Like art and music, religion is very abstract. It is not a nice clean and neat little box. There are no complete steadfast rules. Because we are all different our belief systems will be different. Even scientific ideaology can lean towards the abstract on non-confined mentality. The beauty of being human is the beauty to believe differently. This beauty also comes with a very ugly side to it. If one is extreme in their beliefs, then sometimes it comes along with a complete unmoveability or open-mindedness. This can cause ill feelings to enter and what is supposed to be (in my belief) based in love tends to end up being more based on hate.

Since life was.......well since there was life - there has been a dilemma in the idea of a higher being, spirituality and hope. Religion is kind of like a corporate view of spirituality. A religion tends to adopt a structure based on the belief system of an individual or a group of individuals. The doctrine as it is frequently referred to becomes the basis or foundation of that religion. As a whole, the members of that religion adopt the doctrine and then you have a group with likeminded beliefs and values. And although its intention is to create a community it tends to bring out some negative connotations. Many religious sects frown upon an individual who is non-conventional to the overall religious belief system. Some religions even go as far as ousting individuals. It is this writer's opinion that there is a fine line between cultist behavior and religion as a whole. I think what we are looking for is spirituality and hope of things to come. But out of a strong desire to belong and have "community", we join groups. Although there is strength in numbers; the truly strong tend to stand alone. Being satisfied with your own inner spirit is hard but in the end worth it. This being said it is nice to belong but necessary to hold on to the true essence of your individuality.

Lately religion, hope, spirituality and belief systems have been taking the forefront of the media. Between Barack Obama's choice of a religious leader to the polygamist's images on our television and computer screens, it all comes down to questions regarding spiritual belief. Heck the Middle Eastern conflict is based on religious beliefs. Maybe if humans respected individuality a bit more, many of these conflicts could be resolved. I have no problem liking someone but not believing in all they believe in. Humans have flaws. Ministers, high priests, sect leaders and even the pope are ALL human and therefore flawed. Perhaps if less importance were given to these high figures, we may all be better off. Power is a very interesting concept. One cannot have power unless it has been given over to them. It is much different than respect. Is polygamy a terrible thing? Maybe it is not. Maybe there are situations in where it works. The same is true of most religions. Giving too much power to a group or an individual is where the problems seem to lie. The belief of Polygamy is not the terrible thing, but the abuse that comes along with it because of the abuse of power given to a leader is a bad thing. Barack Obama being a member of a church with a once good teacher (minister) was not a bad thing. The power that the minster assumed and abused was a terrible thing. The list can go on and on including the mess of the Catholic Church, whose leaders were once again not only handed power that was probably not warranted but the power was abused and children were hurt. Who is worst then here? The polygamists; the Catholic Church; or Reverend Jim Jones who led many people to their death. If we cannot hold onto our individual belief system when joining a community, we give away power. Unfortunately that power is sometimes given away to evil masquerading as good.

It is simple, because there are so many who have different ideas, beliefs and passions. SO remember, It is important to seek your own brain and your own mind for the answers first. Listen to others and adopt some of the views. Be careful though not to adopt them all. NEVER, NEVER give away ALL of your power. Since the beginning of time, there have been different answers to the same questions. The truth is there is no exact or right answer. It is what you have in YOUR heart and in YOUR brain. Sure, there are many who have, who are and who will make us believe that THEY have all the answers. But nobody does. All we do have is hope and faith. Both are the desire for something good to happen yet not knowing how and when and what will.