Falsified Faith

People have fought over it for years. It has dated back for centuries. People have been killed over it. What could I be talking about? Faith and religion. This group of ideas which differs by culture has created morals, boundaries, and social ties between people; whether it be extremely good or extremely bad. That being said, I believe that there is no faith in a religion.

“Religion” is something I have seen everywhere throughout my life. “Religion” has been a major grounds for debate in the United States 2008 presidential election. Religion was a scapegoat to kill millions of people in the second World War when Adolf Hitler used this as means to kill six million people in the Holocaust. It is even on our paper money, some of our oldest libraries, and was the driving political force in Europe for thousands of years. But can this idea be proven to exist? Although no one will ever know for sure, I choose to believe that no such concept exists.

To me, the closest thing to a faith in a religion would be a group of people with similar views who meet once a week to discuss ideals and values and also have a common purpose or goal to reach in society. But wouldn’t that be the same thing as a scientist, teacher, or perhaps a professor? They teach concepts to the students and it’s pretty much the same thing, just under a different name, “Education”. But why are such books as the Bible and Koran considered religious objects where as something so powerful and long-lasting as the United States Constitution is considered non-sacred? They are both long-lasting, old, tangible objects one would respect and obey. Yet one is more important than another.

Since I have let go of the concept of faith and religion, I have ended up becoming much happier as a person as a whole. I look at the world much more optimistically, without any regrets. I go by my own morals and values, and not by one of a sacred book. I can live my life without any external forces “judging” what I do or who I am. I am less afraid now without a religion than I was with one. I can help a random beggar pay for a meal at the local McDonalds, or donate money to charity to feed the starving children in the world. It doesn’t take a religion to help people. It takes the want and drive from myself and no one else.

Letting go of a religion has also made me forgive others. Under a belief, I had a difficult time forgiving people for things they have done. Hearing what I thought was false beliefs and ideas being presented about the event and the afterlife is when I thought I should move forward and move on to a bigger, greater whole as a community, without being bound by the ties of a faith or religion.