Religion has never been a huge part of my upbringing and none of my family members confine themselves to any particular religion. But throughout my life I have been quizzical about the world around me and I am finding myself searching for my own religion. Growing up and during my time in education there were a select few religions we were taught about; Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism, or no religion. At this stage of my life I was confused because while I didn’t believe in any set Gods or deities, I didn’t not believe that there were no divine beings. This became the beginning of my search for my religion.
I think that religion and beliefs are important because they help give individuals purpose and the ability to understand themselves and the world around them better. I have selected some topics that religions often have set ideas on and I will explain my own beliefs surrounding them.
– Sexuality: I always have and always will believe that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, heterosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, poly sexuality, pan-sexuality and transsexualism. I believe that love is love, there is no right or wrong in who you can or can’t love. If you love someone, you love them. That’s it. No one can tell you that you can’t love someone because they are of a certain gender or sexuality. Sex before marriage is also acceptable as it is solely a way of expressing love.
– Abortion: In my opinion, abortion is acceptable up to the 24 week limit in the UK, and there don’t have to be explanations for it. The timing could be wrong in a woman’s life for her to have a child, it could have been an accident, or careless, or due to rape, or medical difficulties on the foetus’ part or the mothers or any other possible reasons. It’s the woman’s body and it is her decision primarily with consideration of the foetus’ father in account.
– Marriage: A couple, no matter their sexuality, can get married; either in a religious ceremony, civil partnership or a blessing and any other types of service.
– Divorce: Divorce is completely acceptable. For whatever reason it should be acceptable, whether because of cheating, disagreements, personal issues that can’t be resolved in the marriage or just because the couple have fallen out of love with each other. Remarriage is also acceptable; life is too short to be in an unhappy marriage or unhappy single.
– God/Deity: Everyone is allowed to have their own beliefs around God’s, deities, goddesses etcetera. Personally I think there is a person or multiple people in some state that watches over the world and every person on it. I think they help us along emotionally and spirituality but do not necessarily help physically in any way. They can give us the emotional strength to get through the physical difficulties in our lives.
– Afterlife: I need to believe that there is something after we die. I don’t believe in heaven and hell but somehow people go to the right place when they pass. I think they go where their heart and soul want them to go; for example, when I die I want to meet with family, friends and pets that have already passed. I will go to my own personal paradise to be happy and comfortable forever if that’s what I wish.
– Other religions: I think that people have the right to believe in whatever they wish. If someone believes something completely different to myself then that is fine but I will not tolerate being preached to in understanding and following their religions. In return, I will not preach to others and say that their beliefs are wrong.
– Morals/Ethics: Murder is wrong, rape is wrong, assault is wrong, torture is wrong, stealing is wrong and so is slavery. The other ethics that I believe are neither right or wrong include animal rights, capital punishment, war and lying. I agree with euthanasia, contraception, charity and abortion as previously mentioned.
I may add to this rather extensive list if I think of another aspect of religion I have not yet covered. If anyone has any views on this post, either agreeing or disagreeing, or have questions or suggestions for the list or have an idea about a religion I might be classed as please comment!