This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

It’s always interesting to me that the people who are strict followers of organized religions, religions that tell them to love one another, and do unto others as you have done to you and spread peace and joy are the exact people who do the opposite, who are hypocrites and judgmental of all that don’t follow their creed, their God, their savior. These are the people who tell you that your way is wrong, that your admission into the pearly gates of Heaven will be denied because you don’t follow the way, the light and the whatever else.

It’s a tad bit difficult for me to write about such a topic, mostly because I have such strong feelings about it and I’m struggling with getting everything else that’s boiling in my head out before steam starts to rise from my ears. Let me start by telling you what I do believe.

I believe that you don’t need religion to be a good person. I believe that an intelligent human being has the extraordinary capability of being compassionate, kind, trusting, loyal and genuine without the help of a church, a temple, a Bible and a holy savior. I believe that a good person is completely and entirely independent of religion. To do a good deed, to be a good friend, to love your fellow man or woman, to help someone in need – these simple and human qualities are what kind of person you are, not what your God tells you to be.

I don’t believe in organized religion. I strongly dislike religious fanatics, but I do have the ability to tolerate them, unlike their behavior towards people who do not believe in what they do. I believe in a higher power, although I don’t know what that higher power is. I believe that the core teachings of Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha and Moses are inherently the same, basic principles. I believe there’s a place in Heaven for everyone. I will not judge you no matter what God you answer to or don’t answer to. I will not impose my views on you. I will listen to you, and in turn, I’d like the opportunity to be heard.

I believe in moderation and balance. I believe that Jesus or God does not make me what I am – I make myself who I am. I do not need the motivation or order from anyone from above to tell me to be a good person. I believe in humility, philanthropy, compassion, love, empathy and justice for all. I will embrace you, regardless of your background. I believe the true teachings of religious icons have been manipulated by men, men who used it to their benefit. I don’t go to Church, I don’t read the Bible – I am my own personal powerhouse, my faith lies in me and I feel no desire or need to impose my views and thoughts on others.

If we’re playing the pigeonholing game, you could say that like most Armenian families, our ‘religion’ is Orthodox. My parents are not religious. I never went to Sunday school, I was never forced to follow something I did not believe in, I was given the freedom that should be given to all: choice. And as ironic as this may sound, I thank God every day that my beliefs, my decisions are my own and I will stand by them 100 percent. I don’t believe in organized religion, but I’m not ignorant about its ways. I know both sides of the story. I went to a Catholic high school for four years and am versed in the Bible and Christian teachings, but I choose to believe what’s in my heart, rather than what a book which was written by twisted men says I should believe. I am not ignorant of other religions as well. I was born in a predominantly Muslim country, I have studied Hinduism and especially Buddhism and have read numerous Jewish books in my lifetime. I accept everything.

You may be wondering what spurred this sudden need to write about my beliefs, something I consider so personal and sacred and the business of absolutely no one. I was involved in a conversation tonight on Christmas Eve, of all nights, that I hadn’t had since my days of arguing with a hard-headed evangelical who had horrible tunnel vision when it came to religion, as most evangelicals tend to have, in high school.

In short, I was judged. Well, my beliefs or lack thereof were, anyway. It was unsettling and although I defended myself quite well and made it known that I or anyone else for that matter, did not need the higher teachings of the Church to be deemed fit for society, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I will never understand those who judge others. I will never understand the Jesus freaks who try to convert people, I will not understand the terrorists who think they are doing the will of Allah. I can not and will not argue with people so stubborn, so brain washed and so ignorant to the ways of the world that they use God to aid their cause in the most evil and sinister ways.

This is my manifesto, take it or leave it. And in the eternal words of 2Pac Shakur, only God can judge me, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.