Diversity of Religion

        In chapter 19 we learn all about the different religions and how religion affects our society. You can find the definition of religion HERE. Religion is a major part of the foundation our country was built on. Many immigrants who came to colonize America came to escape religious oppression. In today's society the religious demographics are very diverse. I know in my community there are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Mennonite Churches. I am sure there are even more that I don't even know about. I have friends who have been Catholic their whole life and I have a friend who is an atheist. The diversity of our country is what makes it so great.
       I feel as though in American society religion to most people is an automatic thing, especially where I am from. People are raised one religion and they stay that religion for the rest of their life. Me on the other hand was not raised in a religious household. When I was younger I experimented with many different churches. I felt as though because my friends belonged to a church I needed to also. I realize now that it doesn't matter what my friends are, and it doesn't matter if I belong to a church, all that matters is that I know what I believe or don't believe. Everyone's religiosity differs. Religiosity is the importance of religion in a person's life. I feel as though religiosity has declined in the last century. I feel as though religion has become not as important to people as it used to be.
Religion also differs with what country you are in. Some countries are more religious than others and different countries have a different concentration of religions. For example Italy has a lot of Catholics whereas the middle east has a lot of Muslims. You can find religious statistics HERE.
       To most people religion is based on faith which is believing in things that you can't prove. For me this is hard to do. I like tangible things that have proof. I don't think I really have a religion, it is too hard for me to just believe like that. This is probably because I wasn't raised in a religious household. It isn’t that I believe God isn’t real, it just really does not matter to me. What I do believe in is helping people and being compassionate. Not because there is a God watching you and judging you but, because it is the right thing to do. Sometimes when I am asked about by religious beliefs I feel judged because of my answer. Sometimes I feel as though people either think I am a bad person or they feel sorry for me because I do not belong to any certain denomination. I want to tell these people that the people who colonized our country so many years ago came here to escape religious oppression, so what gives them the right to judge me for my religious beliefs.