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I knew this would come up eventually and I'm in an... insightful mood. Not sure if that's the right word, but I try.
So, there's a lot of different religions out there. Catholic, Buddism, Judaism, Taoism and the list continues. I'm fine with whatever people what to believe in, what they put their faith in is there own business. What irks me is that some people in some faiths, PUSH their religion down other people's throats.
I can't even COUNT the amount of times on gaia alone that hardcore Catholics/Christians have tried to convert me in towns, on forums, where ever. It's simple: I don't believe in your God, don't force him down my throat.
On that topic, I'm not really sure what I would consider myself. I mean, I believe SOMETHING created the universe, some higher being but not necessarily the catholic God. Really I think God is like a kid with a magifying glass sitting by an ant hill. Or a puppet master and we're part of some sad romance or something.
I believe in Karma, what you give is what you get returned. I belive the grass is no more greener on the other side. I believe in Love surving death into eternity. I believe the sun should never set upon an argument. I believe I can fly... ha, kidding. But in all seriousness, I believe in what I believe because it's more... tangable then some BEING up there who created the world.
Don't get me wrong, someone/something started it all, I have faith in that. I just don't see the whole Christian aspect of it. If that makes any sense. I mean, I believe in evolution too, I mean there's proof of that, it can be seen, felt. You can't FEEL God.
I think that most people are forced into religion at an early age. I mean, I know people who were raised as a catholic and rebeled around the age of 16 or so because they were FORCED into the religion. understand that certain rites have to be done but I also understand that these rites can be done when a person is in adult hood.
If I ever have kids, I wouldn't force a religion on them. I would let them chose when they were mature enough. Instead I would teach them that if they do something wrong or bad, they will get hurt. If they do something good, they will get good. Karma in nutshell really. I'll teach them to help people and to ask questions and be curious about others. I teach them to not judge a book by its cover and not make fun of someone based on appearance. I'll teach them to do to others as they would want others to do to them.
I mean, yeah it sounds like I've just spouted a bit of the Christian church there but TECHNICALLY, that's the basis of all religion. Be kind to others, treat others like you want to be treated, don't judge people. Just everyone has a different god. The ideals are basically the same.
So, with that being said, if all religions basically say the same thing, why should it matter WHAT you believe in? Why do people feel the need to push their religion down your throat even though you're following their same rules? I mean I follow the ten commandments even though I don't believe in that god. I follow the rules and am generally nice to people, even though I don't believe in Jesus or Christ. So why should some Christian push their religion down my throat or force me to convert when I'm the same as them, sans prayer and going to church?
I think religious differences shouldn't matter. What people should care about is if someone is bad or evil. I mean, if people stopped caring about religion or didn't emphasize on it as much, we could have avoided a lot of wrongs in history. Even today we can avoid a lot of political turmoil.
So basically, religion shouldn't matter when you judge a person. I really don't care if someone believe a gaint purple and pink elphant created the universe. As long as their a good person, someone who isn't trying to mass murder people or being mean un-needfully (ha...not a word but MEH), then who cares?
I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing. Being a non-religious guy who will help out people when they need it. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing because it is in fact right. And hey, if there is a heaven and I end up there, woop. If not and we just go into limbo, big deal. I know I made a difference by helping people and being kind to others. And that's all we need to do in life.
I have a lot more thoughts but can't think right now. Comment me for more. Or PM. Whatever.
May whatever-you-believe-in, bless you. Go forth and prosper and all that jazz. Oh and if you can name the song lyrics I used in here (not the I believe I can fly crud), then kudos.