This topic of Religion is meant to help myself put my questions, thoughts, and ideas into actual writing. I write this to express my feelings, and receiving some answers or suggestions would be great. This is NOT about me choosing to leave the Church.
This is not meant to offend anyone. Thank you.
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In my eyes, there is some use for religion if you still do not completely put all your faith into it. In some instances, it's human nature to want to believe something is true, especially if it provides an answer for a question..in this case, the question is Life and the answer is God.
Why are people so willing to blindly, completely believe the words of the Bible? Yes, many people are genuinely touched by His words and preachings, and I completely understand and respect this. But to me, is there just a deeper, human need for answers that drives people to believe in a religion? Are they just living on hope that the religion is truth?
Before I start, I want to state that there is absolutely nothing wrong with relying completely on faith and hope. It is just my opinion that sometimes, that just isn't enough for me.
Think back to a great book or movie that you read or watched, one that has many twists and turns, yet ended with a gigantic cliffhanger. Didn't that feeling of not knowing what happened, what could possibly happen, and what might not happen just completely bewilder you? Didn't it drive you slightly crazy?
That's the innate human need that I'm talking about. The need for an answer. The need to discover the unknown. That's why the biggest question in the Universe, "what is the purpose of life?," yields the biggest answer. Or should I say, "answers." The world's various religions can be seen as a way to fill that human instinctual longing for answers and conclusions. It gives people a sense of purpose and meaning.
Because what's worse than the feeling that life is purposeless?
Another cliffhanger that life provides us with is the subject of death. I won't talk about this topic too extensively..as it makes my mind wander too far to the point that I actually get scared. I digress. Religion gives us the concepts of Heaven, Nirvana (I know that you don't need to be dead to reach Nirvana, but still), and Reincarnation. All possible answers for the question of death. These alternatives are comforting to believe in.
But my main thinking of why people are obsessed with religion? The feeling of community that religion brings. People are apart of something bigger than themselves. They are surrounded by like-minded thinkers who, for the most part, are willing to act selflessly to help others. It's a great atmosphere.
It doesn't matter which religion is "right," per se, all that matters is that people are being shaped by good morals and just being good people overall.
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Props go out to friend Jaypee C., cousin Michael C., and girlfriend Gerre Mae B. for giving me great, honest opinions and comments. I've used some of their input to shape this entry.
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Some topics (but not limited to) that I hope to cover in the upcoming days (in no particular order):
1) Other Religious Alternatives
2) Guilty Conscience About Lack of Faith
3) Catholics Against Homosexuals
Showing posts with label dark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dark. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Perspective
I've had a rough night and day so far, going through some frustrating times. I've talked before about how life may bring you through some really dark tunnels, when there seems to be no end in sight. But in the grand scheme of things, that tunnel may only be a few miles long, really short compared to the (almost) eternal marathon that life seems to be. Frustration is only a ripple in life, sometimes even a larger wave. It will cause discomfort, but for a short amount of time.
But that wave could possibly overwhelm you. It's times like these that you need to use the power of perspective.
I was driving to work, slightly angry, sad, and a little bit shaken up. My mind was drifting into all these crazy, seemingly impossible, thoughts. I was frustrated beyond belief, actually.
Then I saw traffic building up on the side of the road. My anger spilled over and I cursed under my breath, remarking to myself about how idiotic slow drivers can sometimes be. But then I realized that the car that was moving extremely slowly was a hearse, and behind it was a morbid looking line of cars moving just as slowly. That's when I felt terrible about myself, realizing that my anger took control of me and blinded me to the importance of life.
Like actually living. Life is short and death is inevitable. Which is why one must live everyday as best as he or she can. You never know what can happen. You may lose a loved one, you may know someone who has fallen ill, or maybe you yourself may have something dire happen. It puts everything in perspective.
I know what I want in my life. I have an amazing family, friends that are practically family, and a girlfriend who I want to make family. But in times of frustration and anger, when its at the point where your boiling blood is about to overflow, take a step back, realize how good you really have it, and gain some perspective. Deal with your problems maturely, move on, and live life.
Sometimes you may find yourself moving too fast. Remember to pace yourself. Remember that eventually, you'll be leading a slow line of morbid looking cars.
Don't take anything for granted. Live to love and love to live.
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Sorry if this post seemed a little dark. Love you all.
But that wave could possibly overwhelm you. It's times like these that you need to use the power of perspective.
I was driving to work, slightly angry, sad, and a little bit shaken up. My mind was drifting into all these crazy, seemingly impossible, thoughts. I was frustrated beyond belief, actually.
Then I saw traffic building up on the side of the road. My anger spilled over and I cursed under my breath, remarking to myself about how idiotic slow drivers can sometimes be. But then I realized that the car that was moving extremely slowly was a hearse, and behind it was a morbid looking line of cars moving just as slowly. That's when I felt terrible about myself, realizing that my anger took control of me and blinded me to the importance of life.
