On a recent trip to Edinburgh, I was stopped whilst walking down Princess Street. The first question I was asked was “Are you religious?”. Upon admitting I, infact, wasn’t, I was told I could repent my sins, convert to their religion and I would save myself from being sent to hell in an afterlife, which of course, is what would surely happen to me due to the fact I did not believe in “god”. Of course, I promptly told them where to go, in no such words and was on my way. I was asked that same first question again, further along the street. It got me wandering; if I was too stand on the streets of Edinburgh, shouting about my beliefs and trying too convert people too atheism, how would I be received? I’m pretty sure any religious individual wouldn’t take too kindly to me shunning their God. So, taking that into account, why should I have to endure a variety of individuals telling me I’m going to hell because I do not believe in worshipping someone I cannot see, will not answer me and even though he’s such a saviour, still lets our world today crumble under the harsh cycle of crime, poverty and desperation? I do not appreciate, as I’m sure any other self-respecting individual doesn’t, being told I’m going to hell, because I do not agree with certain people’s beliefs. I myself do not choose to believe a God/s exist, in any way shape or form, however, I don’t wish to stand on street corners and dismiss anyone else’s beliefs and morals, telling them they’re wrong for believing in whatever they may choose to. I have every right too stand on the street and shout about my beliefs, as does the woman mentioned before, however there is a massive difference between stating your opinion and letting people know what you think, and shoving it down peoples throat and trying to force them too convert to your way of thinking and believing, and I don't want to cross that line. I know that people have different beliefs than I do, and I understand that religion means different things to different people, giving them morals and guidance throughout their lives. Now, I may not understand why they believe or why they can gain morals and guidance from it, but I understand they do, and I wouldn't want to try and change that for them.
I did go through a period of time when I was younger when I did actually become religious. However, maybe I was too young to begin dabbling in religion as I didn't really understand what being a Christian really entailed. Furthermore, I didn't understand the whole concept of 'God' either. My whole family are non-religious, however my mother has always been supportive and I've always known if, for any reason, I was too convert to some sort of religion my mum, and the rest of my family would support me. So, my mum sat me down and explained, as simply as she could, what exactly 'God' was and what he done. She even gave me an old copy of the childrens bible she was given as a child. I read some of the stories, I prayed, I helped people...but I never felt as thought I actually gained anything from it. It felt like I had to do all this 'work' but never got praised for it. Even as a child of eight I questioned why I should pray, if I was never going to get an answer. I felt as though it was a waste of my time, praying, asking god questions when in reality, I wasn't ever going to get my answers. Soon enough I got bored with being a Christian and gave it up.
As soon as I was old enough to understand what the concept of religion and God really was, I knew it was something I just couldn't grasp. To me, it just doesn't seem plausable. I am the kind of person that needs concrete proof and evidence before I will let myself believe something, therefore I just cannot believe something which is really nothing more than a book written thousands of years ago. No-one knows whether it really happened or not, and I don't understand how anyone can believe something, just going by what has allready been said. I'm going to put this into perspective for you, let me set the scene. You've been in a loving marriage for almost thirty years now, you have two grown up children and you're both retired. Suddenly one day, you get a phonecall telling you your spouse is having an affair. You don't know who the caller is, and they have no proof. All they can do it tell you that it's happening. Now, surely you wouldn't take it as concrete evidence and believe them, pack your bags and leave, would you? No, you would need hard evidence and proof, which could be the basis of a life changing decision to leave your spouse. So isn't religion the same? Choosing to follow a certain faith is a life changing decision, it shapes your life and way of thinking, so why would you choose to do that, when you have no proof that it actually exists?
This leads me to my next argument against religion. In todays society, religion is one of the biggest factors contributing too wars and violence. Take, for example, the ongoing battle between catholics and protestants, or as it's more commonly known, Rangers and Celtic fans. The battle between the two has existed for centuries, and though the religion side of it is now not as prominant as football fans defending their team is, I dare to say that if either religions didn't exist, the rift between the two would not be nearly as bad as it is.
The current war with Iraq is another example. It all began when two planes were hijacked and crashed into the Twin Towers in New York, America, as a suicide terror attack.The hijackers were part of a terrorist group who had claimed that 'Allah', their God, had told them to carry out such an act. Now, I'm not an expert on the Muslim faith, but surely any God, no matter what faith or belief system it is a part of is supposed to be a 'saviour' and bring hope and harmony into peoples lives, not cause death and destruction upon thousands of innocent citizens. The worst thing, in my opinion, is that these people who carried out such a horrific act, truely believe they are going to heaven because of it. It sickens me to think that they, in their own mind, believe they are going to be rewarded for killing thousands of innocent people. Barbaric acts ot violence and terror should not be justified by claiming their god told them to do it, it's not an excuse or a way out of it.
Catholicism tells you that no matter what you have done, if you repent your sins and say seven hail marys, the Lord will forgive you and whatever you have done will not matter. It gets to me that if a Catholic was too commit a crime, they would be able to live a guilt free life if they simply sit in a little room and tell one person about it, who isn't going too judge them or tell a higher authority so they get the punishment they deserve. If you choose to follow a certain faith, you should learn how to follow it without causing harm to others, and, like I said before, if any God was as they say they are, and were here to help people, they would not 'order' people to harm others.
Religion is something that is meant to bring harmony and guidance into a persons life. Something to turn to in times of need, for support and comfort, not something to use as a prop too scare and hurt people who do not believe the same as you. Having said that, it should also not be used as a tool too scare the people who do believe into being a certain type of person, while threatening them with hell if they're not.
Religion is something I cannot accept or take seriously, and I doubt I ever will. Praising someone I cannot see, sitting in church every sunday and living my life according to an ancient book is not something I can see any sense in or something that I would be able too gain anything from. I don't feel like I need a religion in my life for any reason. I seek comfort from my family and friends when I need it, and I have been brought up too know what's right and wrong for myself, learning from my mistakes and being guided by life itself and my own experiences. There are too many consequences and negatives from following a religion that I just simply don't see how it would be worth it.
Therefore, in conclusion, my argument is perhaps not too abolish religion completely, which was what I thought a few years ago, as I have realised that there is people who genuinly use their religion as a comfort and form of guidance, and do not use it too harm others or try too change other peoples veiws. However, if everyone was too simply respect that everyone has different beliefs, I feel the world today would be a much better place. It's fair to say you might not be able to understand another persons beliefs, which can even apply to followers of the same faith, as some take their religion very serious and become fanatics whereas others dont. However the moral here is just to live and let live. Have your beliefs, do whatever your religion entails but do not dismiss other beliefs. Understand that I have a different belief than you, and I'll understand that yours is different from mine, but do not try to change my views or tell me they are wrong, it'll only make me more determined about my views on religion. Like I said before, live and let live.
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