My Views Religion Itself

My viewpoint on religion itself is quite simple: it�s not for me. Each to his/her own, and faith works differently for different people. I would not be true to myself if I tried to follow another blindly, through dark, over ice, or theologically. If I were not true to myself, I could not possibly be true to my Deity(ies). I prefer a personal spirituality, generally quiet, although sometimes somebody has to say something... and sometimes one is guiltier in silence than the person they need to speak up against.

The way I see it, spiritual and intellectual enlightenment are two different things, but achieved in similar manner. You cannot be given or led to either, both require a degree of self discovery that can only come from within. One can take clues, or learn directions to look, but must accept that these might be wrong, or right for another but not the self.

The way I see it, anyone who says "Follow me, I know the way" in this territory is more lost than the "sheep". The more I discover, see, learn and experience, the more the questions are multiplied. I realize how very little I know, and it�s very humbling even to my ego.

I don�t believe that people have any place between other people and their personal relationship with spirituality. That gives too much power to those that should be more like peers, and leaves opportunity for them to use others� faith to make people do things that they would otherwise know to be wrong, like "holy war". Killing is killing, attack without actual absolute need is wrong. Pre-emptive strikes are situational ethics, but if you have another avenue to take, and choose bloodshed, you are no longer righteous, whatever your cause.

Religion is a tool, you can use it to grow and learn, or allow it to be used to control you. Or, as so many have shown so well, you can use it to use others. What method could possibly work better to get someone to support and protect abusive people (and, hell, why not go there: pedophiles!), kill people, become a bomb, or give up their children?