I know that just by reading the title you are telling yourself, "this girl is about to stick her foot in her mouth." Or "what makes her so special that she feels the need to talk about religion?" The second one is easy to answer, I am entitled to my opinion. As for the first comment, just hear me out before you go all postal on me.
I am not going to tell you that one religion is right or that another one is wrong. I am in no position to decide that matter. What I am in a position to say is that, while I do no know which religion is correct, I feel that all religions should have a say. Maybe I am not clear with that statement, so just keep reading.
I was raised baptist, southern baptist I believe. Let me tell you why I no longer consider myself baptist. Baptist believe in the same old thing, God, Heaven, Hell, Satan, Jesus...you know that old run down. One thing that I totally disagree with when it comes to baptist is that I should fear the very...thing/person/creature...that created me. I should fear God, the one I call my Father. That did not set well with me, I don't fear anyone, not even Satan himself. Once I was old enough to figure there was really no justification for this fear I decided to venture out and look at other religions.
I didn't look a lot or research like you may think I did. No, I got lazy and decided that there probably was not a religion to suit my beliefs. I did look a little into things, I had family that were a different religion than Baptist and I knew a little about other religions. What happened? I denounced all religions! I found that most that I had already looked into all fell under the category of 'Christianity' so I called myself a Christian for a while but then I found the flaws in that as well.
See, the thing about the Christians I came across, (THE ONES I CAME ACROSS! Meaning I am not grouping you all into one so you can stop cursing me under your breath) was that they were not very Christian like. They were cruel, evil, judgmental, and often times racist. Most of them look down on interracial relationships as well as same sex relationships. Yet, the God that I have come to believe in accepts all for who they are, so why should I judge these people when it is not my place?
I could go on and on about the things I do not like about most religions. There are a few I like and wish to learn more about like Hinduism and other religions from other countries. It almost seems as those religions from other countries are more spiritual than the 'Christianity' that is most commonly practiced in America. One of my favorites that I have studied would be the Wiccan or Pagan religions.
Oh, yes, the religion of the witches! If you seriously thought that you need to smack yourself a bit. Sure some people in these religions choose to practice magic and consider themselves witches but just as many use this religion to become one with the earth, wind, fire, water, and spirit. Sure, the rituals look like what you see in horror movies, but horror movies like to take small things like that and make them what they are not. A ritual of protection is a beautiful ritual! Actually, many of the rituals are beautiful and graceful.
Now, though I like the Wiccan religion, I feel I have not studied it enough to actually convert, nor can I bring myself to completely break from what I have grown up knowing because there are parts that I believe in my heart are true. So I have come up with my own religion just until I can find one that truly matches what I am looking for.
What are my beliefs? Well, I believe in Heaven, Hell, and an inbetween world, though I do not have a name for it and it is not purgatory. It is just a place where people can wait for their loved ones before they continue on to the great place called Heaven. Hell, I do not think it is as vicious as most are lead to believe. Ever watched 'Little Nickey' with Adam Sandler, its a funny side of hell, or how about 'What dreams May Come' with Robbin Williams. In that movie Hell is different for every person. For instance, the woman that kills herself in this movie is sent to a hell where she does not know who she is, where she is, or who she is missing. She is lost in a dark world where no one can reach or save her. She will live for all eternity broken and always missing and always looking for someone. Though it seems harsh, I like the idea that there is a different hell for every individual, a hell that fits the crime. Then in the same movie 'What Dreams May Come' there are different Heavens, a place that you feel most peaceful. I do not believe Heaven has streets paved in Gold, what is the point in that?
I also believe there is more than one God, and I believe there are goddesses as well. Take mother nature for example, who is to say she is not the Goddess of Nature?
Now, the one thing that really irks me about religion is how each religion seems to be at each others throat. "my religion is the right one and you are going to burn in hell for not believing in it!" Yeah, how many times have you heard that. Okay, so maybe not so bluntly but it is said. Who is to say what the true religion is? And what if they are all connected in some way, making all religions correct?
So maybe instead of shouting at one another we should take each other in new eyes. Learn about each others religion straight from the people who know the most about them, the ones who practice that religion. And maybe we should start following the rules of any religion. Do not judge, accept all, don't kill each other, be kind.
Sure, we could use the 10 commandments as a guideline to the world but if you really think about it, we already are using those as a guideline. Why does what religion we practice have to be what defines us? And why does ONE religion have to be right?
I know that after reading this someone is going to think I am some kind of devil worshiper or something of the sort and that is fine. I do not judge you. I accept people of different ethnicity's dating, I accept people who decide to have a same sex partner, I accept those who do not believe in God or anything past this life, and I accept those of you are are putting me down because of what I believe in. I have peace of mind knowing that no matter what lies ahead of me after death, it will be great and wonderful.
And no matter what your religion, when you start bad mouthing someone for what they believe in, think about the God, gods, goddess or spirits that you believe in. What would they say to you for being such a close minded and judgmental person? Would they be happy about the things you are saying about the person they created?
No comments:
Post a Comment