Are you paying to be you?

I really don't understand the need to pay money to a religion, any religion in order to be part of that religion. Religion is surely just your own state of mind? how you see the world and interact with it? I understand why different religions are given different names so that other people can tell who you are. Although that sounds bad, having other people judge you by what religion you choose. I tell people that I believe in nature and in the seasons and in not hurting anyone, just being nice to each other. It doesn't really have a name but I guess it is my religion, I didn't need to pay any money to join it, I don't need to keep paying to learn some new skill or secret. I learn new things from the world every day for free. I don't need a book to tell me about the simple act of noticing the change of the seasons, or about holding an acorn in my hand and knowing that if given the chance it could grow in to a massive tree (That is true magic is it not?). I don't need a rule book to tell me to hold a door open for someone or to help someone carry a bag, I was brought up to be polite and I do that anyway.

I think at some point someone has realised a way to get rich by abusing people who need help, rather than being a nice person and just helping them, they lie to them and tell them that if they pay in to what ever they have set up they will be given help to change their lives.
I saw a wiccan website do just this, you paid for lessons that promised at the end you'd have powers to fix your life, how to avoid evil people and bad luck etc. I believe in magic and in the powers of nature but you really don't need to pay anything for that knowledge. The real power is in us all along, we just need to let ourselves see it and to see the beauty in the world around us and the good that is in every person.
The one thing that we need to know in life is not to hurt anyone or any thing. I know the world doesn't work like that but it would be nice if it did.

One thing though looking in to such things, please, if you are going to join a religion that does require you to pay (it is your choice if you wish to do so) do some research in to it first, look at all sides, good and bad, make up your own mind. Talk to family and friends see what they have to say, you are free to choose for yourself.

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