The Importance Of Religion., For EVERYONE - Athiests, Catholics, Whatever. Options

[HilaryIsATwatGrr]

I've always questioned the whole religion thing, ever since I was very young. No religion ever seemed to speak to me. Not any of the Eastern religions, like Buddhism or Taoism, and certainly not any of the Western religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

My father is Catholic (he comes from a strict Filipino family), and I was babtized (SP?) Catholic, but he's never really been a big part of our lives. My problem with the entire spectrum of Christian religions is this: they're not accepting of people at all. Some of my best friends are gay, black, whatever...and I don't know what I'd do without them. So if Catholisism was a part of my life...I don't know where I'd be.

I've always said I'd find my own religion, eventually. But lately it's been too hard, with everything that's been going on. So my question is this: how important is religion? Is it really something someone needs in their life? Or is it something somebody makes up to be able to cope with the tolls life takes on them?

P.S. This IS NOT An "Is God Real" Topic. Kthanks :]

[Amaranthus]

I think religion is something for people to fall back on: it's comforting (for me at least) to know that there is a "higher power" or "God" I can go to for help. I was raised a Baptist, but I never really enjoyed it. I've studied/observed other religions like Judaism when I was alot younger, and Wiccan recently and they sounded somewhat interesting but not something I could stick with. I never really understood why if God wanted us to be so happy, why would he make all of these somewhat rules?So when asked what my religion is, I sometimes Non-denomination or Agnostic based Christianity. I don't necessarily disbelieve, I just wonder sometimes.

Man, have I been waiting to get that off my chest:)!