To be or not to be...

I've recently had a conversation on facebook about religion. It has basically been a discussion between those that are religious versus those that aren't. It started with one person saying she was baffled by educated people who were religious. Now, I consider myself to be educated. I have a bachelor's degree. I keep up with current events (mostly). It surprises me to hear a comment like this, because I would think an educated person would not be devoted to a religion without going through a trial period to see if they believed that it was a true religion. To assume that someone educated would choose against religion, I believe, is ignorant.

Here is why I am for religion, not necessarily any particular faith, but religion in general:

George Washington best stated it in his farewell address of September 19, 1796. (This is long, but so good)

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of the religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice. And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?...

Observe good faith and justice toward all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruit of such a plan would richly replay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?"

The quote is a little lengthy and wordy, but it does have a valid point. In a religious society, there is a moral obligation to a higher power, which guides moral conduct. Without this sense of accountability, society starts to degrade. The current social state of our country is a prime example. Values that were once considered essential have now been pushed to the way-side as people abandon religion and are left to figure out how to live on their own. Families are disintegrating, more and more children are being born into broken homes, and morality among all ages is rapidly decreasing. If there is no consequence, beyond the laws of the land, to our actions, why try to be a good person? There's no law against being a jerk and being selfish, so there's no consequence. But if you believe in the existence of an afterlife, where there are consequences to your actions, you tend to be a lot more careful about what you do. You try to help others, you try to be compassionate, you try to be a good person. Without religion, you take away morality, and that, my friends, is why I believe religion is vital.