Being a second generation Asian-American, I grew up in two different worlds. One of the main differences and one that has been on my mind a lot lately, is religion. My parents are Buddhists from Taiwan, yet I grew up in a primarily Christian nation. However, it wasn’t until late in my high school years that I began to notice the prominence of religion in the United States. Not knowing whether Buddhism or Christianity would take precedence, I was skeptical and tried to reason religion.
http://www.wayofthemind.org/2006/09/27/why-do-people-believe-in-god/
This post intrigued me. I agree with some of the questions brought up by the author.
To start off, all major religions in our world today have respectable values of which I agree with. I just find it difficult to accept that only one religion can be right, and all others are wrong. Likewise, I find that many people settle with a religion just because they were educated that way, or it was the religion of their ancestors.
However, that does not mean I do not respect today’s religions. When my mother passed away this year, I had the utmost respect for her wishes to have a Buddhist ceremony, and no matter my faith in the future, I will always honor her memory as a Buddhist. On the other hand many of my friends are also Protestant/Catholic, and I respect their views and opinions as well. As an observer and curious “potential”, I have attended many different religions services, and continue on broadening my knowledge of religions. It is because of my mother’s passing that I have come to view life differently, and with that, various religious teachings on how to “live life”.
One last itch in my mind is that I feel like I don’t belong. Religions require one to be faithful, and faithful to none others. For that, I feel apart from society. Until I find a “faith” to believe in, religion will always be my foremost conflict.
NOTE: I do not claim to be an expert on any religion, merely an observer.
