In response to Kail`s post:

Actually, I don`t understand the relevance of that post on this topic, but whatever, after reading that I got the impression that you are confusing religion with how it is practiced today, and you have misinterpreted the actual practice. Sikhs do not pray to any of the Gurus. They bow in front of the Guru Granth Sahib because it is the compilation of Sikh values and the guide for Sikhi. Sikhs believe in God, as do Muslims, but Islam is very different from Sikhism in many ways, some of which I think you`ve expressed. But I think that you`ve judged both Muslims and Sikhs unfairly by labeling one religion (Islam) as detrimental to one`s happiness, and the other (Sikhism) as misconstrued by Sikhs.

Similarities in how both monotheistic religions conceive God:  He is near, Unborn, Omnipotent, Unique. Yet Islam is a God-fearing faith, while Sikhism is a God-loving religion. Also, "non-believers" in Islam are thought to be "punished" by God and his "followers" (followers of Islam). Muslims believe they are the "chosen people" of God, while in Sikhism every human is equal. Both religions believe in charity. Islam encourages conversion of other faiths into Islam (apostasy), whereas Sikhism neither belittles another religion nor supports apostasy.

No matter how different they are, these religions do make for a better life for some of their followers. It is entirely unfair for you to say that following Islam (or Sikhism) can`t give one happiness. Also, I wanted to point out the main differences of the religions to first of all separate them; in your post you sort of glued Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism together. Secondly, I want to point out that all religions are between oneself, God, and the scriptures, which constitute the general beliefs and values that the follower should have.

I don`t know all the reasons you don`t follow a religion, but your post led me to believe that you only criticized the followers of Islam and Sikhism and based religion, its importance, etc, on how these people allegedly follow their religion. Once again, religion is between only you and the holy scriptures of your faith that lead you closer to God. Its value to you shouldn`t be based on your opinion of how other people follow it. Thus, if I have assumed correctly, one of your reasons for not following a religion is unjust and illogical.