DExistentialISM

“Doubt is not a pleasant condition but certainty is an absurd one.” -Voltaire

LONDONDERRY - Have faith?

Religion may put an end to us all. Kind of ironic how just a few decades ago we thought the Godless nature of the Soviet Union would make it easier for them to destroy us. There's some people who really believe in their God right now that may pose a greater danger.

I hate to paraphrase Mao, but let me be the first person on the planet to mix metaphors from the Great Leader and the Great Speedo. Religion may not be poison, but if religion is the serum...the serum is the venom...the venom is the potion...the potion is the poison - we may all need to look a little closer.

Having said this, I understand it's easy to become jaded. I remain hopeful though.

So hope can come when you least expect - and there might be something to this deism thing. I cannot remember the last time I've come close to feeling as near to God in a church (or even praying alone) as I have in the out of doors.

Here's a few examples:

3.) Camping on the shores of Lake Superior with L. Lippy a few years back and taking a 6 a.m. dip in the frigid waters of the big lake. If that does not empty one's mind of all unnecessary thoughts, I'm not sure much else will.

2.) Snowshoeing with Wagner behind Meow Meow Acres (my mom's name for their little piece of heaven-on-earth). Complete quiet, unbelievable wind-carved mounds of snow, Gangsta...
If God called down from the clouds at that moment, "What's up dudes?" I probably would not have flinched.

1.) Lightning strikes twice last year on my little piece of heaven-on-earth - Emily Lake in the Chequamegon National Forest. Just as in No. 2 - nature somehow kept a close friend from talking about DJs and underground rappers for awhile as Sneakthief and I watched heat lightning from the middle of the lake, in our canoe, as the sun set.
Later I woke in my tent at 3 a.m. to an approaching storm. I gathered all the loose gear and rounded it up to the truck as my fellow campers slept. Soon realizing I was overreacting and the storm was passing to the north, I sat on a picnic table and watched the lightning in the distance for an hour or so.

It's hard to describe and put into words the feelings I had at these moments. Atheism becomes a laughable viewpoint. Petty worries go away and a bigger picture emerges. Something religion should be able to do - but cannot for me at the moment. It's a similar feeling that can commonly be found sitting in a tree stand, feeling the tug on the end of a fishing line or simply looking up at a night sky full of stars. It's what keeps me going back for more.

So I find the woods becoming my new church. And I find myself digging a hole I may not be able to get out of here on YITS. I hope my new church has pit toilets - I hate digging holes.

Have faith.