They say you should never talk about religion and politics. They are right. So I'll try to make this quick...
There is this little thing called "freedom of choice", and spirituality is a very personal journey; which is why I don't understand why people feel as though they have to throw in their two cents.
I was raised in a fairly religious Hindu environment, and while my parents never limited my "worship" to just one God (as most Indian families have a single family deity they tend to worship over all the others), growing up, we pretty much followed all religious guidelines (however loosely; I believe we perhaps could have been much more strict about our practices as some are - to each his own). I remember my dad, on numerous accounts, making me feel as though I was obligated to carry out specific religious practices. And I did, simply because I didn't know any better. Over the years however, I have had a very rocky journey with religion and spirituality.
Without getting into messy details, I feel as though I am now finally in a place where I am spiritually aware and have at last been able to detached myself from any rules and regulation set by religion. Never before have I felt more liberated and open-minded. Its not that I have become an atheist or have these radical idealistic views about "religion", but I have simply found a place where I am comfortable - in my own spirituality, and my own definition of god.
Its taken me 28 years to get here and I'm happy to have found a balance that fits me. No disrespect to the others, as I said, to each his own, but I wish I would not be judged. No, I am not the same "religious" me that I was some years ago. But I will not be made to feel ashamed, and I do not appreciate being coaxed into any ideas I cannot allow myself to follow.
Nothing good ever came of religion and politics. I will leave you to your views, and respect them all the same. All I ask is that you return the favor.
There is this little thing called "freedom of choice", and spirituality is a very personal journey; which is why I don't understand why people feel as though they have to throw in their two cents.
I was raised in a fairly religious Hindu environment, and while my parents never limited my "worship" to just one God (as most Indian families have a single family deity they tend to worship over all the others), growing up, we pretty much followed all religious guidelines (however loosely; I believe we perhaps could have been much more strict about our practices as some are - to each his own). I remember my dad, on numerous accounts, making me feel as though I was obligated to carry out specific religious practices. And I did, simply because I didn't know any better. Over the years however, I have had a very rocky journey with religion and spirituality.
Without getting into messy details, I feel as though I am now finally in a place where I am spiritually aware and have at last been able to detached myself from any rules and regulation set by religion. Never before have I felt more liberated and open-minded. Its not that I have become an atheist or have these radical idealistic views about "religion", but I have simply found a place where I am comfortable - in my own spirituality, and my own definition of god.
Its taken me 28 years to get here and I'm happy to have found a balance that fits me. No disrespect to the others, as I said, to each his own, but I wish I would not be judged. No, I am not the same "religious" me that I was some years ago. But I will not be made to feel ashamed, and I do not appreciate being coaxed into any ideas I cannot allow myself to follow.
Nothing good ever came of religion and politics. I will leave you to your views, and respect them all the same. All I ask is that you return the favor.
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