Religion-What it Means

What is religion?  Is religion just having a faith in a higher spirit?  Or can religion also be having a set of beliefs regardless of what those beliefs are in or of?  These are questions that have been pondered throughout human history, and until the ultimate showing of the truth it will continue to be held in high regard.   People will continue to kill for the word of God, and they will continue to treat their fellow human beings, that may or may not have a similar set of beliefs, poorly.  Which in itself is contradictory to religious teachings the world over.  All religions have one common theme and that is the use of the Golden Rule.  Treat others as you would have them treat you.  If everyone in the world would follow that one simple rule, that one simple guiding principle, the world would be a happy place.  Tolerance is one principle that should be taught in schools, it should be taught in the homes as well.  When you come across someone that is different than you, what are your actions?  Do you try to understand where this person came from, or would you shun that person and ignore them or practice intolerance?

            You see for me being a religious person does not mean going to church every Sunday or Saturday or whatever your faith dictates.  Being religious is having dignity and respect for our fellow human beings.  Being respectful and understanding of another person’s existence is a fundamental principle of all religions.  Caring about a neighbor, helping them when they need help is what makes us good people.  The good people care for someone when they don’t have to, but they do it out of love, despite what denomination their faith is. 

            I am not a Mormon, nor do I agree with 2% of their beliefs but I was taught as a child by my mother to always be respectful of other people.  So when the missionaries came to my house to talk about the gospel, I listened.  I treated that missionary like a human being that deserves to be heard.  I was thrilled that this person had a message that they lived and were proud to share.  Did I at anytime feel forced to commit?  No I didn’t.  I have been pressured more by car salesmen than I ever have by religious people.  Since they did not try to force anything upon me I felt it was unnecessary to be rude.  She knew though, five minutes after meeting me that I was not interested in the Mormon Church or following that religion.  After she discussed her beliefs with me I then educated her on what my beliefs are.    Do you know what the funny thing is?  Those two different belief systems were paralleled in their message.  

I guess at the core of this discussion is one thing. It is neither right nor wrong to have a faith in any God. If you believe in the teaching of the Holy Scripture, I am very happy for you. In having this belief you cannot go wrong. Either way, so long as you live an honorable life, your reward is there waiting for you. If on the other hand you choose to discount the Scripture that is your choice. You have free will and what you chose to do with your life is ultimately up to you. So long as you are leading an honorable life you’ll be fine.

In the end whatever your beliefs are if you are kind to me I too will be kind to you. If you are evil to me then I will turn the other cheek and abandon you. However, don’t wait for someone to be kind to you before you are kind to them. It is a two way street and you reap what you sow.

© 2010 by Wesley Cox. All rights reserved. Copying without permission is illegal and will be prosecuted.