A
female
age
26-29,
*liceinunderland
writes:Right here. Right now.Okay, I really do not want to cause a big stir but I need you all to try and open my mind to an understanding...What is Religion? Why do people decide to follow it? Personally I am not into the idea of following a religion. I was christened a Christian, but I never really understand why.I don't want to cause offense here, I just need an insight to both sides of this story. Because I don't understand how strict Christians can look down on non-believers the way the do sometimes (not all of them) Some of the strict believers in religion try to tell me I am wrong not to believe, and personally I find it mocking when they react to my opinion with "god says".Why is there such a strong belief in religious books? ( don't get me wrong I think its amazing so many people follow) I just can't seem to understand why people want to pull me into a religion.
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (5 April 2010): Organized religion is the biggest cause of problems humanity has ever known. The centuries of war, killing, intolerance, etc. is something that makes me stay clear of it.
People want to believe that there is something after. That their lives mean more than they do. That someone will help them when they need it. Personally, I think that praying is a waste of time. Why ask god to do something I'm not willing to do myself? Make it happen. Live for today.
If there is a heaven/hell, who is right? I prefer to live my life in a manner that I would deem to be honorable and good. If that lives up to whatever church's concept of the same could really matter less to me. I have to live with myself, and if I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror, I have to live in the manner I feel is right.
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (5 April 2010): I believe in a higher being or consciousness. You can call it GOD. I do not believe in religion.Religious types ignore science and fact, bury their heads in the sand and with bold conviction state that you are simply compelled to have blind faith and believe in their religion.Religion was invented centuries ago by people who tried to control other people. By instilling the fear of God into the simple minded, uneducated people of the past (who thought the sun revolved around the earth), a few men could gain considerable power (and wealth) over the mass population of the planet. It also allowed those in power to keep the poor and struggling from rising up to take control by telling them that they would get their reward in heaven if they endured the harsh conditions on earth.Elaborate stories full of wonderful miracles were made up and embellished by monks throughout history as the religious stories were copied from century to century. Why is it that all of the miraculuous events happened two thousand years ago and nothing since? When was the last time you saw a man part an ocean? The answer??.. never. In this modern age of cell phone cameras and pocket video recorders, not a single bonafide miracle has been recorded.With that said... please perform the following research... Find out what singularity thoughout the recorded history of mankind has resulted in the most deaths and bloodshed, through murder/manslaughter. What single cause will make man brutally kill man en masse? The answer? Religion. Your religion is different than mine, therefore, I must kill you. Make sense??? Of course not. Ignorant behaviour? Of course.If an interactive God were to have invented religion, wouldn't the first rule of that religion be tolerance? Surely one would not take up a murderous crucade or Jihad against others of a different religion or belief, if God played an active role in said religion or even remotely interacted in our lives.Sorry to say, but religion was invented by man originally as a means of controlling the masses and making a few men rich and powerful. Today religion still provides solace for those who struggle with hardship, but the vultures who prey on the simple souled have no guilt and demand 20% tithing for the solace. When was the last time you saw the Vatican pony up a few billion dollars to help the poor and needy? They spend all of their money on big hats :)!
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (5 April 2010): They want to pull you into a religion because they care about you and they BELIEVE you will be damned for eternity if you're not saved.I, myself, am not religious, but I understand why people are. Some people are raised to know nothing else. Have you noticed how very small towns are usually more religious than big cities? Small insulated communities that all share the same beliefs are more likely to cling to those beliefs than the inhabitants of giant cities.Life is very hard. You are young and probably have a loving family around you. The older you get, the more you will realize that you are alone in the world. The older you get, the more you'll appreciate friends and family who are there to help you and love you.I've had some very tough times in my life and made it through because of friends and family. If they hadn't been there, who knows? I may have turned to a church. Everyone wants to be loved. Religion offers unconditional love.
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