"You can't reject the religion of your parents"

[mick063]

54. I'm rather uncomfortable with discussing religion

It is of very great importance to many, many people and I don't wish to insult them by disputing what they deeply believe. It is their right to pursue happiness and if that includes religion, than their happiness translates to collective happiness.

People should absolutely believe in anything that can help them coexist in a peaceful and prosperous manner. Most religions have a common theme of goodwill and it is good that people seek the best of virtues.

But there is the dark side of religion and it has probably been in place from the very first days of worship. The side where men use religion as a means to attain power and impose their will on other men. As I do not wish to impose on people of such sacred beliefs, I only ask that they do not impose those beliefs on me.

Unfortunately, this is what happens when religion co-mingles with politics. It is when people impose their will on me that I begin to despise religion. But this isn't confined to just religion. This is a natural response toward people that would impose their will on me for any reason.

When people use religion to dictate my life, I will openly oppose that particular religion. The religions I find most appealing are those that do not do this.

I will respect people that display consistently good virtue as I cast personal judgment on each person as an individual. Their religion has very little to do with that judgment. In other words, I believe I can peacefully coexist with any person of good moral fiber regardless of their religous beliefs. For me, the bottom line is in how they interact with others. This reveals their character more than any religion could.