The Oath

I recently saw something very disturbing on Facebook.  One of my friends had taken a quiz entitled "How long would you wait for sex?"  Result: "You're a saint!!  You could wait a whole 4 months to have sex with your bf/gf!  You really value getting to know your partner before taking that step." 
I was appalled!  Really?  4 months is considered a LONG time?!  What happened to waiting until marriage?  To valuing yourself enough to wait for the right person?
I can say with my head held high that I count myself among the individuals who have chosen to wait.  Not for religious reasons, but as a promise to myself.
If you've made a similar promise, and want to make it formal, you can sign the True Love Waits pledge on their website.  I've already done so :-)
lifeway.com/tlw
I fear greatly the society that my future children will grow up in.  If 4 months is equivalent to "forever" now, imagine what it could be in the future!  2 months?  One month?  Perhaps it will just become a social activity, not requiring the participants to even be in a relationship!  An awful thought!
Is sex special anymore?  Or has it already become a meaningless activity meant only for recreation?
I don't have the answer to that.  All I know is that I still hold it in high regard.  What my peers think is probably a completely different story.  I just wanted to share my thoughts.  And to reassure society that there is at least one college student who's waiting. 
The Librarian

What is Religion?

What is religion?  The formal definition is: "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." (dictionary.com) 
My views on the subject vary slightly from those of my peers.  If someone asks me, "What religion are you?", I find it very difficult to answer them.  The fact is, I find truth in just about every religion I've come across.  Each one has aspects which I agree with whole-heartedly, as well as other parts which I do not.  I'll use the example of Christianity, since it seems to be the easiest.  Yes, I believe in God, and that he came to earth, sacrificed himself for the well-being of humanity, etc.  You know the story.  But I do not believe in the condemning of homosexuals.  Or that a child who misbehaves their parents should be put to death.  Or a woman who lies with a man outside of marriage should be stoned to death.  Being a student of History, I would say that, when reading the Bible, one must take into consideration the historical context in which it was written.  In those days, perhaps many of the things written in the Bible would have been accepted.  But in modern society?
And so I pull various beliefs from many religions.  Christianity (Protestant and Catholic), Buddhism, witchcraft, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam...the list goes on.  I've been gifted with a very open mind.  One that enjoys listening to other beliefs, as well as deeply questioning my own.  If a person believes something without questioning it at all, then just how truely does that person believe?  Belief without understanding is the same as not believing, in my opinion.
It's nearly time to go off to class. (I wish I had longer breaks)
Farewell
The Librarian

As My Eyes Stare Forward

Solemn
Humble
Modest
They say these are qualities of the righteous
They say that I should bow completely
Make myself wholly vulnerable
But do I cast my eyes downward before God?
I refuse, though that makes me less of a man
          In your eyes that fall, as my eyes stare forward…
You ask why it is I have gone astray
They say that everything happens for a reason
God has a plan
But was it in God’s plan to lead me away?
To lead me into a dark forest
Only to be abandoned
Left alone to live for myself
To find my own way
For this I have done
I have found my own way
Made my own path
Without the help of your god, whom you fear to meet the eye of
The all powerful, all knowing, all loving god
You whisper wishes in the privacy of your mind
But have these ‘prayers’ been answered?
Did the skies open up?
Doves swarm and cry peace?
Innocence always treasured?
Love granted?
Because you asked it so?
I think not
Why would it be that he would answer to you?
Unless you assume god to be your slave…
But then, why is it you bow to him?
And so I stand boldly
For though your god may not be my slave…
I am not his
But you cannot see His smile
As He sees that I have learned
The Truth
          Why it is that your eyes fall, as mine stare forward.

First Post

Well, I've decided to try the blogging thing.  I'm hoping that perhaps I'll learn a bit about myself, and hopefully have some feedback on my thoughts and ideas.  (Debate and opposing thoughts are always welcome).
You're probably wondering what the title of the blog, As My Eyes Stare Forward, is all about.  It's the title of a poem that I wrote in High School.  I'll be sure to get that up here soon.  It has to do with my beliefs, religiously, and my thoughts about other people who claim to be deeply religious, but are deeply flawed otherwise.
A little about myself, I'm a sophomore in college.  I'm a double major in History, as well as Museum Studies.  And am also a Latin minor.  And some seem to think I'm insane for it. :)  Other than that, I'm a fairly laid-back person.  I enjoy reading, and letting my mind wander to places that many people fear to go.  (I also have a deep-seeded, self-proclaimed obsession with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, but that's for another time).
I wish that I had more time to write, but History class is calling me.  Until next time!
The Librarian