Gil Can Run!A blog on Running and all the crap that runs through my head while doing it

Apr 11th Some hazy thoughts for a hazy Monday

I promise I’ll get back to the recipes soon! And I promise big news coming up in a couple of months, no foolin’ cuz.

So, a bunch of the teachers and some friends got together for dinner tonight. We’re sitting at the table and we’re talking about stuff and one of the teachers says to me, “how are you so nice, it just doesn’t seem real, or believable…” Instead of being offended, although I did crack a joke about that, I explained how I got to this point, which I think I’ve told you all in different ways.

Basically, I follow the Catholic idea that we are all called to lead a saintly life. The problem most people make is they think to be saintly is to be perfect. The second thing they do is complete misinterpret the Bible (or whatever holy book they are following) and think the small things are what’s important. There are only two types of stories in the Bible, and that’s the thing, people quote chapter and verse and it’s not meant to be looked at that way, they’re stories.

So first type of story, “My God is better than your God.” Simple, makes sense, in a religion where you’re trying to convert the people around you, you need to prove your God is better. Genesis, Exodus, they are perfect examples and it makes sense they’re right at the start of the book.

Then there’s the stories about how to relate to God. This is where all the mistakes happen. Firstly, people get all bogged down in things people wrote with the attitudes, practices, and mores (pronounced: mor-ays) of thousands of years ago. Secondly, they miss the point that they establish that any God creates man in that God’s image, therefore we are all devine and therefore what we do to each other we do to God.

So it’s not about being pious and sitting in a church praying all the time. You are being your best, and honoring your God, when you are treating your God well. How do you treat your God well? By treating the rest of the creatures made in “God’s image”  well. It’s really very simple.

Which brings us to the point (and while phraseology may change all religions are essentially the same on these two points, origin stories and how to relate to God/gods) that how we treat God is how we treat other people, and how we treat other people is how we treat God. So if we’re a selfish dick, you’re being a selfish dick to God.

The other thing to remember is we will all falter and make mistakes. We will all mess up and hurt people sometimes. Also, other people may not have the same understanding we do and what we see as crappy behavior may truly be their best. Which means those people are in need of education, not judgement.

So lead a saintly life, just do your best with the tools and knowledge at your disposal. Be forgiving of those around you and do your best to educate when you have the chance.

That was what I said this evening at dinner, and it’s not just true for Catholics, Christians, Jews, and Muslims. This line of thinking is true for Hindus, Buddhists, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whoever! Man that’s all so heavy, so keep the PMA and help where you can, be the best you can be and you will always be a role model too, and maybe help others find the path.

Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil can run then so can you!

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