Religion...again

Going back through this blog, I'm surprised just how much of it relates to religion in some way.
Anyway, that's got nothing to do with what I intend to talk about.

Recently, I got involved in a discussion with an American Christian Fundamentalist about what is right and what is wrong. As expected of a Fundamentalist, especially an American one, they were very assertive about what is right and what's wrong and that there is no such thing that's neither good nor evil. As we all know, if a Fundamentalist tells us something then that must be true...
...Do I really need to state what should already be very clear to you?
It's this sort of person that made me actually think about my religion before realising just how stupid it was, and subsequently renouncing it.
Moving on to the point at hand; this person was adamant that what they believed to be right and what they believed to be wrong was applicable to everyone in the whole of existence, and not just them. In the typical American Fundamentalist way, they then contradicted themselves saying that everyone had to draw their own line about what's right and what's wrong.
They're the sort of person who would call some one who stole food to feed their starving family evil, and then call some one who had killed many people, with an utter disregard of any family they might leave behind, to defend their country good.
A rational person would state that neither of those are good nor evil. What both of those examples are doing is, what would be considered to be, evil, but the motives for doing those things are good. Such deeds can not be classified by anyone as good or evil.
I find it depressing that in this age of Scientific discovery and rational thinking, there are still people who think themselves high enough others to be able to tell everyone else what is good and evil.
In my earlier post about my own religion, I said "I don't think that Religion causes more harm than good". I don't know why I said that. I haven't believed that since renouncing Christianity three years ago. Religion definitely causes far more harm than it does good, especially now. One reason why it seems more harmful now could be that religion is dying out. The people belonging to religions would, understandably, be a bit less considerate about other people when defending their beliefs.
In another post, I talked about how Humanity has, through the ages, used religion and magic to explain the things that they weren't able to understand. That fact is, undoubtably, true. Now Science and rational thinking is explaining those things, the gaping holes of incorrect statements within holy scriptures (for the record, I'm mostly picking on Christianity here) are being pointed out...and laughed at.

Accurately, and mockingly,
Lord J

EDIT: I forgot to include a couple of my favourite things that the Fundamentalist said in the discussion. He was calling us "blind" for being able to see things as they are, and that we'd "become open to corruption" and "evil". [sarcasm]Everyone knows that Humanity isn't fundamentally corrupt and certainly not evil[/sarcasm]. Whether any member if Humanity would be willing to admit those facts, on the other hand, is highly unlikely.

John Milton's Paradise Lost

For those who haven't heard of it; Paradise Lost is a poem that was first published in 1667 in the space of ten books. It contains two story arcs; that of Satan and some of his underlings debating how they should fight back against God and the Angels, and the one about Adam and Eve is basically the story of Adam and Eve in the bible, but giving them both some personality.

BBC Radio 7 (for those wondering why I've mentioned two BBC Radio stations recently, it's because I get very bored and listen to things on BBC iPlayer, the catch-up web player for all things BBC (only available if you live in Britain)) is currently doing a radio adation of Paradise Lost, which will apparently run for 40-something episodes. Seeing as each episode is only 15 minutes long, I can't help feel that they're dragging it out a lot since it could be over in 20-something episodes if they made each one 30 minutes like any other programme for adults.
The first story arc, from what I've heard so far (only 5 episodes have been broadcast thus far), is incredibly good. It makes it very easy to feel sympathetic with Satan (I prefer the name Lucifer, personally, but seeing how they're called Satan in Paradise Lost, I shall refer to them as such) and his underlings. I would say it's worth reading/listening to the first arc, especially if you have any taste in fiction.
As for the second arc, I obviously haven't listened to it yet since there's only 5 episodes at the moment, but from what I read on Wikipedia it's not worth any attention since it's just the story of Adam and Eve from the bible with added personalities and one sex scene.

Put simply, I recommend reading the poem if you get the chance. By that, I obviously mean if you get the chance where you can do so for free, ie. in a library.

Lord J

Re: Previous Blog

As I was saying in my previous blog post; no similar species to humanity shoud have been able to last as long without some form of divine protection. Unsurprisingly, I'm not the only one who's had such thoughts and there's actually a very interesting documentary on BBC Radio 4 iPlayer about the human need for religion. Another thing the documentary's about is whether believing in the supernatural provided an evolutionary edge for humanity. If you live in Britain, and are at least vaguely interested in this particular subject, then I would reccomend listening to "God On My Mind: Evolution".

One theory that cropped up is that it's in the DNA to believe in the supernatural. That's a stupid idea that can be immediately disproved by taking your head out of the fluffy pink clouds and talking to actual people. In the heritage and tradition; perhaps, but definitely not in DNA.
Apparently, superstitions and supernatural explanations only exist in an attempt to work out how the world works and how individuals fit in. That's why children are more inclined to believe in the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas. It's part of humanity to provide explanations for everything, even if there's no known explanation.
Another point raised is that religions can't die because they'll be reborn the next time a child is born. Obviously, this isn't true practically. It could happen theoretically, but only if the child in question happens to learn about beliefs from the dead religion.

