Watching Religulous made me realize how many questions about religion I do have. I mean why we believe in something that has never truly been proven. No one can actually answer if there was an Adam and Eve who created humanity. Why do we follow the preaching’s of something that was written by man regarding an entity that creates miracles, life and judges upon on our last day on earth? This person who sends us to a better place after death yet, causes war, catastrophes’ and fatal illnesses amongst people of all ages?
As a child I was raised catholic, went to church and went through the religious rites that my parents believed in. I followed the rules set forth by the church and didn’t ask any questions. As I got older though I found that I had issues with some of the rules and the idea that I had to go to a church and put my faith into one sole person who lived a life of celibacy and completely different then what they preached. I was told to confess my sins in order to receive the body of Christ. To confess to a man who has been ordained a priest, who has taken this vow and has the ability to judge me and what he thinks is a sin. Some of these men are men, who truly found inner peace as Gods messenger, but there are some who are hiding from their sexuality, there are pedophiles and men who do not abide by their celibacy vow and sleep with random women in their congregations. These men while may not be many have no business judging me and forgiving me in my opinion.
In Religulous I did notice that bill Maher seemed to stick to many overzealous religious people. Those that can’t be swayed, who won’t or don’t tolerate anything remotely questioning their god or bible. Why are we so intent on believing in this without research, without question? Why must we listen to the ramblings of others at face value but aren’t allowed to ask questions? My thought is that they really don’t know the answers. They can’t give us a firm answer on whether this was real.
Religion does have some good qualities. It gives people inner peace during tough times in life, in death and when they are sick. But in the same token it has created wars in the name of religion, violent murders and racism. I’m still trying to figure out how to balance all the bad with the good it can bring.
Having faith in God, Allah, Buddha, etc.is a wonderful thing. Everyone should have faith and how ever you find peace within yourself is your business. My problem with any religion is the pushing of your thoughts and beliefs on other people. What may work for you, may not work me or anyone else. For me having faith doesn’t mean that I can preach versus in the bible, go to church every Sunday or even know all the prayers. Faith for me comes from within me. I believe what I believe and I talk to god in my way and when I feel the need is there. Sometimes it’s because I’m praying for a friend, family member or even me and sometimes it’s just to say thank you for giving me the strength and faith to get through the tough times.
