This is an interesting topic of discussion, albeit that perhaps the discussion has drifted off a bit.
Many people express their concerns with religious leaders or indeed religion itself, pehaps expecting them to be perfect, or at least set an example that can be followed. Many people think that religion is corrupt, this certainly stands as a personal viewpoint. I for one, don't believe this is always the case, although I acknowledge that it can be the case, yet would it be right of us to judge others with how they conduct themselves, without also looking at ourselves and finding our own flaws?
I've kinda come to the understanding that no-one is perfect, that we are all learning whilst on this journey of life and that rather than making enemies we should be making friends, we are all bound to make mistakes or perhaps even say things that may be interpretted in the wrong context, yet surely understanding is called for.
I also believe that your religion is your daily life. I can preach to be a Christian yet not live the life of a Christian, which would assume that religion is corrupt. Or I can be who I am and live my life based on how I believe it should be lived, albeit in a Christian way. Our walk is so very personal, we alone know our own failings.
I do however believe that inside us all truth exists, inside us all is righteousness, yet we make the choices about which direction we head in. I would never want to judge anothers life, nor indeed their beliefs, I'll leave that for each individual, yet what i do, is look at poeple's lives and learn from them.
It would be my worst nightmare to learn everything there is to know about my religion and yet not be able to apply that knowledge within my life.
Is there a wrong and right way of believing in God or indeed worshipping God? If someone chooses to go to church and pray, sharing themselves with their congregation, does that mean that they must also be dragged into the corruption that so evidently exists? or can they choose to disassociate themselves from such things and rather seek the core essence of most religions, which I believe is love.
Ours is not the only way, ours is just another way.
I heard this quote a while ago and it still echos in my mind. If just one person can find God through religion, then religion has served it's purpose. we don't all need religion, but some poeple do. Yet to focus merely on the obvious negative would not be fair as there are also obvious positives, indeed, can you have one without the other?
Nonetheless, none of us are perfect, though we may strive to be, I myself am far from it.
Religion may not be the answer for all of us, yet it has brought much comfort to many, this point perhpas needs to be respected.
Lucy
