Religion 3.0

When it comes to my experience with religion in my own life I have had both positive and negative outcomes. I myself am not a very religious person I don’t practice or live my life by a particular religion on a daily basis. I do however find myself fairly educated about the history of a hand full of religions therefore I feel when I do talk and discuss religion I can identify certain aspects of some and hold a valid discussion. If someone was to ask me what my religion is I would respond with “I am a Christian but I don’t attend any church, I believe in a higher power but I don’t practice religion on a regular basis.” With this answer I have found that people accept this answer without trying to tap into much of what I believe they simply say okay and usually move on with the conversation. I typically try to avoid tenants that have religion at the base of it because with religion there can be strong convictions, and passions present that could have the potential to escalate into a much bigger argument and debate and I try to avoid those if I can help myself. I really like the idea of religion in people’s life I feel religion can bring a sense of purpose and belonging in people’s life. The idea of having a higher entity at the helm of one’s life is motivating for some to think that there is a master plan in place and everything will eventually come if one continues to follow the faith in which they practice. Like I said I really like the idea of religion in one’s life if that’s what they seek. Religion is great for guidance it can provide the words and provoke the thoughts to change one’s life for the better. For some people religion is all that they know, it’s what they were raised on, it influences them and it’s how they have lived their lives. I don’t feel that I have the means to argue or debate with someone about religious aspects or backgrounds and histories of religion. The way that I see it as I’m likely not going to change the others opinion and there not likely going to change mine. So what was really accomplished? Nothing in my opinion you have your beliefs and I have mine therefore I don’t see any validity in arguing religious tenants.

A problem that I have found in the media regarding religion is the notion behind the LDS church coming out and making a statement regarding the use of medical cannabis for the healing process of individuals with special symptoms. I work in the medical field and I plan to have a career in healthcare throughout the remainder of my life so I am a strong advocate for the idea behind using new methods of treatment for the healing process if those methods have been proved to yield results, which medicinal cannabis has done for many years in other states. The problem that I have with the church making this statement opposing the bill that is trying to allow for this use of medicine to be used is the notion behind separation of church and state. This is a complete violation of that notion, the LDS church has no authority in making this opposition go public. So I’m curious as to why they feel they need to make this claim? So the LDS church obviously opposes the use of cannabis for recreational purposes that’s fine, yes I agree its classified as a schedule 1 narcotic and its illegal in the state that’s not what I’m saying here. The point I want to make is that who are they as a non-profit organization to step out and say that they don’t support the use of any forms of cannabis for medical purposes even though there are patients here in Utah that have been witnessed to the positive effects of certain forms of cannabis extract that do indeed have legit medical purposes. With Utah being the LDS stronghold there is obviously members who sit in the senate or in the house of representatives that are likely going to be influenced by these statements of opposition from the church. LDS members tend to have a strong conviction for their religion and on a regular basis practice the words and teachings of their prophets fairly strictly from what I have seen. So when the church makes this statement the members who serve in government and have the power to essentially control this outcome are going to likely push in favor of what the church has expressed as where they stand regarding the matter. To me this is extremely unfair and an act of manipulation they are ignoring facts regarding medical use and implementing their doctrine to influence an outcome of a very apparent issue. What I would like to see is for all churches and religions in general to keep their opinions within their walls of their church not out in public because at times their can be unfair influences at hand that could allow for something great to not have a chance to succeed in a state for the people who really need it.