Who’s right? who’s wrong? it is indeed a touchy subject as many would say. On one hand we have each religious groups who for the most part believe they are on the right path. Then we have Atheist who don’t believe any of it and agnostics who agree to say they are unsure of the truth. Many times I’ve been caught in the middle of a heated debate on this topic. What I have taken back from most of these is the conclusion that the biggest problem that feeds the fire in this case is the danger of childhood indoctrination. Although not everyone who is religious was brought up with no choice of what path to choose, I find that through my personal interactions with those who were given no choice are much more opposed to any form of discussion or questioning of their faith.
In most cases people have no choice what path to follow they take on the religion of their parents from birth. They are taught never to question what the “GOOD BOOK” say’s as this book is “THE WORD OF GOD” it is written in stone, a final word. This is very dangerous and has proven so through history, wars have been fought, millions of lives have been lost. It is against human nature to limit a persons thinking in this manner, however it has been used as a form of control of centuries. When someone has been indoctrinated as a child and conditioned to never question their beliefs when introduced to new ideas they become extremely hostile and unpredictable.
It is my personal belief that the story of “creation” is much more beautiful than anything that has been explained in books. But my belief is just that, a “belief” not fact has yet to be proven but surely not in a book. Does that make me evil? unholy? or a lost soul? No! it makes me a human who based on his life experiences decided not to sign on to any theological explanation to his existence. As Humans we are all naturally explorers, we see this in newborns and toddlers. Until we start to condition and teach them the way, I refuse to be held down and limit my ability to use thought and reason to come to my own conclusions, and discover my own realities.
Think about that for once, look inside yourself for answers, question your beliefs, are they strong enough to survive your natural ability to reason and research them? There is a war going on for the human mind and to many of us surrendered at birth with no choice.
(note: thank you for the response I have gotten many emails, Facebook, and twitter comments on this story I made some edits and added a little to clarify my position. I will make another post at another time detailing exactly what “I” believe to clear some other things up as well but, that’s another post. I do request that you do comment on the blog itself so we can keep an open discussion. )
Another very good point. I have this battle with my mom because although she says that “faith” is what saves us, deep down she trully believes that being christian is the only way to “heaven.” I myself don’t believe in any of this God talk. I do believe that we as people should learn to take responsibility for ALL of our actions. May they be negative or positive. Needless to say, we should really treat people the way want others to treat us. Do we truly need a GOD to tell us this? It may be the case for some people. And that’s what’s so sad about religion. People turn to religion in the time of need. Much like a crackhead in the time of a quick high.. then they become dependant. And can’t function without it.
This assumes that the religious never arrive there by choice or study. Many do. Plenty of genius level people through history have put a lot of thought into theology, and while some people may believe in a childish way, that doesn’t have to… be so. Indoctrination and control always go on, regardless of if religion is used to do it. Wars are always fought, and rarely for theological dispute. Most so-called religious wars are fought for land, freedom, soveriegnity, etc.
I’m saying i agree that people should always question their beliefs,and reason and research their way through, (i think that’s healthy) but that i think that’s what i’ve done to a different conclusion. I think what you’re saying is true in this way: most people stick with a set of beliefs because they’re comfortable there, and they don’t want to admit why. That’s true of any deeper philosophical belief.
No one can get to a Creator with out faith. Believing something is real based on a hope is no different than children hoping they’ll get a pony for their birthdays.