What Do You Believe In?

Religion. It’s one of those taboo dinner table topics. You don’t want to be losing friends and creating conflict between loved ones when you try to tell them that they’re wrong and you’re right when it comes to God. Last night at a friend's place I decided to bite my tongue and keep quiet when I heard a religious individual disrespecting another belief system. But, I couldn't help myself here.

I don’t like that religion is a taboo topic. It just shows that people are incapable of having a mature conversation or debate on the subject which plays a significant role in millions of people’s lives. We all have a right to our opinion but at the same time we should respect the opinion of others and be willing to listen to different perspectives.

Religion is an organised group of people. Sometimes it’s purely spiritual, at other times it’s a business. In the end it’s a personal choice what you choose to believe and whatever that is, as long as it’s centered around love for yourself, for those around you and nature, then you’re free to do as you please.

What irks me the most though is when people feel they have a right to say that one religion is better or worse than another. Or when they start calling nature lovers Satan worshipers. Seriously, it’s time to do some of your own research instead of just sitting listening to some guy make a big spiel in front of hundreds. Just cause he’s up there doesn’t make him right.

Looking back at history most organised religions have gotten a bad rap for a group of people who became fanatical and used religions as a means of war. Think the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages executing women for believing they were witches, or the Islamists during 9/11, or the conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India. Unfortunately, most of this conflict is brought on by ignorance.

I don’t like religion per se. But not liking religion has nothing to do with not believing in a higher power, God, Buddha, Zeus or whatever you call him or her in your corner of this big beautiful globe. I’ve always been under the impression that a person is smart, but people, especially in an organised group become a little bit stupid. By that I mean they stop thinking for themselves. They follow others who are aren’t necessarily right nor is their goal one of goodness. Hence, all the strife that has been caused in the name of religion in the past.

There is one God. He or she comes under many different names. There’s no one right or wrong way in believing in him or her. But there are many methods. It’s one of those things that makes the world a beautiful, colorful and enriching place. Depending on where you were born and how you were raised will depend on your belief system. But it all comes down to one thing: treat others like you want to be treated. If we all followed this simple guideline the world would be in a much better place.

I’ve met people in my life who have completely different belief systems to my own. But the common denominator remains: love & respect. Love & respect for ourselves, love & respect for others, love & respect for our environment.

Do you think religion should be a taboo topic?