Many look to conventional or alternate religions to help sort out complex thoughts about self and our obligation to others or to deal with the many emotions that affect our lives. I am generally skeptical of those who organize religion because they tend to teach denial of passion, and curb creative thinking and the discovery of ones self. This type of teaching dulls the poignant impact of emotion, discovery and thought and normalizes these experiences from hot and cold to lukewarm. The extreme sensations of emotion, discovery and thought are necessary to a life of meaning and importance. The experience of discovering truths brings definition to our lives. It is important to spend time with oneself to completely understand these truths. Too often religious or other types of groups encourage its members to seek out help from other members to learn truths, or teach that individuality is selfish. I do not understand how a group can be sound if the individuals that support it are not first independently sound. It would be like making fried eggs from ones you scrambled earlier. I learn truths about life and myself best when I have had solitary time by myself to fully understand them.
Religious leaders wield an awesome responsibility. I avoid religious leaders who use fear to manipulate people, preaching the virtues of oppressed lifestyles, gaining power from its mind dulling effect on free will. I believe that the loss of free will leads to hopeless and oppressive beliefs. A creative mind thrives when grounded in healthy beliefs built on a foundation of understanding and experience. Often times hopelessness evolves into a belief that all life is worthless. This creates an environment where disconnected individuals may act out experiments simply to entertain themselves without regard for emotion or guilt. Those who adopt this view act as cold machines; they lose touch with that which connects humanity, they loose touch with emotion. Brainwashed, they believe they are not responsible for their actions and may therefore do anything, as it is inherent or expected.
Ask not what religion can do for you but what you can do for religion.
Religious organizations fundamental purpose should be to encourage self-discovery. I realize that this is a bit of an oxymoron. Consider that perhaps mutual discoveries can be made as part of the culture of a religious group if the discovery is obtained through introspection and not simply taught or copied. All too often, when facing the opportunity for growth we gravitate to the sense of peace we obtain by belonging to a group and letting someone else work out our problems for us. We find comfort in familiarity and avoid the pain associated with learning. Religion can significantly contribute to self-discovery when the group can resist the urge to "help" and encourages individuals through their introspective journey to enlightenment.
