I gaze up at the breath-taking stars, enjoying the break from my current project: that of designing a theory of what characteristics are in religion. A shooting star streaks by and an idea hits me. Quickly I pull out my notebook and a pen. "Religion should explain life--" I pause, gazing back up at the stars, smiling softly, knowing now that I have the groundwork and a place to start from, that this project or quest will be much easier and more attainable. Then I continue, "It's creation, quest, and spiritual completeness.
"Religion should explain the creation of life and the universe. This will give humanity a sense of purpose, a place from where to start. This idea of creation will also bring a sense of unity to humanity, to know that they all came from the same place. Not only will religion give humanity a sense of purpose and unity, but also give it [humanity] a place from where it can start a kind of background for which must be filled with the quest." I pause long enough to stare up at the stars again, wondering how I was created, feeling my soul yearning for the answers and certainty that religion could supply.
"Religion needs to guide man throughout his quest or journey. There needs to be a sense of purpose, a reason for life and the universe. Rules and personal examples of the perfect or true path are needed to help guide the soul through the struggle of good and evil. Rules and examples are to help man know what is good and bad and what he must do to reach spiritual completeness.
"Spiritual completeness is attained when man follows the path set out before him; because of this the soul needs some reason why he should follow the right path. Religion needs to give that reason by telling him what the spiritual completeness means, what will happen after death. For some, this might be the final judgement; for others it could be reaching nirvana; but for all, it's a place of eternal truth, where all is known. On earth religion needs to explain to the masses what that eternal truth is like, so that the soul knows what to expect when the time comes.
"The whole goal of religion is to give man the tools for reaching spiritual completeness. To do this it must start from the beginning and lay the groundwork, that is, explain creation. Once that is done religion must help guide man through life, where he will be tempted by the evil and must choose the good. The final thing is to lay the groundwork for the next life by giving man an idea of what is to come and what he is striving so hard to accomplish; maybe he will strive harder for it." I set my pen down and lay on my back, staring up at the stars, feeling a sense of completeness and serenity. I slowly drift off into peaceful sleep.
