Religion Is A Brainwashing Tool.

Religion is a brainwashing tool to control people. In the name of God, bad people committed all kinds of evils and had them justified. There has never been any holy war, holy murder, holy genocide. You can call anything holy, but this does not necessarily make it holy. 

Edi Lee for Peace     *****    Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments.

宗教是一個控制人們的洗腦工具。壞人會用神的名義犯下種種邪惡並將它們合理化。從來沒有神聖的战爭，神聖的謀殺，神聖的種族滅絕。你可以稱任何東西神聖，但這不等於它就是神聖。

Dumbed Down Americans

Really dumb Americans are few, but dumbed down Americans are many. It's the elites against the people instead of helping the people.

As Michael Moore says, " there is a gullible side to the American people. They can be easily misled. Religion is the best device to mislead them ".

How Long Can We Live ?

How long can we live ? Can we extend human life to 150 years? 1000 years? or even forever? A cynic would say that you are crazy to believe that you can really live that long, let alone forever. Well, I am one of these 'crazy' people.

However, I believe longevity and eventually immortality would be achieved through advanced science and bio-technology, not by waving a magic wand. It would be a 'scientific miracle', not a 'religious miracle'. 

Now, believe it or not, it was recorded that there was a man Li Ching-Yuen in China, who was born in 1677 and died in 1933. He lived 256 years. In the Old Testament, it was recorded that there were people who lived more than 900 years ( for example, Adam at 930 years, and Methuselah at 969 years ). 

Do you believe in Science or Religion, or both ? Do you believe that we can stay young and healthy for a very long time, and that it is no longer a pipe dream?

Stephen Harper's Canada

First and foremost, I don't belong to any political party in Canada or anywhere. I don't blindly take side with one political party against another political party. I look at the issues and concerns rationally, and see how our leaders deal with them. Basically, I am a pacifist. I am pro-peace and anti-war. I am pro-diplomacy and anti-destruction. I am pro-negotiation and anti-nuke. I am pro-freedom and anti-fear. 

I am a Canadian. I love Canada, even the whole world. I am very concerned about the Harper Government's domestic and foreign policies. To put it bluntly, I don't like them. But do I still respect Stephen Harper? Yes, he is our prime minister. He is not all bad. Is he a good politician? Yes, he is. Is he a great statesman? No. 

Today's Canada is not the Canada that I used to know. Sad to see that Stephen Harper has joined the U.S. led Fighting and Killing Club.It is my opinion that Canada must not go into Syria to strike ISIS. However bad you think Syria is, it is a sovereign country. Call it a dictatorship, evil empire, or whatever, it is a sovereign country. Without the support of the Syrian Government,  it just doesn't make any legal and diplomatic sense, to go into Syria to fight ISIS or do whatever. Does Syria post a direct threat to Canada? No. Even if it does, the Canadian Parliament must first approve a declaration of war against Syria, before Canada should go into Syria. Have we learned anything at all from 911 and the illegal U.S. invasion of Iraq? Had there not been an Iraq War, there would not even have been ISIS. Do international law and the U.N.Charter mean anything at all ?    

Canada used to stand for Peace and Peace Keeping. What is Canada now becoming ? Now that oil price has dropped drastically, Harper and his gang can no longer boast that Canada is a super oil power. Alberta is moaning. Sorry, no more easy oil money! I feel very sad that Harper is turning Canada into a militarized and war-oriented country. 

I despise politicians who use moral justification in their military actions, to order the fighting of evil with evil, and killing of other human beings, including the innocent, all in the name of god and religion. Adding religion to politics only makes it stink even more.To me, war is the worst kind of organized crime. There is no true honor in killing innocent people, whether they are your enemies or your own countrymen. Can you tell me any war which was not messy, in which there was absolutely no injury or death of the civilians? You can't. Want to talk about moral high ground ? How about Thou Shalt Not Kill ? How about Love your neighbor ? How about Love your enemy ? So many religious and political hypocrites !!! 

Regarding fighting ISIS, I do not favor the military involvement of Canada. I support any humanitarian work, such as helping the refugees and displaced people, which Canada is very good at. I would like to see Canada return to its old peaceful way. Improving homeland security should focus on home soil, not by fighting and killing in foreign lands far away. Again, have we learned from 911 and the U.S. illegal invasion of Iraq? Don't tell me that you don't understand the difference between Defense and Invasion. To defend your country, you must focus on your homeland and its border, not by invading another country or engaging in fighting and killing people far away from home. 

