"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." ~Dalai Lama
I like the Dalai Lama's approach to religion. I don't understand how people can use religion, or lack thereof, as an excuse to be intolerant or cruel to others.
Everyone has a right to believe in something. This of course does lead to some problems. Especially if that belief involves the murder/suicide of anyone. And I do find it hard to take the people who worship things like cows or cats seriously. But I refuse to believe that there is one right religion for the world. I do believe that everyone needs to believe in something. This doesn't necessarily mean you believe in a greater being that controls the universe, but it could mean you believe in the beauty of the universe, or the the goodness of human nature, or your own personal strength and abilities. This to me is religion. Simply belief that leads to an individual striving to be better.
I was born and raised roman catholic. So I can't say I know everything about all religions and I'm definitely not all that well educated in theology in general. But I do know that from what I've experienced throughout my life and what I've been taught, there is some kind of greater good. This isn't personified in an old man with a long beard sitting on a cloud passing out judgement. To me personally, I think that people are generally good, some are misguided. And I think that religion should be a personal experience. No one should have to tell you what to believe in or what is right and what is wrong. People need to figure that out for themselves from somewhere within them based on experience, culture, who they are and how they were raised.
I sort of believe in karma.. but not the exact definition which involves reincarnation. Its like you get what you put out there. And if you send out negative vibes and generally think poorly of others, and treat others in a subpar manner you're bound to feel those negative vibes bounce back at you. I like to think of it as resonance. If you try to spread happiness you're bound to be a happier person. This isn't to say bad things can't happen to good people. But you can't control everything and your reactions towards what happen in your life are more important than what actually happens. You could become paralyzed and live your life in misery or you could become paralyzed and live an amazing life. Generally, its up to each individual how they handle their circumstances. It would be my perfect world if everyone would be happy and try to make those around them happy. What I do agree with in most religions is how they are against lying, stealing etc. This is another negative vibe kind of thing and if you lie to others there's a good chance someone is lying to you.
Anyways, religion is a touchy subject with most people because everyone likes to believe that their faith is the right one. So I was slightly hesitant to write this. But its one of those things where I feel strongly enough to write about it. Its up there with closed-mindedness.
I like the Dalai Lama's approach to religion. I don't understand how people can use religion, or lack thereof, as an excuse to be intolerant or cruel to others.
Everyone has a right to believe in something. This of course does lead to some problems. Especially if that belief involves the murder/suicide of anyone. And I do find it hard to take the people who worship things like cows or cats seriously. But I refuse to believe that there is one right religion for the world. I do believe that everyone needs to believe in something. This doesn't necessarily mean you believe in a greater being that controls the universe, but it could mean you believe in the beauty of the universe, or the the goodness of human nature, or your own personal strength and abilities. This to me is religion. Simply belief that leads to an individual striving to be better.
I was born and raised roman catholic. So I can't say I know everything about all religions and I'm definitely not all that well educated in theology in general. But I do know that from what I've experienced throughout my life and what I've been taught, there is some kind of greater good. This isn't personified in an old man with a long beard sitting on a cloud passing out judgement. To me personally, I think that people are generally good, some are misguided. And I think that religion should be a personal experience. No one should have to tell you what to believe in or what is right and what is wrong. People need to figure that out for themselves from somewhere within them based on experience, culture, who they are and how they were raised.
I sort of believe in karma.. but not the exact definition which involves reincarnation. Its like you get what you put out there. And if you send out negative vibes and generally think poorly of others, and treat others in a subpar manner you're bound to feel those negative vibes bounce back at you. I like to think of it as resonance. If you try to spread happiness you're bound to be a happier person. This isn't to say bad things can't happen to good people. But you can't control everything and your reactions towards what happen in your life are more important than what actually happens. You could become paralyzed and live your life in misery or you could become paralyzed and live an amazing life. Generally, its up to each individual how they handle their circumstances. It would be my perfect world if everyone would be happy and try to make those around them happy. What I do agree with in most religions is how they are against lying, stealing etc. This is another negative vibe kind of thing and if you lie to others there's a good chance someone is lying to you.
Anyways, religion is a touchy subject with most people because everyone likes to believe that their faith is the right one. So I was slightly hesitant to write this. But its one of those things where I feel strongly enough to write about it. Its up there with closed-mindedness.
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