Ideas v. Beliefs

"I think it’s better to have ideas. You can change an idea, changing a belief is trickier. Life should be malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can’t generate. Life becomes stagnant."

– Chris Rock (as Rufus in the movie Dogma)

Religion is a good idea but like most things it is taken way out of context. If you look at all religions they have the same core values, and if you follow these core values you typically are a good person. You don't commit murder, you don't steal things... ect. ect. ect.

As a person that was raise with influences from every religion I do believe that not one religion has it completely right, and they do make mistakes, why? People, plain and simple. As a living inhabitant of this planet we make mistakes, and since religion is run and created by us there is a lot of room for error. The Catholic Church's do nothing stance during WWII when Nazi Germany was persecuting the Jewish People or the Spanish Inquisitions. Even more recent times the Muslim Jihads that are the cause of the terrorist attacks of today. History will always repeat itself when religion is involved.

Which brings me to what I believe, which is a different but the same fundamental values that you would find in all major religions. I do believe that there is a higher power, I do not believe that we have to go to church to accept that Being into our lives. I do think that if you are a good person it will reflect good throughout your life. And the "Golden Rule" does ring true, treat people how you want to be treated, also known as Karma in the Buddhists eyes.

Religions have good ideas that people take and run with, there will always be war and violence associated with religion because people cannot accept fundamental differences when they are so heavily involved in their beliefs. Ignorance, in this kind of issue is one that seems to have heavy influence in today's society which is a complete shame to the love and tolerance religion is supposed to teach.