Religiously Not

Religion keeps popping up-- my friends' conversations in passing, protesters, interviewers (does it literally state no tattoos in the bible?), my grandparents, or me nonchalantly noticing things.

I can't help but wonder why we choose to have our belief and confidence in ourselves restored via something as superficial as religion. True, I'm not as objective as I'd like, but in the grand scheme of things, I do need facts. I need proof. There should be no reasonable doubt. Not even a shadow of what could be labeled reasonable doubt.

Religion, as I've come to know it, started as one thing. Then depending on who you ask, it turns out to be several different other things. Birthdays aren't allowed here, holidays are frowned upon there, and ultimately the bible is open to interpretation (see: one should not lie, cheat, steal, etc.). I am more than fine with my religious family & friends; even possibly believing that there may be something that brought everything together. I am less-than-fine with the overwhelming fan club. The do-gooders who spend their's and their children's lives trying to convince people like me that people like them are the "right" ones.

First Amendment aside, our rights end where someone else's begin.

I recently discovered one of my friends, her husband, and her mother, all whom I've done previous theatre shows with, decided it was in their best interest to no longer have me as a friend. I concluded this came from my being an agnostic-mostly-liberal citizen, but upon closer inspection may have just been over my not paying proper respects when asked to join idolizing Sarah Palin and her... "intelligence".

Even on my good days I couldn't fake that kind of acting. I give credit where credit is due, and it is not going to someone who continuously phrases the most idiotic things I've heard in a long time.

...

I believe in what I see as the focal point to religion(s): moral values instilled in oneself and then reflected on others. I fail to believe in thanking (praising) or blaming elsewhere for what could be circumstantial coincidences.

We should believe in ourselves. That we hold the keys to happiness, success, failures, love, riches, knowledge; anything we desire. We hold intrinsic value to one another, and it is powerful. Believe in yourself. You are the only one making your dreams come true. Fate, luck, coincidence, miracles, psychics, astrologists, horoscopes aside; the decisions we make are ours and ours alone.From that, the future is born.