[amyuilani]

I believe that people want to believe that there is something out there that is greater than this world and what they know. I believe people find comfort in like-minded ideals. I believe people want to know that the lives they are living will inevitably lead to something greater. I believe people are more willing to believe in a single deity as being a creator or leader, because so many other elements of their lives have revolved around that same theory (dictators, presidents, coaches, teachers, parents, fairy tale characters, royal families, etc.) When people choose to define the deity they believe in as God, Buddha, or some other being, it gives them a greater sense of belief in what they are hoping for. It's as if naming the puppy makes him yours.

I believe people take tales, legends, folklore, etc. and eventually believe them to be facts. When they start believing tales to be facts, they fight to the death to prevent what they are afraid might be true, that everything they've ever believed could be flawed or wrong. People do not want to believe that everything they have ever known could be a fantasy. They do not want to believe that they have lived their lives for nothing. Therefore they do everything they can to continue to assert their beliefs as truth at the expense of others and with a blatant disregard to what others believe to be true themselves.

I do believe that there is a greater purpose to life, but certainly not one I can tie to any one religion or deity. I feel that people should have something to believe in in their own lives, but draw the line when they think it's their responsibility to shove their beliefs down other peoples' throats. Not only is it rude, it leads us further away from the peace we profess to be seeking.

I think if you want to believe in God, that's wonderful. I'm sure your belief in God will get you through tough moments in your life. But I also feel that God is incredibly subjective. Who God is to you can be nothing like who God is to me, even if we think we are referring to the same God. All of the different religions out there who interpret the same bible prove this. There are those who think God got them through things, where others think the absence of God got them through things. Both positions are right, and both are okay to have.