Why People Seems To Separate Intelligence With Religion?

When it comes to intelligence, we look for the answer ourselves. We search google, we read wikipedia, we open our textbooks. We think critically, even when the answer seems obvious. We think and rethink again, looking at the question from different perspective, wondering whether a better answer will appear.

But when it comes to religion, why does it seem like people turn off their intelligence? Like intelligence is not needed, when you want to get deeper understanding on your own religion. People depend on other people's thoughts and words when it comes to religious questions. Instead of reading the so-called holy book, regardless whether it's bible or quran, to get answer for ourselves. As if God is an impotent being and unable to directly give answer to our questions.

If God is omnipotent, can't He answer our questions directly? As if critical thinking should have been left outside the prayer house. As if asking "why" is regarded as the highest level of sin. Isn't that the essential meaning of prayer?

That you yourself, me myself, this filthy human being, can have direct access to God, and ask Him our own questions and doubts.

If God is a merciful God, shouldn't He be more understanding of my questions and doubts?

And if I humble myself, truly searching for the answer, shouldn't the omnibenevolent God understand me and gives me answer?

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.-- Jim Rohn

This is the reason why I steer my own life and search for the answer on my own. I refuse to let other people, including my own parents, to dictate my life, any part of it, including the religion part and my own quest in searching the meaning of life and after-life, my life and my after-life in particular.

These people are truly....

I don't know what words to describe them. Perhaps, "kerbau yang dicucuk hidungnya" is a better description.

Do they really know what they are defending? Do they really understand the impact of their action? Do they really think that their so-called leaders don't have hidden agendas? Don't they ever think that perhaps these so-called leaders are simply just using them and their voice to fulfill his own secret desire of power/money/position?

Seriously, I don't like the guy but I feel compassion to his wife and children who has to bear the consequences of his action.

Kalau pemerintah tidak dapat menjamin keselamatan golongan minoritas dari golongan mayoritas, I better change my citizenship and my loyalty.

Now I can see why most of Indonesian couple (who are also my friends) are changing their citizenship, either the whole family or just one of the spouse, security is what they are looking for in another country.

Isn't that also the reason why so many moslem people from middle east running away from their country to Europe (The Atheist continent)?

I also used to think like that.... although deep inside, I have so many questions and doubts, but I keep them to myself. Until one day I read about Job (Ayub) and how he stood up to God for his conviction that he did no wrong.... Even to the point questioning God's judgement. What a snob, I think.

Did God angry? A little bit, I think. But did God annihilate Job? No. God accepted Job's complaints and gave His answers. That's the confident God that I want to have faith in. The type of God that is so secure in His greatness and mightiness, that even "my doubts" cannot and will not keep me away from Him.

So many times I "curhat" with God, when something didn't happen according to my plan, even when I prayed so many times for it. I might not say it poetically like Job, but I was angry at God and complaining, just like a brat or ungrateful child. Sometimes, what happened is even better than my plan. And some other times, nothing happened, but I read several passages that answered why my plan didn't occurred. I still feel a bit sad of course, but I find satisfaction in our relationship. The feeling is like after you fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend and you make up with better understanding towards each other.

Anyway, to be able to complaint to God, you need to believe that He is exist in the first place, right?