One thing that I liked with this documentary is the brief talk about fake beliefs. Looking back, the main reason I was bullied in school was the fake belief that I had no emotions. Unlike humanity, I wasn't coming up with explanations about everything around me, and I've never been able to truely express or understand my emotions. Even some of the teachers felt uncomfortable about that. Only one of them ever caused me grief over that and their death within a year of the first instance just made the pupils scared of me. I found it quite amusing that they believed I had somehow placed a curse upon the teacher that caused their death. The real explanation was that they had cancer, but the fact that the other children around me came up with the belief that I was able to curse the teacher and cause their death proves that humanity always has to find an explanation for everything that's around them, even if they have to make one up to avoid knowing they haven't got an explanation.

This is getting a bit longer than I intended, so I'm going to cut it off here. I might continue on with this another time, but the chances of that are fairly low so if you are intersted, then don't keep your hopes up.

Cursedly,
Lord J

Hell

There are a lot of opinions about "Hell". In Christianity, it's the place where people who have sinned get punished. In Norse Mythology, it's where those who didn't die a warrior's death went and was a lesser heaven. I feel there's an obvious connection between the two that's passed down through the ages and "evolved". Christianity has had a habit of picking things up from other religions during it's time, such as Easter and Christmas which were Pagan holidays. I can't remember where they got Satan from, but that was from another religion that was "assimilated" into Christianity.

Anyway,I think that no religion has got hell correct. If there is a Hell, then it is what humanity has to live through every single day. Life's just a dull, monotonous routine for pretty much everyone. Most choose to delude themselves that it isn't, but every day is pretty much the same no matter what they tell themselves. As I've said before; humanity has reached it's peak. There's nothing left for it now. Sure, they're making technological advancements, but it's just the same stuff with improvements. There's not been anything new for several decades. We're just going round in circles, but making those circles prettier.

I just find humans to be insignificant. They have no real purpose, but they've still managed to survive thus far. It's understandable why they believe there's a God watching over them. No other similar species could have lasted this long without something as powerful as a god preventing them from extinction.



Reading through this post, I realise that I've referred to humanity as part of them and as another being observing them. Both are technically true. I just thought I'd let anyone reading know that I am aware of that fact.

Observedly,
Lord J

TV Licensing, Part 2

I thought I may as well update those who care about the status between me and TV Licensing. At the moment, I'm waiting to get a response from them. They had better accept the fact that I've contacted them again. If they don't, then I'm going to write a letter to the local MP. It's harrassment, plain and simple. I've got no intention of dealing with TV Licensing anymore. Either they accept I don't watch live TV, or I'm going to complain about them to a higher authority than them.

Patiently,
Lord J

Taint-Spawn (Working Title)

This is going to be my first serious attempt at writing a book. It's based on a story I've had rattling round my skull for quite a few years now.
It involves Templar who aren't religious, an unstoppable monster that frequently stops himself, and an ordinary woman who's now for a fugitive for being part of the crowd. Surprisingly, there's nothing funny in it.
Here's an exert of the Prologue:

"The year is 2113. The “Templar” have now been in power for five years after their hostile take-over of all the world governments. Other than their name, they have nothing to do with the Templar in the historical records. They were just another terrorist group until 2105. No one knows what happened, but it’s obvious that they came into possession of military equipment far more powerful of any country’s. The religious fanatics, as usual, claimed that they made a deal with the forces of hell, and other such nonsense.
People could probably cope with the Templar, if it wasn’t for the fact that two years after their take-over a new threat emerged. We called it “Taint”. Nothing was known about it, other than the fact that any human in a close radius mutates and becomes a savage beast capable of only killing and dying. Because of the Taint, humankind has now sealed themselves off in their cities. They use their planes to travel if they need to, and they have come to depend on the Templar to prevent any of the mutated humans from entering those cities.
The first sighting of a “Taint-Spawn” was just over a year ago. They appear human, but have white hair and violet eyes. The city where it was seen was destroyed within an hour. There were riots about the Templar not doing their job properly, which were soon quelled. It’s unknown how many Taint-Spawn there are. The Templar know there are at least four thanks to reports from cities that were destroyed shortly after sending the reports."

Admittedly, that was the entire Prologue except one paragraph that sets the scene more precisely for the first chapter...which I haven't finished writing. Give me a couple of years and I can attempt to give you a book...assuming it gets published...and that you pay for a copy of the book since I wouldn't actually give them away.

