That was lovely. I have been against formal religion for quite some time.

Heh. Too many contradictions to put in one essay, but you did splendidly at putting in what you could.

Well, here's my own little explanation on life and organized religion. I am a Christian, and oh yes, this is going to be dripping with Christianity, but I think I kinda have a good way of explaining it, so bear with me. I love what your friend said about being able to pray to God on the toilet, hahah, I think that's great =) I've done it. See, the thing that churches don't like to say is that you don't need the church to know God. Yes, it is true, a Christian is admitting that you don't need church. But what I mean is you don't need the building, you don't need the priest, you don't need the holy water, you don't need a pastor or reverend. Pastors are simply people who are called by God to be leaders and teachers. Other ppl are called to other things. Church is not a building, it's a body of people who each have different callings so that they can work together, ya know? I don't believe in religion, I believe in relationship. I think that's a big difference betweent what Christianity is and what it should be. Christianity has become a religion with all its rules and strictures and condemnations. That's not the way God intended it to be. But then, He did give us free choice and we've made of it what we've made of it. Jesus even came to earth with one of his intentions being breaking the religious habits and barriers that were going on at the time. Now, as to whether or not one religion is right and one religion is wrong, my take is that God is God, and he can make of the world and life what he wills. He created us. He not only created us, he created us to love us with everything that he has. I think it's cool, cause he had so much love inside him he created us so that we could feel his love, and his love is unconditional and never ceasing. You ask, how is it unconditional if there are conditions on going to heaven or not, right? well, you see, he created us, but he gave us a few rules to live by. He didn't make us live by them, but with every action there is a consequence. He could have just built us to make us blind followers. But how would that be love. building ppl to love who had no choice but to love back. He wants ppl to love him as their own choice. (sorry, this is getting long...). the consequence of falling away is eternal separation. Hell is described as this horrible place, but the worst part is being eternally separated from God. it's a choice we make, and God makes things a reality, we don't. My take on it is you can disbelieve him all you want, but that doesn't make him any less there, ya know? And why do I think I'm right? trial and error...God's shown himself to me in so many ways, including him talking to me in my heart (and no, i don't think i'm crazy, because the things he tells me happen...) anywho, my whole point is that it's not about religion, it's about relationship... But yes, I asked all the same questions you did, but what I did was read my Bible and realize that God was not about what a lot of churches are about. Churches aren't "bad", they are places where you can learn and be lead (hopefully in a God

"I do not believe in atheistic nor Christianity, I believe in myself and what I can do." Well, I'm an atheist, and don't think what you've just said contradicts that.

I think this is really good Justin. It shows everyone's opinions and how they look at it. It shows how u came upon these opinions keep writin.

Hi. Great point. I used to think like you. I don't believe that way anymore because someone explained it to me. All religions other than Christianity are based on what you do to get into heaven (except Pagan beliefs and they believe that everyone gets to heaven no matter what and that's just not fair). Buddism, Mormanism, a lot of Catholics, etc. believe that you must be a very good person to get to heaven or 'the next level' but Christianity says that what you believe, not what you do, gets you into heaven. And on the Pagan belief that everyone gets into heaven...that's not fair at all, why should a murderer get into the 'great plain' or whatever they call it (I forget..I used to be wiccan and I forgot lol) God is perfect, so that means he cannot have sin in his presence right? That's what Jesus is for, to cover our sins with his blood and give us forgiveness, if you believe this, you're in heaven, just like that *snap* in two seconds. Christians like to do good works because it makes God happy, not because they have to, they just love God enough to make him happy. Like a husband loves his wife enough to paint the kitchen yellow instead of steel grey lol, if you want to know anymore feel free to e-mail me ^-^

I would have to agree that no, you do not need the church to get to heaven. However, if you are a Christian the church is something that can be a great help in your life. Ideally, the church is there to support you, teach you, and help you in your walk with Jesus. It is not there to save you, only God's son can do that. Another thing, if all religions are right, why do we even have different religions? What kind of hope is there in relative truth? There can only be ONE way to heaven because there is only ONE God. The Bible says "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes unto the Father but by me." (Jesus speaking.) therefore, i must disagree with the main point of your "article" that all religions lead to heaven.

I haven't taken the time to read through you entire writing here, and I'm sure that you made some good points...but. You said that "in the end...it is not what his on (I'm interperated this as "His son") thinks, just you and him..." Eh! Wrong. First off, God, His son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit are all one. So that already kills your argument. But the most important thing to remember is that Jesus said "the only way to God and heaven is through me." So it does matter what "His son" thinks of you.
Now I am not saying this to offend you or to say that everything you said is not true. I am simply trying to let everyonme know that "His son's" opinion DOES matter.