i am not a fan

of religions

too much hate

is fomented

and blood spilled

too many people

subjugated

oppressed

killed

too many minds

narrowed

fixed

bent

delivering a message

not

heaven sent;

i am mystified

and joy-filled

by the

complex

magnificence

of nature and

the universe --

when and how did

existence

commence?

the egg

or the chicken?

which came first?

there is no answer

just hunger

and thirst

for knowledge

for comfort

too often

in pablum

found

chaining

a mind

and keeping

it bound

to calm

an aimless

tormented

soul

while

keeping all

under control.

My childhood best friend

was Christian. At the time,

I thought I was too.

But now, she uses her religion

as an excuse for her hate.

And queer people

have loved

and accepted me

more than any Christians that I've ever known.

I know which community I feel safest with.

If we're speaking literally then I can't claim to believe in God.

But... what if speaking literally about religion is like asking wherefores of chickens on roads?

What came first? The need for meaning or the meaning itself? What came first? The need for meaning or the meaning itself?

...If God can be defined as "That Which Makes Matter Matter" ... what once seemed ludicrous to believe suddenly becomes ludicrous to deny.

I believe there is a God.

If you look at the religions of the world you can sum up most of them in three words.

Love each other.

That is how I live my life.

Give kindness wberever I can.

Accept people as they are.

Religion is a hammer

It’s meant for building, for making life better

But it can easily be used to destroy, to tear down, and make life worse

Religion is imperfect

A human explanation of something we can’t understand

There’s no complete answer

We are as insects trying to understand space

I have a lot to say on the matter, so I'm going to try to keep it simple- though keeping it simple isn't my strong suit. Maybe a list format instead of one of my usual tangents...

-I believe that all religions and spiritual practices have pretty much the same goal in mind but follow different paths to get there. Bickering over the details is silly when the ultimate focus is on understanding that there are forces bigger than yourself whether it be a higher power or simply your own community.

-People are so stuck to their idea of holy texts and practices that they don't stop to think just how much influence man and his whimsy has played into the formation of their belief systems. Question everything. Think critically.

-Many New Age people are in denial- they're just practicing rehashed, more palatable versions of old practices. They're often guilty of the same dogmatic and often dangerous ways of thinking. It's no coincidence how many cults are formed around New Age philosophy.

-People in the West fetishize the East as if Eastern countries and religions don't have their own issues with secularism, oppression, and hypocrisy. On a related note, many of the practices Westerners become obsessed with are considered antiquated to a lot of people living in those countries.

-I do not believe in a god that is defined within the parameters of things like gender, ethnicity, etc as a force as great as what's described is likely outside of the realms of simplistic/binary definitions.

-I do believe in concepts like the divine feminine/masculine, but not in the sense of devotion to a god or goddess. That comes from more of a place of mental/emotional empowerment than it does any sort of specific being.

-I don't believe in a one true god, as I think connection with the self and the universe (however you may define it) is a deeply personal thing and no one can define that for you. I also find proselytization pretty gross for that same reason.

-Religion, a belief in a savior, a perceived purpose, etc doesn't give you an excuse to suck as a person and not do the inner work to maybe suck a little less. New Age people are especially guilty of this, but they like to point fingers at organized religion. I consider myself a spiritual "outsider" for this reason.

-Organized religion is not necessary to be a well-rounded, conscious, kind, and connected person. But it does provide a foundation for many people to get to that place of "oneness" with themselves and the world around them. This seems especially helpful for those in recovery.

-I don't discount the idea that a higher power could be a conscious, highly involved being, but I personally take the approach of the deists- that is, a largely neutral force that sets things in motion (either through intent or pure circumstance, I haven't really decided nor do I particularly care) and steps back and lets it run.

-As silly as it sounds, I think the concept of "The Force" as outlined in the Star Wars series isn't totally out of the question either. Again, a neutral energy source that just "is" and serves no purpose to any singular person or idea but can be connected to and channeled.

-I believe that all spiritual figures were likely real people who "got it" and have been turned into legendary figures over time.

-There are lessons to be found in all beliefs and practices, but we have to remove the elements of fear, arrogance, and ego to be able to accept them for what they are regardless of if they resonate with us or not.

-Faith is not true faith if you are afraid to have it questioned.

I'm over the proposed word limit. Fight me. Or pray with me. Maybe some transcendental meditation? I hear the temple opens at five...

I believe in God and that he sent his only son who endured the unthinkable because of his love for us. I feel his presence in good times and even stronger in difficult times.

I do not see religion as a dreaded conversation...people have free will and can choose to believe and accept Him or not. God does not force himself on any of us - it is a personal relationship.

My walk in faith is believing in what I cannot see but hold continual comfort in knowing He is with me in each breath I draw.

My God is the ground, the grass, the dirt

She does not ask for money to wash away my sins

Because there is no such thing, just perfectly imperfect

And glory is not a for-profit scheme

My God is the air, the wind, the wing

She envelops my body in an easy embrace

And does not touch me behind the dark, musty pews

Of a so-called holy place

My God needs no organization or LLC

She is everywhere, in everything and calls for nothing

Not for wars or plagues, nor rape or murder

Not for chains that bind because of the flesh between my legs

To My God, nothing is unholy

She is Me, she is the World