Julie, I did stop and think. This is the end result.

Over the years,

Some people turn warm.

Some people turn cold.

Sometimes, a friend comes over and go, 'butt out of the way' and you're speechless because he was a friend.

Did he turn cold over the years?

Or did I?

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Pet peeve no 1: Asking me for my religion.

I don't like it. at. all.

Just because I say I don't have a definite religion, doesn't me I'm an atheist who doesn't believe in God.

Just because I read every religious books from the bible to tao to zen to friggin Dalai lama, doesn't mean I'm sesat.

In a way, I inherited a bit of an open mind from my dad and thats the reason why I talk to him when I have a question regarding religion. I'm bred to question when I have a question. Sadly, not everyone can accept that. I accept that fact. I've been told alot to shut up if I have any ideas. My brother defied this all important commandment(yeah, how dumbass can this smartass get huh). No prizes what his friend's reaction was.

I wondered why we're asked to believe in this, believe in that, yet we were never told why. What is so different between one religion and another when in the end, we're loving the same God?

I don't believe in believing blindly. I find it heartbreaking how some people do things that hurt themselves and others in the name of religion. I don't like it when a friend tells me, "I like him but I can't have him as a boyfriend because he is not of the same faith.". Sorry, but thats pathetic. With a capital P.

Of course, realistically speaking, the culture clash and 'pantang' of different religions might cause abit of a friction, especially under the same roof. That I accept. But funnily enough, THIS reason is not THE ultimate reason people shun others. They say they are afraid that they might be led to embrace a different religion, and therefore betray their God.

But God is one.

God is everyone's.

God discriminates no religion.

By all means, religion is good. It paves the way to connect with God, but I think humans have somewhat marred the whole objective of religions.

When I heard John Lennon's Imagine a couple of years back, I couldn't help but think:

"yeah, if there were no religion, there won't be alot of wars."

That, obviously, is idealistic. It is a way of life. Religion makes us strong and constantly remind us how much the world has to offer to us.

And how much we take for granted.

And therefore, shouldn't be taken for granted.

I believe, in the end, all the sources that we have, we can't experience ourselves. Its like, you can read every single book possible about dinosaurs, look at their pictures, learn about their habitats but if you never saw a dinosaur 1st hand, there really isn't a connection between understanding and you.

And yet, with translations over the years, people start taking some things they learn literally. We have been too absorbed and complacent about a physical heaven. That, if we do good, we will go to heaven. I don't really believe in a literal sense of heaven with the fluffy clouds and the pearly gates, but I believe heaven as inner peace. Elusive like heaven, hard to get like heaven.

Most wanted, like heaven.

No, scratch that. Its not elusive, its not hard to get. Its easy.

We just don't see it. Thats all.

Yes. Thats all.

The world is beautiful.

Nature is sexy. Period.

God is there.

And I don't think when I die, he would say:

"Sorry girl, I only accept people with religions."

If so, then we're assuming the whole atheist population would burn in hell, not in a literal sense, no matter how good they were.

Its laughable, that statement.

I digress.

Not everyone would agree with me. In fact, I'm feeling abit jittery for posting this. If I offend I'm sorry. I just need to let out a little bit. And no, you are not obligated to answer my questions.

There is a reason why I only consult dad about those touchy subjects. (Meaning: plz don't walk up to me one day and start questioning my questions. I'll just punch you.)

No matter how hard or subjective the question is,

No matter how stupid I sound like,

Even when he doesn't have an answer,

He has got this look that says:

"Its alright. Just go on. I know what you mean."

And he does know what I mean.

So from him,

I learn that God is not the reason, excuse or answer to the things in life.

We are.

Thats why God made us.

And God is saying,

Not everything has an answer.

That is why the world is beautiful.

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