"I conceive of God, in fact, as a means of liberation and not a means to control others."

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest powers in the world is the unyielding force religion has over policy and actions. Its strength lies in its ability to transform a human being's feelings of worthlessness into an association with a higher power, thus confirming we are not alone. In this modern society, there seem to be two distinctly different developing views on the role religious doctrine should play in politics, social outlooks, and the expansion of ideas into action. Those to the far left often condemn religion as a controlling ideology that prevents the world from accepting a broader spectrum of differences, while some to the far right maintain that religion should provide a key role in the way our nation is developed. While both sides are justified in their beliefs, it seems the only way to proceed is to embrace Earth as the cornerstone of a spiritual existence rather than a location for a "divine" mission.

Personally, I would not consider myself religious in the sense of feeling a strong connection towards once particular faith, yet I can honestly call myself a spiritual person. Although I don't know what the basic creation of the universive entailed, I see God simply as the sense of freedom that each invidual is entitled to. One should neither have the right to force his/her ideology on others NOR the right to take away one's sense of faith. As author and activist James Baldwin spoke, "I conceive of God as a means of liberation and not a mean to control others." Therefore, God's purpose in exisiting (as an idea or as truth) is to relieve and free us from suffering. Unfortunately, many still view it as a chance to control others through the salvation of moral or ethical values. Until society takes the time to consider what God means to them, the issue of religion in politics will continue to remain in the forefront of the media.

In the city I live in, I am witness to many different paths of faith, and many different approaches to lifestyle and culture choices. I have friends who are self-proclaimed atheists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Wiccans. I have friends who believe God is in the grass and the outdoors and cannot be contained in a specific teaching. I have friends who pray only when they are in need, and I have friends who continuously ask whatever they know as "God" for guidance. It all works. I've chosen to place my faith in the human race, understanding that whether or not God created us, or we created God, it is our duty to accept religion as a permanent presence in our world whose sole purpose should be the liberation of our individuality.