A random thought:

For all the Biblical thought of "God loves us and wants us to live good lives," I note that a lot of his most outspoken lunatic supporters seem to be very distinctly against anybody having a good time.

Sure, I believe that God loves us, and wants us to have a good time while we're here. I think that's why we've got such good stuff--songs, sunrises, pleasurable sex--going for us--we're here to enjoy all that great stuff we were given while we're here on this particular plane of existence. I also think that we're all different, that we have different things that please us--hey, I enjoy sitting on the side of the river and digging my nails into dirt, while someone else might enjoy playing videogames on the computer. Different strokes and all that. That's not the kind of thing I'm talking about.

What I'm talking about is that a lot of God's Holy Folks seem to work themselves into a sweaty fervor when anybody is seen enjoying themselves. Rock n' roll. Heavy metal. Some different forms of dancing. Sex. GAY sex. Herbal enjoyment. When enjoyed responsibly, these things are great. Enjoying these little presents that God--or Whatever--gives us is part of why we're here, I believe.

But a lot of folks line up around the block and complain very loudly about it. Waving signs, trying to get laws passed, trying to raise "awareness" through misinformation and faulty propaganda. "Those children are listening to Black Sabbath! Stop them! Those girls are buying birth-control pills and being responsible about their futures by attempting to prevent unwanted babies! SOMEBODY STOP THEM! THOSE TWO MEN ARE HOLDING HANDS AND KISSING! WON'T SOMEBODY, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP THEM!?" Harmless activities, all! There's always a few bad nuts who spoil the whole bunch, but that's just it--it's a few of them. Most of the sane folks are enjoying it and not bothering anybody in any way.

Their defenses usually come in the form of "It's for the CHILDREN!" or "God wants us to live this way!" I've got problems with both of these statements.

One: "For the CHILDREN!" Look--if you don't want your kid participating in this stuff, then parent them the way you want. The village shouldn't be the sole entity raising the kid--you, as their parents, should. Keep an eye on your own chilluns and make sure they don't get into anything that's too grown-up for them. Alternately--let them GROW UP a little at a time. Don't seal them into a cocoon and only allow them a glance at the world when it's a nice and shiny time to do so. Much as I like to pretend otherwise, the world isn't all rainbows and ponies.

Two: "God wants us to live this way!" Well, if God seriously wants us to be miserable robots, totally conformed and conditioned into one massive hive mind of morality, then I hang up my hat entirely from my search for God-or-Whatever-it-is-Out-There. If this is God and God's feeling toward humanity as a whole, then I want no part of it--I'll live outside the church doors, thanks, even if I have to dodge lightning bolts in my dance.

Relax, folks. We're only here for a little while. Enjoy it while you can. Don't work yourself into sweaty fervors over such trivial matters. Lay back; look at the sky; take a deep breath; relax, and enjoy the world around you. Allow yourself to see and feel instead of being blinded by anger, hatred, fear, and "moral" outrage. Look through the eyes of love, and you will really see. And then you'll be able to free yourself and maybe you'll laugh once in awhile.