Judita: I think ana is having her long, long meditation or having another holiday. Don't worry, trust me she will acknowledge your "thank you" message sooner or later.

Grandma: thanks for the concise and up-to-point summary of this book, and thanks for lending me this great book.

A very strong-willed woman thats Anita and i really admired the way she had coped with life and at death's door.
Woodstock & Grandma: thanks for recommending!

Anita was a very brave woman & is one of the reasons why I respect her so much.

Hoping I could be as brave too & also be so dedicated to a religion too. I strongly believe a person with strong beliefs lead a better & more positive life. I have been stuck between Christianity & Buddhism for a few years and is determined I'm a lost soul trying to find my true religion. I respect philosophies & teachings from both ends. Everyone in my family's Buddhist, but most of my friends are Christians. Speaking to either sides, they would seem to give me a biased opinion. So I'm hoping I'll be enlightened some day and find my religion before my last day comes.

Any suggestions??

Li Shan: Our pleasure

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MuLaN_Mui: I believe a religion really can help a person to overcome difficulties when he is in big trouble, when he is spiritually weak, and when he needs direction and support. But I don't totally agree to you that "a person with strong beliefs lead a better & more positive life." Many people without a religion also can live that type of life, because many of them just like you, they adopt the great teachings and philosophies of all kinds of religions into their daily life and practice, and they are trying hard too to make themselves better and this world a better place to live.

Therefore, I think with or without a religion is really not that important, but most important is that we must have a goal that will help us to lead a meaningful life, and at the same time we have some good friends or seniors who can positively guide us through during our difficult time when we feel lost.

Undeniably Anita can be our role model, because she is really a lady with an admirable personality and character.

However, I won't object anyone to have a religion. Whether you will be a Buddhist or Christian, all depends on your fate with that religion. But whichever religion you will pick up, I really wish you truly believe in that religion, and it's not for the sake of your family or friends.

Thanks Woodstock for the great words of wisdom. You are very right. I guess when the right time comes my heart & mind will calm down a bit and my heart will tell me what religion I belong to. In the meantime as long as I live positively & not do bad to other's, life can just be as satisfying.

Woodstock:
your words of wisdom bring me to tear... sniff sniff...

I feel very flattered when you think my opinion is "words of wisdom", but I don't think I'm that wise in the eyes of those who have a religion, as no matter how I try to live according to my conscience, I'm still considered as a lost soul. So I really hope those who are Christians or Buddhists will say something here to enlighten us or to tell us why it is better to have a religion. I might not be converted but I still like to hear their opinions.

Woodstock: You have posted a very difficult question, "why it is better to have a religion"? I don't think people having a religious belief is superior or better than those who don't. As you said, people without religion can still be a good guy if he lives according to his conscience and adopt a meaningful life.

Having a religious belief is more than 'picking up' a religion and being a good guy. It involves seeking something that one believes a religion will bring forth such as peace, joy, hope ,love. More importantly, there is the development of a personal relationship with God. Such relationship will enable you to undergo a change in your life. The change can portray as "a person with strong beliefs lead a better & more positive life" The better and more positive life here doesn't mean comparison between believers and non-believers. It means a positive change in the inner self of the believer.

You said, "I believe a religion really can help a person to overcome difficulties when he is in big trouble, when he is spiritually weak, and when he needs direction and support." How about a person who is spiritually strong and have all the troubles being solved, is religious belief become unnecessary to him? I think faith and belief is not exclusive to those weak,underpriviledged and unfortunate people.

We don't need our brains to believe, we only need our hearts. Whether a person is 'wise' in the eyes of others, is out of question. Seek, and you will find God. Want to try? You have nothing to lose.

Grandma,
Very well said! I like the wording of your thoughts and offer to Woodstock.
Skippy

Grandma: thanks for your clear explanation of why many people adopt a religion, and also thank you for your open-mindedness in the way you look at people who don't have a religion, as you confirmed my belief that "people without religion can still be a good guy if he lives according to his conscience and adopt a meaningful life. "

My previous statement "I believe a religion really can help a person to overcome difficulties when he is in big trouble, when he is spiritually weak, and when he needs direction and support" might be misleading, I think I have to explain a little bit further. I don't mean that's the sole reason for picking up a religion. I was actually referring to non believers who "adopt the great teachings and philosophies of all kinds of religions into their daily life and practice,..." but they don't have a specific God to help them when "he is in big trouble, when he is spiritually weak, and when he needs direction and support", then if one has a religion he can get through such predicament easier, because his God can really play a significant role guiding him through such situation. In other words, I totally agree with you "faith and belief is not exclusive to those weak, under privileged and unfortunate people. "

However, don't you think that many so called "believers" of today only realize the existence of their God and start praying only when they are in need? Also I know there is nothing to lose if we try to find a God, but I really don't like people we got baptized and then abandon their religion in later days. So don't just follow the trend, must be serious in choosing our belief. Agree?

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Skippy: Nice to hear from you. Do you have a religion? Care about telling us how you got converted, if you do have one.