...religions? Please pay very close attention to what I am saying as I anticipate many readers (especially the religious ones) misinterpreting this question. I'll begin by saying that I consider myself to be agnostic, which I suppose might help people understand me a little better. While my family members do not claim to be atheists, my family does not go to church and does not talk about God. Naturally, as I grew up, I have been able to sit back and think about different religions for myself without being forced into one early on, which unfortunately many young people today fall victim to, I suspect. When I was younger, I went through a phase where I wanted to find the religion that was perfect for me, once I found out that virtually everyone and everything in the USA is religious (predominantly christian). Religion seemed okay and relatively harmless to society, but it never stuck with me for several reasons, which make up one big reason really. For years and years, religion has been used to explain ideas and concepts that humans have little to no hope of ever fully comprehending, including but certainly not limited to: the afterlife, the universe, the creation of the universe, and lots of different phenomena. When humans figure something out (proving religion wrong), the church finds a way to change what they believe or possibly accept/ignore the truth. A quick example of this is the old geocentric theory of the earth being in the middle of the universe. Simply put, human beings seek knowledge and subsequently comfort and peace of mind. Christianity promotes happiness and goodness and not sinning and all that kind of stuff. I think that's why it's so appealing.
Recently, someone I knew brought up religion, and when I told them I didn't believe any type of religion (he asked), he said "Well what do you live for, then?" I quickly ended the conversion because, as with most religious debates, it was going nowhere fast. But my answer to that question is fairly simple. Very literally, I'm alive because of my parents, and I will live my life until my organs expire like everyone else. Maybe there is a bigger reason for life, or not, or something different that humans can't quite comprehend, but whatever the reason might be, nobody knows for sure, and it is likely that no one will ever know. Science, math, experiments, and the world's top brains can potentially get us close. Religious texts, on the other hand...not so much.
I can honestly say, with a clear conscience, that I have tried my best to understand religion and why it is so widespread and accepted by so many people. I understand the appeal of religion, especially Christianity, but to me, a better life is seeking truth and logic, as opposed to blindly accepting preconceived ideas and human-postulated godly beings.
And as a side question, how do people of one religion justify their beliefs knowing that there are thousands of different religions? I understand the different cultures and whatnot, but that is irrelevant...who is correct?
Is anyone really correct?
Recently, someone I knew brought up religion, and when I told them I didn't believe any type of religion (he asked), he said "Well what do you live for, then?" I quickly ended the conversion because, as with most religious debates, it was going nowhere fast. But my answer to that question is fairly simple. Very literally, I'm alive because of my parents, and I will live my life until my organs expire like everyone else. Maybe there is a bigger reason for life, or not, or something different that humans can't quite comprehend, but whatever the reason might be, nobody knows for sure, and it is likely that no one will ever know. Science, math, experiments, and the world's top brains can potentially get us close. Religious texts, on the other hand...not so much.
I can honestly say, with a clear conscience, that I have tried my best to understand religion and why it is so widespread and accepted by so many people. I understand the appeal of religion, especially Christianity, but to me, a better life is seeking truth and logic, as opposed to blindly accepting preconceived ideas and human-postulated godly beings.
And as a side question, how do people of one religion justify their beliefs knowing that there are thousands of different religions? I understand the different cultures and whatnot, but that is irrelevant...who is correct?
Is anyone really correct?
