Day 4 - Your views on religion

Oh no, another tough topic today. I really dislike writing about religion on my blog, because I just think it's such a personal thing.

I grew up in a Christian family and went to our town's Dutch Reformed church and Sunday school every week. I didn't especially enjoy going to church, but it was part of my life, and I just did it anyway. I didn't always understand the preacher, and most of what he said kind of went over my head.

I did learn some good values at church and Sunday school; be respectful, be nice, help those in need, don't do to others that you don't want done to yourself, pray every day, be a good person... etc. Or maybe my parents taught me that, I'm not sure.

I'm going to be totally honest and say that I don't like the word "religion" and what it usually stands for; lots of rules that no normal person can possibly live up to, the violence that sometimes goes along with religion, the inability to accept others that don't believe in what you believe in. I'm sorry, but I don't see God in that way at all.

I believe that God is Love. I strive to be a good person, to treat others in the way I want them to treat me, to be kind, to uplift others and support them, to accept people for who they are and to live a good, positive life that inspires others. I believe that not everything in the Bible should be taken literally, as I believe it's a book filled with parables that teaches us moral lessons.

Bottom line is that I don't think you should have to tell people what you believe in, your actions and the person that you are should speak louder than words.