Firstly, I want to say right now that I respect all religions. However, there are times when I just don't like the PEOPLE in religion. I'm atheist ... well, actually more like agnostic. My mother and grandmother are Christians (Church of England). So, if I offend anyone out there with this journal entry, I apologise. I just don't care for those who twist their own beliefs to start wars in the name of their God, or those who are completely biased and closed-minded. Here's why:

It really BUGS me when I research on the internet sometimes. Unlike a library, where there would be articles of thoroughly researched and balanced interpretations by authors with some authority, the internet is open to all manner of people with an opinion. I'm not saying this isn't a good thing - look, I'm expressing my own very possibly misguided view right now - but it does show you how ignorant and insular some people can actually be.

The main reason for my anger right now is because, being an aficionado of Celtic mythology, I'm forced to delve into the dangerous territory of RELIGION. Never a good area for discussion - much like politics. It can only end in tears. Well, for me, it's ended in frustration and despair.

I've been looking at the symbolic link between the Cetlic/Gaulish god Cernunnos and the Christian/Catholic Devil. Cernunnos has often been misinterpreted as a symbol of Satan. At times the Christian church has pointed to the following of Cernunnos as "devil worship", all due to 19th Century paintings of Satan which included large horns like those of Cernunnos. Big whoop.

We all know of Satan, the devil, the tempter, the evil one, the horned, cloven-hoofed arch nemesis of all that is holy! Problem is that the bible gives no description, nor even any clear indication of a single entity with such name. The word "Satan", I've learned, means adversary/accuser/opponent and is in fact a position/title and not an actual name of any angel, fallen or otherwise.

What many people fail to understand can be properly summarised by Margaret Murray: "The gods of the old religion become the demons of the new."

So, most people will tell you it's a bunch of old hooey, knowing that pretty much all religions adopt characters from older religions in order to appease the "barabarians" they’ve just invaded, to either coerce or frighten them into turning to the new religion. Almost all scholars (you know, those guys who’ve actually studied what they’re talking about) openly admit to these acts of practical-plagiarism; from Greeks, Romans, Celts etc.

And then I find articles like this one: [link] which really get me angry and lose faith in the whole world. According to this guy: "There can be no mistake in the symbolism of Cernunnos; the ram’s heads are symbolic of Satan’s attempt to usurp the authority of Christ who is the ram that was slain for our sins … the serpent is universally the symbol of Satan. The three heads in the background are symbolic of Satan’s unholy triune godhead in which he counterfeits the Divine Godhead."

Well, you’ve certainly proved that research is for dummies, mate! Let’s stick to blind opinion, brainwashing and prejudice – that’ll go a long way toward your religion's supposed mandate of peace, love, and acceptance, won’t it? Golly, I never knew a symbol of Satan existed before the CONCEPT of Satan was even invented. Tch. Shows what I know, eh?

In truth, if I could have the faith to believe in something (and I wish I did) it would be Buddhism. The pursuit of truth and knowledge. I've never heard of a Buddhist starting a war ... or even participating.

I'm not usually this vocal about stuff like this - as I said, religion and politics are usually a no-go area. But that article just triggered a response which I couldn't keep in. And I realise that I may be wrong in all of this myself. But if I am I hope I have the good grace to admit it.