A personal view on organized religion and a call for more tolerance.

What is it with organized religion? How can so many different ideas be such a violently argued subject, when it is all basically the same subject? Does it matter which name brand you put on your God?
These are the questions that plague my mind when the conversation turns to religion. I myself do not believe in organized religion, however, that’s not to say that I believe that it is bad for others to subscribe to some sect of organized religion. I feel the important question is always overlooked as the arguments breakout over minor deviations between the different schools of thought. How many times have you heard someone say: “I can’t believe they are catholic (or whatever), don’t they know the truth?” I have to laugh at that, everyone is right and all the rest are wrong. Even people in the same denomination are not safe... “Mr. & Mrs. Smith, are not very good Lutherans.”
Let’s get off the “My god is better” kick, and start looking at what faith does for the person. If you are happy and comfortable, living day to day believing that ‘little red ground hogs’ are the divine force of god. Great! That works for you, and because of it, you can get up in the morning, go to work, and feel relatively safe thinking that those ‘little red ground hogs’ are going to keep you safe and happy on this little world.
However, you can never, ever, tell anyone in this country that you think ‘little red ground hogs’ are the divine force of god. You will be shunned, laughed at and probably find yourself in some sort of psycho therapy for the rest of your life. This country boasts about its religious freedom.., but have you ever tried to live it? For some reason, all organized religions only give it lip service. They will seek you out and destroy you if you are of any other thought than: their thought. No? How many religious crusades have you been involved in? Missionary work. (trying to bring your god to other countries). Youth groups. (get ‘em while their young) How about just bringing your neighbors to your church, and passing them around the congregation in a rousing display of fellowship? It all means the same thing. “What you believe is not good enough. You have to believe what I believe.”
Religion is a personal thing, if you are lucky enough to find another person that believes what you do, rejoice. Then you may even want to move in together, because to find a perfectly ‘like’ mind is nearly impossible! No one believes the same things exactly. You may have similar ideas, but everyone has similar ideas. The object of religion is to make yourself comfortable with your life and help make you a better person for society. Does being a Catholic make all Lutherans mass murderers?
“What does your religion do for you?” It helps you get out of bed and live your life. It seems that the only people that are not letting us live the way that we want to is the leaders of these religions. Now don’t get this wrong folks. I believe that many people need to live exactly that way. However, I’m also saying that none of us should be surprised that little Suzy homemaker, that was brought up in a strict catholic household, up and decides to become the leader of the 7th day Adventists group in her new neighborhood. So What if she does? These are the beliefs that are closest to her, and she understands them. No one is right, no one is wrong. It is all about being happy with yourself and tolerating your fellow man. “We all have to find god in our own way” period. Diversity should be embraced not rejected.
As it is, all of history is full of “My god is better”. Almost every early war that was fought, was about whose god is the ‘right’ god; and millions of people have died for it. Look into your own faith and do a body count, it will shock you how many have died for your religious leaders. As I have said, this is not good or bad, but... this is the history that all organized religions want you to forget! Or, if you do happen to remember it, they want you to be proud of the sacrifice that was made for you. However you choose to ‘remember’ it is still war, death, and tyranny. All of which are trying to prove a religion that can’t be proved. That is why it is called faith.
I truly want every religion on the planet to stop playing the ‘god game’ and teach tolerance. Stop pushing your god on me, and let me find a way that makes me want to get up in the morning and live. Because religion is basically about: not killing each other in heavy traffic! And most importantly, it’s about being human.

MRM