<p>Here's the thing... I think I can write a VERY well written essay on my beliefs, and how they were formed. I am, however, very confused.</p>
<p>They will probably give a VERY good impression of who I am, and throughout the essay, in no way will I abase any religion.</p>
<p>I will, however, argue for my beliefs. I plan to explain WHY I believe what I believe ... and why I doubt what I believe. I will explain how my beliefs came to be, and how later I found them to be incorrect, and then believed something else.</p>
<p>It shall be a very complex and convincing essay, which will probably please atheists, agnostics, and people who admire logic.</p>
<p>So, should I write it or not? It will not offend any religion, but it will probably lift me in the eyes of a logical reader.</p>
<p>Religion is always a touchy subject, but it sounds interesting. If I were you, I'd go to my most religious friends and ask them to read it. If they aren't offended, go ahead and send it. If they are, you might want to consider the possibility that the reader will have a similar reaction, whether you intended to offend or not.</p>
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Coming from an atheist, it sounds likes a very neat idea. I would gladly like to read it as well. What religion will you be writing about?
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<p>See, it's more about my changing faith and beliefs than of any one religion. The topic will have more to do with the question of Existence than on God alone. It probably starts with Hinduism (I'm an Indian). As a kid, I had believed, without question, in what it had stated. Later, as I read about Christianity, I began to doubt Hinduism. Some time later, my beliefs progressed into Strong Atheism, followed by doubt in that too, and then later a scientific and logical dilemma and belief -- which is where I am now.</p>
<p>The conclusion will be strong, but will probably leave the reader pondering.</p>
<p>I believe I can write well on this topic as I have always been extremely passionate on the Existence, and have read and though on it more than any other person I know.</p>
<p>I also plan on arguing a little on the current scientific beliefs on cosmology and the universe, how it does not explain everything, etc.</p>
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Religion is always a touchy subject, but it sounds interesting. If I were you, I'd go to my most religious friends and ask them to read it. If they aren't offended, go ahead and send it. If they are, you might want to consider the possibility that the reader will have a similar reaction, whether you intended to offend or not.
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That's a great idea. I'll definitely try that! :)</p>
<p>i dont see why you would even bother writing this essay...</p>
<p>its just too risky. you never know what beliefs the guy reading your essay has...even if you dont offend anyone, i could still imagine the adcom saying "this kid is retarded" if he doesnt agree with or respect your beliefs.</p>
<p>same reason why kids try to avoid political essays as well. just not worth it.</p>
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i dont see why you would even bother writing this essay...
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<ol>
<li>I can write well on this topic.</li>
<li>I am not bashing any religion or anyone's views. It's an essay on how knowledge and logic have shaped my beliefs.</li>
<li>It will be very scientific and logical, a strong point as I shall be applying to Engineering universities.</li>
<li>I doubt it'll be risky because as I stated, the first religion that I broke off with was Hinduism -- and I doubt there are many Hindus on the adcoms to be offended, even though I am not insulting Hindus in any way.</li>
<li>The essay is read by more than one person normally. So even if one adcom arbitrarily decides I am "retarded", the other may actually agree with what I am saying.</li>
</ol>
<p>Look, the whole essay will be extremely logical, a quality of mine that I really want to emphasize on my essay.</p>
<p>Whatever your topic, it had better be telling the admissions people specific things about you and why you are going to be such a great addition to their incoming freshman class. So, if the topic is the evolution of your religious beliefs, then I suppose you should focus on the academic skills that you used to research different religions/beliefs and also on how these beliefs and activities have made you a better person. So, how did this process change/mature you? Did one religion or the other inspire you to reach out and do a particular community service? Did it prevent you from cheating when you otherwise may have been tempted to cheat? Does it make you burn with the desire to major in religious studies? How does your experience translate to their campus once you are there? Will you be starting a religious club or something associated with religion? If you can give them specific examples of what you have done to show who you are and what you plan to do later, then go ahead and write about whatever you like. If the essay is basically you talking about your religious beliefs, then that may not go over as well.</p>
<p>Some people go a lifetime and never question the beliefs passed on to them. If it wasn't for the likes of Galileo and Copernicus, we would still believe the Sun went around the Earth instead of the other way around.</p>
<p>The questions you are dealing with are par for the course in philosophy; the very foundation of the arts and sciences. Any school that would not take your essay seriously is not a school you would want to attend. As you narrow down your list of schools, you should look into the strength of their philosophy departments if you want to pursue these questions.</p>