First, let me start with a compliment. I visit some other forums (non paintball ones) and on some of them religion has come up every now and then. It's always turned into a shouting match and namecalling. That hasn't happened here, and that deserves a compliment. Well done people!
On that note, I would like to add that as soon as I notice somebody not respecting the opinions of others on this subject, bans will be issued.
As far as what I believe or think, I don't believe in a sentient god. I do believe in nature, as nature's kind of hard to deny, but not in the sense that mother nature would be a sentient thing or a hive mind or something similar. Life, or indeed the universe, is no intelligent design. Just look at how often it has gone wrong... And even what's supposed to be the pinnacle of creation (humanity) is full of flaws and failures.
I agree there are a lot of things we don't know (yet), but I'm willing to accept those as simple unknowns. I have no need to fill up that void in my knowledge. I'd be happy to be surprised when my time comes.
As far as religion being created to control people, that's simply not the case. Religion originally started as a means to explain that which could not be explained. It was what science is today. And let's face it, science is not without fault either, it gets adjusted constantly!
However, like many things, (some) religions got twisted into corporate and governmental entities and with that came power. And we all know that power can corrupt. And with so many people involved, sooner or later somebody would turn out to be an @$$hole...
But the basic form of religion is not evil or corrupt. Hell, (no pun intended) it's not even organised! For those of you that read the Bible, I'm sure you'd all agree that it doesn't even say you have to go to church. Baiscally you can be a Christian all on your own, following your own interpretation of the Word of God. Nowhere does it say you have to follow the teachings of some dude with a funny hat.
A friend of mine is a very orthodox Muslim. He follows the Quran to the letter and it makes him a better person. Don't believe all the hype about that book being violent and that it allows you to beat women. It's no more violent than the Bible, and in fact states that paradise can be found underneath the feet of a mother. A Muslim man must give half of what he makes to his wife, as it is his duty to take care of her. A Muslim woman can have a job, but is not required to give anything to her husband, as she doesn't have to provide for him!
Obviously, a lot of people got this twisted.
Anyway, moral of the story: Do some research for yourself, then decide what you want to believe.
