The Wall

I guess it´s fair to say that the vast majority of people are religious.  Albeit a large number of those that I consider among the religious admit they believe in a god, but don’t practice their faith; a perfectly normal reaction, since faith is ‘passed on’ through the generations, as children adopt the beliefs of their parents, but as general knowledge has become  more widespread, (although evidence of this is scarce these days), there are many people walking around today that believe, but have many questions.  

So, there are billions of people across the globe that truly believe in a deity, and these billions are faithful to hundreds of different faiths, of which, 3 reign supreme.  So much so, that many, (maybe even most), are splinter groups from these main three.  All this makes it obvious that religion plays a role in everyday life, in everyone’s life.  There are countries where the religion is the law, and we know all too well how that’s going.  In the U.S., where faith is in every part of government, the dollar bill is inscribed with the phrase, ‘In God We Trust’, but the separation of church and state is in the constitution, (now that I’m thinking about it, the text might actually be referring to the currency). Who actually knows, the country was formed by businessmen.  Trump has latched on to the slice of America of high faith, which is an enormous slice, just like every other politico with a thirst for power, we had one ourselves in Portugal for decades.  And this, among others, is why we consistently have problems communicating, or just plain getting along.  The answer is simply to start thinking for ourselves.  We have been programed, so to speak, to seek answers from other sources, to listen, and obey.  We all know, through our own experience, that our educational systems are lacking when it comes to the way young people are schooled, and what subjects are taught.  

We are consistently, and now more than ever, told what to think by religions, governments, schools, and multimedia, and we don’t even care anymore, which that’s part of it all, too.  We have so much thrown at us saturating us to a point that we just accept it, but it affects us all.  

The thing I find about religion is that it closes your mind off.  You are taught to remain within the framework of whatever doctrine you follow, and whatever people, (mostly men), run those doctrines.  You’re not supposed to think outside the box, so how do we ever evolve and learn?  I’m not talking about math, or science, I’m referring to living and learning to live for us, together, because only by getting together will we ever be free.  We keep butting heads with each other and so the problems only get worse, and by listening to everyone but yourself, you will never know who you really are.  The mob mentality that is so prevalent across the world today is supported by the different faiths, who continue to push for their own, while thinking less of others.  

The struggle to keep religion out when it comes time to making important decisions is a losing battle.  It’s a perfect example of ‘strength in numbers’.  Now all we need to do is take that example and use it to unite, instead of what’s been par for the course for hundreds of years.  The fact is we all need to take our lives back.  No simple task.

Fiquem bem,

Raul Freitas/MS