Religion can be a touchy subject and what I post today is just my own thoughts and opinion on religion. I have no intent to offend any religion and I truly do respect all religions. I can strongly say I don't believe in religion; I'm actually a a mix of atheist and free believer. I'm atheist because I don't believe in any gods but I do choose to believe in what I feel is true based on my own experience. Coming from parents where one is Atheist and one is a free believer, I don't think I was really forced into religion like some people. Like in Malaysia, if you were born with Muslim parents most likely 99% of the time, you would be Muslim too whether you like it or not.
Although I don't believe in religion, I consider myself a free believer. There are some aspects in some religions that I feel are true such as Karma. Karma is part of Buddhism and some other religions if I'm not wrong and it's about if you do good things, good things will happen and vice versa if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you. This is why I always try to do my best to stay on the good side plus I have my own good conscience. I always try my best to help people out; that's why I do volunteering sometimes and donating what I can afford to since I'm not that rich. You know sometimes people will still treat you badly and I don't hate them for that; that's up to them but I know karma will come to bite them back.
I have an uncle that is Christian and he has tried to convert me a couple times by bringing me to church and all when I was younger. Honestly, when I went to the church, it just seemed like brainwashing in my opinion. They always just go through their bible / holy book and just talk about the greatness of their "god".
He also liked to bring up the topic what happens when we die. Where does our "soul" go? If you believe in Christianity of course your soul goes to heaven or hell because that's what they believe. However, what about to those that don't believe in Christianity. I think this is why he popped this question to me and honestly I don't know how to answer this. I don't think anybody knows what happens when we die; we just die our brain is gone our heart is not pumping anymore. I don't think we have a soul or go anywhere; we're just gone.
To add on to the book thing, Most religions will have a holy book and these religions date back to years ago since the early ages. Personally, I don't feel comfortable in following my life based on a book that teaches me what's right or what's wrong, whatever stories they made up from the past, what I should eat what I can't eat etc. I feel as a human being with a completely working brain and conscience I can decide myself what is right or wrong (of course this doesn't apply to psychopaths or sociopaths). I'm not perfect and maybe sometimes I will make the wrong decisions but I got to own up to this. I don't want to pray or hope for something that may or may not exist to help me in my life. We have to take charge of our own life and I think that's what makes life great.
Also, there are some religions that can't eat beef or pork and honestly I can't imagine not eating beef or whatever food they don't allow me to eat. Like look how awesome and delicious that wagyu steak is how can someone pass up on that unless they are vegetarian. Food is awesome and I don't think anybody should be restricted to eat certain food because a book said that they couldn't or their religion is strongly against it.
(a picture of wagyu steak I ate with my parents a while back and I did use this picture before in one of my posts previously)
I also thought this would be an interesting thumbnail with this title as it didn't seem related but it did connect with what I have said.
Well these are my thoughts on why I don't believe in religion! Don't be offended and have a great weekend guys!
Yeah … it all depends on your definition of “God” … if you believe that God simply means the infinite Universe then I have no problems believing in God … and that when I die, that my consciousness simply dissolves into the infinite universe then that is what I believe. If you believe that God or the universe is infinite then it all makes sense and you can be happy with the thought of living and not living. And as far as Religions go, when you study the mystics … the Eastern and Western Traditions they both teach this concept of Oneness.., that everything is ultimately infinite and One. This is also the teaching of Baruch Spinoza, and Albert Einstein and Carl Sagan…. Great Philosophers and Scientists … Everything is One and there is ultimately nothing other than this Oneness. Even Jesus says “I and the Father (infinite God/ Universe) are One. This is what he was teaching. This is also Advaita Vedanta. This is what I believe.
Hey thanks for stopping and sharing your views. I think you're the first person in the comments that mentioned infinite universe as God. Does this mean your religion is Mystics? I'll probably have to Google and read up on some of the stuff you said when I'm free because I never heard those things before. Thanks again for sharing your insight and you have a great weekend 🙏
Well…. I’m not sure I belong to any One religion.
But I am very interested in what the mystics of every religion have to say…
Jewish mystics, Catholic Mystics, Sufi mystics, Zen, Buddhist, Hindu …. (Especially Advaita Vedanta / Non-dualism) and the Philosophy of Baruch Spinoza.
