As a kid I went to church with many of my friends, who were of various (Christian) sects. My parents weren't religious, but they encouraged us to experience different churches and cultures. At holidays and some other times we went to church with family, which meant Methodist and Roman Catholic services. My friends were Baptist, Mormon, Catholic, etc., and I went to church with them a lot. As I got older I was exposed to other religions (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) and went to Unitarian Universalist churches. UUers are technically Christians, but it is a very non-dogmatic sect. In general, I was encouraged to think for myself. I read assorted texts, I ended up taking comparative religion classes in high school and college, and I thought about things a lot. I still think often about the meaning of life, etc., and experience spiritual moments in various places. I am most definitely not a fan of organized religion in general, but I find a lot to like in the teachings of many religions. I have had my most profound religious/spiritual experiences not in churches but in nature. Looking at the wonders around us, or imagining our place in the universe, makes me feel the divine more deeply than any sermon.
And I do think there's something out there (well, and in here, and everywhere.) I think there's a force for good in the universe, or at least a "motivating force." I don't think of it as having a very concrete form or name; Richard Bach referred to it as The Great Is. That kind of accounts for the idea of omnipresence, and omnipotence, and karma, and a lot of other concepts in mainstream religions. I don't see a guy with a white beard sitting on clouds making things happen, or answering prayers. It's more of a force in everything, or not even that much of a separation- it's not in everything, it IS everything.
Sometimes, of course, it's hard to see much evidence of any "force for good" in this world. Bad things happen, to good people. Some explain this away as "well, they did something wrong, or weren't faithful enough." I call bullshit on that "he deserved it, even if we can't tell why" attitude. And don't get me started on Pat Robertson and his ilk, who spout vicious things about "gays causing hurricanes" and whatnot. Their brand of religious leadership, and of religion in general, are what drives people away from organized religion. And they don't seem to see how much they have in common with the vile fundamentalists of other religions, but they are all the same; just the targets of their hate differ (well, sometimes differ.)
Sorry for that digression. I believe we should treat others as we would like to be treated; that seems to be a common thread in many religions' teachings, but forgotten by many of their followers. I don't believe in heaven or hell, except as they exist in our lives. I don't think you should act good now so that you can get rewarded later, or to avoid punishment. You should be decent because it's the right thing to do. And we do create "hells" for ourselves, and others, right here on earth. Anyway, you never know how long you have, so you should do what you can now. I've seen too many promising people taken away too soon.
Some of the best people I've known have been religious. And some of the best have been non-religious. I don't think decency or morals have anything to do with religion, or whether you call yourself religious. Some of the worst people I've known, and in history, have been religious, or at least claimed that mantle for themselves (and used it was a weapon, and excuse, to do nasty things.)
I recently saw a quote: "The Lord uses the good ones, and bad ones use the Lord." And among my other beliefs, I believe that strongly. If you tell me how religious you are, and that you do things because of your religion, I am suspicious of you. And if you tell me I should do things because of your religion, well, you can probably guess what I think of that. I do not think other people should follow my spiritual beliefs. They work for me; they won't necessarily work for you. Let me live by them. Don't expect me to follow yours.
Look: let's all respect each others' views and beliefs, but not try to impose them on anyone. I appreciate the good in this world, the amazing people, and the wonders of nature. I try to treat people decently. I try to live the best life I can. I hope you do too.
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
Chief Seattle, 1854
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