"One might think that someone who has
extreme health issues would be more careful about what he mocked."
He came back with a very lengthy humanist answer making no apologies for his arrogance and included a couple purpose driven gender remarks, lots of "ifs", and a very dangerous "opt out" statement. Without knowing for sure...just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it does not exist. Having almost died recently, this individual should really consider keeping all his options open. Unfortunately, too many people don't realize how easy it is to come to know Christ and to know for sure He is real.
"Here’s the deal: I’m a pretty good person. I
don’t cheat or steal. I don’t bear false witness. I help my neighbor every
chance I get. I do not hold grudges. I don’t hurt humans or animals. I try to
see the best in everyone.
I don’t care what color, gender, age, sexual
orientation, religion or political affiliation my friends espouse. I believe in
equality for all, fairness for all, opportunity for all. I don’t believe any
one person walking this earth is worth more than any other.
I haven’t killed anyone, I haven’t endorsed
killing anyone.
I have lied, much to my shame. I pulled some
pranks in my youth I regret. I made some decisions in my adulthood that I
deeply regret. I’ve held opinions that were wrong, I’m sure I hold opinions that
are wrong today. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m pretty damned sure I’m a good
person who will leave a legacy of decency. As will my wife, my brothers and
their families, and my friends.
My main mission in life, other than making life
wonderful for my wife, is doing everything in my power to leave this a better,
a more-caring world. I believe in love for all mankind, I believe in the
advancement of all mankind. I do not believe in elites – human or god.
I believe there is a supreme being; there has to
be to explain what we our humble race hasn’t been able to wrap it’s collective
brain around.
That said, if there is a supreme being and he or
she doesn’t think that’s enough, if he or she is offended by something I say in
pursuit of fairness for all, if he or she demands unquestioning obedience and
faith, if that supreme being allows the horrors that have swept this planet
during the reign of human beings, then I don’t care to be associated with that
entity.
I choose to hope our supreme being is just and
honorable and makes no judgments based on religious rules and regulations
propagated by men with agendas. For what it’s worth, I believe in the teachings
of men such as Jesus and Buddha, both of whom (and others) could quite possibly
be representatives of a supreme being.
If we are being judged, I believe judgment
reflects what we’ve done on Earth, not on some blind faith.
As to my health, I believe none of us gets out of
this alive. I believe an afterlife is possible, but have my doubts. I don’t
believe in hell. To me, hell is a crutch used by vengeful, angry people.
I believe I’m an old man who has decided I am not
going to my grave saying: “I wish I’d stood firm in my beliefs. I wish I’d
spoken up.”
If I’m wrong, at least I’ve been as true to
myself as I can."
