunt them... then we come in, jabber a bit more then go home.
BTW while I've got you on the line why in the nine hells do they call it GOOD Friday? Certainly wasn't good for JC... never did understand that one. Easter I get... from Ēostre... and I can get Christmas... Christ's Mass... of course Friday comes from Frigga (in a round about way)... but why Good?
Anywho... Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday it's a Get to know your neighbors and celebrate they aren't scalping and/or putting holes in us day... I'm willing to celebrate that... given the number of murders, shootings, etc nowadays I reckon Thanks should be giving that you've got good neighbors... though interesting that it morphed to something excluding them completely and battening down the hatches to a family only meal... *shrug* Eh, I love food, just an excuse for a lot of it.
Valentine's... nice day for a cuddle.
St Paddy's... wear green, be glad spring is hear (I loathe cold)... works for me.
Christmas we eat (some years sit down other years soup and sammiches) and exchange gifts with family... again no praying involved but lots of hugs and thank yous to each other.
New Years is a nice little evening AT HOME, too many crazies on the road.
Eh... anything I forgot? Think this post is long enough.
Edit... one more thing... those in this topic might find it amusing... check out my BYC page... just hit End to get to the bottom where I talk about our four chickies... think y'all can appreciate the humor (and history) in what names we chose for them.
