No religion is the new religion

Soft morning sunlight filters in through stained glass windows and the wispy trails of smoke
from the musky incense float up into the arched ceiling. Gentle murmurs hum throughout the
large room and compete with the slow piano, ceasing to allow for any moments of silence.
Heavy wooden doors slide shut, triggering suits and skirts to rustle around until all stood to face
the front of the room. The Immaculata was as grand and majestically ominous as ever.

John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life. Please rise, the pastor said warmly, spreading his arms
as if to hug everyone in the room.

Mellow music bounces off the white walls, making its way around the tall columns, trying to
make its way into the hearts and minds of the people. After the last song ends, we sit in unison.
The acoustics of the room let the pastors voice resonate nicely, accompanied by the occasional
childs whimper or creaking seat.

I sat in the Catholic church, all too familiar with the wooden pews, the thick smell of incense,
and the glaring looks of individuals who were apparently much holier than I was. I was too
familiar with the modern Christian churches, too, with their contemporary Christian rock, their
clean design, and fun activities for the kids. Theres nothing new here.

The pastor drones on and I sleepily look around me. To my left, a single mother clutches the
hands of her two young kids, both anxious to leave. Her face, beautiful but stressed with age and
worry, focused hopefully and her eyes seemingly held onto every word. To my right, an elderly
couple sat together holding hands. The man, wrinkly and stony faced, used his free hand to wipe
a tear and closed his eyes under his furrowed brows.

Religion has always been the opiate of the masses. In Europe long ago, it quelled uprising and
justified the killing and persecution of those with other faiths. In Asia, it was a peaceful way of
life that was widely accepted as being peaceful. Now, the west is symbolic for change. There is a
prominent religion, Protestantism, however, the devotion towards religion is lacking. Tension
built at dinner tables and in car rides with friends and their parents breaks as voices are raised.
Arguments die down, and upon arrival, parents down a glass of wine while magazines and
business schedules fall on top of their dog-eared bibles.

I can never see Christianity as a way to cope or live; like Nietzsche said, God is dead.
I watch this tall, dirty blonde and athletic girl sit nonchalantly everyday in my English class. She
often speaks with conviction about her opinions when she shares her journals, getting emotional
about the things shes most passionate about. Carol Schroeder lives following God, basing her
actions on the teachings of the bible.

I am devoted in belief in the perfection, power, love and faithfulness of God in all three of His
forms. I have extreme faith in what He teaches and does. However, I am not perfect, you will
come to find that many Christians, new and old, are always struggling with sin. I am not
devoted in the sense of law, because I can never be God. Many forms of religion get that
wrong, that they can work towards God, really, when I do devote myself in the sense you think
of, I am doing it out of love and gratitude for God, not to gain favor, or to gain piety or salvation,
love and salvation are already given to me by Him, and when I obey him its one of the many
ways I worship and honor Him, she said, speaking quickly, like she wouldnt be able to get all
of her thoughts out.

I listened to her speak. Her eyes, so sure of what she said, sparkled. The power and passion was
amazing, it had been a while since I had heard someone speak with such devotion about God. I
looked down, unable to empathize with her or understand how she felt at all. When I used to ask
God for help, he never answered. My chubby little hands clasped, looking for any sort of sign,
like many others searching for Christ in times of need. and just like 7 year old me, they too are
disappointed. How did others get God to answer them?

Walking with God isnt one or two euphoric moments a month, which I am grateful for, but it's
all in between too. It makes me frustrated, angry, happy, content, peaceful, in love, whole, but it
has changed me, for I used to only really feel one thing: longing for empty desires, and thats not
to say I dont struggle with that still, but I am overall much more positive and content and
compassionate, Schroeder said.

It is quite common these days to hear the complaint that God doesnt help everyone and that he
lets bad things happen to the ones we love. Atheists and the nonbelievers primarily argue that
Christianity is fake, often reasoning out that there is no evidence for the events that happened in
the bible.

When I was in sixth grade to about freshman year I was an extremely devout Roman Catholic.
My father and Mother remained their same religion for a while, for the most part until my mother
became Non-Denominational. My decision to become part of the Atheist ideology was around
freshman year after I began to see the flaw as with religion, especially institutionalized religion,
River Chambers said. My reason for not believing in the existence of God has been a scientific
and philosophical idea that revolves around the concept that, fear triggers a response to create
false realities, and trigger false emotions solely for the purpose to protect that person from the
reality that ensues.

There are many who feel similar, who would rather believe in science over the creation story.
The path of an electron must be more certain than Noah and his ark that repopulated the Earth,
right?

The more I study science the more convinced there is divine design. I think it is attributed to the
overall liberal cultural movement away from Christmas card Christianity, Schroeder said, still
with heavy conviction.

There isnt a lack of open mindedness, but more of lack of devotion in the minds of the
nonbelievers. Christianity is seen and used as ways to mend broken relationships when the
relationships must be rebuilt through interpersonal connections.

I think it depends, but personally I do always consider my faith whenever i think of doing
something. Particularly Christianity, the traits and morals we have are very pure and clean, so
either way, people don't have to view it as religious but at least we can contribute to society to
make it a better place to be in, Austin Mariano said.

Christianity, and religion in general, is not something that will automatically fix the problems
occurring within an individuals life or society for that matter. However, it is something that
people can rely on and have faith in when looking towards self betterment.

Religion, yes sometimes good and bad can come out of it. Faith in Jesus, no, real faith only
produces good, because it is accordance with God's good and perfect will, Schroeder said. No
human, no Christian is perfect, only God is. He is longing to be in a relationship with his
children, I encourage people to actually read the new testament for themselves and pray
themselves before getting too stuck in any idea.

It must be realized that religion isnt inherently good or evil. Those who try to justify their evil
actions by using religion as their support only means that that person is living in bad faith, using
religion to blame for their behavior. They become inauthentic.

Those who claim to be religious yet have no idea what their religion is shows me the hypocrisy
that exists with religion, however it also shows me that through this conflict a questioning of
society's beliefs in higher beings ensues and perhaps free thinking is becoming more prevalent in
Society rather than what they were being raised up to believe, Chambers said. A decision
should be made through a thoughtful decision process realizing the effects and nature of that
decision not whether God says it's okay, because not everyone is a follower of those ideals.