Pensively Creative

That's how I feel today. Yet, all that wants to pour out is something depressing, or something concerning religion. I spent many minutes last night speaking to a girl who is distraught at how she has fallen from the graces of her father.
Not her biological or adopted father, but 'Our Father". The big guy.
God.

Strangely, I feel slightly responsible.
At the same time, I'll be entirely honest, I can't say that I care.

I want her to be happy, but when it comes to religion caring has never been my strong point. On paper I just feel better saying it. Its not one of those things you can say to anyone's face without attempting to offend them, but writing it at least has the possibility of having some integral point or carrying an opinion as opposed to an offensive tone.

I remember I once had a conversation with a friend who was unsure of her religious stand. I would like to add that, after speaking to me and making a couple of her own judgements, she has now decided she isn't religious but (as of last I knew) refuses to tell her family for fear of being disowned.
I didn't pat her on the back or congratulate her on her decision at all. That's not nesscesarily a good decision.

I'll admit that faith makes people have an intrinsic and extrinsic motivater at all times to strive to be better people. Without that faith, that guidance, that ever-watched feeling, you end up with people like me.
Lazy and unmotivated.

Yet, I am entirely unrepentant...its almost sad really.

Back on topic, she had asked me at a point in the conversation something to the extent of, "Well why exactly do you feel religion is a pointless concept?"

I'll answer that question, as I didn't offer anything save a circular proof which had almost NOTHING to do with the question. I hadn't given it thought then, but now I have.

Quite frankly, I have viewed religion in many ways in my own rights and my own opinions. After much study through my own eyes, they're all attempting to show you the EXACT SAME THING from different lights and in different ways. Yet, we still slit each other's throats and spit upon those of other sects, viewing them as little more than ignorant cows who worship false dieties and, inevitably, will be damned to eternal suffering for their ignorance.
Yet this Lord, in many religions, is supposed to be forgiving.

...Fuck that.

If the Lord is at ALL forgiving, perhaps the single most forgivable state is to be entirely unaffiliated and to view all religions as equal and, perhaps, simliar. That would provide an open mind capable of being taught the truth of things in the all important after-life.
Even an angry god, "Holding us like spiders over the flame, only his own hand keeps us from eternal damnation..." which is likely not the exact quote, would be able to work better with an unrepentant scholar of all religions than a blind acolyte to a single faith.

Isn't eternal salvation supposed to be accompanied by knowledge and understanding? Compassion for others and a devout state of mind?
I have been called ignorant before, and I scoff at such things. I've openly been told that I will suffer for my sins and when I choose to repent it will have been too late and I shall burn.
Quite frankly, I don't buy it.
If there IS a god, there is absolutely no religion on earth, or any faith capable of being lead by man or written by men, that is capable of capturing the essence of an omnipotent being capable of such feats described in any text or concept.
In fact, omnipotence is SO vast a concept its almost insulting to say we can grasp the idea in any way.

My opinion on God, the Lord, or any kind of 'Over-Being' that rules all or at least oversees everything...
Is that they are so powerful and so omnipotent, that they have reached a state of being which has created an all around apathy for society as a whole.

In lament terms...
He's so powerful and so ever-encompassing that, frankly, he doesn't give a shit.

Religion has created both virtue and vice in this world. A code of laws and behaviors. Morals and ethics.
I'd be a fool to say we'd be better off without it.

However, I do not believe religion is about a greater being. If there is one, and he is at ALL described in any book...my mind set is perhaps the most salvagable of any mind set. With an equal view of every faith known to mankind (or at least documented) and no discrimination between them...perhaps different personal opinions, but no overal disdain for a culture's beliefs...

Well I could die and head to the pearly gates, or enlightenment, or my second life, as a more knowledgeable person. I would be more capable of stepping up to good old Peter and saying, "How are ya man. I'm here to learn. I've been a scholar of faith my whole life."
Personally, I'd be very easy to convert to a true believer.
That's what Purgatory is, right? A chance to repent and truly convert yourself to the right faith assuming you had the capability to change and repent?
A second life, or third life, or fourth life...or any reincarnation is so that one has a better chance to feel empathy for all beings in the world and all states of mind and states of life so they may one day be truly enlightened and join the dieties in omnipotence?
Enlightenment itself also came from the idea of purifying your body and mind so that you might be pure enough to pass into the spiritual world.
Or the muslim concept of self-sacrifice being the purest thing you can do in order to head to heaven and join allah? Disregarding physical things and letting your spirit be your guide?

If you can't see it...whatever.
If you don't want to see it...whatever.
If you see it and want to believe it...whatever.
If you see it and don't want to believe it...whatever.
Pretty much...whatever.

This is my opinion and is in no way intended to sway other people's opinions.
I felt like voicing this as the answer to a question I never fully answered a long time ago.

I hope, friend, this was good enough for you.