The Biased Bio

My first commenter suggested that I post a bio, so I'll give it a try...with the caveat that I'll withhold names to protect the innocent and/or guilty.

To start with the basics: I will be forty-three this July. I am definitely a child of the '80s--I am completely disconnected from modern music (especially rap--although I think today's country is virtually indistinguishable from yesterday's rock). I am single and happily so; my one close flirtation with marriage would have been a complete disaster. My father died nearly two years ago, and I am sharing a home with my mother. I work as a pharmacy technician and moonlight as a writer on the side. Nothing major as yet, although I expect contributors' copies of my latest story to arrive any day now.

As far as religion goes, I was raised Christian, although not in what would be called a "mainstream" denomination. (I am not going to reveal my affiliation at this time, to guard against trolls and cultists.) I am naturally hardwired to approach things from a rational point of view rather than an emotional one; in fact, one of those silly Quizilla things I took not too long ago proudly proclaimed me to be "78% male!" This approach carries over to my belief system as well. Someone getting up on the pulpit and telling me, "You shouldn't do this because God says so!" is not going to go over at all. I will need to see it and read it in my own Bible, and probably read all the other scriptures pertaining to this subject as well.

I believe more people who call themselves Christians, as well as followers of any other sacred writings, need to follow this approach. It's too easy for people of faith to be sucked in by charlatans--I think, as a general rule, we tend to be more trusting and perhaps more easily manipulated, especially by those assuming a mantle of authority (e.g., priests). We try to be good people in our own lives, and forget that a great many others are not 'good.' My rule of thumb is, if you're trying to tell me something I can't see in black and white my own little self, you're talking out your ass, and I'm not going to pay any attention to you.

As an example, this is one reason I STRONGLY object to the doctrine of the Trinity. In my opinion, it is the stupidest, most illogical idea anyone could have come up with. As far as I am concerned, there is "one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, King James). I pray to God through Jesus Christ; I don't pray to God the Son.This pinnacle of foolishness was gleaned from innuendos and mistranslations (and one outright lie, in the case of 1 John 5:7, added centuries after the original writings), and attempts to reconcile newly-emerging Christianity with older traditions of triune gods. Anyone trying to argue the Trinity here will be summarily slapped down.

I am active in my church and am comfortable there. Although I don't believe your religion should fit you--I believe you should mold your life and attitude to fit your religion, especially if you think you have found the truth. I don't think God accepts people who don't do what He wants. James sums this up very well: "Fool! When will you ever learn that 'believing' is useless without doing what God wants you to do? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith." (James 2:5) Because of this, I try to be an example for others. Not in the sense of parading myself around, crowing, "Look at me, I'm a Christian!" I try to show that Christianity, properly expressed, is really the best way to live.

Huh. Sorry, I didn't mean to go on a rant. That's one thing about this electronic playground--I can froth at the mouth all I want, and no one will tell me to shut up.