When You Leave Religion Behind

The world is full of unique cultures, faiths, and belief systems. Our differences are what makes us all interesting. Since history has been recorded, the citizens of this world have waged wars over differences in these practices and beliefs. Unless we have completely lost our identities, we must realize that we are here on this earth to live in peace and unity, regardless of our differences.

There are five major North American religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. There are almost endless other long established world religions as well, spanning the globe and then various branches, or sects, off of each one of these. On a daily basis there are people starting new religions.

As the current war wages on, the theme is more about "our god is better than your god" than it is about terrorism. Daily massacres take place in the name of a god. If you are not willing to go mainstream with the popular religion in the society in which you live you will likely be told that you will go to hell, you should die, or you should get out of the country. About 75% of the United States population is involved in some denomination of Christianity. There are so many differences in the Christian sects that even they can't get along amongst themselves much less tolerate the differences of the rest of the world.

Those who choose to belong to a faith or have a "relationship" within a faith have a hard time with those who they have labeled agnostic. They can't understand these fence-sitters. Some people don't find it necessary to wear the label of a religion or belief. We are world citizens no matter what or who created us or by what means we came into existence. We are all here, but we can't get along. Religion tears us apart even though most preach love and unity. It is obvious when you turn on any world news station at any time during the day that love and unity does not exist. This do-it-our-way-or-die philosophy has destroyed nations in the past and will continue to destroy nations presently, as is obvious if you are up-to-date with the current events. When you hear God Bless America, doesn't it make you wonder why only America? Does that mean to hell with the rest of you?

If you decide to say no to the insanity and no to religion, know that you will be chastised by many, even at times those who are close to you. At times even your loved ones will side-step you for fear that you may give them a bad image. If you are not mainstream in your culture, your community, or right down to your tiny neighborhood, they can gang up on you, threaten you, and try to chase you away. It is sadly typical for many human beings to be intolerant.

Be true to your heart and your mind. Respect other's differences and unique qualities. Yes, even those who leave religion behind. Our beliefs, our feelings, and our thoughts belong to ourselves. They are not to be controlled by others as so many religious organizations and governments want you to fall in line with. Whether you believe in a god or not, my belief is that to turn on and condemn, hurt, or kill other citizens of the world for thinking their own thoughts, not the thoughts of those around them, is not true human nature. This is a grotesque, distorted view and it is evident that it is not soon to change.