In a message dated Feb. 21, 1998, Necropsy69 writes:

Thanks, Necropsy69, for this submission. People need to know what's going on throughout the world in the name of God, love and mercy! American religionists are so accustomed to depicting and presenting their religion with the air of benevolence and justice that is NOT at all compatible with its core doctrines.

Again, I cannot stress it enough: MOST AMERICAN'S DO NOT TAKE THEIR RELIGION VERY SERIOUSLY. This is of course a generality. There are INDIVIDUALS in America who DO take primitive, religious philosophy seriously. Mark those who do take it seriously: to the degree that one takes any primitive, irrational philosophy seriously, that is, consistently, and applies it integrally to his life, that same person distances himself from reason and reality.

America is the nation of the individual. To contrast, look at any nation governed by religion: such a nation is the nation of the collective. Under the strict adherence to religious doctrine in the policies of a state, a society will not protect the individual's right to his own life, but on the contrary will think nothing of infringing on his rights, stripping him of his happiness, his property and his means of production, his well-being, his independence of movement and mind, and, as Necropsy69's submission points out, even his life! That is the end result of the strict, consistent and serious application of any religion, be it Islam, Buddhism, Jim-Jonesism, Heavens Gate, and yes, even Christianity.

The Dark Ages - which were ruled by Christian doctrines and philosophy - stand as a testament to this fact.

Many people in America are quickly eager to claim that America is a Christian nation. I say: PHOOEY! As I stated above, America is the nation of the individual. The Declaration of Independence, which laid the foundations of American philosophy, explicitly enumerates my right to my life, my liberty and my pursuit of my happiness.

One of the chief flaws of Jefferson's Declaration [and Jefferson was not entirely at sole fault on this] is his attempt to link these rights to a deity. My right are not endowed by any 'creator'. I have no creator. I EXIST. Where I came from metaphysically speaking is immaterial to any discussion concerning my individual rights. If you ask me, I was not created, I was manufactured, and that by Nature.

Consequently, my allegiance is to myself, not to any 'god'.

If the Bible and any other religious philosophy presume any rights of the individual, it is: the right to prostrate himself in worship to an imaginary being and to the selfless service of others.

There is not one tenet or doctrine of primitive, religious philosophy that I accept. I ask each of you to join me in examining and questioning those doctrines and tenets.

The mind is a terrible thing to waste, but that's exactly what every priest, pastor, Republican senator and POPE insist of you.

Tindrbox

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