The Author's Corner: Religion

What is religion really? From my understanding it is going to a building and praying to God/Creator or what you call it. There are many types of religious philosophies throughout the world. Some date back to the beginning of time. The question is which one is right?

For this essay, I do not judge the different religions because it is not my place to say what the right one is. I have my belief and it is different from almost all religions as I have gone on my own search for answers to the questions that I have for God/Creator. I have read many of the religious texts and came to an understanding that yet they differ in their philosophy, they have the same core belief in something greater than the person.

As there have been wars that have come from different religions because of their differences, which still happens today in this world. All of the teachings speak of respecting of others, however when it comes down to it most people are blind to this lesson. It is the people who create the battle because they think that their way is the right way and thus their God is the right one. For a better understanding is that God/Creator is a river and the separate religious philosophies are wells in that river.

When we look at any one religion, there is the text that was written by man by the aid of God/Creator. Those texts are the way to live your life. They are like a blueprint for the followers of that faith and most times it talks in a positive way. The one thing is that there is a misunderstanding of the real meaning of those texts because of the way it is taught. I say this because the person who is delivering the message see it one way and the followers of that religion might get the message in another way.

To break it down ever further, religion is a lifestyle. There are those who live the lifestyle that is spelled out in the religious texts. The reason why I say that religion is a lifestyle is because it is not the text that matters as much but are you living the way of your religion’s philosophy. That is where most people fail when it comes to their faith.

In this day and age, mankind still has a problem of accepting something that is different from what their own beliefs are. My faith is close to Buddhism; however, I do believe in a grater power that has created the universe and this world. This is why it does not matter to me what your belief is because if you treat me with respect, I will do the same.

Stay safe.