Many millennium ago in the lands of just east of the Nile and west of the Euphrates there happened to be two very different generations, their differences recorded by the ancient Kabbalists describe one generation as being very religious and pious and the other much less pious and very much more friendly.

The generation of King Saul was very religious and pious, but for some reason even though they were so very correct and right, fortune never shined on them in battle and despite their undoubted spirituality and righteousness, nonetheless they were cosmic losers.

In contrast the generation of Achav was not particularly religious and not particularly pious, in fact they would quiet often find them serving local idols and getting involved in lots of exciting but forbidden activities nonetheless for some strange reason fortune smiled on this bunch and they were successful in every single battle and the story goes that they never lost one of their soldiers.

Now the difference between the outlook of these two generations was quite different and quite profound the first lot were very religious and pious, and quite anal about the religious observance of their fellow man, they where as a result of their religious devotion quite serious and unforgiving.

They would reprimand each other and argue about what was right and what was wrong, and although they were ultimately very pious, it seems that God wasn’t too please with them after all.

The generation of Achav was quite different, they didn’t care much for the accoutrement of religious life, yes they believed in God alright but they also wanted to have a good time, life was for the living, it was about family about good friends about having a great time, it was about caring for your mates, getting drunk together, having fun together, and yes at times that lead to being in the wrong place at the wrong time and doing thing that you might later regret but they were more easygoing, and forgiving.

If their friend did them wrong, they’d have it out but almost always get over it and forgive them, mainly because they loved each other like brothers and sisters. And guess what? Fortune smiled upon this merry bunch of fun loving disreputable bunch and they won every single one of their battles.

The moral of the story is quite clear – God doesn’t want piety at the expense of you being a fun-lovingly good person and friend, if you’ve found that religion has made you a pain in the ass then you’re going in the wrong direction.

Love life, love your friends and family, love the world and the world will love you straight back.