@kafkanarchy84 so thankful for your insight here - I would agree with

"Religion is surrendering one's responsibility of self-thought in favor of pre-packaged ideologies."

I experienced many different religious pre packages...all strangely void of self thought...I of course was unaware until I vacated indoctrination camps...

one thing I would add to your idea of being born again is not only that you have the ability to self-think but you have the ability to choose to love. We are the only creatures that have logical thought and choice...even looking at the beginning of the Bible where Adam and Even were given a choice by their God. God was the one that put the tree in the garden...

thanks for your thoughts -