poison
Board Sponsor
People have a natural desire to believe in a higher power, for many reasons. A primary reason is that it's ough to think that 'this is it', especially as you get older. You want life to mean more, and you want to believe there is something beyond random reasoning, chance, and blind luck. That someone cares.
I'm not belittling anyone here; I was born Christian, converted to Judaism, and am now a non-religious Jew. But when people open their hearts, or a sermon or song speaks to them...I don't believe anything spoke to them. It's simply them desiring something to fill anyone of the needs above.
I strongly disagree with the Christian outlook that people are born evil, or sinners. I think religion, of nearly any type, simply gives people a framework, and in doing so improves their lives. All religions are the collective work of centuries of individuals input, and the framework has been refined by their collective thought. Word of God or not, all religions were written by man, and they bears man's fingerprint. Some people are more inclined to do evil, be it through personality, up bringing, or any one of a number of other things. When they discover religion, it's a revelation, because they can essentially give up them helm, and sink into the hands of those wise men who collectively shaped the religion of choice. Religion is a guide book, which none of us are born with. It's much easier to live with direction that is spelled out, than direction you write by doing. You learn from others mistakes.
The jury is out for me. I have no idea who is right. I'm not sure it matters. I'm not sure we all aren't right. Maybe it's something totally different. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what religion you choose, or don't, as long as you live by the Golden Rule: do unto others. Be kind, humble, and strong, and do what's right.
I'm not belittling anyone here; I was born Christian, converted to Judaism, and am now a non-religious Jew. But when people open their hearts, or a sermon or song speaks to them...I don't believe anything spoke to them. It's simply them desiring something to fill anyone of the needs above.
I strongly disagree with the Christian outlook that people are born evil, or sinners. I think religion, of nearly any type, simply gives people a framework, and in doing so improves their lives. All religions are the collective work of centuries of individuals input, and the framework has been refined by their collective thought. Word of God or not, all religions were written by man, and they bears man's fingerprint. Some people are more inclined to do evil, be it through personality, up bringing, or any one of a number of other things. When they discover religion, it's a revelation, because they can essentially give up them helm, and sink into the hands of those wise men who collectively shaped the religion of choice. Religion is a guide book, which none of us are born with. It's much easier to live with direction that is spelled out, than direction you write by doing. You learn from others mistakes.
The jury is out for me. I have no idea who is right. I'm not sure it matters. I'm not sure we all aren't right. Maybe it's something totally different. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what religion you choose, or don't, as long as you live by the Golden Rule: do unto others. Be kind, humble, and strong, and do what's right.