"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
(Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II)
“Um, Cipher, the title says this post is about religion. What’s with the Shakespeare quote?”
Now, now, give me a chance—it’s my blog, after all.
Let’s start here: there are thousands of actively practiced religions in the world. Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Wicca, Scientology—they’re all wildly different in doctrine, practices, history, and culture. But if you zoom out far enough, they’re really just different names for the same thing.
Let’s back up for a second.
What Is Consciousness?
(“Jeez, Cipher, are you trying to find the meaning of life in one post?”
Hehe, no… well, maybe.)
Consciousness, as far as I can tell, is what sets humans apart from other creatures on Earth. At its core, it’s the ability to ask one simple yet impossible question: Why?
Humans aren’t the only curious species—not by a long shot—but we seem to be nearly unique in our relentless need to ask why. From young children to dedicated scientists, "enough" is never actually enough.
Other creatures, as far as we know, live in the present. Their priorities are clear: survive, eat, reproduce. Even my cat—my tiny baby demon of darkness and cuddles—spends her days just doing what pleases her. Sleepy? Nap in the sun. Bored? The zoomies begin. Hungry? Meow in my face until I fix the problem.
It’s all very simple, very present.
Humans? We’re… not like that. For us, what my cat does naturally—living in the moment—takes constant effort. Why? Because we’re too busy asking why.
The Double-Edged Sword of “Why”
If “why” is the heart of consciousness, then consciousness is a double-edged sword. It gives us an incredible ability to learn, innovate, and advance as a species. But it also gives us the torment of existential anxiety—because some questions simply don’t have satisfactory answers.
And the biggest of them all?
Why do we exist?
The Birth of Religion
The first thing that happens when humans ask this question is panic. It’s not just a hard question—it’s an impossible one. And when logical exercises fail us, we fall back on something else we’re really good at: making things up.
Religion, in essence, is humanity’s attempt to answer “why” when nothing else can.
But here’s the thing: humans don’t just want an answer. We need it. I truly believe that we need to perceive some kind of meaning in life to feel sane. And that’s what religions and spiritualities are at their core: frameworks for the meaning of life.
Even non-religious systems like atheism, secularism, and agnosticism provide meaning. Often it’s some version of: “There is no inherent meaning, so the meaning is what you make it.”
Religion, then, was inevitable.
Is Religion Helpful or Necessary?
Plenty of people argue that religions promote charity, peace, love, and community—that they’re a net good for the world.
But let’s crack open a history book (hurry, before they’re all banned).
Religious wars are a constant through human history. They’re still happening today. Religions, by their nature, inspire bonds so deep that people will kill over them. On a species-wide scale, this is not helpful.
And on the individual level? The hierarchical structures and dogma within many religions often harm as much as they help. But that’s a whole other post.
So, no—religion isn’t overall helpful.
But what about necessary?
Again, I think not. Religion provides a framework for meaning, yes, but it’s not the only way to get one. Philosophical and non-religious systems can provide the same thing—without the baggage of hierarchy, dogma, proselytizing, conflict, exploitation, or suppression of critical thinking.
There are plenty of ways for individuals to find meaning without an institution telling them what to believe.
So, What’s the Point?
I’m not saying we should abolish all religions.
What I am saying is this: if we as a species can recognize that what we’re really searching for is meaning—not necessarily religion itself—we open the door to more choices and freedom.
After all, what’s in a religion? That which we call meaning, by any other name, would smell as sweet.
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