Godless Meaning/Connection

After reading this book and pondering the message it is sending, I began to think about how religion affects people's lives and how it can be argued that it is good and bad. As a sixteen year old high school male, I personally don't agree with how religion is portrayed and dealt with in modern times. I often question not only my own "faith" but others' as well and even established religion as a whole, so I think that if Pete Hautman could choose someone to read his book and understand the message, I think that I would be a pretty good candidate. For me, the point is not whether I believe in God and am devoutly religious or not, but instead how religion is viewed and treated in the world today. All around the world, but especially in a place like Edina, where the vast majority of people are Christians of some form, religion is something that if you don't have, you are in a way labeled as an outcast. To me it seems like anyone who believes in a religion thinks that their religion is the "right" one, and that others are flawed and insubstantial. I mean sure, obviously people will believe their own religion is correct, but at the same time all it really accomplishes is dividing people, groups, countries, and races. If you look at the basis of all the worlds' most practiced religions, it is easy to see that nearly all of them are basically about the same things. Sure, every one has its unique characteristics, but in the end they all convey the message of faith towards a god or higher power to achieve happiness and be saved in life and afterlife. What I am trying to get at is that though religion may be something nice to have in life, you shouldn't let it overwhelm and control your beliefs and thoughts; everyone should keep an open mind to all sorts of ideas and opinions, and even if you don't believe them yourself, at least accept them and understand that many people feel as strongly about those beliefs, or even lack of them, as you do about your own.




...post-script: I understand this post can be considered extremely controversial. In fact, after just reading this you may be a little upset and feel attacked in some way. If that is the case, good. I can handle having people mad at my thoughts, because I know that at least it got you thinking...