Accountability and Culpability - Theirs and Ours

Benjamin Franklin once said:

``The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.''

Christianity teaches us that we must not regard our reason, that we must ``have faith'', as it were, no matter the circumstances, as if God had given us reason as a plaything, or a rattle, for the sole purpose of making fun of us.

Here's an eye-opening article that I found on ``Bible Prophecy'', I offer it to you in hopes that it will help to open your eye of reason:

Accountability and Culpability - Theirs and Ours

by Pauline Rocco

How many times have you heard variations of the theme: "Repent! The End is Near" thumped out by the bible cranks? Many times I'd guess, because bible prognosticators have been at it "forever and ever" (well, for almost two thousand years, but who's counting?) The Rapture!, Armageddon!, the Antichrist!, Gog and Magog (who? what?) 666!, the 2nd Coming!, the Tribulation!, and other glad tidings of great joy!

The Christian seers reliability quotient has been on par with Enron's CEO and accounting department, but at least the Justice Department is investigating Enron. We can't say the same about any major Christian leader or organization. They are never held accountable for their misinformation, their disinformation, their blatant lies.

Once upon a time we may have believed we could dismiss this end of the world blather as laughable nonsense. I assure you this is no laughing matter. An outbreak of war in the Middle East will affect all of us.

Recently French Ambassador Daniel Bernard asked a rather succinct question at a dinner party in London. He described Israel as, "that shitty little country," and asked, "Why should we all be in danger of World War Three because of these people?"

Why, indeed! Could it be because we have allowed Christians to wield their illegitimate power over our foreign policy? When was the last time you heard the United States' unqualified support of Israel questioned in the context of separation of church and state? How many politicians manipulate their power and authority in support of Israel based on their belief that it's the least we can do for God's "chosen people?" America is filled with people living in fear of the bible's threat of woe to those who aren't nice to the Jews. Isn't it time WE said, "Whoa" to the sheep gleefully hoping to bring on Armageddon so Jesus will come back and move into the White House? Can't you just imagine that while listening to George Bush bray about 'rooting out the evil ones', Ariel Sharon must be thinking,

"I, like Samson, am having great success using the jawbone of an ass!!"

Really! Aren't you getting fed up with Christian interlopers laying claim to our heritage and our destiny?

Our kindred spirits of the Enlightenment expect more from us! The Founding Fathers risked everything they had and more to give us what we take for granted: The freedom to govern our country based on the use of reason. They gave us freedom from the tyranny of the church that had used (and still uses) its power to enslave people with guilt and fear. Be inspired by Thomas Jefferson's words,

"There is not a truth existing which I fear, or which I would not want known to the whole world."

One truth we should help make known to the whole world is Jefferson's description of the bible's Book of Revelation as...

"...the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams."

But don't just sit there thinking about all this... DO something about it! Be encouraged by Johann Goethe's words,

"What ever you do, or dream you can do, begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."