Whether or not we subscribe to religious beliefs, we can each choose how we behave and how we treat others. We often talk here about the actions of societies and states, yet what control do most people have over any of that? Obviously, we have very little control. We are all "along for the ride," so to speak. But, we can -- each of us -- decide how we will operate in our daily lives, in our relations with other people, and in regard to aspects of our immediate environment.
I do not profess to be "highly religious". Actually, I seldom attend church, I seldom read the Bible, I don't tithe, and I pray only on occasion (usually its when I feel desperate and don't know where else to turn). I hold personal religious beliefs, but I don't preach about them to others. I am careful about forwarding religious-themed e-mails, as I don't wish to impose them upon people that don't share those beliefs (and, truthfully, they can become a bit much, when you are sending numerous such e-mails -- who are you trying to convince that you are a believer? God knows your heart).
One thing I am very glad about is my belief that this mortal life has a purpose -- that the crazy and sad things that happen to me, to others and in the world are part of some plan that I don't understand. And that, at my death, it doesn't just end. There is a purpose and place for me beyond my physical shell and breathing in and out. I think it would be sad to believe that this Earth and life . . these 70-some years I have to walk here . . . are all there is. A prof. once told me that religious beliefs are unverifiable, though perhaps comforting. No "perhaps" about it.
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