I was just notified in a round-about way of this post of my Croatia waterfall photo on a Christian blog. (The blog is ironically titled “Atheist Central”).
The author posts my photo of the beautiful waterfalls, then states “Look what our God created. And it’s nothing but a trash bin, compared to what He has in store for those that love Him…” I understand that he’s just trying to make a point here, but the wording rubs me the wrong way. And since it’s my photo that he used to illustrate his point, I feel that I deserve a chance to express my opinion too.
It’s one thing to say these things when looking at a simple photo, but honestly I truly feel sorry for any person that could stand in front of a scene like this in person and think, “Wow, this is a trash bin compared to the glories that await me when I die.” Can they not recognize paradise when they see it? Maybe they should just get to it and jump off a cliff right then and there.
But now I’ll go on a tangent… Just because you happen to be at Plitvicka Jezera National Park in Croatia doesn’t mean that you’re in paradise. After all, perhaps that day you are irritable and grumpy, or maybe you are distracted by the crowds of tourists. What I’m getting at is that paradise also depends on your own state of mind and emotions, not just the scenery around you.
Now, if you truly believe that the most beautiful nature that Earth has to offer is a relative trash heap, then isn’t that a self-fulfilling prophecy? Your beliefs will then blind you to the true paradise that is here and now, and of course you’ll be left with the hope that something better will come along in the next life, or the next world.
How about we open our minds and hearts to the immense beauty of the Earth, and regard it, treat it, and love it like the true paradise that it is, instead of as a trash bin?
Bit of a twisted Christian, if you ask me. No respect for someone else’s property.
UnChristian.
I agree with you Jack about the blogger’s comments. As a Christian, it rubs ME the wrong way. You look at a picture like that, Christian, heathen, whatever, and you can’t help but stand amazed. I don’t thank God often enough for the indescribable beauty in His creation…if Heaven is anything remotely like what you have captured in this picture, I can’t wait!
Very well put Jack.
If someone promised me a million dollars ten years from now it doesn’t mean that I should shun all money and live in poverty until that time. Life is happening now, live it now. How can life after death be more serene than life itself?
Amen to that, brother! Paradise should always be right where you are, right where you live. Too many people keep thinking where they are isn’t where they want to be or someplace else is prettier than here. Really takes strong resolve to say this is where I am, I am happy here.