God is a supreme being that is above all other beings. Religion is a system that sets the rules for worshipping God. It is possible to believe in God and not follow a religion such as it is possible to follow a religion without really believing in God. Religions are social spaces that give people a place of belonging and an identity in society. Being part of such a community and following its rituals bring a sense of security and stability that is important for mental well-being.

Although nationality and religion are two separate concepts, religion is so deepened and entangled in a country’s identity that many people think religion is part of the national identity. However, even in religious countries, there are nationals who choose a different religion. This is the reason why Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that people have the right of freedom of religion, including change of religion.

Before there were states with full sovereignty, people belonged to borderless communities, for example, tribes or clans. Some of these communities were bonded by blood, which was strong enough to keep the community together. Family is still very important nowadays and loyalty to the family is deemed paramount. Yet, people sometimes would change families due to marriage, due to orphanage (they would be adopted by a different family), or due to some other reason. Besides, different family members could have different ideas about the future of the community.

Religion was (and it is in some cases) the glue that would keep the community together, especially in the case of communities not bonded by blood. In a time when science was not very developed, religion gave the answers; when there were no therapists, religion provided mental support; when there was no humanitarian aid, religion helped people in need. In return, religion would demand loyalty and exclusivity, exercising its power by making people believe in dogmas, making threats and even terrorizing them. If someone would “sin”, God would punish him/her, religion would state. If someone would neglect the Church, God would destroy him/her crops. And if someone would change religion, he/she would be cursed forever.

Ritual ceremonies are designed to anchor believers to the Faith. Besides having a social component that helps people bond with each other, rituals are important to keep people calm and stable, encouraging them to face and overcome difficulties and challenges. For example, praying is a balsamic action to avoid despair, panic, and the feeling of powerlessness. There are also ceremonies of initiation and milestone achievements, providing a sense of purpose and evolution.

In the name of religion, many atrocities were carried out, for example: the Crusades (Catholics vs Muslims), Inquisition (Catholics against everyone else), the Thirty Years’ War (Catholics vs Protestants). In these examples, the aim was for the Roman Catholic Church to obtain power. Recently, we are witnessing Muslim fanatics carrying out acts of terrorism to gain a foothold on the world stage. There are also some local cults, whose spiritual leaders isolate the community from the world and commit all sorts of crimes. None of this has anything to do with religious purposes. Religion is a peaceful endeavour aimed to help its community.

If in the past it would be difficult to find someone who did not believe in any religion, nowadays it is very common to stumble across someone with no religion whatsoever. Societies today provide structures to support citizens in areas where religions used to dominate. Thus, religion is increasingly seen as an option and not as a duty. However, it is also common to find those who believe in God, but do not follow any religion. And then, there are the agnostics, who have doubts about the existence of God, and atheists, who do not believe in God at all.

Religion is important for believers, but those believers do not have the right to impose their religion on others. Likewise, it is not right to deny a community or a specific person the practice of the religion of their choice. There are different reasons why an individual chooses a certain religion (or no religion at all), family tradition may be the first one. Yet, if someone does not believe in God, he/she should not be judged by those who believe. Faith, in the sense of a “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” is personal: whether you believe or you do not. Non-believers should also not try to convince believers they are wrong. Rational arguments will not work in one way such as emotional arguments will not work in the other way. However, fanaticism of all forms is not religious and should be fought by everyone.