All people should ask themselves why they believe in a set of religious principals. It's not good enough to so strongly believe something "because". And because it's been told for centuries in a book. It's not good to so blindly follow something without investigation.
This is why I will not teach my children to follow religion. They need to experience the world with open minds and ask why. They need to see the world for what it is without false pretenses. They need to understand that all living things will die and not exist. They need to explore science. They need to be present. Because then they will be free to make their own educated choices.
I often wonder why my mom tells my kids her parents live with jesus in heaven. It's a bizarre concept to me. I wish she would say " I believe " before that statement. To a child it sounds absurd....because it is. We should all explore things as children do. Unless they are repeatedly told otherwise by adults, children are free from prejudice thoughts. What makes the sound of thunder? Angels bowling is one I used to hear. Funny because I always give my kids the real answer and they soak up this knowledge. They love it. Why should I deny them what just... is?? I will not tell them they will live on after death because that is absurd. I will tell them I don't know and no one knows. That people believe they know. But a belief is not based on any fact that we can prove. And, yes, that's why they call it faith I suppose. But don't let anyone tell you that you need faith. You don't. You can be happy and successful and peaceful without it. Just be present.
Prejudice and religious conflicts and the like are all caused by a set of beliefs. Manmade thoughts. Meaningless ideas constructed to manipulate and control. Human rights are good. All people have the right to a peaceful and honest existence in our small blip of a conscious life on earth. And it's a known fact. You also do not have to subscribe to a set of beliefs to attain said happiness and peace. You will not be judged after you die. Anyone who believes in this judgemental father type figure is really not promoting true equality in people. To believe in an ultimate supreme ruler is very ignorant and archaic, if we are honest.
There is a place beyond thoughts and beliefs and I'm not talking about heaven or life after death. It's a place of peace in the present, of feeling present in the universe and not imprisoned by fearful thoughts. Our human consciousness may be our biggest enemy if we allow ourselves to get trapped in the mind of thoughts.
I would challenge people to consider this. Do you think you have given yourself a real chance to figure out who you are as a person by following a specified set of beliefs of a religion? How you perceive life and death affects your whole being. Don't we all deserve the chance to be free of constraints on how we view the universe?
