Top 10 Reasons Why People Join Religions

I’m fortunate to have grown up in a family that’s open to all religions.  I used to have a bible right beside my bed and having a QuanYin altar placed in the living room.  It has really allowed me to have a broader view of what religions are and what they mean to the worshipping masses…after years of contemplation, this list of top 10 reasons of why people join religions came to mind:

1. They explain life and death perfectly
2. They give us hope, happiness, comfort and security
3. They make us feel like we belong (and we’re no longer lonely)
4. My parents, family, and friends believe in the religion
5. They granted my wishes
6. And I want more “miracles” in my life
7. The “spiritual leader” is an astounding person
8. It just feels like the right thing to do
9. If I don’t, I won’t be able to go to heaven
10. I want to get to know more hot chicks and dudes (at church)

Whether these are “enough reason” for one to join a religion, is a question and is entirely up to the individual but know this...first, understand your heart and mind.  You join a book club because you love reading.  You don’t enroll in one in order to gain the love for reading.

Secondly, whichever religion you join, understand that they all have a common denominator – and that is to help an individual/you become a better person…whatever the belief systems or rituals…whoever the spiritual leader is.  Learn to embrace this most important reason for the existence of religions.

Finally, don’t depend on them to give you happiness or help you overcome each and every one of life’s obstacle.  If there’s one thing you can pray for or to gain, it’s these four main virtues - Wisdom, Patience or Tolerance, Compassion, and Courage.  With them, you’re more than ready to live life.  In other words, you’re learning to fish and not ask for a fish.

To believe or Not to Believe…

That is the question.

To disbelieve in religions and what they represent is also a form of belief.  To become a true atheist, it not a matter of denying the existence of god/gods, as this only means you are acknowledging their existence.  If there’s truly nothing, then you don’t have to fervently prove that there’s nothing.

Then, if you’re religious, it also makes sense that you don’t recognize that god/gods exist because by doing so you’re accepting their non-existence.  If there’s truly something, then you don’t have to passionately prove that there’s something.  This includes building houses of worship, reading religious books, performing religious rituals and miracles, etc etc.

The way I see it...there’s really no point to the long-standing argument.  JUST LEARN TO BE A BETTER PERSON ALREADY!  Or isn't this the whole point?

The True Meaning of Honesty

If others cannot be 100% truthful to you, then you owe it to yourself to be brutally honest with yourself about yourself…

No holds barred, no excuses, please!

And while self-honesty is a painful experience, it is also extremely liberating.

Therein lies the secret to making true changes in your life.

The day you see a cat in the mirror is the day you become the lion

One Person, One Thing at a Time...

For that One person, it makes all the difference in the World.

Are You Sure That You Are Kind?

Returning from a charity auction, this came to me...

That before you help others, donate to the less privileged, or champion for a cause, determine your true reason behind it. 

Is it because it’s the right thing to do?  Is it because others you know are doing the same?  Is it because you want to feel better about yourself or let others see you in a positive light?  Is it because you’ve nothing better to do?  Or because you think the good deeds will help you go to heaven when you die?  IF you do not really empathize with the other person…DON’T try to be kind or charitable.

Help others with the purest and most sincere of heart…not thinking of what you would get in return.  This, if you’re really frank to yourself, is not an easy state of mind to achieve.

So, it makes sense that before you help others, change your mind.  Before you help to change the world, change yourself.