Christianity

Disclaimer: If you are a Christian, and are easily offended, I would like to point out that these are my views, and I am not trying to force you to change. I respect the fact that you have the right to practice your religion, but I also respect the fact that I have a right to an opinion. Plus, I would also like to mention that all my views are well researched, and can be verified.. Also, I do not feel like being converted. I’m an agnostic, and I’m happy being one. Speaking from the mouth of an ex-Christian, I’ve already heard it all. And if a priest can’t change my mind- I don’t think you can.

At this time of Easter, most people can expect a chocolate hangover, the presence of multi-coloured bunnies in the media and an emphasis on the oval pointed things that come out of a chicken’s butt. Yes, Easter really has turned into a holiday for the candy-makers. Or at least, it has for everyone who doesn’t have to attend a religious school.

Now, just guess which one of those categories I (unwillingly) fit into. That’s right- I go to a Catholic high school, one with its own priest and everything. I go to Religious Education classes, and occasionally have to attend church. Of course, seeing as this is the week where the Christian’s main icon died, there has been a lot more church-going in these last weeks then usual. Yes, this week is “Holy Week”, for you people who are blessed enough to be ignorant of the ways of the religious. In other words, Jesus came to a city, died for the world’s sins, and got resurrected. Supposedly.

As well as giving me some time out of class, going to church gave me a chance to reflect on my own religious views. Or, more accurately, my views on religion, because I’m not going to kid anyone into thinking I practice it (at least, not out of my own interest). In honest truth, religion mostly makes me angry, especially the Christian faith. I don’t think it should be banned or anything overly zealous like that- trust me, banning faith doesn’t work. Oddly enough, some people actually are happy practising religion, my Grandma being one of them. She lived in the Ukraine where religion was once banned under the leadership under Marx- and look what happened there!

Anyway, today, as I tuned out the softly playing reflection music and stared upon the face of the giant Christ effigy at the front of the church, I could not stop a wave of immense rage rising through my body. My eyes traced down the peaceful, dull face of the wooden Jesus, and I couldn’t stop myself thinking:

”What a hypocritical faith….”

Normally, I pride myself on not pulling out the knives on Christianity. I’ve learnt enough to know that people have different opinions and perceptions. You can’t change that. But today? Sitting in that grand old church, my eyes trained on their Saviour’s face… Something snapped. A flood of resentment beat against the back of my eyelids. What kind of faith listened to a book that condemned homosexuality and menstruating, but then fully praised the murder of an entire village, and the rape of innocent women? Oh! Shock, horror! Did I really just say that about the Bible, the holiest book around and the highest selling one to boot? Sadly, yes, I did. Apparently, the Christian God makes exceptions. You only have to keep the ten commandments if you aren’t a devoted Christian. Otherwise- feel free to loot, kill and rape without punishment! If it’s in the name of your God, it’s okay!

Most people probably think I went a little far with that statement. In fact, I bet I will have a heap of people informing me that that isn’t true. Well, actually… If you were to dig out your bible, and take a flick through the Old Testament, you’d be able to find references to all the things I just mentioned. Literally, in one sentence, it says: ”Do not lay with another man. God hates that.”

Hmm. Funny. I seem to remember that Christianity was supposed to be all about love and goodwill to all people of the world, heathen or not. Oh, but of course, most Christians would assure me that those atrocious contradictions and unjust passages only occur in the Old Testament. They’d tell me that when Jesus came, all of that stopped, and a new age of more tolerant ideals came about.

Well, actually…

In the Old Testament, it clearly states that no part of it is open to interpretation, and all laws stand for eternity and cannot be changed. Ever. Don’t believe me? Like I said before- go take a look for yourself. So even if Jesus was the son of God, all these ridiculous laws still stand and are the clear word of God. Plus, Jesus wasn’t all that merciful. Back in the Old Testament, committing adultery was punishable by death. When Jesus came about, the stakes rose. Adultery would land you a eternal sentence in the fires of Hell. Plus, he also that it would be better to gouge your own eyes out then look at someone with feelings of attraction. Another thing Jesus said was that if a person called another a fool, that person would rot in Hell. But guess what? Not only did Jesus say “fool” more then a couple of times on different occasions, the disciples said it and even God Almighty himself uttered this damming word! Another example is the section of the bible called “Revelations”. Honestly, if I were to break that down for you guys, we’d be here all day. It is so full of hypocritical prose that I can’t even touch upon the subject. But there is one thing I will say. Revelations was written after Jesus graced the world with his presence, and it is in no way merciful and loving.

Christianity would benefit from more grey areas. Maybe then I’d be able to look past all the bloodshed, and pure tyranny of their God.