Blue,
That is one of the more interesting questions I have seen posted here for a while. The quest to find ones own answers to the important questions of why are we here, how did we get here, what does it mean and where are we going is an important responsibility we owe ourselves. And unlike what the organization teaches, I do think that we must think outside the conventional religious box in thinking for ourselves. There certainly is no lack for "voices" which shout a certain perspective or message, all claiming to have authority based on "evidence", credentials etc,,,,, Higher education, the sciences, philosophers, theologians.
But in the end, we are on our own. Accepting the views of anyone religion is so neat and conventional, they do the work for us- packaged so nice and neat. But we give up our own rational, instincts, imagination. I ask the question, does it make sense, does it strike the chord of logic, does it ring the bell of "truth" in ones heart and mind. Since opening my mind to the large questions, and trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle to gether, I welcome the information from different sources. But doubt if the "answer" comes from any one source as I have yet to hear anyone present thier personal ideas that really made sense to me.
And on one level, that has seemed to be disconcerting, and on another level I have come to be of the opinion that perhaps that is the way it was meant to be. That the road to God or the path to a higher understanding and meaning of life is a quest in and of itself and the reward lies in our struggle to find the answer. I have some reached some definite conclusions, which I will not bother to share here, and have found a measure of peace in them. Would not say it is the all in all answer, but enough for this person to enjoy what happens from sunrise to sunset.
Jomavrick