A New Kind of Religion

Ah. Sweet music.

I've been listening to Pandora a lot lately, and thereby obtaining a lot of new music. Part of me feels guilty that, here I am, finding incredible artists and stealing their music...I mean, artists I respect! For shaaame! Right?

And I admit, a part of me is deeply ashamed. And I wish I had all the money in the world with which to buy endless music to fill my life, and share with those around me forever, because I would love nothing more than to find some way to reimburse them for sharing their talent with the world! But I don't got that kinda scrilla.

So, in an effort to rationalize my treason, I present you this. It's the truth, with a quasi bullshit methodology. It's my life.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I've given up a lot as an atheist. I would say I have gained a sense of personal responsibility that I fail to see in so many others...you know the kind. But in order to maintain certain things like faith and spiritual upliftment, I've had to be rather creative. Ok, well not like it was brain surgery or anything, but I turned to music. What really happened was, somewhere down the line, I opened myself up to all music. I'll fuckin give anything a chance. Some of them just get one, but at least they got that. This philosophy in music has been a critical part of my entire life philosophy. I know most of you are my friends who know me and would probably agree that I'm a decent person, and though my own philosophies wouldn't work for everyone, they seem to have done a decent job on me...I'm just speculating here, but I feel good about that.

My point is this, something so fundamental to my core beliefs, well, wouldn't that be classified along the lines of a religion? Or at least a strong philosophical type of doctrine, equal to that of a religion? Follow this path of bullshit with me...

I may not have a church, but when I go to a concert, I am definitely at a place of worship. I may not be able to financially support the cause, but I definitely have given generous tithings towards deserving movements I feel are important. I am an active participant in this part of my life. I could just show up on your fuckin doorstep with a cd in hand and tell you all about the good word of Gomez. You know this. I've had an epiphany people! I am a god damn Jehovah Witness, ninja style. I might attack you on the train, assualt you with my deep love of one of the greatest bands you've never heard! You will listen, and you will like it.

Ok, so it has some holes. But, in this emerging secular world, we are really venturing into unexplored territory. We can only learn so much from history. I don't plan on ending my belief structure, and I think secularism will continue to dominate, which leaves a new position open for opiate of the masses. I think music is a most excellent choice. Just think about your ipod here. If it was suddenly taken from you? The internet? Bit Torrents? Your local record store? Even live music... How heartbreaking is it? ...I think I'm starting to have an anxiety attack. Let's move on.

This may all seem like a bunch of bullshit to get free music, but really, it's how I feel. I don't see a flaw in anything that really helps me understand that we are all connected. That's all we've really got, that's the meaning of life as far as I am concerned. Six billion people on this planet and if I stretch out my arm far enough, I can feel the impact of all them, and may be able to one day affect them all as well. It can happen. I may not be able to well define it, and I have yet to find it, but without the right wording I still know how to live it, and, I really must say, I quite enjoy it.