Blue Cheese, Fun Rocks and Shakespeare

Religion

Religion is a touchy subject for many people. It has been a building block for many cultures and a catalyst for many conflicts. There is no way to count the number of lives that have been lost through persecution and war. The idea that any one religion is more important than another and that somehow justifies murder has turned me off of organized religion.  

Before I continue I will discuss something about myself.

I am considered Catholic because that is what my parents told me and I was too young to remember different. I haven’t been to church since I was twelve and I only went back then because they gave away scooters and candy. When I was five I was thrown in a dark closet because I coughed too loudly in church. My fondest memory of church was when I went with my friend and his family to a predominately African American congregation. I was one of only two caucasions there but the experience was amazing. They truly celebrated their beliefs and I was never treated differently. I loved the experience and found it very rewarding.

That being said I am against organized religion. That doesn’t mean I am an atheist or that I am prejudice against anyone because of their beliefs. Being against organized religion doesn’t mean I turn my back or discredit anyone who has a strong conviction. I admire people for who they are and will not judge them because my belief system is different from theirs. I am turned off to organized religion because the truth is I see it as a major source of conflict.

Group A doesn’t like how Group B thinks and therefore Group A believes that it is okay to persecute Group B. Group A and Group B can represent just about any religion because the truth is at one time each group has persecuted another because they didn’t agree with them.

The biggest problem is Fanatics. I can’t stand anyone who hurts another human being because they have a different view of life.

One of my best friends is Muslim. He was born in Bosnia and had to live through the unlawful ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces. I can’t imagine what his family has gone through. I have heard some of the stories and when I think about it I get a sinking feeling. I love his mother as she is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I try to put myself in their shoes and I can’t. I am truly glad I have met him and his family because theirs is the greatest story of courage.

I must admit I was ignorant about how to interact with him at first. I blame it on my lack of knowledge in other cultures when I was younger. What I found out is he is exactly like me. We love women, movies, sports, women, sports, movies and did I mention women! We have the same sense of humor. We watch the same movies. We enjoy most of the same activities. He got into cagefighting but I hate getting hit so all I can do is root for him. He is like a brother to me and I would fight for him just as much as I would fight for anyone else in my family. I know he would do the same for me.

And whereas i’m not sure I said what I wanted to I said it and put it out there. I don’t think we should hate others because they are different. Race, religion and sexual orientation should never play a role in how you treat others.

Disclaimer: This topic is open for debate but please do not flame another religion or spew hatred about another person unless they are a scientologist but those guys are just weird.