Civil Discussion About Religion

[GhettoDogAllStars]

My mother grew up Catholic, and when I was young I went to Catholic church. As I got older I went to a few other churches, including Baptist, Episcopalian, and Morman. The entire time, I was Athiest and I didn't involve myself much in the church. I always thought that Faith was a noble thing, and that organized religions sought to make an industry of it. So, I pretty much ignored all organized religion on the basis that it was a profit industry.

When I got to college I started to learn the different religions of the world. I have studied Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Ba'hai, blah, blah, etc. However, all from a student perspective -- not from a spiritual perspective. The best thing I learned from my studies was a proper definition of religion: Human transformation in response to perceived ultimacy. Once I applied this definition to religion, I was able to see that everything or anything can be a religion -- as long as it's something you perceive as ultimate. I realized that I perceived science as ultimate, and that my transformation in response to that perception was my religion.

Throughout my life, I became overwhelmed with the guilt of my sins and was strongly compelled to pray and repent. It helps during times of despair, and I value prayer. However, I wouldn't say that I pray TO anyone/anything, or that I pray FOR someone/something -- I pray to relieve my guilt, and nothing else. It's really kinda selfish.

Throughout my spiritual journey I have come to one conclusion: the details aren't important. Most religions are centered around details. For example: is there a God? What happens after death? Who is the prophet? How did we receive God's word? I don't think the answers to these questions are important. Yet, it seems most people seek religion based on those answers. It all seems so very illusory.

I am truly torn when it comes to religion and science. However, when I try to comprehend our universe it all seems so fantastical. I think, "here we are on this gigantic rock, spinning, and orbiting a massive fire ball." I think about our solar system, and the galaxies. I think about the billions upon billions of stars. Then I stop to think about what our universe is in. And what is THAT in? And so on, and so on -- it could never stop. So, the only way for me to make sense of it, is to say that it's not real -- it can't be, because it's just too unreal.