[Please excuse the language on the graphics...they in no way are my personal words, but for the sake of the post, are included]
What is religion? What does it mean to you? For me, religion is hope. Religion gives me something to aim for. If you think about it, our whole world is based around religion. The founding fathers of America based the laws of the land on biblical allusions, and a lot of the controversial issues America is currently facing are all due to the disputable content in religious texts.
Personally, I grew up in a Christian home, knowing the Ten Commandments, and believing that homosexuality was wrong. But it wasn't until I reached high school that I was able to really analyze my beliefs for myself, and not live solely on what was told to me when I was younger. Now don't get me wrong; I still whole-heartedly believe in God, as well as a majority of what was taught to me, but some things still remain in a gray area...for instance, homosexuality...
Like I said, I grew up in a house where it was said that being gay was a bad thing, and that I would go to hell for being gay (in other words I was discouraged from "becoming a homosexual"), but it somewhat contradicted the statement that was always stressed to me: "God loves everyone, not matter what". So for me, when someone says "gays are going to hell", I think, "who are we to condemn them for doing something they want?" It makes me so uncomfortable that people feel so deeply about a personal issue, and it also bothers me, because just 60 years ago, black people were in the same position...
Did you know... that it was made a law that blacks could not marry whites during the Jim Crow era? It seems like an obvious statement, considering the blatant segregation, but it still hurts, because in the end, we are all people, and we should not be told who we should marry, just on the basis of religious views. The way I see it, if you really think homosexuality is that serious of an issue, just don't pay any attention to it; let homosexuals be homosexuals and worry about yourself. Don't continue to try and persuade people who obviously do not want to change. Just get yourself right and you can guarantee your eternal life (if you believe in that).
If you're one of those people who are adamant about your religion, think about it this way: The Ten Commandments are the ultimate religious law of the land... idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft, and adultery are a few prohibited acts, but no where does it say "thou shall not be homosexual". I think we should get our priorities in check for ourselves and concentrate on bigger problems (such as the ones listed in the Ten Commandments) before we start condemning people for loving those of the same sex.
That's all I have to say about that particular subject...
Now back to religion as a whole... a lot of people are still apathetic, or don't really have a preference or care for religion, and that's okay; I had an apathetic friend in high school, who was quite logical and could not wrap her head around the idea of God, but when she did have a religious based question, I, my Methodist friend, and my Jewish friend (odd...I know) were there to answer her questions, and although we all had somewhat different answers, she understood that the root of them were quite similar. And that brings me to another point of why religion can seem confusing; every denomination believes they are right. and I personally believe that, to an extent, every religion is right. I know it is an odd observation, but I truly believe it...I also think that the every religion's foundation is based on similar values and beliefs, but minor variations cause the most uproar and I have no clue why.
Lately, I've been asking myself, "what if I married a Muslim? Or a Jewish man? Would my parents approve?" I can honestly say, I don't think so. But the real question is would I care if the person I married was a Muslim, Jewish, or of another faith. I definitely know that I could not marry an atheist, because our views would be extremely different, but I would not mind spending my life with someone who believed in another form of what I believe. It's strange, I know, but I'm a little more open-mined these days, and I would completely be up for a new learning experience, I mean, that is what life is about, right?
To wrap this all up, religion is supposed to be a good thing; it's supposed to bring joy, life, and hope into the lives of people who have dealt with trials and tribulations. I'm not the type to shove bible verses down my friends throat, nor do I condone it. But if someone is trying to explain their views and beliefs, it wouldn't hurt to at least hear them out...you might learn something.
Signing off!
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