Regardless of our religious upbringing, the following quote by Siddhãrtha Gautama (Buddha) reminds each of us to question everything that influenced our religious development, before blindly choosing following the masses. We should critique our religious influences based to see whether it has a basic concept of loving service toward all, maintains and integrity of universal purpose, and engages one with a personal depth of conviction:
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
