About Religion, Acceptance And Love

 

I might get myself into dangerous territory here. But there is one thing that I need to get off my chest. Actually I already did a little while ago with this post. So just for being clear: I’m aware of the fact that religion is really important to many of you. I’m aware that you believe and that you gain a lot of strength out of it. I’m aware that your believes helped many of you through really hard times.

So I thought it’s time for some lists.

Maybe I start of with a list of things I don’t understand in regards to religion:

I don’t understand why it should be your way or no way.

I don’t understand why everyone needs to believe in the same god or thing in order for this world to be in balance.

I don’t understand why I have to justify the way I see it, the way I believe it.

I don’t understand why some people get aggressive just because you don’t believe the way they do.

I don’t understand why some people take it upon themselves to force others into believing into the same thing they do.

I don’t understand, because if your god is the way you say he/she/it is, then all of this should not be necessary. We all would be welcomed with open arms, everything would be forgiven and we would be loved, no matter what.

 

How about a list of things I believe in:

I do believe too. But I don’t believe in having to go to a building in order to be good. I don’t believe in having to read a book in order to be good. I don’t believe that rules written by people centuries ago have to be followed to the dot nowadays in order to be good. I don’t believe that you have to repeat a ‘poem’ written in the words of someone else in order to say thank you or in order to be good.

I believe that there is something out there that created this beautiful world, something that created us, that looks after us. Something that makes this world go round and round.

I believe that we have to be thankful for the beauty we see every day. Our life, the people in our life. This world.

I believe in saying thank you. But I want to do it in my words.

I believe in mysteries and in magic. I believe in miracles.

 

Some thoughts on the side:

I think that religion, which religion does not matter really, is unfortunately used as a tool of power and control nowadays. Probably always… All the different books with all those stories and rules, which were written by amazing people many many many summers ago, are used to control. Are used to brainwash. And I think it’s a shame.

I feel very rarely are those words used to make the world better. Look around!

Instead of teaching that loving each other, no matter if heterosexual or homosexual or any other possible way, is a good thing, as long as you love each other and treat each other with respect. Unfortunately too often it’s used to teach that there is only one “right” way… Why? I ask you! Especially the ones that deeply believe (in whichever religion). I do have some questions for you.

 

How about a short list of questions:

Why is it, that people can not freely decide who they want to love and spend their lives with? Why does it have to be heterosexual?

Why is it wrong to believe in other gods, or nature or whatever tribes or other people, other cultures believe in? They believe in something good, something great, something unique too…

Why is it, that there can only be one god? And why is it that God can not also be Allah or Buddah? I’m aware that the stories written in the books those religions use are not the same. Having said that… they are pretty similar in some cases…

Why is it, that you can follow all those rules and then be a racist?

 

Some thoughts on the side:

Religion should be about love and acceptance, right? Where is the love and the acceptance for the people who decide to believe slightly different?

Now, I’m not saying that just because you read the Bible and go to Church (or the Koran and Mosque or whatever…), you are not living love and acceptance. This is just generally speaking. Some questions that I have for a while.

For me personally, I don’t see the point why I have to go to a building on a specific day, or that I have to pray on a specific time or in specific words. There is something out there and I am so thankful for what I get from it. I feel close to it in nature, when I see my children, when I look around, realizing how amazing this world is. And I say my thanks. In my words, in my way.

Does that make me a bad person?

I highly doubt it.

I think what this world needs is more love and more acceptance. It’s love and acceptance for each and everyone of us. We need to learn to be kind and accepting again. Not overpowering or dictating. We should look after each other instead of trying to control each other. There should be more together and less against each other.

Sounds a little bit like a pipe-dream… But still: How nice would it be, right?

Not only but also in response to the Daily Post Daily Prompt – The Satisfaction Of A List