What I Belive

What do I believe? For a long while now, I have been a self proclaimed agnostic. I still believe there is much that we as humans are unable to fully comprehend about the complexities of the various philosophical and theological views on the nature of God. However, I have come to a conclusion that is based both in world theologies and logic. Although my views are generally cast aside as far too vague, and far too simple, I hold fast to them, because for the first time in my life, I have found a form of spirituality that I am able to fully embrace independently. By this I mean that I have used no sources other than my own contemplation of things to reach my conclusion.

Is there a higher power? Of course there is a higher power. Regardless of what you personally believe, you believe in a higher power. Whether that higher power is that of God, fate, free will, science, multiple gods, luck, or the power of your own mind, there is always a higher power working for you. Which is the correct higher power? That depends on who you ask. Every religion has its own belief on what the correct answer to that question is.

If there are so many different religions, and so many different beliefs, how does one determine which is correct? It is my belief that, because of the countless number of variations on religion throughout the world, that no one religion has a monopoly on religious truth. I think that there are bits and pieces of this truth to be found in every religion out there, and that is ultimately what unites them all in the end.

So where do I stand? I stand in the place that some would call idealistic and fantastical. In other words, I am everywhere. As I stated earlier, there is a higher power at work. When this higher power created the universe, he/she/it/they did so and then stepped back, and since then have been simply observing everything, much like you or I watching a movie that we had made. When this higher power had created the universe, he/she/it/they said to all living things, everywhere in the universe, something to the effect of what follows:

"Look, I/We exist. I/We have made you. I/We do not care how you go about worshipping me/us. I/We do not care what you wish to call me/us. I/We do not care if you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, Wiccan, Humanist, Deist, Druidic, Shinto, Taoist, whatever. All that is truly important is that, no matter which method you take, you are able to find a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. If you are able to discover who you are, and why you exist in the universe, then you have done what I/We wanted you to do."

It is my belief that religion is essentially a guideline to what is expected from you, and what you are meant to accomplish in your life. Religion in and of itself is a way of being able to say to yourself: "THIS is who I am, and THIS is why I am alive." If you accomplish this, you have experienced enlightenment, spirituality, purpose. In this respect, all religions are able to produce this exact same result. For those who feel that religion is not a good way to describe what they believe, allow me to rephrase. In this respect, all philosophies on life are able to produce this same result. At the end of the road that is life, we are rewarded with this feeling of accomplishment, for only then have we found our meaning - our purpose. When all paths lead to the same destination, it does not matter which one you take; it only matters that you stay on the path, and push on until you reach the end of the road.