Rather than say I don’t believe in any Religion I am the opposite…. I am interested in ALL of them …. To learn what is common among them all. I am also interested in Atheism, Agnostics, Gnostics, Freethinkers, Science, Philosophers, … etc etc … I am searching for what Alduos Huxley calls the “Perennial Philosophy”
Link: https://amzn.to/3K34Ngi
You are super knowledgeable on this subject and very open minded to explore all the different religions. I sadly don't have that same interest and passion as you do but I do want to at least know those religions you've said at the surface level so at least I have some basic understanding. With this in mind, I will take my time to read up some summaries on all these. I'm still young being 27 this year so i still have a lot to learn especially those with more experience and knowledge. Thanks for enlightening me 🙏
Well… my interest stems from a quote by Albert Einstein. Who I believe was a pretty smart guy …
When Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he said “ I believe in Spinoza’s God” … so then I wanted to know about Spinoza … which led to many new discoveries about the very concept of “God”
Albert was a legend. He was way ahead of his time. I see and then has the discoveries ended?
Nope … I discover something new every day … I’m learning Hebrew and Aramaic so I can read the ancient writings as they were originally written and spoken. I’m also very interested in Archaeology
Nobody does, although there are some people out there that sold a bunch of books when they were dead for like 6 minutes and then came back and regaled the world with their experience.
I have a Bertrand Russel approach to death. I believe I will rot in the ground.
I also believe that Ricky Gervais has it right when he said "when you're dead, you're not sad, because you don't know that you are dead" or something along those lines.
I don't know all the theory about this approach but I also feel this way too at least until I have that encounter with a Higher being that some of these people claim that they have. Then maybe I can understand that perspective. It's hard to believe something without the evidence and I think you feel this way too. I'm a pretty logical person.
As for those books I bet they just did that to make money . Seems like an easy way to get tmoney since there's probably a lot of people curious about the big question what does happen when we die
If people get offended that you don't like religion, that's on them not you. You're entitled to your have your own opinion and to voice it if you like. It's actually offensive when people get upset about others not liking religion; it is to me anyway.
An excellent post and excellent image!
Thanks man I wish it was like that for everybody! Luckily I'm not that famous but sometimes voicing opinion gets us in trouble if we look at history like Abraham Lincoln etc.
Also, sometimes you know people are sensitive 😵 and I don't want to get any haters on this platform. Because some people are really into their god and stuff which I completely respect but not everyone I think has the capacity to accept this which are mostly the stubborn closed minded folks.
Thanks again for your kind words and hope you have a great weekend!
I believe it's best to be yourself and that it's ok to have your opinions, especially when voiced in the manner you have done in this post. Respectfully.
I agree, many religious types are very sensitive about it and seem compelled to argue their point, I think the thought of converting others, or ramming home their points, outweighs their desire for manners and courtesy. Not all are like this however, just as not everyone who doesn't go in for religion is as polite and respectful as you.
Your post was really good man, and should someone take you to task over it, I'll have something to say.
Thank you thank you. You are too kind Galen. You are awesome for starting initiatives in communities and being a leader on hive. I think you're a celebrity on hive right because of building up your self on this platform for many years.
I kind of look up to you here and I think this is what people should aim for towards their goal on using this platform so we can help make it grow and get more people onboard. Have a great weekend and see you next week for next weekend engagement. Thanks again for all the kind words and support 🙏.
Thank you for your kinds words which I greatly appreciate. I have put a lot into Hive and its predecessor and continue to do so. I'm not sure I'm much of a celebrity, nor do I wish to be, but I'm certainly passionate about it.
Have a great weekend.
I think if you look at the history that we know about religion, it has been used as a tool to control the masses. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I hope you find the clarity of mind.
Yo yo that's very true. I forgot to talk about that. I mean maybe I avoided saying it because I don't know if some people can accept that lol. I didn't want to make people angry but what you said is exactly what happened in the past. Especially during the times with the pope and all. By the way, are you tied down to that guild in Splinterlands?
Yeah I am happy in my current Guild. 👍
aww man was thinking of taking you xD
I believe in what some religions are teaching, mostly about human behavior, which is common sense, like respect others, don't steal, be good, do good and so on. But blindly trust and do what some religious leaders tell you is not something I agree with.
Hey Erikah. Yes so why do we need religion to teach us these basic things of common sense, respecting others, don't steal. These should be taught from school and our parents when we are young! If not wrong Japan teach their children these basic things from a young age!
