Religion

    Did you know there are about 21 major religions in the world today? Not to mention all the smaller religions that are unknown. Catholicism is the largest with 2,039 million members. It was founded around 30 CE. Islam is only second with 1,570 million and is suprisingly one of the fastest growing religions out there. Now with this being stated, why are there so many different religions?
    Honestly it's quite strange in my view. What is religion anyway? Well I decided to Google that definition and here is what I found: The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods. Interesting right? That's what I thought too. Me? Well, I don't define religion very well. I don't have a "fine line" of what religion is. Technically I am a Catholic, born and raised. Now I have no clue what I am. Does it even matter really? Honestly and truely, does it matter at all? I don't even go to church that often. So does this make me any less of a Catholic. In the eyes of others; yes. In my eyes; no. I still believe in God one way or another.
    So back to the main point. Why are there so many different religions. All they do is fight against one another. Each one thinks they are right while the other is wrong. It's all view point and perspective. Some religions are so closely related it's rediculous, while others stand worlds apart. Take Luthernism and Catholisim for example. They are almost the same thing. When you boil it all down and take a deep look inside, Luthernism is derived from Catholisism. So in reality all religion is derived from another religion.
  Spliting open religion:
    Now lets "split open" a religion. Lets go with Muslim. Pretty much the same as Islam Maybe even the same from what I've read/heard. They believe in the Prophet Mohammed. Now they've heard about Jesus, but belive that He was just a sub-minor prophet. Now, Lutherns and Catholics (and yes I'm pairing these two again) believe that Jesus came to earth and died for our sins. That He is the Son of God. Do you see where I'm going here? Three (or two considering i paired those up there) religions, two completely different views. It's amazing really.
     Religion is restricive in my opnion. When i was younger, I went to a private Catholic school. I think back to it all the time and realize how many rules there were. How strict and straight lined everything was. At one point I didn't want to be Catholic anymore. Honest truth. One of the teachers made feel like this everyday. Made me feel like i knew nothing about Catholisism. But, I made a promise to a friend, and I'm going to keep it. No easy way out. So I've had my ups and my downs and I still have them. The one promise I'm determined to keep, even if she doesn't remember it.
     Some people use religion to manipulate others. Yes I just said that. It's sad, but true. They put others in a continuous loop of doubt and self conciousness. Eventually they (being the other people mentioned in the last sentence in case you were lost) feel stuck and lose hope. Don't be one of those people. Find a way out. Find a way to believe again because giving up isn't an option and it never should be.
     Religion seperates people. It keeps them from seeing everyone around them. They look down on eachother. They hate eachother. They even fight against eachother. They are blind. Blind to the point of wanting to get rid of others. They teach their kids that one religion is bad and wrong and theirs is right. One day, we are going to mess up big and the only way to get ourselves out is to help eachother. We are digging ourselves a big hole. I promise you that. And when we fall into this proverbial hole, we will be stuck.
     Striping down these boundries is an enormous task. It may never happen and I for find that very true. We need to stop fighting eachother before we blow up the world and start World War III. If WWIII ever becomes a reality (and I pray to God that it doesn't) it will be because of reigion. (my opinon and a huge accusation. Yes I know...) Stop playing the blame game people. This includes me. How do you thinks WWII started? It started with laying the blame on someone else. Take responsibility. Learn to face your mistakes.
     Now I know I may be judged for this statement, but here goes. I tend to leave people alone. I don't go out and convert every person I see. I enjoy seeing everyones view because everyone is different. Now I've had many conversations with many differen people about religion and God; Gay, no religious view, Mormon and Luthern. I try to be diverse. Understand others to better understand yourself. No judgement understand? If you judge others you should probably judge yourself first. No I'm not going to form my own religion because there is absolutley no point in that. But you don't absolutly need religion to believe in God. You just need faith.