I respect and enjoy an exchange of knowledge, but for many years I have not managed to find, or enjoy this outside of an academic discussion, or philosophical conversation. Rather, I am often insulted, debated, or part of a coercive conversion tactic brought on by the anxious evangelism of “the believer.” These are simply a few positions I do not bulge on.

As to the Torah and New Testament, my view is not situated in “orthodoxy,” besides the fact, that: i.) I do not recognize the authority of the Council of Nicaea, ii.) believe Jesus fulfilled the Torah “prophecies,” nor iii.) view Jesus as “God” in any sense. Therefore, I never graft Christian interpretation onto Torah and do not embrace supersessionism, which rejects a foundational mainstream interpretation of Christianity. It is not the “Bible,” Old, New Covenant, or a progressive revelation from my point-of-view. Lastly, I do not view the nature of reality as being governed — governed by a god, or particular entity; and especially one that is purported to have a voice, to speak, or communicates and thumbs through prayers, making conscious decisions and choices about who suffers and who does not. This notion is created by men, and even if existing, describes within all theogony, the nature and office of a manifested, or minor god.

At no point in my life had I ever identified as a Christian, or with Christian belief. How are children raised, having to believe that is what they are and what they believe? It was like a brick wall trying to teach me those things, unlike other children I knew. I was considered weird for not believing. It made no sense. I loved Astronomy and Anatomy, and learning how things, e.g., electricity worked through machinery. This thinking exists in philosophy and science but somehow stops with theology. I was a six-year-old declaring I did not believe in God. Six. I remain the same. I believe in something very different. My view is not sophisticated, and it is simple despite the mirage of jargon. I don’t have that rudimentary emotional attachment to the Bible as others do. So, it makes it difficult for a Christian trying to convert me through emotionalism. I am mad however, when I think of the story of the death of Jesus, but not as a worshipper feels for him. It is because of the blind stupidity of a controlled populace. The idea, that the masses can be swayed easily to burn entire cities; and even to hate, or love any person, and enjoy their public torture. Nevertheless, I also find no need for Jesus, as nothing he teaches has not been taught before by Siddhartha Gautama, or Philo of Alexandria.

Now, the theology of salvation and original sin, I find plainly ridiculous. You could try day and night to persuade me, but the more I study it, the odder and more senseless it sounds to me. To understand my beliefs, first and foremost, I love philosophy—classical philosophy. I engage with and relate most to Buddhist Philosophy, Japanese Philosophy, the Stoa, and the very basic belief of animism. At least, as I have come to know, I am an eclectic, but do not propagate a randomly cobbled “buffet.” There is intent in what I try to convey. If I were giving a lecture, I’d be likely maintaining, from my point of view the importance of objective idealism, creative (or constructive) imagination; or that, I am unapologetically a romantic and dramatist. All this for me requires a life of continuous inspiration brought about through self-discipline, lived-experience of the full-range of human emotion, triumphs, reflection and then patience above all. It is not that I try to offend others’ beliefs, nor is it because I am stubborn. I don’t need those beliefs to live a fulfilling, healthy and strong life, and I think there are many others like me. Be kind. There are far more verbally vicious people than me. I am quite a quiet person and avoid discussing religion with people. It is, because people assume everyone still believes the same things.