Religion has played a big role in shaping cultures, beliefs, and traditions around the world. Even though people’s views on religion can be very different, it’s still a topic that affects many aspects of life. In this post, I want to share my personal perspective and experiences with religion. I will discuss what it means to me, how I see its role in society, and why understanding it can be valuable, whether or not you practice a religion yourself.
What Religion Means to Many People
For many people, religion offers a sense of purpose, community, and guidance. It provides answers to big questions about life, like why we are here and what happens after we die. Religion often shapes people’s values and helps them make choices.
From one perspective, religion can also be a source of comfort during tough times. It gives people hope and a feeling that they’re not alone. Many find peace through religious practices like prayer, meditation, or attending services with others who share their beliefs.
For some, religion is more than just personal — it helps create strong bonds within families and communities. Traditions and celebrations tied to religion often bring people together and create lasting memories.
Even though people may see religion differently, its role in life is significant. Whether someone follows a faith closely or just observes it from a distance, religion continues to shape cultures, values, and how people understand the world.
My Family's Experience with Religion
For my family, religion played different roles at different times. In Korea, we followed my mother’s Buddhist beliefs. When we moved to Texas, the challenges of adjusting to a new life were difficult. During these tough times, my parents turned to Catholicism and the Korean church community for comfort and support.
For them, religion was a source of hope and strength. It provided a sense of belonging in a new place and helped them feel less alone. Going to church gave them a community where they could connect with others who understood their struggles.
While my parents found comfort in their newfound religion, my perspective was different. I attended church more to meet other kids and fulfill my parents’ wishes, rather than for the teachings themselves. Even though I didn’t feel a strong connection to religion, I could see how important it was for my parents in helping them through life’s challenges.
My Early Perspective on Religion
Growing up, religion came with expectations that didn’t always make sense to me. I was told attending church was necessary for heaven and that we should give a large part of our earnings to the church.
For my immigrant family, this was difficult. My parents worked long hours, even on weekends, to provide for us. Because of their busy schedules, we couldn’t attend church regularly, which led to judgment from others.
I struggled to understand why my hardworking parents, who sacrificed so much for our family, were seen as less devout. This contradiction made me question religion and its teachings, leaving me feeling distanced from it.
Over time, these experiences shaped my perspective on religion. I began to value kindness, hard work, and family over strict religious practices.
My Current Perspective on Religion
Throughout my life in the United States, my experiences have shaped a complex perspective on religion and religious people. I’ve witnessed incredible acts of kindness from strangers, regardless of their beliefs. At the same time, I’ve seen individuals who claimed to be religious act in ways that lacked compassion and honesty.
Some of the most disappointing moments came from within our own Korean church community. At times when my family was most vulnerable, certain people took advantage of my parents’ trust and kindness. They convinced my parents to buy expensive items or life insurance policies that benefited them more than us. These actions went against the very values of goodness and virtue they claimed to uphold.
These experiences left me disillusioned. It was hard to reconcile the idea of faith with the manipulative behavior we faced. While I know not all religious people act this way, these incidents left a lasting mark on how I view organized religious communities.
Today, my perspective on religion is one of caution and skepticism. I still believe that many religious people are genuinely kind and compassionate. However, my experiences have taught me to look beyond someone’s beliefs and focus on their actions. To me, being a good person isn’t defined by your religion, but by how you treat others.
Finding Meaning Beyond Religion
Through my experiences, I’ve developed a perspective on religion that focuses more on actions than beliefs. Religion can mean different things to different people, but what stands out to me is how individuals treat others.
Rather than being defined by faith or tradition, kindness and integrity are what truly matter. My perspective has taught me to appreciate people for their compassion and character, regardless of their religion.
If you’re interested in learning more about my experience with Buddhism, check out my post about my 48-day Shikoku pilgrimage. During that journey, I visited 88 temples and gained a deeper understanding of this practice.
