[Daseal]

Woah, I really didn't mean to start this. All I wanted to say here is that while religion can be a profound and inspiring presence in someones life, it can also be taken to the point where it's scary, which can be seen in this movie. It makes you open your eyes and see how the "American Taliban" as someone I know coined it is being equipped for war and it's scary.

My main qualm with religion is the missionary part of it. I hate walking down the street having some fanatic tell me I'm going to burn in hell if I don't repent now. I go out of my way to make said peoples lives miserable. Even when people I know or aren't being fervent about attacking me, I get quite upset if they keep on once I say I'm not interested.

I have been to many types of churches, some for an amazing religion class I took, some through friends, some through curiosity. When I went to the Buddhist temple in Catlett (who'd a thunk a Buddhist temple in Catlett) I was shocked at how kind and accepting everyone was. I came in extremely ignorant of any of the tradition or anything of the sort. Their teachings are simple and easy to follow, the people were the kindest and most generous I'd ever met. I showed up during a festival where offerings were to be given, and people around me gladly gave me offerings to give to the monks so as to feel at home. This group is extremely open to people coming to see how they go, and I recommend going. The temple is gorgeous and very tranquil regardless of your religion. A huge pond with what seems like classic Chinesse architecture (to my untrained eye).

The other sect I've found that I really enjoyed. They don't really have a special denomination, but all black churches. Just so you know, I'm so white if I fell into a vat of milk no one would be able to rescue me. I'd blend in. However, I've noticed these communities can be extremely religious without being judgmental.

I guess what I'm trying to say here, is religion can be good and bad. In this country many rednecks label all Muslims war mongering terrorists. Which makes me sick, most Muslims are very calm, religious, and moral people. However a small sect of the Muslim community interpret the Koran a different way, just as I feel radical Christians do with the Bible. I suggest, even if you've been Christian all your life to explore the religious world. I'm not saying this to buckle your faith, I'm doing it because I think it's important for us to understand other religions a bit.

And for the record, I'm done with this thread. I didn't want it to turn into a theological debate. The fact is you can only state your position and you won't change anyone else's. I find religion extremely interesting, but also find it hard for me to question certain parts of say, Christianity, without the Christian I'm questioning to get upset if they can't explain it. I'm a curious person by nature and I'm curious as to how you can completely devote yourself to something you've never seen, felt, or have anything except for an ancient book that's not even 1st or 2nd hand stories.