Religion...

When did religion jump the shark? For those of you that don’t know the meaning of “jump the shark”, it is a metaphor that denotes when something (mainly a TV show) was once good has since gone bad or stupid. It was first referenced when Fonzie (of Happy Days) while on water skies jumped a shark. People (geeks mainly) feel this is the time that Happy Days took a turn for the worst and started to go down hill. Since then you can hear people ask, “When did Seinfeld, Fiends, or Dallas jump the shark?” You can even check out the website – jumptheshark.com.

So, when did religion “jump the shark”? If you look at the religious world today, nothing seems to be the way god (or Jesus) would have wanted it. Too many people are manipulating people in the name of God, or telling us this is the way Jesus would have wanted it. It is my understanding that Jesus taught love and understanding, but that isn’t what is being taught today. There are churches/ministers that are telling people that god would want you to harm the “fagot” down the street, hate someone because they believe something different than you, or that money is not the root of all evil. Evangelists are making more money than most of the people I know and are becoming stars in the minds of their followers.

Barbra Walters just aired her “Top 10 Most Fascinating People” last week and one of them made my skin crawl. His name is Rev. Joel Osteen, the Smiling Preacher. As Barbara puts it, “he’s rich, he’s famous and adored by millions of fans on television each week”. He is the head of the largest church in America and why do I dislike him, not because he is teaching religion, but because he is teaching people that money matters. He is teaching what some call “the prosperity gospel”. He told Barbara “God does want us to live the abundant life that we can. To me, prosperity is health, good relationships … and money, of course, is part of it”. Just a note – this church brings in $75 million a year.

Another show I was watching (because we have no good cable) was on the Inspiration Channel. His name is Todd Coontz and he is the founder of the Rock Wealth Ministries. His gimmick is dealing with money as well. There is something heavenly that happens when you “sow a seed of $1000” to his ministries. Why $1000, because some place in the bible he found the number 1000. God looks with praise on people who give money to his organization. He states that within 90 days of receiving the $1000, God will look on you with praise. On his website, he says he “teaches people how to qualify, receive, and manage wealth.” His show is in more than 38 countries.

Then we have the biggest facade of all, the Pope. Who else can get away with wearing a virginal white dress, a mitre (or as drag queens like to call it a tiara), and those fabulous red shoes and then tell me that my life style is sinful? This is the most powerful spiritual leader in the world, but is he right. How can one man make so many decisions that affect so many people? He hates gay people when throughout history gays have been spiritual leaders. He is a racist and a bigot. He was in the Nazi party and he helped cover up the sexual abuse crimes that happened in America by priest. Is this someone we can call a religious leader?

We have to remember that Christianity is not the only religion. There are over 40 religions. One created by a novelist who said, "I'd like to start a religion, thats where the money is!" - L. Ron Hubbard creator/founder of Scientology. With all these religions, who to say which one is correct? All religions have some good in them as all religions have people who make them bad. We need to understand that we have no idea why we are here or if there is a god. Faith is the only thing that tells us that god exists, but if someone told you today that god came and talked to him or her, would you believe? No. Why? Do you not have faith? This is the same ploy that these corrupt people are using and calling themselves “men of god”. If you have the $1000 to send into these men, why not send it to your local homeless shelter, women’s organization, humane society, or give to an organization that you believe in. There are people in this world that need help and religion doesn’t seem to be helping any more. It seems to be only hurting and causing hatred.