Hi Gene,
That's exactly my thought, people slavishly following something they don't seem to believe in. They follow it more like a superstition then anything else. Like they follow out of fear of what may happen, not what they believe will happen. That isn't religion! That's occultism.
That feels more like someone taking blatant advantage of another persons ignorance. Church is meant for teaching vision, not talking blindly. Not all churches, mosques, etc. are like this, though so many I have gone to feel like this. So many feel...like they lack authenticity. But this is personal opinion on particular places I've visited, and again, this in no way says them all. Who knows, maybe my thought process on the matter is tragically off. Or maybe I'm just a bit to personally involved in this one.
I do agree that personal convictions create each individuals' outlook, regardless of religion...though I also believe the path that said religion takes you on can alter, modify, even revolutionize the path your personal convictions can take. They can help create confidence, or create insecurities when you believe you are for or against a power that you admit is greater then yourself.
I can be a bit contradictive, one of the downsides of enjoying both sides of an debate.
I guess, what I'm really getting at with all of this...is that you must believe in what your doing, and who your doing it for. Gotta keep that PoP (Power of Perception) in check, lest you fall victim to someone else's PoS (Power of Suggestion)...this is your PoA (Power of Attitude). Made myself a lil formula: PoP + PoS = PoA.
