136. Religion. God. Vs You.

Sen: You know… I think people who are wiser, they don’t believe in this religion stuff no more.
Lin Ji: No, I just think they see it in a different way…

Religion:

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

God:

the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.

Definitions taken from here

Subject on religion and the talk about God can be a very sensitive topic to discuss. As a matter of fact, how open minded are you right now when such a topic is brought up?

You freethinker? or do you *think* you are a freethinker?
You don’t believe no God exists? or are you saying it only because others are saying it?
Do you shun away when people ask you “so what are you? Christian?”

I was brought up being a Buddhist, but I was brought to Church too and I studied in a government school before, where learning about the Islamic teachings was a must. I am sure there are other religions out there but just from the three I have encountered, I have develop several views on them and from them. Now, if you ask me which one am I, I don’t think I can give you a proper answer without a cup of tea and chocolate biscuits. haha.

Truth is, even with the definitions stated at the beginning of this post, not everyone agrees with the definitions stated. There are so many ways in defining religion and God – it’s all very personal. Religion is something that can break people apart but at the same time bring a bunch together. To those that share similar views, hoorah – they found their haven. To those that don’t, they draw a line and it’s you-you, me-me.

Personally I don’t think I have a proper religion that I stick to. I don’t do all the must-dos stated in the Holy Book. And what I mean by this is the “go to Church every Sunday” thing, you know that sort of stuff? I mean, what makes you say that your Holy Book is more right than mine, and do what your book tells you to do is more right than what my book says? For all I know, both our books were written by humans. I am human and you are human (or at least I hope you are), why let our lives be controlled by some book someone else wrote – someone who may have copied from this somebody else and that somebody else may have taken ideas from here and there, and so forth?

Religion should never equals to God. Religion = God, no this is wrong. Religion + God, this one is right. Or at least I think so. Religion is a set of human said things. You do this, you do that so your life will perish. THAT is religion. You don’t need a book to tell you that when a person kills another whom you love is a bad thing. The book or religion just states that to make it clear and to prevent it from happening – and what’s more, religion adds by stating the punishment you would get IF you do such a bad thing. Therefore, now instead of saying “you must only kill when necessary” and give you a list of the probabilities of when you should kill someone – they merely state “DO NOT KILL OR THOU SHALL BURN IN HELL”. Simple. Tsk.

As for God. Now, I have a God. I do believe in God. I know God exists. I know God is around – everywhere, anywhere.

“Lin Ji, you can’t see God. God travels faster than light. How can you see something that travels faster than light? God needs to travel so fast so that He could listen to everyone’s prayers”.

And through my belief of His existence, I know we are here for a reason. But ultimately, the point is I do not equate God with religion. His work and the mere definition of God is too great to be put into a set of rules noted down into a book. I bet 110% that the way I see God is different from how you see Him. So so So… no right or wrong here again – in defining Him – in how you see Him.

But let me make this clear, I am not saying that having a religion is no good. As a matter of fact, religion does do you good. Like I said, religion brings people together – some needs this togetherness religion builds. And plus, it is most likely that through religion that you realise God’s presence. You don’t know He’s there until someone points out to you.

People now get this mixed up. So because there are so many, so many many religions out there and you have no solid proof to say yours is better than mine, it is wise to just respect. And hell, people gotta look up what respect means – they lack of it now.

So what are you? Christian? =P

~ by floweret on November 30, 2008.