In the past, if you held a Canadian passport, you would be welcome everywhere in the world. After 911, some American travelers pretended to be Canadians, to avoid being targets of the terrorists. Today, the terrorists treat Canadians the same as Americans. Why? Please do some thinking yourself and you will find the answer.

I love Canada, but not Harper's Canada. As said earlier, I don't belong to any political party, but I am hoping that Stephen Harper will not be re-elected in the upcoming election. But there is a good chance that I will be disappointed. He may win again!     
 

Smart Up and Dumb Down

I believe that Religion can dumb you down, and Science can smart you up. My belief is based on many years of diligent studies, observations, and personal experiences.

I don't mean to tell you to give up Religion altogether. I am saying that Religion is like wine. Abstinence can do you no harm. Moderation may do some good to your health. Over consumption can lead to death, yours and others.

Religion and Spirituality are not the same thing. Religion separates and imprisons people. Spirituality unites and liberates people. Spirituality is true religion, and Religion is false spirituality. Religious people would become violent and go to war to kill others. Spiritual people are non-violent and peace-loving. I hope I am not confusing you.

All said, it is only my view of looking at science, religion and spirituality. You may disagree with me and have a different view. It's O.K. I believe in freedom of choice. I am only sharing my thoughts and comments with you. I just don't care whether you are a theist, atheist, or agnostic, as long as you are a peaceful and reasonable person. Love and Peace to all !!!

Fiction and Reality

Yesterday's fiction is today's reality. Today's fiction is tomorrow's reality. No, it is not magic. No, it is not a miracle. Yes, it is science!

Midway Hotel

Some years ago, I was driving north to Dawson from Whitehorse for the first time. Dawson City was the old capital of Yukon. It was the center of the Klondike Gold Rush back in 1898. While I was driving, I suddenly had a vision in my mind, or rather above my head. I saw a highrise hotel named Midway Hotel.

I don't know how to explain what a vision is. There is no need for an explanation, if you had such an experience yourself. Look at it this way: a vision is like a dream which lasts for only a few seconds. Other similar experiences are described by people as having an idea, an inspiration, a waking dream, an awakening, premonition or clairvoyance.Of course, some people would think that you are nuts if you tell them that you had a vision. Others would think that you are a prophet or an alien.Whatever!

However you think, I am not alone.Many people have such extrasensory perception experiences. Did you ever have the experience that a good friend or loved one came to mind; then the phone rang and it was the same person that you saw in your head just a few seconds ago? Or did you have the experience that you heard a song in your head; then you walked into a store or restaurant, and that same song was being played, almost like specially for you? 

After seeing the Midway Hotel in my vision in split seconds, I knew I would see it on my way to Dawson. Lord and Behold, it happened so fast.Within the next ten minutes or so, I saw Midway Lodge coming into sight.It was not a highrise hotel, but the name of Midway was the same as what I saw in my vision, and it was a place for accommodation. The Midway Hotel, a modern highrise in my vision, had become the modest Midway Lodge in physical reality.

There are still so many things that we don't fully understand. Neither Religion nor Science is able to explain everything clearly to everyone's satisfaction. After many years of diligent studies and observations, I have become much more confident in Science than in Religion. I'm waiting for a new Einstein to explain to me, scientifically, whether extrasensory perception is real, and how does it work. Singularity is getting closer and closer, but it has not yet arrived. I'm patiently waiting.          

Politicians

What politicians do not tell lies or make false promises ? What politicians always tell the truth, nothing but the truth ? The politicians' position is that their opponents are bad and wrong, and they are good and right. What if the voters have a free choice of a few apples, but they are all bad apples ? Want to look for hypocrites ? Go to the religious and political worlds. I guarantee you will find a few if not many hypocrites there.
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P.S. To a friend Mary,whose husband was a politician: Hi Mary ... I know your family. A general truth is not an absolute truth. I'm sure there are some politicians who have a high level of integrity and sincerity. Indeed it is a challenge to be a politician working in a dirty pond of muddy water and be able to come out all clean and dandy. Canada is not too bad, but sadly, we are catching up with the world in corruption. To name a few: the senators, the mayors, the police, etc. etc. Cheers ! 

Economic Freedom

Which countries / places have the most economic freedom in the world ? Top 10 ranking for 2012 (don't know 2013 or current ranking, but it should be similar): 1. Hong Kong (previous British Crown Colony, now a special administrative region of China), 2. Singapore, 3. Australia, 4. New Zealand, 5. Switzerland, 6. Canada, 7. Chile, 8. Mauritius, 9. Denmark, 10. U.S.A. Economic freedom, political freedom, and religious freedom are not the same thing. A friend has just posted in Facebook that New Zealand is the country with the most freedom (I presume he means overall freedom).

