Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Chris Vivero Scott Figuerola - Editor

Religion and faith are touchy subjects for most people. Most of the wars and conflicts fought around the world are the result of these two things. The Crusades, the conflict between Israel and Palestine and terrorism are all forms of religious battles.

How do we as humans take something so simple as believing in a higher power to such extremes?

That is why I'm proud to say I'm not connected to any religion. Yes I said it; I'm an atheist. Get the women and children and run for the hills!

I'm not trying to say all religion is evil, but in my opinion most were formed as ways for the power elite to control the weak in a society. They make these rules and ways to live to try and control chaos, when all they really do is create more.

Now, I don't look down on people who follow a religion; I say more power to them. Everyone needs their own way to get through the day and life. I just get frustrated with people who look down on me for my beliefs.

Whenever I tell people I'm an atheist I almost always get the same question: How do you have any morals or know how to be a good person if you don't believe in God?

And I always have the same response: My parents raised me to know right from wrong and I don't need a higher power or a book to tell me how to live.

I guess my biggest problem is with Christianity.

I understand the basic principles of it, but I don't get why they are so exclusive with their religion.

Everyone I've spoken to from priests to my family have told me the only way to get to heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as my savior and son of God.

I have an extreme problem with that. So basically they are saying people like Gandhi and the Dalai Lama aren't going to heaven because they don't accept Jesus as their savior.

I'm sorry but I'm a good person and those two were great people, but we aren't going to get to heaven, if there is one? And all other religious people like Jews and Muslims are going to hell too? I don't buy it.

I asked my grandmother one time if a person who raped and killed innocent people would go to heaven if he or she accepted Jesus. She said they would if they repented for their sins.

I just can't get behind a religion like that.

Now, I don't want people to think I don't have faith and I'm against all religion.

I do have faith; I have faith in myself and my family. I have faith that there are certain right and wrong ways to live; I just don't have faith that there is some man or woman high in the sky who is judging everything we do down here.

If I were to get behind any religion, it would have to be Buddhism or Hinduism. These seem like more accepting, loving religions. Although I had a friend tell me once that I couldn't be a Hindu because I wasn't born one.

Honestly, I'm happy with my life and how I live. I don't lie, cheat or steal. I have respect for my fellow human beings.

I just want people to understand that not everybody has the same way of living their lives.

What makes us different is what makes living interesting. Who wants to live in a world where everyone is the same?

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