I Am a Dreamer and a Thinker

I have the utmost respect for religion, but it seems too narrow a view for me.

It leaves me to question "Is this all there is?"

Why are we are born with the ability to think and act freely, and yet find that the key to happiness is to follow a set of rules?"

How does that make sense?

In my opinion, it doesn't.

What exactly does faith prepare me for?

It's just a test to see whether or not I can follow instruction?

Right?

Or, in other words, it's a test to see whether or not I can color within the lines.

What's wrong with coloring outside the lines?

Why is that a bad thing?

Is it because it doesn't look pretty?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, is it not?

Why is faith required for the afterlife?

What is so wrong with thinking freely to make it incompatible with the afterlife?

To question is the undoing of faith, and in reverse, faith puts an end to question.

They each undo the other.

However, questioning can test one's faith, causing it to be strengthened.

So, what's the opposite? That should also be true. Should it not?

That should mean faith can strengthen one's desire to question.

In that light they seem very symbiotic.

As though one cannot exist without the other, and yet they are incompatible.

The only message that seems to pop out to me is "don't be messy".

Follow the rules. Color within the lines.

And that message just makes me want to go against it.

It's too conforming and gives me the creeps.

I feel much more comfortable thinking for myself.

If that's wrong, so be it.