Another View on Religion

Commentary Editor

   While some people claim religion’s primary concern consists of money, the pros of practicing a religion in America outweigh the few problems.

   Former President George Washington stated in his farewell address to the nation the importance of participating in religion.

   “Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle,” Washington said.

   Religion provides many benefits for education, the community and family relationships to name a few. For example, we’re all aware of the importance of education in our society, but have you thought what aspects are beneficial in attaining your goals as a student?

   The answer is persistence and discipline, which is mentioned in the Holy Bible. Scripture on persistence, found in Romans 2:7 says, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Proverbs 5:23 states, “He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” In other words, strive to reach your goals and don’t deter from achieving them.

   All communities can benefit from compassion and peace that religions teach. People spend so much of their time ignoring those in need and arguing they miss important things. Occasionally, you should think when you last saw the sun rise or took time to donate a couple of dollars to a needy person.

   Exodus 22:27 states,“ ... Because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.” Leviticus  26:6 says, ”I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid.” These passages insure one to experience some happiness and harmony when dealing with other people.

   According to BibleGateway.com, the entire Holy Bible contains 697 passages containing the word “love.” Relationships consist of those by choice with a significant other or by linkage to family members. Those participating in a type of religion with their family or significant other benefit in many ways simply because they share the same ideas. I think Colossians 3:14 says it best. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

   The Holy Bible can be compared to “Living a Happy Life for Dummies.” It’s an instruction book, and like all instruction books some decide to try to put the pieces together by themselves resulting in an unsteady piece of work. God is not stupid. He knows we aren’t going to be perfect. He expects us to mess up because we are not just like Him, though some people can’t accept imperfection.

   Some of us are spoon-fed religion until the point we dread attending services and that shouldn’t be the case. In fact, I don’t recall in the Bible where it says you must attend a church function everyday or He will smite you. He wants us to remember Him, show love for Him, try to do our best, and most importantly believe in Him. In general, life and happiness come down to perspective. Any religion on Earth has strengths and weaknesses. We are all human, created by one god, and share some similarities and are defined by our differences.

   Though I understand God’s intentions for humans, reality does hinder understanding these differences. Things such as 9/11 keep Americans on constant watch for terrorists while we also wonder about crimes completed by our own people.

   Questions such as: Where is the missing Stacy Peterson?, Why did Thomas Delenzik hack his wife to death with a machete?, What could’ve caused Heath Ledger to commit suicide?, What caused Steven Kazmierczak to shoot and kill five people at Northern Illinois University? and one I still wonder about, and don’t laugh, Who killed JonBenet Ramsey?

   I don‘t understand or recite various scriptures off the top of my head or attend church very often, but I do feel the need to clear up some misconceptions. Just some FYI to consider. Some evangelists do manipulate for monetary gain, while some preachers use the tithes to support their church. The Bible does consist of paper and ink, but so does Martha Stewart’s Home-keeping Handbook. The difference being a human wrote one while the creator of the universe inspired the other. Huge difference!

   Muslims do believe in women covering themselves and are forbidden to wear jewelry. Weird, yes, but is it wrong? Like I said before, it’s all in the way you perceive things. I respect humankind as long as they respect me, then what they believe or do in their spare time hasn't got anything to do with me. Believe or not, accept differences or don't. My thoughts are when I die, will I just be a rotting corpse? or shall I choose to follow some kind of religion where I have a chance to live forever with Him?  
 
   Every human being on the face of this earth has the right to choose their own personal beliefs ... that right to choose is given by let's see here ... God?

   To read the commentary that inspired this response, please visit this link.

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