Human Sexuality

HUMAN SEXUALITY: there are men who were born female. There are also women who were born male. There is still much ignorance, misinformation, lack of understanding and prejudice in this world regarding human sexuality, largely due to religious, cultural and non-scientific beliefs and traditions. We all started out as female in the womb before becoming male or female weeks later. This is what I believe: there is a whole spectrum of sexual orientation for both men and women, from very macho to very feminine. Most of us are in the middle or so-called normal range, between 2 extremes. There is no 100% straight or gay sexual orientation. You may be 99% straight, but there is still 1% gay-ness in you. Or you may be 99% gay, but there is still 1% straight-ness in you. Whether you are straight, gay, bi-sexual or transgender, you are a NORMAL human being. People invented sin, abnormality, immorality and all the B.S. about human sexuality, which is something natural and NORMAL.

O Canada

It is not the first time that Canadians take issue about their national anthem.I remember that Canada's men and women hockey teams both won gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Sidney Crosby's overtime winning score turned the whole country of Canada into a frenzy. It created some wonderful nationalistic feelings spontaneously. Everyone, even non-Canadians, got caught in the Canadian pride and excitement.Many joined in singing O Canada.
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Recently, O Canada became Ouch Canada again. The same old question resurfaced: should O Canada be changed to be gender-neutral ? A few prominent Canadian women, including Kim Campbell and Margaret Atwood said yes.
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There are 3 ouches in O Canada. The first ouch is that some women are upset about the line 'in all thy sons command'. This is sexist, they complain. Some suggest that it should revert to the old version of 'thou dost in us command'. Others suggest the change to 'in all of us command'. Yet some women say it is just fine to keep 'in all thy sons command' with no change.This is my opinion: 'thou dost in us command' is old English. It just doesn't sound right for our time.The words do not sound good for singing either. 'In all of us command' is O.K., but for singing, it doesn't sound as good as 'in all thy sons command'. My suggestion is this: change the words to 'in you and I command'.
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The second ouch is 'our home and native land'. What does the word 'native' mean? Often when we see the word 'native', we think of the native people of Canada. The native people are the aboriginal or indigenous people. But then the people who were born in Canada are also natives of the land. Furthermore, this land or country called Canada belongs to all Canadians, not just the natives or native-born.Canada also belongs to the many immigrants from different backgrounds who chose to become Canadians.So what are we going to do with 'our home and native land'? I have a suggestion: just change it to 'our home Canadian land'. The meaning is appropriate, and it sounds good for singing.     
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The third ouch is 'God keep our land, Glorious and Free'. Canada is a free country. People belong to different religions and faith groups. The problem is that people believe in different gods, so which god or gods keep our land? Besides, there are agnostics and atheists, too. Canada belongs to all Canadians, whether you believe in a god or not. I suggest to simply drop this line of 'God keep our land' and replace it with 'O Canada'. 'O Canada, Glorious and Free' sounds very good, do you agree ?
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Maybe the Government of Canada can hold a contest across the country, to come up with the best new version of O Canada, otherwise we have to keep living with the 3 existing ouches !






  

Quebec Values

The Charter of Quebec Values would ban religious symbols for public workers.The ban includes not only religious symbols, but also religious head coverings and clothing. Public workers are required to stay neutral and not to show their religions when they go to work.
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It is my opinion that banning public workers from wearing religious symbols, head coverings and clothing will run into many problems.First, you have to definite what religious symbols are. Then, you have to justify and clarify the permitted size of religious symbols on what is too large and unacceptable, and what is O.K.and why. Finally, how are you going to enforce such law?
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Some well-known religious symbols and head wears are the cross or crucifix, star of David, kippa, turban and the hijab.There are many other less known religious symbols.There are also symbols which are social, cultural, political, commercial and personal.When would a symbol become religious, hence must be banned? Who would be given the authority to define what a religious symbol is? What if a symbol is both cultural and religious, such as the cross? Is it O.K. to wear a hockey cap, since Canadians, including Quebeckers, love hockey 'religiously'? What about wearing a black hat that looks like one worn by an Orthodox Jew or Mennonite? What about a female worker wearing a head scarf, which is not necessarily a religious symbol? What about Halloween? Public workers are no longer allowed to become certain characters and wear Holloween costumes for just one day of fun? No more fairies and monsters? What about Christmas? No more Santa coming and passing candies and gifts? What if a public worker has tattoos on his or her arms, or hands, which are religious symbols? Are they supposed to hide them? Or will they be forced to remove the tattoos? What about life guards on a public beach or swimming pool ? What are they supposed to do if they have religious tattoos on their bodies? There are so many questions to ask !
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It sounds O.K.if you wear a small cross, but a big one is not allowed.Who would determine what is a permitted small size and what is not? What is too big, what is small enough, and why? After French language law, is the Quebec Government going to create an anti-religion police force? It sounds silly that in a free society, one would have broken the law, just because what one wore was a little too big. It is ironical, even hypocritical, that the crucifix on the wall of the Quebec National Assembly would be allowed to stay, based on an excuse that it is part of cultural heritage.And what about the huge Cross at Mount Royal ?
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As a Catholic or Christian, you will find it easy to comply with such law:just make your cross small enough to be O.K.to wear, but to a Sikh man, for example, you just can't tell him not to wear his turban.What kind of reasonable accommodation does the Charter of Quebec Values provide? Please tell me. Could the Charter of Quebec Values being created by the Quebec Government reject multiculturalism, which is clearly a Canadian reality? 
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I am not saying that the Charter of Quebec Values is all rubbish. Such important issue is indeed worth some rigorous debate and  honest discussion.Personally, I think it is very difficult and complicated, to put clarity and workability to the definition, measurement, and enforcement of the Quebec Values. Last but not least, Quebec is not, or not yet, a separate sovereign country. It is part of Canada. There is no way that the Quebec Charter of Values can trump the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I see troubles ahead.    

