Examples Of Religious Values

Each individual has his or her own set of values. These values determine how we will act in a given situation; what decisions we will make based on these values. These actions and decisions are going to be different from one person to the next because each of us has our own set of values. Many of these values have a basis in a person’s religious upbringing and how they define their own personal religion. This paper will show how my own actions and decisions are based on my values regarding my religious viewpoint. My religious viewpoint is that I neither believe nor disbelieve in God, or any god for that matter, and because of this ambivalence, my values, and therefore how I act in a given situation, is based on my own morality developed from my social and life experiences rather than theological doctrine.

To understand one’s religious viewpoint, one must first know how to accurately define religion. Because there are so many different religions, it is difficult to accurately define religion to encompass all of the differing viewpoints of those various religions. Some religions believe in the supreme God, some believe in other gods, some do not believe in God or any other god. Religion is such a vast topic that instead of attempting to define the differing philosophies from each specific religion, the definition of religion should be left up to the individual. Instead of trying to limit what religion should be, instead allow each individual the limitless options to define how he or she sees religion. I personally define religion as one’s values and beliefs as predicated by one’s relationship or lack thereof with God, a god, or an entity higher than one’s self. Christians have values and beliefs based on their relationship...

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...framework for my opinion that humans are naturally cooperative and good.

In conclusion, as an apathetic agnostic, I do not care if God exists or not. Rather than base my values on a religious doctrine, I base my values on my internal feelings and emotions in situations in which I have to act or make moral decisions. As an apathetic agnostic, I do not care how we came to be, but rather about the fact that we are here and how we conduct ourselves. Finally, I do not subscribe to the concept that humans are good or evil by nature, but rather that we are selfish or cooperative by nature. I personally feel that humankind is cooperative by nature and we have to make the conscious decision to be selfish. I firmly believe that no two individuals can have the same opinion on everything regarding religion, and that no one can be proven right or wrong in what they believe.