The Farce that is Television Licensing in the UK

In September, when I had just moved into the student accomodation, I recieved a letter from TV Licensing telling me that I needed to phone them to let them know I don't watch live TV which I obviously did. In November, I recieved a second letter telling me that I hadn't got in contact with them and warning me what the consequences of watching live TV would be. Naturally, I assumed it was just an error in their data-keeping so I phoned them again. In December, I received a third letter telling me that I still hadn't got in contact with them and that they were about to start the process required to legally investigate my address. I phoned them again to set them straight. They claimed to have removed my address from from the list of unlicensed addresses after that phone call.
Today, I recieved a fourth letter not only telling me that I haven't got in contact with them, but telling me what I should do at my court hearing. The court hearing that hasn't been issued yet, but which they're telling me about since I'm so obviously guilty of watching live TV in my room.
Naturally I went to the complaints section of their website since what they're doing is harrasing me. It was there where I found out that you can fill in an online submission form to get your address removed from the list. The online submission form that obviously wasn't worth mentioning in any of the four fucking letters they sent me. In every single letter, it clearly states that you have to phone them. There's not even the slightest hint that there was an online submission form.
Of course, to complain I have to write a letter rather than be able to send it to a designated e-mail address. It's apparent that TV licensing don't actually realise that there's a faster, cheaper and easier method of communication than writing out letters and phoning them. I'm surprised they didn't tell me to write the letter in the blood of a child...which I would have done anyway since I have no ink.

Silliness aside (probably not possible when talking about TV Licensing), I am deeply offended by the fact that this fourth letter can be summarised as "we think you're guilty, we will see you in court, we will make you pay extortianate fines because you aren't anyone of consequence". They clearly don't know just what it is that they've done. They. Have. Made. Me. ANGRY. I am very hard to anger, and when I am angry then all life in the immediate radius should give up any hope of living without some severe disfigurement.
The Lord J is OFFICIALLY AT WAR with TV Licensing. I have the law on my side (for once) and I intend to make full use of that fact. TV Licensing are going to be paying at least some of my food bills in the coming months. They will learn that they are nothing compared to some of the people whom they bully and intimidate. They will almost certainly attempt to trick and con their way out of it, but that's expected since they'll have the BBC on their side...unless of course the BBC realise that the shit has hit the fan, in which case TV Licensing will be all on their own against a person with a spine, an IQ of 151, and a law suit for harassment with their names on it...written in their children's blood, of course.

Viva la revolution,
Lord J

Chavs

There a lot of misconceptions as to what a "chav" actually is, amongst both Americans and any British above the age of 35.

Wikipedia states that a chav is the following:
"The term Chav (pronounced /ˈtʃæv/ (CHAV)) and other regional variations (see "Regional variations" below) is a derogatory term applied to certain young people in the United Kingdom. The stereotypical chav is an aggressive teenager or young adult who often engages in anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdy behaviour. They are often assumed to be unemployed or in a low paid job, although it is incorrect to assume that all chavs are working class, as chavs belong to no distinct social class. Stereotypical "chavs" typically wear tracksuits and hoodies made by sporting brands such as Nike and Adidas and listen to mainly MC and some have been known to listen to Rap, R'n'B, Hip Hop and Techno.

Response to the term has ranged from amusement to criticism that it is a new manifestation of classism. One BBC TV documentary suggested that "chav" culture is an evolution of previous working-class youth subcultures associated with particular commercial clothing styles, such as mods, skinheads and casuals. The term has been associated with juvenile delinquency, the ASBO Generation and yob culture."

Although very accurate, it still misses a few vital points, not to mention the fact that "MC" isn't even a genre of music. Of course, Rap, Hip-Hop, and Techno aren't actually music either, although considered to be genres of popular music.
First off, chavs less human than they are ape. Finding a chav with an IQ higher than 100 would be a major discovery, and thus they make up for that fact by generally being quite strong, although they frequently believe themselves to be much stronger than they actually are.
Secondly, chavs are more commonly associated with "Burberry", although it would be more accurate to say fake "Burberry". They also tend to like "bling" and could be more commonly associated with the American "Gangsta" culture than previous "youth cultures".
Thirdly, the term "chav" doesn't have anything to do with class. You can get chavs from upper class backgrounds to working class backgrounds. The most likely reason for this misconception is that the majority of chavs are from the lower class backgrounds.
Fourthly, most of the crime amongst youth in Britain is comitted by chavs, thus giving a reason for their association with Juvenile Delinquency. It's because they are mostly juvenile delinquents that they get that association.

It would be a safe gamble to say that if every chav was gathered up for a "genocide", then the crime rate in the UK would drop drastically, not to mention that the average IQ would probably rise by at least 5 points.

Lord J

Football (NOT American Football)

Since I can hear loud cheering from the pub next to the computer room I'm currently in, I feel this is a good time to note my feelings of football.

I recently read "Unseen Academicals", by Terry Pratchett, in which the Unseen University make their own football team when control of the game "foot-the-ball", an incredibly violent game that's played in the less seen areas of Ankh-Morpork, is handed over to them. It's a good book, which is probably better if you understand more about football. It also provided an answer as to why people go mad over football. In the book, it's very simply called "The Shove". People go mad about it because it's something a football crowd does. It's what singing hymns is to christianity. It's part of the "religion" of football.

As for my personal feelings of the game of football, it is an increibly boring sport to watch unless you embrace the spirit of "the Shove". Playing the game's only marginally less boring than watching. I have difficulty getting into the spirit of anything, let alone a sport I've never liked, so whenever football gets large amount of coverage on TV it irritates me that there's no end to the amount of things they could put on instead that would be better.

Lord J