Thanks Alisia!

As for life is suffering, I do agree we learn most from our troubles and struggles. If life were easy there would be no need to strive or try to become more than we are. I still dislike the thought that people deserve hard lives; yes, it's good in some ways that we learn, but to deserve bad things... anyway, thanks for clearing it up a bit.

Do you get annoyed with the "karma bites you in the butt" phrases? I do and I'm not a Buddhist!

I also agree that the answers are often within ourselves, but by praying, be it introspective or requesting change, we can think clearly about what is needed and that focus helps us change.

Starbright, wow!

Judaism, Islam and Christianity all have the same root; all believe in Adam and Eve, the Fall, the Great Flood... but the Muslims start to part company at the time of Abraham (hence these three are called the Abrahamic Religions) and Judaism and Christianity don't see eye to eye about Jesus being God and the Son of God.

Personally, I know there is a higher power because we are here - evolution cannot happen without God. I have studied experiments done to re-create life from slime and conditions more optimal than the earth ever had will make some DNA, but no life. Also, Christianity is not "do what makes you happy" - although the Church has come across this way recently. Fear God and keep His commandments; that is the meaning of life. For God knows everything, seen and unseen, and we will be judged on that.