A Layman's Theories on Religion

This is a volatile subject area to be exploring. Emotions often rise when questioning religion. Even so, I still carry the basic beliefs and values of my past religious experience, but do not necessarily have a need to congregate and reinforce them. There is nothing wrong with people feeling a need to socialize with others in common faith. It just seems that it serves only to benefit the congregation, and the religious sect. Each sect on earth has their own version of the human story, insisting that their teachings of God are correct and spread among the masses.

Consider how many forms of religion are out there in the world. What you have is a smorgasbord of various sects for every taste and pleasure. Which one is the true way? Who is right and who is not? We have spilled each other's blood countless times in history over these issues. How this serves the whole of humanity is difficult to comprehend. There are local sects that attempt to spread their message, but the message is so vague and mysterious that it likens to convincing someone that Peter Pan really does exist. You just have to believe. When they approach, the messengers have a prepared testimonial with vague words about how God now guides them, and enriches their lives. If probed further with specific questions, they wind up falling back on their handy unquestionable faith. Is it just because they are new to the spirit and do not understand it fully?