by Brett Ernde

Created on: June 17, 2008

I am a very conflicted man, I have sought after redemption for most of my adult life. As a child I grew up in a very religious environment. I attended a catholic school, and a non-denominational christian academy during my middle school career. I later attended a public high school where I learned what real world situations could totally amount to. I have battled vigorously, pinning my rationality against my heart, for fifteen years over what it means to be solely whole of heart and good in nature. One of the many things I have figured along the way is that even in the loss of my faith I have still come out a good man. I have still thrived with honest intentions, and needless to say, religion had very little to contribute to the grand scheme of things.

I would never doubt the power of ones faith, for faith the size of a mustard seed could move a mountain, no? It's a very fickle debate, but it isn't so unclear as we may like it to be. Religion and the views carried with, have very little to do with how good a person will end up. It depends on many factors. Sure, religion has it's quality factors in childhood development; it helps to set focus and guidelines. It urges us to be better people, and find a lost soul to convert to a faith that is pure. yet, there are politics in religion that are there only to hinder the product that could be our morals. I have seen the pulpit become one of the most coveted spaces any man has laid their eyes of desire on. I have been to churches that have boards of directors in pin stripe suits. I have been kicked out of church for not dressing in proper attire. And I have seen people pinned against each other for nothing more than a few verses and the way they were interpreted. Do these sound like the actions taken by the meek? Does that really sound like something unconditional love would ever allow? It's an easy question with an easy answer.

I abandoned the plight of religion years ago. Not to say that my search for inner peace has stopped. True peace and happiness is sought after every day, for the rest of our lives. How easy it would be to have a poor attitude. How simple the answer is if only solved with a fist, but the answer is never that simple. For with a fist and anger comes negative consequences, negative actions bring forth negative returns. As positive actions bring forth positive return. The debate of true goodness begins in our hearts. It begins in the place where all intentions are created, that is the only true way

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