I'm agnostic - I can't pretend to know whether or not the universe was created, nor whether we were put here for a reason or not. I sometimes postulate on stuff like this, and I think it's probably likely that something did make our universe, but given that it's beyond my understanding, that's about as far as I get
I don't agree with a lot of stuff that many religions tell you to do (worship a god you can never see or know is there, die for your religion etc), however the Western world as we know it was shaped a great deal by Christianity and Christian concepts - even things we take for granted like everyone being made equal (although it took long enough for this to start taking effect).
My current belief system is sort of based on Christian morals because I was brought up that way. I rejected the idea of God though because to my mind, faith is asking a little too much - you must trust absolutely an idea with no proof, other than the fact that others have believed it before you. I also find myself confused by the concept of a soul. Life after death implies that there is something that isn't the body that lives on after you die, but then how can our personalities be so dictated by the physical brain, and how can brain damage so alter a person if the person is defined by their soul which isn't physical?
Also, I asked a curate (like the assistant vicar) at my church (church of england when I still attended) whether people who lived virtuous and good lives, but hadn't had the opportunity to hear about Jesus, would get into heaven. He said that the only way to heaven was through Jesus, which I think is absolutely stupid for a religion that is supposed to be about loving your neighbour, and being nice to people regardless of sex or race - how can you send a person to hell on the basis that they don't even know about your religion - how is that your fault. A doctrine like that is utterly foolish in my opinion; although some people believe otherwise, you end up with a split in your religion even though you both believe essentially the same thing. Which is correct? I don't know, but if you have a religion where something that is pretty central can be interpreted drastically in different ways, it seems a bit odd to me.
Given what I said earlier about the idea of a soul, it's my opinion that consciousness arises from our physical brains, and once the brain has died so does the consciousness. From this I don't believe there is life after death, but then again without knowing if we were created or not, who can say? We won't know till we actually do pass on, so it doesn't matter what you believe happens afterwards, be it heaven, hell or valhalla
As far as I'm concerned, all that's important is treating everyone fairly and equally and leading as good and virtuous a life as you know how. Who judges that? You do, not an invisible, intangible god.
Oops, that turned into a huge essay - sorry.
