In short, it is something superior one believes in and follows devotedly. This is not something I talk about often but somehow I always have to have this conversation. There's a ton of religion out there and none perfect.  No right or wrong, just faith. I, personally, am an atheist. My family members or rather my parents are Taoist. Despite being exposed to it since young, I am not convinced by the existence of God. I used to thank God for the food we eat because I was told to do so. I attended a Catholic kindergarten, Christian School Care and went to church every Sunday for a period of time when I was 9 but none of them rubbed off on me. When I was 9, I didn't know "Atheist" existed but as I grow, I realize I am an atheist.

Being religious comes more from the heart than from the brain and I can't just force myself to believe in something I do not think it exists. I'm rational; all matter shall be proven scientifically. Though I do not believe, I do not hate. I respect every religion and their traditions; and have no issues as long as they don't force it on me.

How I look at religion?

It is something commonly determined by parents. What makes you a Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or Hindu? The first touch of religion was influenced by your parents, we were all made to believe and programmed to believe in the existence of something we cannot see or touch. It has come to a point where most people practice a religion not because they really believe in the existence of something more superior than human but because their parents told them to. You think God exists because someone told you so. This is also why children typically have the same religion as their parents. Yes, somewhere in life people may choose to convert but the percentage of it isn't high. If everyone had a choice to choose their religion without any influences, there'll be tons of free thinkers. People believe in God mainly because it helps ease the thought of death. Instead of there's nothing after death, people would like to believe there is something after death, there's someone more superior than human to take care of them. 
“People, I thought, wanted security. They couldn't bear the idea of death being a big black nothing, couldn't bear the thought of their loved ones not existing, and couldn't even imagine themselves not existing. I finally decided that people believed in an afterlife because they couldn't bear not to.” ― John Green, Looking for Alaska

“What’s your religion?” I asked.

“Buddhist,” the reply came with no hesitation

“Do you really believe in it?”

“I don’t know. My parents are Buddhist, so I’m a Buddhist too.”

Do freethinkers have a basis for morality?

You do not need a religion to be moral. Moral is being humane. You be nice to everyone because no one deserves to be ill-treated, not because your religion says so! Barbara Walker notes: "What is moral is simply what does not hurt others. Kindness . . . sums up everything." You love everyone despite different colours and different sizes because there's no reason to hate, not because your religion says so. You do not need a religion to tell you what's right and what's wrong, I do not have a religion and that doesn't mean I'm mean or evil? Practicing your religion faithfully and done nothing sincerely doesn't make you a saint. I can say my prayers every night and still diss poor people. Being religious doesn’t make you a saint.

Why there's suffering if God exist?

I feel the need to challenge people when they say people suffer because they did not seek God; I feel offended on behalf of those suffering. People in Syria, Israel etc. pray to God every freaking single day, did they not seek God? Do they deserve all these sufferings? Even infants that are too young to know anything are suffering too. If God exists, why didn't he help them? I am not challenging the religious people out there, I just want to understand. Help me understand. How can someone whom claimed to love his people watch them suffer? Countless innocent lives are being taken every day; I just wish they have another day to look at how beautiful the world can actually be.

Why God reject the people he created?

If we are all made by someone superior, shouldn't we all be loved equally? Why religions are against gay people and see them as a disgrace? Any form of love is still love, how are they immoral and disgusting when the one judging is the disgusting one. Being gay is not by choice, just like how you cannot choose who to love. Love just comes naturally and it should be a beautiful thing, not something to be judged about and to be hidden. Yes, gay people defy science in human reproduction but in the 21st century, if we can have designer baby; there's sperm bank and surrogate mother I don't see how human reproduction will be drastically affected. Furthermore, the Earth is already overpopulated. Instead of channeling so much negative energy towards gay people, religion should focus more on child abuse, sexual abuse, race discrimination etc. These people have a choice; they can be counselled and changed for the better. Help them see their sins. Being gay is not a sin, rape is.

Did religion ever stop me from being nice?

No. I started sponsoring a child late last year through World Vision. It is a monthly payment that does wonders to my child and her community. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Despite them being a Christian organisation, I am inclined to sponsor a child. Their mission is to promote:

  1. Transformational Development – That is community-based and sustainable, focused especially on   the needs of children;
  2. Emergency Relief – That assists people afflicted by conflict or disaster;
  3. Promotion of Justice – That seeks to change unjust structures affecting the poor among whom we   work;
  4. Partnership with Churches – To contribute to spiritual and social transformation;
  5. Public Awareness – That leads to informed understanding, giving, involvement and prayer;
  6. Living out our Christian Values – By life and deed

With or without the existence of a god, people can and do still make up their own rules. I believe we are all equal and there is no one greater than you.

World Vision(Singapore) // Debate org(Gay marriage) // Tumblr // Google