Chapter 53: Man-Made

I am quite sure most of you have heard of the 2012 rumours. That which I see no concern for, since nothing can prevent death, assuming these rumours are true, even if you were to gain all the almighty knowledge in the world for an eye.

And there have been certain religious groups going around claiming to be the potential sole survivors of this judgement, once againing, assuming there is a judge.

I, for one, prefer to remain an free-thinker for my own personal reasons, which while you see them as illogical (of which I do not care), I see as good enough for my own life.

And what are these reasons?

One, in my opinion, I see religions as groups of people who share a common set of beliefs which shape their view of the metaphysical and supernatural world. And I do very much admire the idea of people building harmony and bonds through common beliefs, but at the same time, I think this also requires the sufficient ability to understand and tolerate the beliefs of others.

Without this ability, which is as important as personal strength, I see religious efforts bringing an adverse effect of disharmony through conflicts that clash.

By far, I have yet to see significant harmony and unity benefits of religious movements. Rather, all I have seen are the forcing of people into throwing away their original ideas to surrender like an unwilling puppet to that of others. I cannot see religions as being different to warring states. And I have no desire to partake in conflicts of interests.

Up until now, for as far as I have seen, I dislike the calling of people to join religions that claim a better afterlife. I do not like to succumb to fears of afterlife, something that I have yet to have a fulll understanding of.

If there is an omnipotent force of the world who is willing to throw people who do not attend sunday church or forget to say their prayers into burning pits of lava, especially if they have no true malice at heart, then I would rather not support such cruelty. This is far from the loving, benevolent, forgiving lord who carries the sins of men whom I had heard of.

I have little urge to follow a book or set of beliefs written by mortal men who claim it to be the words of the lord himself.

Speaking of claims, I do realise that certain religions do not encourage curiosisty or ambitions into matters that, according to them, do not matter in life and conflict with the ideal life.

But, being someone who studies science, I have come to liking to be curious (controlled under standard ethics depending on the country) and, experiementing and observing to test hypothesises. Having complete faith in something I cannot see does not suit me at all. I am not saying faith is bad thing, but that it just does not suit my personality.

The way I see it, what we want to do or follow, depends on how well it suits us and works out for us. This is why understanding and tolerating is so important here.

Perhaps I may change my mind if I see changes before my eyes.

Until then.