By Jazzybelle ~ I 'm constantly reminded of how religion works with my family being the primary reason. However, the thing that had helped me see religion in a more positive light is the game known as Okami (if you like Japanese mythology or would like to play a game with an amazing story, this is the game for you). With the use of Okami, I was able to take one of my biggest pet peeves for religion and turn it into a moral lesson for myself as well as those who don't believe in "God". Let's start with where religion primarily comes from. Religion was an explanation for why things were as they are back when science wasn't supplying answers for everything we used to ponder on (Ex: Why is the sky blue and what are the clouds made of? What's beyond the sun that "revolves" around us?"). As science began to answer more and more of the beliefs that were slowly becoming unpopular, the people of religion felt threatened and fought back either...

By Jazzybelle ~ T his was brought on when I confessed my de-conversion to my parents about two days ago. My mom said that she was a little upset and felt awkward, but as long as I can back it up, she won't ever stop loving me. My dad was and still is pretty mad and disappointed by it. He even went so far as to say he doesn't touch atheists when I wished them good night and I went for a good night hug (he and my mom got into an argument about it later and my mom let me stay up a little later because of the issue). Still, something he said bugged me. He had said, "But she's black? How could she be a-a-" Everyone knows that stereotype, right? That if you're black, you believe "Jesus is a brotha"? Keep this in mind as I explain what I found in a brief research session. I first heard this in my English class when we did a daily quote on the board. It was on Thomas Jefferson's famous quote, " life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness...

By Jazzybelle ~ I grew up something-of-a-Christian. I say something-of-a because my family wasn't necessarily religious. Around the age of nine, I learned about sexuality...via Sims Life Stories . I can't say what I exactly felt seeing my two female sims have romantic relations, but I had been taught that such an act is wrong and should be hated, so I hated it. I tore them a part and made them male husbands. I ignored the subject until a little later, I learned of something called the internet. I guess you can say that I was amazed. So many different views and ideals being tossed around. They made me question my religion. Just why would there be so many different religions if God was the one who created everyone? If God says he loves us, why does he also say he hates homosexuals ? How come I had to waste two hours of my life every Sunday at church, listening to this sweaty guy on the podium say the same thing fifty times (as if he hasn't made his point across the f...