Religion and Happiness

This blog is going to be controversial.  Some of you might not agree with what I'm writing, however please have an open mind.  All of my writings are my opinion. My purpose is to get you to look at your life, job and happiness through different eyes. My purpose is not to get all of you to agree with me. Remember the goal is happiness.

First, let me start by giving you my definition of religion.  Religion, in my opinion, is any organization that is organized, has a set of rules or requests, has followers that, for the most part, follow those rules or requests, take in money to support the religion, have a single leader with sub leaders, might or might not worship an entity that only exists in the mind of the followers (God is an example, but not the only example), and their purpose is to give a better life for their members.

The reason I added that a religion may or may not worship an entity is because some true religions do not worship a supreme being.

Being religious, again, in my opinion, is someone who follows the religion, supports the religion, follows the rules or requests and makes religion a significant part of their life.

If you think about my definition of religion, take away the non tangible entity (non tangible because you can't see or touch the entity with our limited five senses.  Therefore, they only exist in our minds and heart),  almost any organization can be a religion. 

If you take away the non tangible entity, could a corporation be a religion?  A corporation is organized, has a set of rules and requests, has followers that follow those rules, takes in money (from profits) to support the corporation, has a single leader (CEO) and sub leaders (VPs, directors, managers).  However, the corporation's purpose is not to give a better life for its employees.  Its purpose is to make money which may or may not make the employees happy.

Under my definition, a Union could be a religion. However, nobody sees it as such because it does not have a spiritual nature to it.  I have no idea what "a spiritual nature" means because I'm too logical and can't put my arms around it.  Therefore, I can only assume that "a spiritual nature" is something a person feels inside.

I believe you can't really be a religious person unless you have a "spiritual nature" inside you.

OK, what the hell does all this have to do with happiness?  Again, in my humble opinion (IMHO, yes, I'm a texter), being part of a religion is a good thing.  What I have a problem with (here comes the controversy) is being religious can retard your happiness.

The reason is because, making one thing a big part of your life is restricting.  Religion's rules are restricting.  Having those rules as a significant part of your life means you are not creating your own rules of life.  Not creating your own rules of life will not allow you to get all the happiness you deserve. 

It's OK to believe in a non tangible entity, however believing that entity will guide your life, believing that entity is making decisions for you, believing that entity will give you a better life, believing that entity will allow you to join him or her in the afterlife and that will make you happier now and believing that if something good or bad happens to you or anybody else it is the entity's will, is putting the entity in control of your happiness.

If you are reading my blogs, you know I believe that if you give control of your life to the outside world, you will never get all the happiness you deserve.  You are the master of your happiness not them.

If you join a religion for the purpose of community you will get a lot out of it.  If you join a religion because you want to be guided by someone or something other than you, you will be missing a big chance to control your life.  Some people think being controlled by something else is a good thing.  I don't.

I'm a spiritual being not a religious being.  I believe in giving positive energy out to the universe because I believe the more you give the more you get back.  I'm not giving myself to the universe and being controlled by its whims.  I'm making the universe a better place because I'm giving it my positive energy. lastly, I believe being the source of positive energy to others will make my life happier.

If it makes you happy, join a religion.  Just don't let the religion control your life and your happiness.  Being spiritual will give you all positive energy you need.  Sooo, be spiritual not religious.

Again, this is my opinion.  I hope you will be open minded to what I've written and not reject it out of hand because it is not the way you were brought up.  My only goal is your happiness.  If your way makes you happy, do your thing - as long it's your decision not theirs.