Genesis 1v26: "And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

So many times I've heard people say, "God is in control", and immediately my mind goes to the scripture quoted above. People, mostly Christians, say this in an attempt to show themselves humble, pious, and "on God's side", but truth is they show themselves to be neither, and instead display a willful ignorance of what the Bible says.

Further, it clouds the issue raised by the question, "Who's in control?" Why is this question so important? Because when you find the one(s) in control, then you know who to blame. And, my brother, my sister let me tell you there is plenty of blame to go around. There's so much blame that it's backed up into the sewers. But I digress.

Is God in control? Many mindlessly spout this mantra and it sounds good. It makes sense for us to think that God is in control because most humans find it hard to believe that there is not some more powerful source higher than us.

We have even gone to elaborate lengths to create belief systems around these higher, all-powerful beings, i.e., Jesus/God, Buddha, Confucius, Krishna. One could argue then that people institute these figures and systems in hopes of sidestepping what they believe to be punishment for the things that have gone wrong. "What's gone wrong?" I'm glad you asked.

Let's take a look. Millions of humans starve to death each day. I would dare to say that billions more have been murdered. I could go on listing the sins of humanity from the day Cain killed Able, but we all know what has happened, what is happening, and what will continue to happen. People wag their heads in shame every day, wondering when things will change. I have an answer for inquiring minds.

I submit to you that, just at the bible says, God did indeed give man control from the very beginning, and my people WE ARE IN CONTROL!! Therefore, WE, AND WE ALONE ARE TO BLAME!! For those of you who say you believe in God as Christian or Jew, for all you bible-thumping, cross-pendent-wearing, scripture-quoting, dressed-to-the-nines-on-every-Sunday-to-have-your-ears-tickled, tithe-paying, so-called saints of God, the answer is YOU.

And furthermore, for all those who don't believe in any bible, religious books or writings, belief systems, even Satanists, hell even me - WE TOO ARE TO BLAME!! We all have fucked up this planet, this beautiful, wonderful, bountiful planet that we were born to, we have messed it up so bad that maybe even God can't fix it. Maybe the only way to clean it all up is to set a match to it. If the bible is right, and I don't think it is completely but I guess there's a 50-50 chance that it could be, God showed extreme shortsightedness by allowing Noah and his crew to survive. Maybe God should have empowered monkeys to build the ark and organize the rescue mission for the other animals, and said to hell with the people. I think God could have found at least six monkeys capable of doing what Noah did.

And all that blame that I mentioned earlier? Yep, you got it; it's heading straight for us. We can run but we can't hide. And that's the good news. Hopefully this time none of us will escape. I know I sound rather morbid, but I am tired of foolish people blaming the unknown (God and/or Satan) for the realities we humans have created.

This is one thing I do believe about the bible, that man, yes that's you and me, is in control and is therefore fully responsible. It's no one's fault but ours that the world is in the condition it's in, and we deserve whatever punishment comes our way.

But, knowing that God is truly not like us, thank God, and knowing that God is a loving Creator, not because the bible or any other book or writing says so, but because God was good and loving long before any of those books were ever conceived in any human mind, God will probably forgive us, accept us as the worthless mounds of flesh we are, and allow us to make it this time too. We are truly a creature only a Creator/God could love.

© April 2006 By Afromerica

Brother Dan Hardman will be keeping the Black community informed on issues concerning the church and righteous living. Visit regularly for new information that could help you overcome and make the best of your everyday experiences.

To subscribe to Hardman's column join the Afromerica email list to receive new information as it is updated. Or E-mail D Hardman at: essaysfromchurch@edincorporated.com

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