We all need something to believe in, we all have a religion of our own... (Religion)

Member Name: strange_child

Product:	Religion
Date:	22/03/02 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: optimistic, helps some people to get over problems

Disadvantages: wars, people believe theyr superior to non-beleivers, praying too much is a waste of time

I define Religion as each person's beliefs about a supernatural being that controls what goes on in the world, and after we die. First I'm going to talk about what I think of religion as a whole, then I will talk about my beliefs.

Many people today are saying how organised religion does nothing for society, and it helps no one. Even though no religion has helped me in life as yet, there are certain people who do get strength, and a sense of why they are here from religion, especially if they grow up in a religious family. My friend has been going to church from when she very little, and I think that her mother is very religious too. She describes herself as a 'devout Christian', although I don't think that she goes to church any longer (I do not think that it is necessary for people to have to practice religion at a public place of worship, though.). She was helped through her exams by knowing that her vicar was praying for her to succeed. However, I do find that her views about some things very conservative, for example her mum rips up her magazines if they have horoscopes in them, and she has a fear of witches!

If you think about it, in the past religion has made a lot of damage, from the medieval crusades, witch burning to some intolerance to people who are different. What I always hated about Christianity when I was younger was that people always tried to press it onto you, and believed that if you were an atheist, then they were somehow 'better' or 'more worthy' than you were. The religion in Northern Europe began as Pagan, before Christianity came in. These people were well known for their healing remedies, which were then held up to be 'evil' when the Christians came, thus we have our concept of witches. Even now, people who make herbal remedies (my Great-Grandmother was allegedly a psychic witch!) are thought to be 'peculiar' and something to be avoided. I think that the 'holier than
thou' syndrome is more apparent in America, as Britain has become more tolerant to the demise of religion and rise of different beliefs and sects.

I think that the aim of religion is great - most religions start on a basis that you should respect all those around you, and treat people how you want them to treat you, etc. I do think that so many people have changed this, or used religion to promote their views - such as some people who use quotes out of the bible to back up their argument that homosexuality is wrong. The bible is over 2000 years old - I fail to see how anyone can live his or her life acting out what it says, and keeping to the commandments - society has changed immensely since then!

I was christened as a Methodist, an English Sub-Protestant sect who used to have to sign form promising that they wouldn?t gamble or drink alcohol! I did go to Church and Sunday school until I was about 6 or 7, but even then it was regarded as something extra to school, and just a socialising of the children in the village. When I was about 10, I realised that I didn't particularly agree with religion, and me and my friend decided that the meaning in life was to have fun! We really were going to make our own religion, and have a bible telling people how to have fun - naturally, everyone thought we were mad, which just proves that if Christianity cam about recently then everyone would think the founders were a mad cult!

In conclusion, I think that is good, and even essential that people should have something to put their faith in, it can give you hope when you're down, but this doesn?t have to be part of an organised religion ? Tarot, Wicca (pagan magic) and horoscopes can be great, but as long as you don?t put TOO much faith in them. I hate the way that these have been thought to have been evil in the past - the only reason is because many people didn't understand them, and because the church wanted to be the only thing that peo
ple had faith in.

So, there you go, this is my opinion, and you are welcome to agree or disagree with it, but of course I don't want to force it on you!

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