YES!! Ok i've finally resolved the problematic activation key thingie. Funny tho, some proggies refuse to install when they can't detect my C: because my harddisk designation is E:. Again, any techies out there who can be of assistance, please kindly do tag =) ................................................................................ On a totally different note, i've got some things to blog about, that i've been wanting to for some time but couldn't due to technical difficulties (namely, me initiating a static shock on the motherboard causing it to cease to function). Here's the first issue: Sacrifice. Sacrifice is the act of forgoing something that one holds dear or important, be it material entities, such as monetary and physical assets, or metaphysical exponents of emotion and thought. Such an act is enacted in the purpose of an alleged greater cause that is of a higher significance than the individual, as perceived by the individual. To sacrifice requires a certain maturity of mind, as it requires discipline and heightened perception to achieve a state of realisation that some things in life are more important than others. In the context of religion, sacrifice takes various forms. Some beliefs hold that by giving up physical possessions - a common example being livestock and animals, and in the most extreme cases, human beings - one can achieve the fulfilment of a greater purpose, be it the pleasing of a deity, or promised future reward from an omnipotent, omniscient God. Others preach self-abstinence and the forgoing of metaphysical comforts, such as sexual gratification or emotional attachment to another. The common trend underlying these nuances would be that in both cases, the individual conducts that act of sacrifice, of self-deprivation, in the express hope or belief that something greater and better would result. Christians, for example, believe that it is through personal sacrifice of 'worldy things and desires' that love for the Creator can be expressed and evidenced, thus earning a 'mansion' (ie, a place) in heaven. Most, if not all churches collect monetary "tithes and tidings" from congregation members. Mosques often have collection tins placed outside, and many religious establishments receive princely donations as well. Such a projection of future achievement by forgoing something in the present is pervasive in most, if not all, of the major religions in the world - Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism - be it through the system of Karma and rebirth or the concept of an afterlife in Heaven.

Yet, a certain fallacy exposes itself: if sacrifice were conducted in such a spirit, inherently implying that its sole purpose is for eventual self gain in the future, would it not be contradictory to the spirit of religion in the first place? For the love of God, to Glorify His Name - These are common monikers strewn about by parishes as they preach 'The Word'. Yet how many truly conduct their religion, believe in it, and abide by it solely because they desire to experience love for a God? If Christianity, for example, did not have the promise of the afterlife and eternal salvation at hand, but was conducted as a service to Glorify the Creator, and to express love for Him, how many would maintain their faith?

Would the desire to perpetuate self-gain thus be an inherent motivation for participating in religion, and would it thus make religion itself farcical? Perhaps one should carefully examine one's core impetus for participating in religion before actually making a commitment. Is it truly for the love of God, or is that proclamation simply a mask behind which lurks the less-than-noble intention of self-gain and self-preservation? If it were, would it then not be a contradiction of the spirit of the religion itself?

**Post Script: please do tag your opinions on the board, or drop comments. I'd appreciate constructive thoughts in the construction of this argument, and not shallow half-baked comments tagged for the sake of purposelesness.