Religion has been around ever since mankind started believing on supernaturals. Man’s ancestors had these beliefs, since they were young, and they have inculcated these beliefs to their descendants. Up until this time, religion has become widespread and people still observe the same practices as before. There might be some slight modifications, but they still worship the same gods. It was greatly preserved by the people, and it is undeniably of great influence to the way people act and live in their community. Each religion has its own patterns of practice when it comes to religious engagement and these differences are apparent. Roman Catholics usually go to churches and listen to the Word of God through individuals that are considered preachers, the priests. There are also religions that people practice direct devotion to their gods like the Muslims and Hindus; these devotees do not have priests. There are also religions that believe that images such as replicas and statues are representations of the God they believe in. Others consider their god, divine that they do not consider having images of their gods. Every religion also has its own calendar of activities and these activities are considered holy that devotees are obligated to participate. In times of repentance and renewal, people usually set aside their usual activities and take time to reflect and cleanse themselves from earthly sins. The way people repent, vary but whatever way their religion permits them to do so, this is done regularly to improve one’s religious life and feed the spirit with what it needs to be renewed.

Oftentimes, people that have the same beliefs and characteristics go together and share the same faith and aspirations. These individuals then create their own religious system that will enable them to feel a sense of acceptance and belongingness due to what they think is right for them. Together, they make their lives better for their survival. In a community, religion plays an important role. It directs the people to do things right and religion is highly respected by the people and those that do not take part with the practice are considered to be immoral and a stain in the sanctity of a culture. How people act in the community reflects how people safeguard and respect their religion. The world is packed of many problems and temptations and if one sticks with what their religion believes, then one can avoid negativities and be able live life better and be a good member of the society. It gives the people a chance to maintain their tradition and see life to be purposeful and meaningful. With this optimism, one can meet the expectations of the society and will greatly help the individual strive hard for the betterment of the society and live life to the best possible way. The strong belief gives people a strong grip to, never give up on things when obstacles come. Having a religious life makes a great difference to those who are not. It allows the person to feel a great sense of worth and importance rather that a physical entity that does nothing but to wander. The world to religious individuals is considered to be blessed and this paved the way for the understanding of the people to the physical world. Religion becomes the basis of many things and without religion everything will be meaningless and idle.

Religion is really a life changing experience that is guided by divine truth. It helps a person identify and learn more about his uniqueness. Though there are many religions present to this time, one thing is for sure; our faith only points to one single god and this makes us feel sacred in many ways.

Religion is called the opium of the masses. This is what colonizers do to quickly influence an entire nation. If we look back at our own history, we were once but a pagan culture.

Our ancestors existed in a hunting and gathering society who dedicated their everyday lives searching for food, until the Chinese and Malayan traders came. Then the Spaniards came and impressed upon us the light of Christianity. Our forefathers began to build communities around churches and the rest is history. We became the only Christian nation in Southeast Asia.

We reside in the strong belief that if a family prays together, they stay together. We dream of living a better “life” after death. Religion holds a mysterious promise. Whether that promise is eternal life or eternal happiness or a promise of a wonderful world, it still remains a mystery.

Many have surrendered and offered their lives to who they believe their “true” god is, hoping to find meaning in their lives. And no one can stop them from attaining this quest for enlightenment. No tanks can stand in their way, no guns or sword, nor any kind of weapon can stop them from fighting for their god. That is the power of religion.

Today, we can see all forms of religion sprouting just about everywhere. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Scientology, are but just a few examples of religious organizations. All of them have the same promise of rewards and punishment. Simply put, if one does a bad deed which is what we call “sin”, you will be punished, meaning you will go to a bad place, which is what we call “hell”. It is strange when you think about it, that our world revolves on the concept of rewards and punishment. The concept of sin is always the motivation of one religious group to try and convert another. A very simple concept isn’t it? For example, a religious group will be preaching about a specific belief like, “my god is the true god”; if you will not believe this you are sinful. A very simple concept indeed, yet when magnified over a thousand times may start a war which leads to genocide. Just look at what Hitler did to the Jews. Ironic, isn’t it?

I am not a devout Catholic, but I too believe that there is a supreme being out there responsible for everything that is happening in this world. That being may be called God, to others Allah, or the Buddha. I respect those who believe in them. I respect those who believe in something holy. I laud them for their faith if used the right way. As a thirty something individual who lives in a technology driven world where science is also considered as a religion, I guess that FAITH is a NEED. Something that will make sense out of something in this crazy time we live in.

We all need something to believe in.

As St. Augustine once said, “Faith is to believe something we do not see, and the reward of this faith, is to see what we believe”.

My religion is a personal one. It is a discovery that only I could understand for now, and perhaps one day share to those who are willing to share it with me.