 

            




         

Bullshit

Religion and Politics have a lot of bullshit, but Science is not all pure. Science also has some bullshit. The difference is that when scientific bullshit is found to be untrue, the scientists will admit it. Religious and political bullshit refuse to face the facts even when presented with clear evidence.

Thou Shall Not Kill

Thou shall not kill. Killing a human being including the killers is wrong. Only crazy people,religious people,and people blinded by money and power believe in violence,war,killing,retaliation,torture and punishment, not truly spiritual people of love and peace. Doing something wrong,like killing, to correct a mistake, like trying to stop killing,is not a spiritual solution. It is a quick-fixed illusion.It creates a never-ending negative karma.

The only time that you can kill is for self-defence, but even that, your motive is for self-defence, not to diliberately and unnecessarily kill the killer to make him die.War is a crime.Death penalty is not a solution.Stop all wars and death penalty, if humanity wish to become truly advanced and civilized.

Universal Love and World Peace

A friend in Canada asks me why I sound so negative in talking about America. He questions why I seem to be so anti-America. And then a friend in U.S.A. argues with me that America is the richest country in the world (which is untrue) and that he is very proud to be an American.

Here is my brief answer: I am not anti-America or any country. I love all peoples, the whole humanity. I am against all wars and killings. I am against all religious and political bullshit. I support and promote universal love and world peace, a world of abundant resources to meet the need of everyone, not the greed of a few... Amen !!!

Religion and Science

While old religions keep dragging people backward, science continues to move things forward. Progress is a forward movement. Science trumps Religion every time !

Future

The argument about the future is rather futile, especially on a personal level. The future of every living human being is the same, which is DEATH. The big question is not about this life, but what will happen or not happen after our physical death. There are certainly many theories or propositions available for you to choose from. These theories and propositions came from many different sources, including philosophy, metaphysics, religion and science. It is up to yourself to pick the one that makes the most sense to you. You can even create your own theory and proposition. Meanwhile, before the future arrives, please enjoy your life, the here and now, and be very happy !!!

Religion

Religion is like wine. Abstinence will cause you no harm. Moderation may do some good to your health. Over consumption can lead to death, yours and others.

Popemobile

Why does the Pope stay in his Popemobile with a bullet-proof glass enclosure ? Why doesn't he come out ? Where is his faith in 'god ' for protection ? Please think about this.

Burn the Koran

Pastor Terry Jones of Florida is chickened out. He will not burn the Koran, not ever, he says. Prime Minister of Canada Harper says " My Christ is a tolerant God ". USA President Obama is an eloquent man. He says one nation, one people, under one God.

Jones is really stupid. How can a person like this be a Christian pastor ? This is the time to hire Donald Trump to tell Jones " Terry, you are fired ! " Jones needs to have his head checked. His daughter is concerned about his mental health.

Harper is sincere, but tolerance is not good enough. Jesus teaches people about love, not just tolerance. His standard of love is very high. Love includes the love of our neighbors and enemies. We should not only tolerate people of other religions and beliefs. We should love them all.

Obama is the smartest, but he leaves out the atheists. One people, one nation is fine, but under one God is not fine, because that one people and one nation, USA, includes American atheists, who do not believe in God.

Dear friends, this is our world today. Are you laughing or crying ???

Love and Peace to all !