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In our recent Life Classes, we explored one of humanity’s most sensitive yet profound subjects — religion and spirituality. These sessions were not just about learning definitions, but about understanding how faith, belief, rituals, and traditions shape who we are and how we see the world. We discovered that while these concepts often overlap, each plays a distinct role: religion offers structure, spirituality builds a personal connection, belief gives direction, rituals create consistency, and traditions bring people together. What made the experience truly meaningful was that it didn’t impose any single truth. Instead, it encouraged us to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and reflect deeply on our own perspectives.

Vardan Sir’s session was particularly powerful. He shared his personal journey toward atheism — a story that was both surprising and inspiring. His honesty created a safe space for everyone to express their doubts and beliefs openly, without fear of being judged. Rather than trying to convince anyone, he simply invited us to think. His story reminded me that questioning isn’t an act of rebellion; it’s a way of growing closer to the truth. It helped me realize that faith doesn’t always mean having answers — sometimes, it means having the courage to explore the questions.

We also watched The Man from Earth, a film that beautifully blurred the lines between logic, faith, and history. It made us think critically about what we believe and why. The movie challenged the idea that truth must always be proven — sometimes, truth exists in experience, emotion, and belief. The discussion that followed was full of curiosity and reflection, and it helped me see how diverse yet deeply connected people’s beliefs can be.

All of this made me reflect on my own journey of faith. When I was younger, I believed that God was a powerful being who controlled everything — from our daily lives to our destinies. Religion, to me, was a set of rules and rituals that one must follow to be good and stay close to God. I accepted what I was taught at home and in my community without much thought. But as I grew older, small doubts began to surface. If there is one God, why are there so many religions? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do some prayers go unanswered?

These questions did not weaken my belief; instead, they made me more curious. I began to see faith as something deeper than rituals or doctrines. I started to believe that God is not necessarily a figure watching over us, but rather a universal energy — a presence that connects all living things. Religion, I realized, is just one of the many paths that lead to that divine truth. Every religion has its own wisdom, its own beauty, and its own way of teaching compassion and goodness. What matters most is not which path we follow, but how we treat others — with kindness, empathy, and respect.

Even today, I carry questions within me. I wonder about destiny and free will, about life after death, and about the meaning of existence. But I’ve come to understand that maybe it’s okay not to know everything. Faith, for me now, is not about certainty; it’s about seeking. It’s about staying open, curious, and humble enough to keep exploring what feels true to the heart.

Looking around, I see how people today struggle to balance faith with modern life. Some lose belief because they cannot see what they are asked to trust. Others are disillusioned by how religion is sometimes misused to divide people. But I also see hope — people who are rediscovering spirituality beyond boundaries and labels, who focus on shared values rather than differences.

To me, that’s where the real essence of faith lies — in the universal values that every religion teaches: love, peace, respect, and service. If we can focus on what connects us rather than what separates us, the world could be a kinder and more understanding place. Instead of debating who is right, we can listen, learn, and grow together. Because ultimately, we all seek the same things — meaning, purpose, and connection. And in that shared search, we are all one.

These Life Class sessions didn’t just teach me about religion; they helped me understand what it means to believe. They reminded me that spirituality is not about choosing one path over another — it’s about walking your path with awareness, compassion, and truth. For me, this journey has been about moving from blind belief to conscious faith — a journey not of finding all the answers, but of learning to live peacefully with the questions.

The Critical Thinking Life Class revolved around religion, God, and how we identify with them. It pushed me to reflect on my own stance on religion. Throughout the discussion, I found myself questioning whether my faith was simply a result of my upbringing or something I had consciously chosen. When we spoke about having the freedom to choose our religion, I wondered if that choice would change anything for me.

Over the two days, I came to realize that truth can look different for everyone, and each version can still be valid in its own way. But values, I believe, shouldn’t be compromised—no matter what one’s religion, faith, or belief is. It may not make sense to question someone’s faith, but it’s fair to question their values. And actions, too, shouldn’t be justified by saying “because my religion says so.” Every action should have logical reasoning behind it.

Over the last two days, our Lifeclass sessions took us on a deep and reflective journey about religion, faith, and belief. It wasn’t a lecture it was more like a safe space where everyone could express what they think, question what they’ve learned, and listen to others without judgment.

We began with simple yet powerful questions What do you believe in today? What did you use to believe? What still confuses you? These questions helped us pause and truly think about how our ideas about God and religion have changed over time. For many of us, it was comforting to realize that feeling doubtful or uncertain about faith is normal. The open conversations showed that questioning doesn’t weaken belief it often makes it more personal and real.

One thing that stood out for me was how we tried to find common ground even when our views were different. Some participants believed deeply in God, others leaned toward spirituality, and a few were still searching for meaning. Yet, almost everyone agreed that values like kindness, empathy, respect, and honesty matter more than religious labels. It showed that humanity connects us before religion does.

The discussions also made me think about how the new generation approaches faith. Unlike before, we don’t always accept beliefs just because they’re traditional we want to understand why they exist. Many of us are trying to balance faith with logic, religion with personal freedom, and belief with curiosity.

By the end of the session, I realized that religion isn’t only about rituals or rules it’s about the values and reflections that shape how we live and treat others. Whether someone identifies as religious, spiritual, or even unsure, what truly matters is the willingness to listen, to think, and to grow.

Overall, these Lifeclass sessions were more than discussions about God they were conversations about being human. They reminded me that faith doesn’t need to be certain to be meaningful, and that respect for different beliefs can lead to deeper understanding.

Growing up, I believed that God was a guiding force who rewarded good deeds and punished wrong ones. Over time, I began to question why suffering exists if God is loving and just. These doubts made me realize that faith is not about having all the answers but about finding meaning in the journey.

Today, I see religion as a way to connect with values like kindness, empathy, and peace rather than just rituals. Many people still struggle with differences in belief, trying to prove whose faith is “right.” I feel we can find common ground by focusing on shared morals—love, respect, and humanity—rather than divisions in doctrine.

We began with the idea of a latticework of mental models, learning how using tools from different subjects helps us make better decisions.Then we discussed the two types of thinking:Fast and automatic (System 1)Slow and logical (System 2)We understood why it’s important to slow down and think clearly, especially when the situation needs deep thought.We also talked about cognitive load (how too much info tires our brain) and cognitive misers (how we avoid effort by choosing shortcuts).Examples like why Mark Zuckerberg wears the same clothes daily helped connect ideas to real life.We ended with a discussion on biases—both positive and negative—and how they affect the way we see and judge things.A fun part was linking these ideas to The Truman Show movie. It made us ask: Are we really thinking for ourselves, or just following what’s around us?In the end, we all agreed:Critical thinking is not just a skill. It’s a habit. A tool to live better, wiser, and freer.
We also focused on different types of biases — like how we sometimes make unfair judgments or favor certain views without reason. We ended with a powerful reflection on the movie The Truman Show. It showed how media, society, and comfort zones can control our choices — and how important it is to think critically and break free from illusions, just like Truman did.

The 2-day session went really well!
We watched an interesting movie, The Truman Show, which sparked thoughtful discussions. The pace of the session was just right, giving us enough time to reflect and share ideas.

We would love to have more fun, engaging activities included in future sessions to keep the energy and participation levels high!