Religion is more than attending a church....

Many people have warped ideas of what religion is. For many people, they consider themselves religious when they wake up every Sunday morning and go to church for the greater part of the day. Some people consider themselves religious when they pray to the Higher Being for help.Some people consider themselves religious because they donate money and time to those in need.

I feel that being religious is having faith in a Higher Being and believing that while some sort of a plan is already outlined for us, only we are the true controllers of our destiny. Only we can decide what will make us successful. Only we can acknowledge what truly makes us happy. All the while realizing that a Higher Being DID create us and simply gave us a paint brush and blank canvas to create the masterpiece that is our life.

I have always been one to experiment with different religions/beliefs. In middle school, I briefly experimented with Wicca and all its mysteries. Throughout high school, I read about and briefly practiced the Buddhist religion. This was one of the most peaceful, tranquile periods of my life because, well, let's face it, The Buddha is not a happy man because he's fat. He's at peace with the world and everything around him. The power of meditation is highly underestimated! Recently, I have been returning to my Catholic/Christian roots and also reading up on Kabbalah, which is also quite a peaceful religion (Kabbalists prefer it be referred to as a "way of life").

But my debate is not about which religion people prefer to classify themselves with. Instead, my debate is why is it so difficult to realize that religion is basically just another word for faith and hope? Religion is another word for a person being at peace, being peaceful. So with that said, why are we so quick to judge and critique others for their "religious beliefs"? Why does it make us so un at ease when others have differing beliefs than us. Should it not make us happy that they believe in something that puts them in a peaceful state, that makes them tranquile?

Why did Hitler find it to be appropriate to attack a group of people because they were Jewish, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Gypsies? Why did we find it morally right to attack and/or discriminate against Muslims after the September 11th attacks?

With that said, whatever religion you may happen to be, I want to let it be known that I will not discriminate against you. If you believe in God, Buddha, Allah, or if you believe that Elvis Presley is the Higher Being, I will be happy as long as you are peaceful, tranquile, and find faith lying in your Higher Being.

Blessed be all!