Religion has nearly always been a part of our history. Religion
started as origin stories, folk tales, and family tales and now they separate us
socially and can define us as who we are as humans and as a society. These
stories, these religions, originated as oral traditions, shared with the youth generation
after generation. Later, and where available, these stories were transferred to
paper to also become written stories or in some religions termed to be the “written
word” of their people or their god.
Some of the common threads of these stories and religions is
its power to guide and motivate people. Through the telling of these stories,
people learn how to think, act and treat people and the world around us.
Confucius spoke about “virtue” as a way of guiding and
treating people. He said “If the will be set on virtue, there will be no
practice of wickedness” (pg199). Socrates said, “…old and young alike, not to
take thought for your persons and your properties, but first and chiefly to
care about the greatest improvement of the soul” (pg 204). Finally, Jesus spoke
about virtue and value by saying, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also” (pg 206).
To me, all three of these religious leaders having spoken
about virtue and being good. They have tried to help guide their followers to
live a peaceful and satisfying life by doing well to others. My view on
religion, is that it guides us in how to speak, act, and be human; how to be
kind, truthful and loving which helps to create a peaceful and safe world to
live in.
I ask you, if religion is such a guide, does it matter which
religion is “correct”, or does it matter that we have these religions?
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