What Do You Think About God?

Okay, so one of my projects is WDYTAG, and it is not going the way I intended it to. I was hoping to create a website that published anonymous submissions about the word “god.” The only problem is, there are no submissions. I don’t really understand it. I thought I’d be  awash in opinions, fighting back the extremists, etc. But I’ve been met with a strange empty silence. A few friends have been trying to tell me that they object to the word “god” and therefore won’t answer the question. The reason I use the word “god” is I truly believe that each of us has our own personal relationship with a higher power/the universe/the true self whatever you call it. Each of us, even the atheists can find the love and joy of the universe through good works and meditation. This is what I mean by “god.” I want to live in a society where the word “god” is personal. I’m tired of the word meaning a big white man in the sky. I want it to be something each of us defines, and I wanted to create a place to share those definitions. Here is why I ask the question: I believe in free speech. I believe it is what founded this country, and if we live in an age where everyone has a good personal reason to keep their mouth shut about topics that effect our principle rights and freedoms, I am sad. If the word “god” didn’t scare the hell out of people, or anger them so much they refused to approach a conversation, I think this would be a better world. We’re all waiting for someone else to have the important conversations. We are the people that need to do it, each of us needs to start taking action. People’s bibles are in my bedroom, and I don’t like that. As a citizen of a country with theoretical separation of church and state, I’m offended when someone else’s definition of god gets in the way of what I see as my human rights. Religion is a huge, important topic, especially now. Society is changing rapidly, and this is a time to fight for the things we believe in. I believe the OWS movement is about something bigger than financial equality. It’s the beginning of a conversation…Why is everyone mute? The world is falling to pieces, and everyone is silent. I try to talk about race, religion and politics because I think there needs to be a giant shift in the way people treat one another, on a global scale. To start building a better world we need to listen to one another. I’m trying to listen, but no one around me is talking. I know so many talented people. I feel that if we all put our heads together and devoted a few moments to contemplation, we could start something big. A positive, loving step into the future of this planet. I know people don’t have the time to devote to altruistic ventures in general, and mostly get on the internet to relax. You may not want to deal with heavy shit after a long day of work. I get that. But is donating a little money to causes here and there going to bring about the changes people seem to expect our President to magically bring about? No. We need to get it together, all of us, and stop hoping the world is going to become a better place on it’s own.