I was raised Southern-Baptist my whole life. Church on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night almost every week. Needless to say, I was burnt out on it by the time I left my parents house for college. I retain many of the principles and ideals that I learned from growing up in the church. But I have also shed many of those ideals and principles.
My main concern with church (and organized religion) was that I knew exactly what answers I was suppose to give in Sunday School. Likewise, I knew very well which questions I was not suppose to ask. And under those conditions, I don't see how a search for truth or spirituality can take place.
That's not to say that I don't believe in God. I very much do believe that I must acknowledge and worship a higher power, whatever you call him/her/it: God, Jah, Allah, Jehovah, I AM, The Force, etc. . .
To me, some churches are very good communities of people that are supporting each other in different ways and worshipping as they see fit. In other instances, they can be spawning places for fundamentalism and narrow-mindedness. All I'm saying is that I believe a church is a place where the work of God or the work of the Devil can occur.
In general, I do have beliefs that are related to and based in organized religion. But I do not think my views are dogmatic. If you have come to realize a meaning to life, and it is being taught to you differently than it is being revealed to me - then that is okay with me. I will admit that I have the biggest philosophical difference with atheists, but at the same time, I am not really trying to convince them of anything, and I have never met an over-bearing atheist. Maybe they are out there, but I haven't met one yet.
I actually recorded a song that expresses how I feel about organized religion. I can't find my recording of it at the moment, but here are the lyrics. The song is simply called
Religion:
Religion, Religion
It's just a means to makes division
Religion, Religion
A tool of the devil to narrow our vision
Why can't we see that faith is what we need
Denominations, well they tear us apart
and they scatter our nation
Religion, Religion
It's just a means to makes division
Religion, Religion
A tool of the devil to narrow our vision
I look to my left, and I look to my right
The people I see are my brothers and sisters
There is no reason why we should fight
Religion, Religion
Do what you're told, you gotta follow tradition
Religion, Religion
A way to control other people's decisions
Well we can't turn back because we've decided to fight
Will we be ready to meet our Maker
when He comes like a thief in the night
Religion, Religion
Do what you're told, you gotta follow tradition
Religion, Religion
A way to control other people's decisions
Religion
I avoided this thread for a while because I knew I would go off about church. I hope I didn't offend anyone. . .