It is all in how you see it...

To me, religion is my strength...not my weakness. It gives meaning and purpose to my life. You don't know me, but if you did, you would see for yourself. No one would ever label me weak.

Some think that tears are a sign of weakness too, but I have seen the strongest of men cry. Many men are afraid to cry, for they do not want to appear weak. To me, that is their weakness. We must follow what we "feel", not what some philosopher dictates. Some are afraid of love, because it leaves us vulnerable. But to purposely enter into a state of vulnerability, knowing its consequences, to me is also a sign of strength. One should not fear their real feelings.

Religion is only a weakness when men use it to excuse their weaknesses. For example, I know so-called "religious men" who drink to excess, beat their wife, ignore their children, and in general, turn their backs on personal responsibility. They are able to justify their actions by believing that as long as they attend church on Sunday and believe in God, all their actions are forgiven and nullified. If that is the religion to which you make reference, then I must agree. But as I explained before, my definition of religion is none of this. My definition is simply one of recognizing and giving credit for my existence to a higher being. I respect and admire my Creator, and give thanks that this Creator allowed me this opportunity to feel and experience the pleasures of life.

Unlike many religious people, I don't think God intervenes with issues of life and death. I am one of those who believes that God created a self-winding world. Death was as much of a part of the plan as was Life.