Of religion

These days, I have a tendency to use the words 'I' and 'blasphemous' in the same sentence.  Since there is apparently no purgatory (depending on religious views), I seemed destined for some horrid fiery place filled with smoke and boiling lava.  

Being the practical person that I am, I think I will probably confess to some religion because the expected value of believing in 'some' religion (if it is true) is higher than not believing (see Pascal's Wager).  Anyway, it seems that as long as you believe moments before death (or maybe even after death, before the golden heavenly gates), the religion benefits will kick in.  This is unlike human earth aka reality where you have to wait for weeks before your insurance gets approved.  It is a really good bargain for I heard that heaven has streets paved with gold and diamonds and lots of free food.  Points up to religion for feeding my hungry self!  God sure knows what people want.  (Again, this sounds really blasphemous...  But I don't mean it in a blasphemous way.)

Anyway, I have nothing against religion; I think it does a lot of good for a lot of people.  But I would like it more if people question more instead of relying on faith.  However faith is one of the main tenets for religion!!   No faith = no religion.  Can't we have more doubting Thomas-es around!  Interesting read: Jesus Made Me Puke by a Rolling Stones undercover journalist who infiltrated a fundamentalist Christian camp.  Go read it even though I know you religious-un-blasphemous-self doesn't like sound of the title.

I wish people think more, but most people do not have the time to think or for that matter, want to think.  How easy it is to live life accepting what others' say without questioning.  It is a simple life, without ironies, without contradictions and without a (personal) voice.