My perspective on why I go to church. “Why you always go to church?” “You’re the kind of person that goes to church.” “I don’t think I’m the kind of person who can get used to a religion.” “Religions are for simple-minds”. Some of the things people say to me. Well that’s fine and all, after all, the religion has its own stigmas that are hard to debate.
But going to church is not so much a religion to me as it is a lifestyle choice. Treat it as going to gym. That’s a lifestyle choice. And to most, it’s definitely a good one. But with religion, everything becomes muddy.
I go to church because I can feel that doing so has changed me as a person. Someone closer to whom I want to actually be. It has made me reevaluate a lot of values in my life; putting gratefulness as a priority. Seeing every day more as it is than what it could’ve been that in turn made me a happier person. It has also made me consciously repurpose my thoughts and words to be as truthful as it can be. Because I know the outcome of that will always be peace. And better sleeps at night.
It has taught me that love should only be unconditional and that I deserve nothing less and give nothing less. That makes me strive to be kinder, more loving, gentler and non-judgemental towards others. And all that is always a work in progress, that I only hope to become more of by choosing it as a lifestyle.
But that’s the more tangible asset of the religion that I have chosen to be a part of. The intangible part; the spiritual purposes and the deeper understanding of faith and communication with God, keeps me alive* and deeply fulfilled that no one else ever could. And difficult to understand, some people may say it’s psychological even though that doesn’t necessarily explain the inherent beginnings of the whole idea and feelings that I experience.
And “religions are for simple-minds” is definitely not true. In fact, I think religion has to be the most complex creation in human civilisation that ever stood the longest test against time and prevailed** If you think World War II was complex, think something beyond 100x more. Sometimes I wish it was much simpler and straight-forward for minds like mine.
These are some of the best takeaways I can think of. And it’s not some lame attempt to convert anyone. Just to provide a better clearer understanding to why I go to church that’s all.
*renewed, heightened senses and awareness towards life
**some religions more than others
