It's a sin

The post where some may stigmatize me as a die-hard atheist.

So the topic is sins and sinning, and as such I must start with emphasizing how much of a nonsense it is.
First of all, humans were created (well, not by god) as peccable entities or with other words, being capable for making mistakes. True or not, as we cheat on each other, lie etc. we commit the mistakes that may possibly reshape our life and our character. We tremble and we fail but we learn each time from our mistakes. And may the mistakes either overcome us or surrender at our feet, our lives are constant battles with our own liabilities. And it's good and proper that way.

And that's were the term 'sin' comes into the picture. A word that is -supposedly- mightier than 'mistake'. The word that doesn't originate from simple human beings but from a transcendent power above us. Practically, sin is a revelation of god and as such should be followed by all who fear him.

Now this makes our situation pretty much fucked up. The atheist has the convenience of not worrying about sins. It's more than enough to face our own defects without messing up things with god and his promulgated sins. But what about the believers? The billions of people, with the shackles of sin chained to their limbs and around their necks?

Well, let me derive the issue through a simple example.

There is a muslim woman. She always believed in the existence of god. She have been praying since her childhood. One day this woman cheats on her husband. The 'why' is not important. She wanted something new or she was just horny enough to do it. After all, she still believes in god but the sins she had committed makes her a liability. Knowing this was one of the worst sins of all she is perfectly sure forgiveness is an unattainable thing. She lives the rest of her life knowing she will certainly get to hell.

Well, this is how an atheist without any compromises imagines the situation. However I'm very much aware of the fact that believers could easily tear it to pieces. Firstly, sinning doesn't automatically 'grants' you the ticket to the hell. You may balance with good things so at the end when god's final judgement is upon you, you still have the chance for getting to heaven.

But the real deal is about forgiveness here. If we sin, we make god furious but we can redeem his kindness with good deeds. Practically this is the same for atheists as well: you make mistakes but correcting them ensures yourself that you are in balance again. Well, then what's the point in it? Why do we need the myth of this mighty, fearsome guy watching above us? Can't we just simply make our mistakes and then try to learn from them?

Nope. We just have to have him, a being so great and unreachable that is beyond our imagination. We live our humble lives according to one of the holy books, filled up with teachings coming straight from this fearsome creature. What a divine and holy link between creator and creation.

Hereby I would like to cite a conversation with a good friend of mine. A muslim herself, she has some doubts on her mind but during our discussions she represents the believer, while I... well, the other side. So here is what we talked about.

Starting with suicide, she mentioned a passage from Qu'ran that a sane man committing suicide is a great sin. Meanwhile, if a man with a hazy mind (well,mentally unhealthy? I have never been good in politically correct language) does the same, he shall be forgiven as he isn't aware that he sinned. Say what?

So practically, you may sin as you like as a mentally sick because god is merciful towards handicapped people. Well, let's face it: if you are handicapped on Earth you will be handicapped in the afterlife as well. But at least the term 'sin' won't apply for you. The term which, by the way was created by sane people. When I mentioned about this to my friend (as in: the holy books written by over-represented human beings) she told me the following (I must say I haven't read the Qu'ran and only passages of the Bible which would make a good point if I was criticizing the book but here it's about the origin of it).

Angel Gabriel gave the teachings to Mohammed who was writing the holy book for years after this encounter. So basically the unreachable fictional character (god) gave laws to another fictional character (Gabriel) just so he can give it to a real person who would later create the book which is followed by a billion nowadays. This just leaves me astonished. Why is god such a douche?

Man, you created us so why do you have to use your servants to teach us? You know how human nature is: we are curious and we doubt. So if you play hide and seek, many will part from you and never believe your existence. Seriously, why do you have to raise a few prophets out of the crowd (with the help of your angels) instead of just simply descending from the clouds and saying hi to all of us?

Atheists would shut their mouths forever, believers would be joyful and world order would be set. I would be honestly really happy. But no: you have been keeping silent since Mohammed's actions in the Middle East. That is like 1400 years without a remarkable event and please don't say we drifted away from you so far that you can't send your next prophet, son, or final judgement.

The thing is, god, that you must have seen the same thing happening earlier. The mighty Greeks with their gods sitting on the top of the Olympus had become just a mythology fueling Disney movies. Do you also want to become a Pixar animation in the next century? People forget, and you have to be aware of it. The lane humanity switched to is swifter than ever. Technology will soon (or already does) confute many practical beliefs about your existence.

(...)

I'm just saying, god. You better watch out and start interacting again with your most precious toys once more.

on the edge

Something usual. My mood, as it is. Awakened by the song: click and read!

And if i fall would you hold me?

sun shines through the leaves. im six again. we are walking home from the kindergarten. my mom is holding my hand. the street we walk on is lit by gentle and barely warm sunshine... i kick up the leaves. im fooloing around: i touch the fence with my fingers as i ran aside. im happy.

Would you pass me by?

i wear a blue hat and scarf. my grandma knitted it. but its not important. i find an old matrasse. climbing on it i start jumping up and down. im even happier.

I stand on the edge of the broken sky

now im home again... the sun could lit our living room with an eternal beauty. something that cannot be taken away from my childhood. as i sit at the kitchen table, im drinking some milk. with cocoa. i used to love it. my father is playing the piano now: my mom is not home. they are about to divorce.

So confused,
my thoughts are taking over

he is playing a beautiful tune. as he always does! as im drinking and listening... i start crying. i dont know how the tears came, but my dad jumps up with inhuman speed (as he always did when i started crying). he is almost shouting 'did you bite your tongue'... im crying and he cant sooth me.
how can i explain that the sun  is so beautiful? that the bright living room, with him sitting at the piano and playing that melody was just perfect? that i loved sitting and drinking my milk? as he hugs me tight i realize how much i scared him.

Would you pass me by?

he decides he gives up everything that day. the suit that had been going on for months about our flat, and everything else was given up. just because of the sunshine, a piano and a glass of milk.

And if I should fall, would you hold me?
Would you pass me by?

Would you believe that an adult can cry as he sees the sunlight? as he hears a melody he likes. as he remembers his family.

 or just: when he doesnt know how to finish writing.