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 :]