Anyways sometimes people need something to "believe in". They need something to explain what we don't know such as what happens to us when we die where does our soul go etc.
Well there are people that have improved their lives because of religion as well so there's nothing wrong with religion at all. It's just as you said those that believe in it need to take away the good things and not fall blindly with the religious leaders.
Thank you for stopping by! Have a great weekend.
You know what's wrong with religion? In some religions you go in, confess your sins and you're forgiven. You come out like nothing happened and many start all over again as they know confessing their sins give them forgiveness anyway. How is that fair? When you know what you're doing is wrong and you're doing it anyway.
And you're right, you should learn those things at home at a young age, but many don't.
You make me think of those movies where they go to confess inside that anonymous room with someone at the other side. I agree with this part too. It's definitely not fair. It shouldn't be so easy to be forgiven even though they believe their "god" can forgive all and what not. The world is messed up but we just got do what we got to do to live in it! I just hope more people can open their eyes!
Keep being you Bro!! You have great beliefs, yes be nice to others and karma, totally. Nobody is born any religion, sadly parents or the society we live in chose for us but kuddos to you for being brave enough to form your own set of beliefs, there is great power in that as an INDIVIDUAL. Cheers my friend!
Save me a bite of that steak will ya?
Thank you thank you for your kind words lol and when it comes to steak I'm sorry I don't like to share hehe
Awwe, that's too bad, it's ok I probably wouldn't want to share my steak either especially if it looked this good.
🤣ya you wouldn't really wanna share this unless you ordered more grams 👀 maybe a tomahawk
MMMM Tomahawk!! I like Rib eye too. I live in Alberta, Canada. You would love this place...the fields are nothing but cows and steaks everywhere we even have festivals around it (Calgary Stampede). A standard T-bone is cut like 1 inch and a half thick and the size of the plate...that's also an acceptable sharable size, omg they are huge.
😂 oh wew land of beef? It's kind of hard going back to normal beef after wagyu. I wanna get rich so I can eat and enjoy😂without worry about money
I didn't have wagyu yet, I heard it's super tasty. They serve it here and there but it's $$$ for now it will have to be my old friend Angus until hive prices go to the moon.
I would like to thank you for your wonderful post which agreed with my insights into religion.
Also I want to point out that I visited Malaysia previously in 2010 and it was a great experience. Your country has a wonderful culture and history, and I hope to be able to visit again in the near future.
Ya I saw your post too which is why I said we about the same in thinking.
You forgot about the food 😂 and the people are great and friendly too. If anything come for the food. I think only problem with Malaysia is the humidity. Awesome hope you are able to come back. Not sure where you're from but usually malaysia is pretty cheap to visit if u coming from Europe Australia or America
Yes, the food was delicious in Malaysia, and I stayed in Kuala Lumpur next to the Twin Towers. I am from Gaza in Palestine, and I am from a Muslim family. I remember I was there in November, and it was raining, but in my hotel room the humidity was high, so I turned on the air conditioner 😂
that's awesome. I think twin towers is one of the big icons in Malaysia. Maybe next time you can try to go to Genting Highlands the first world hotel. The weather there is also very nice it's like perfect weather since it's up at a higher elevation.
Woah then the religion never passed down to you when you were kid? Or did you just somehow get out of it when you were older?
Yes, I went to Genting Highlands by cable car and it was a fun experience. I am currently 41 years old and I converted to religion at the age of 30. It was a difficult experience for me from 2008 until 2011, when I got rid of the mantle of religion and discovered that I was inside an imaginary bubble. It was mentally exhausting.
Wow that was probably a hard awakening. Like all your life you were believing in something and then to go total 180. Alls good now tho since you made it out ok . Well I'm not sure what else to recommend 😂. Maybe ipoh or Penang for food? Malaysia also has some islands that have resorts too if I'm not wrong. I feel young too now that you mentio n 41? I still have a ways to go with my life career etc 😵
lol! Did not know that you do not believed in religion until now and we virtually know each other for more than a year. 😂😂
Bro I thought I told you before . 👀
Interesting in what you believe but may I ask what made you believe this? The second paragraph where we have souls etc. what made you come to this conclusion?
Thanks man for commenting! I will have a great weekend and I hope you do too! I never been to Hungary. Nice to meet people from all over the world on Hive.
Oh that's too long of an explanation then 😅. Alright I'll take a look at this website man. You have a good rest of your weekend