(Short Conversation) Religion, Science, and Personal Philosophy

A: How strong are you as a Buddhist?

B: I'm a moderate Buddhist. I never get interested to be fanatic in anything, including religion. Basically, I just liked doing meditation long ago when I was young. Then, I read books about all religions. Finally, I just thought Buddhism is the most suitable for me. So, no one forced me to be a Buddhist back then. 

A: Nice. You found your own way to be a free man. OK, carry on. Many people seem to think that there're conflicts between religion and science, especially in term of logical thinking. How do you see this problem?

B: Well... it's a classical one. Therefore I don't want to be a fanatic. Certain religions tend to force its followers to be a strong believers. If you don't believe in certain spiritual rules, you're in sin and get labeled as "unbeliever"... even considered to be put in hell. Scary, huh? I didn't mean to disrespect any religion. I just thought indoctrination is not a good way to teach something. 

A: So, in short... you think religion is full of dogmas and blocking human rationality? 

B:It tends to be that way. I don't want to mention any religion because it would be very unethical. But, don't get me wrong. Actually, I respect all religions. Just don't judge people merely from their religion. Judge them mainly from their actual action in society. It's useless if you're doing meditation or praying all night, but in reality you act badly in front of many people. 

A: Good point, bro. I'll take note that. OK, last question --I know, some people don't like long article or long conversation... haha-- what do you think about people just believe in themselves and have their own personal philosophy?

B: Once again, just see their actual action in public. Being atheist or not is up to you. People just see if you have a good morality or not. If you do bad things, do crimes (online/offline), do corruption, steal something that doesn't belong to you, do free sex, drugs, drunken, gambling, and other "immoral" things... then you're basically just garbage. The same goes to those who believe in religions, but have evil mind in reality. Anyway, basically I have my own personal philosophy too. Buddhism told us to believe in yourself because karma works individually. We are our own savior... not God, prophet, spiritual leader, or even Buddha himself. That's why I like Buddhism.