Don't Do It For God, Do It For Yourself

 i was raised catholic, and up until my mother expected me to still be on the 'right path'. however, over the past few years i've come to have no real belief in a 'creator'. i never thought it would be a really big deal to my mom. i knew she would question me, but i didnt think she would look at me the way she did. it was the same look i received a few months back when i told two of my friends that i didnt believe in god. they looked at me like i was growing horns out of my head while holding a pitch fork.  i thought that my explanation of why i chose to live my life this way would satisfy her distaste for this choice, but she looked at me with disbelief that i could function without looking to a higher power for support.

it just became apparent over time that there is not one religion that can honestly take precedence over another when it comes to proof or validity. much of what is believed to be true is word of mouth, passed down for centuries, no more accurate than a myth or legend. testaments were written by people who did not have a grasp on science like we do today and things are written symbolically rather than literally. when it comes down to it, religion is just not for me. i find it fascinating and i find the power people get from it inspiring. but i do not think it is necessary to have a functional and happy life. moreover, i think anything that it gives people the will to make positive choices and good judgment calls is great for them. but not everyone needs to rely on a greater being to get through a hard time.

i also think that people rely on religion as a crutch when they should look to self empowerment. you cannot pray to a god to give you good grades, to get a job, or even to get better from an illness. all of those actions are direct result of the choices you make. prepare for a test, obtain an education, keep your body healthy, and fight for your life. when times get tough look to friend, relative, or counselor. if your unhappy with your life, make changes. unexplainable things may happen in life, but most everything happens as a consequence to a decision that was made.

when i explained to my mom that i was happy with my life and that if i ever felt i was in trouble i would turn to an actual person for help, she didnt understand. she didnt even try to. her whole impression of me changed. it was like she lost respect for me. it makes me angry. i told her that i know probably a hundred catholics that made ten times that number of bad decisions that i've made. a hundred catholics that were unhappy with their lives. a hundred so-called 'people of god' that do nothing but pass judgment and criticize others. and at the end of the day i am proud of myself for the choices i've made. but she didnt understand. and then i wondered, can she say that about herself?

morality isnt something that must be learned through religion. it's something that you grow to learn through the actions of other people, and through the laws that govern this country. you dont have to know the ten commandments to know you shouldnt kill or steal. you dont have to read the bible to know that you run the risk of hurting others when you lie. and you certainly do not have to go to church to figure out how to love someone. people rely to much on the strict ideas that govern religion rather than the underlying meaning of what this so-called god was trying to show us. i've always interpreted the point to be that god can be anywhere and anyone. a homeless person, or a multi-millionaire out there to see what the rest of us will do when put to the test. and the underlying message that people are supposed to understand is to treat other people well and love one another as much as you can. granted, there are exceptions for people who act so immorally that they intrude on the rights of others. but shouldnt we accept people even if they are different than us? even if they love someone that our traditional norms say 'is not natural'? (and by the way, who is to say what is or isnt natural? last time i checked anything that occurs in nature is "natural" i.e. homosexuality. it's been there since humans have existed, it's not a recent development. and it is natural.) so anyway, i find the instances when people of certain religions judge others that arent a part of theirs to be quite hypocritical. especially since most people are born into their religion and know nothing other than how they are raised.

so, if you find the power of god to help you through a rough time, more power to you. if you refuse to believe that human life is the combination of cells, fine. but if you believe that a person cannot be a descent human being without the constant threat of going to hell or disobeying god's rule that's your problem.

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