The belief in a higher power or being has often led to what we now call a religion. There are varies types of religions with their own beliefs, customs, lifestyles and doctrines. Among the most popular religions in the world today are Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Christianity, roughly put, believes that Jesus Christ is the savior to the people while Islam thinks the exact opposite. Muslims (followers of Islam) believe in the complete surrender to "Ali" or God. Buddhism believes more in the advancement in one's abilities.

Those a really rough outlines of those religions. I often think about this topic the most because it is so intriguing. Has the thought ever occurred to you why there are religions at all? What is a God? Which religion is the one that is going to get you into "heaven" or achieve "nirvana"?

Why is there religions?: This question puzzles me. Why do we need a God? Is the human race so malicious that we have to be consumed by fear through religion of eternal damnation so that we will be "good"? What is a religion to say who is a "good" and who is "bad"? As you can see this question only leads to more and more questions. I have two thought on why there are religions. Foremost I think that religion was devised and pressed onto the masses so man would not feel so empty and alone and be given a purpose in life. Religions stress morals on their followers, but shouldn't we know right from wrong already. Take for example a person who watches a wallet fall to the ground out of someone's coat pocket. What would you do? Given human greed you would probably take it. Yes, it may have money in it but I never heard of money buying complete happiness. Currency in nothing. Our money today, it is mere paper worth no actual value except what is regulated by the government, but that's another story. Think what would happen to the person who dropped the wallet, how pissed off and anguished they would be. If you grabbed the wallet and chased the person down and gave them it, think of what they will feel like. They will be grateful! I know I would be. It would save them all the heart ache by knowing they have it back, with everything in it. This will also make them happy that you didn't exploit there mishap and in return you will receive gratitude from them. The feeling of making someone else feel good is comparable to love in many respects.

Who is "good" and who is "bad"? What if killing someone were considered good instead of bad? That is a frivolous thought. Think of the other person... all there interests, loves, thoughts, talents etc. Would you want someone to just kill you and take all your thoughts away, everything you ever stood for? Not bloody likely! If someone conflicts with your morals then you could consider them "bad" but if you think of someone "good" another person could think of them as being "bad". Then religion comes in and says who is "good" and who is "bad". That ended it basically. Maybe good or maybe... tyrannical. If "God" created us, then he has the ability to destroy us and MAYBE he/she could say what is right and what is wrong but still who is "God" to say what is right from wrong? Right from wrong is simple physiology. Put your actions/words in perspective of the other person; How will it make them feel? Good or bad? You decide.

How do you know what religion is "right": With all the cults and religions out there which one in the "right one"? To many, cults are usually seen as evil and brainwashing. Remember that Christianity was a cult once, did it brainwash or was it an advancement or decline from the once popular paganism? Who am I to say what is better from worse. I can only give my opinion based on my thoughts and research, and it will always be purely that; an opinion. Some Catholics believe that if your not Catholic then you are going stright to hell no matter if your moraly stright or if you are just a good person. Example - I saved someone from dieing, I'm still going to hell cause I'm not Catholic even though I stopped someone from losing their life; thats the impression that I get. What if Christians are wrong and Buddhists are right? What if Christians are right and Muslims are wrong or vice versa. How can one ever know if their religion in the "right" one. That comes back to opinion and what you want to believe.

Concluding this I'll tell you what my personal beliefs are. My belief in the Judeo-Christian God or any other supernatural higher power is one of an Agnostic view. Meaning that we will never be able to prove a higher power exists but we will never be able to prove that one doesn't. I don't believe there is something up there that is omnipotent and guides our fate. How can I believe in something I can't see, touch or gain physical sensation from? I have no hate or love for "God", because I don't feel anything for him/her.

Stuff like that. I believe in the betterment of one's self and to make other people happy. I don't need to fear eternal damnation to be good or feel good. It is logical to want to feel happy rather than sad and to make people feel happy rather than sad. The thought of a mystical place called heaven where you are happy and all of your desires are fullfilled is quite tempting but far fetched and out of grasp.

I hope what i wrote didn't offend anyone too much. I realize this is a sensative topic and well, it has caused quite a few "conflicts". Take for example the Crusades or the Inquisition that brainwashed people into believeing in "witches". So.. if your offended, get over it cause this is all just my opinion. Who knows... I may be wrong but then again, what if I'm right??? We'll never know... I guess.