Religion is in itself a blaspheme.

Religion is a shield for liars and fools. Those that claim to be religious are nothing more than hypocritical fanatics, blinded by their foolish devotion. Religious people complain about everything that makes them religious. Why do we tolerate this?!

Growing up, I came from a very religious background. My family thrust religion upon me blindly, never allowing me to make up my own decisions. The first mistake someone can make; after all, the more you shove something upon a person, the more they will hate it. Churches, the foundation of all that is supposed to be good and religious, are more corrupted than one can possibly imagine. I've watched as the church I used to attend took funds from my youth group and used it for a stove, for funeral dinners; obviously, things that a YOUTH GROUP would very much enjoy using. Indeed, they talk all the time about appeasing God, yet how differently their behavior speaks!

Even the denominations themselves speak of ill behavior, things that cannot truly be what God wants. Denominations fight and bicker over what they feel is right; Baptists believe all Catholics go to Hell because they pray to the virgin Mary. Catholics probably believe that everyone else is going to hell because they don't believe the same thing. Honestly? I don't care. After hearing the Baptist take on Catholics, I stopped caring. I stopped caring about religion entirely.

Now, with all that said, I more than likely sound like an aetheist or a blasphemer. Quite the contrary, I used to consider myself a very Christian person. And, if read carefully, you'll not the subtle word difference. I do not consider myself "religious," but in fact "Christian."

There's a definite difference in my eyes. True Christians do not judge, they do not argue, they do not shove their beliefs upon other people and do not act out in blind devotion. Christians know what they believe, not just what someone tells them. Christians are the true servants of God.

I used to consider myself religious. Then I considered myself Christian. And then I realized that, perhaps, maybe my ideals were blind all along; maybe the very thing I'm standing up for is wrong. I honestly don't know, and in my current mood, I don't know if I even care anymore.

What if not just religion, but Christianity is a sham? The Bible says that God challenges us, but when do we ever reap the earthly rewards? We get what we deserve in Heaven, but is this just a blind hope to take our minds off of the inevitable death in our future?

Between religion and Christianity, calling oneself "religious" is by far worse, and, evil in my mind. At least Christians care. They try. Even if they fail, they have compassion and do not throw mindless rants to an uncaring public. They know that to get people to consider God, they can only leave the information there and let a person do with it what they will. They understand that forcing will only make things worse. And this world is damned because there are a great many more religious fanatics than true Christians. Isn't it sad?