Like actually living. Life is short and death is inevitable. Which is why one must live everyday as best as he or she can. You never know what can happen. You may lose a loved one, you may know someone who has fallen ill, or maybe you yourself may have something dire happen. It puts everything in perspective.
I know what I want in my life. I have an amazing family, friends that are practically family, and a girlfriend who I want to make family. But in times of frustration and anger, when its at the point where your boiling blood is about to overflow, take a step back, realize how good you really have it, and gain some perspective. Deal with your problems maturely, move on, and live life.
Sometimes you may find yourself moving too fast. Remember to pace yourself. Remember that eventually, you'll be leading a slow line of morbid looking cars.
Don't take anything for granted. Live to love and love to live.
_____
Sorry if this post seemed a little dark. Love you all.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
No Matter What
The world is a dark place. There is war. There is murder. There are kidnappings. Whether you like it or not, humans live with constant fear of the unknown. People who say, "no fear" can be naive. Because there are always threats on this earth: natural death, illness, environmental catastrophes.
Sometimes one's life can lead to a dark tunnel. You're surrounded by the darkness of hard, trying times. Sometimes, life takes the lemons it has given you, and rots them.
But what that popular quote doesn't include is the fact that life has also given you apples.
The world is a bright place. There is harmony. There is teamwork. There are adoption centers and homeless shelters that society has built to help humanity. People who say, "the world is a dark place" are naive. Because there are always apples on this earth when you're lemons have run out. Apples that are family, lovers, and parents.
Sometimes one's life can lead to a dark tunnel. You're surrounded by the darkness of hard, trying times. But you still have those apples.
In this world of dark and light, there are only a few constants that life has given you. Family will be forever forgiving, no matter what your mistakes are, they will always be there for you. They are a source of eternal happiness, a God-given gold watch: something that will never break or ever go out in style.
Of equal importance is one's significant other. Your lover, partner, hubby, better half, or wife or husband. Something which is called true love (corny, but you know the feeling once you have it). One's love life is a towering, twisting, and troublesome maze. You enter with your significant other. You may get lost, tripped, and separated, yet the couple will always find each other and continue through the maze and finish the journey together.
But of utmost importance are your parents.
Sidenote: I was trying to keep this post objective..yet I couldn't with the topic of parents. I have some things to say.
So, of utmost importance are my parents. Sometimes I wonder how they put up with me. I do a lot of stupid things, I disappoint them numerous times, and..well..I can be a pain in the ass. Recently, I've been putting in 50% effort towards them..sometimes being ignorant towards what they're feeling. Some close friends and family and my girlfriend have pointed that out to me. That I should try harder. That I should be more understanding. That I should be a good son. Let's just say, I entered a dark tunnel for a bit there.
Be grateful for what you have. Sometimes it takes some wandering off into long, dark tunnels in order to understand that there is a light to guide you toward the end. The light that is your parents, family, and loved one is unwavering.
No matter what.
(I know the apples and lemons analogy is really mediocre. I apologize, but it makes sense in my head. Also, "when life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail.")
Sometimes one's life can lead to a dark tunnel. You're surrounded by the darkness of hard, trying times. Sometimes, life takes the lemons it has given you, and rots them.
But what that popular quote doesn't include is the fact that life has also given you apples.
The world is a bright place. There is harmony. There is teamwork. There are adoption centers and homeless shelters that society has built to help humanity. People who say, "the world is a dark place" are naive. Because there are always apples on this earth when you're lemons have run out. Apples that are family, lovers, and parents.
Sometimes one's life can lead to a dark tunnel. You're surrounded by the darkness of hard, trying times. But you still have those apples.
In this world of dark and light, there are only a few constants that life has given you. Family will be forever forgiving, no matter what your mistakes are, they will always be there for you. They are a source of eternal happiness, a God-given gold watch: something that will never break or ever go out in style.
Of equal importance is one's significant other. Your lover, partner, hubby, better half, or wife or husband. Something which is called true love (corny, but you know the feeling once you have it). One's love life is a towering, twisting, and troublesome maze. You enter with your significant other. You may get lost, tripped, and separated, yet the couple will always find each other and continue through the maze and finish the journey together.
But of utmost importance are your parents.
Sidenote: I was trying to keep this post objective..yet I couldn't with the topic of parents. I have some things to say.
So, of utmost importance are my parents. Sometimes I wonder how they put up with me. I do a lot of stupid things, I disappoint them numerous times, and..well..I can be a pain in the ass. Recently, I've been putting in 50% effort towards them..sometimes being ignorant towards what they're feeling. Some close friends and family and my girlfriend have pointed that out to me. That I should try harder. That I should be more understanding. That I should be a good son. Let's just say, I entered a dark tunnel for a bit there.
Be grateful for what you have. Sometimes it takes some wandering off into long, dark tunnels in order to understand that there is a light to guide you toward the end. The light that is your parents, family, and loved one is unwavering.
No matter what.
(I know the apples and lemons analogy is really mediocre. I apologize, but it makes sense in my head. Also, "when life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail.")
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