Religion. Karl Marx wrote:

“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness.”

I’ve always said that religion is the most controversial topic on the planet, and my opinion stands on that. It’s the only one of the five categories of my blog that wars have been started over. Nations have been stomped on, people have been killed, and individuals have sacrificed their own lives because of it. Look at what Marx called it: The “opium” of the people. Why? Because I think that it keeps us in check, and honestly, I believe it gives us a purpose, and massively reduces chaos. So what makes it so controversial? You could say that so many people are devoted to it, but let’s face it, people have opinions on EVERYTHING, but religion is just such a touchy subject. Before Christ, I believe that religion was more of a cultural thing, spreading because it seemed to be popular, basically pop culture. Suicide rates are much higher in people that do not have a religion, or at least a deity that they worship. Why is this? Well you have to wonder if it’s simply because so many religions cause something I like to call a “protective factor,” shunning suicide. Personally, I don’t believe that is it. I believe that religion gives us a feeling of purpose, and purity so to speak.

So in your religion, whatever god you may worship, deity you serve, I think you should stop and ask yourself, “why?” Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you should change it, I just think you should challenge it, just like I’ve stated in so many other posts. There is nothing healthier in my opinion. I can tell you why I am a Christian. I went through a phase in my life of curiosity. I studied Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and a few others. Mind you, it wasn’t an in-depth study, but I do understand the concept. So as I’ve said before, ask yourself why am I a Christian? Is it simply because that is what you were taught as a child? Is it for His glory or for your own? And when I say that, replace Christian with your own religion. But don’t be surprised if you don’t have an answer.