Just to make sure we’re both on the same page, it’s important that you understand what I mean when I use the term religion. Religions attempt to answer the big questions. Why am I here and how did I get here? Where did the stars come from? What happens to me after I die? Religions also set down laws their believers are supposed to follow. Some religions use fear of what God will do to them if they disobey “God’s laws.”
The seeds of religion were planted by humanity’s earliest philosophers. You can envision the clan gathered around a campfire telling stories. Some of these stories were about the hunting success or failure. Other stories were told by creative thinkers attempting to answer the big questions.
You can imagine how the idea of spirits, both good and evil came into being. Spirits helped early humans explain their unseen world. They could feel the wind but couldn’t see it. Someone suddenly becomes ill and dies for no apparent reason. Spirits fit nicely as an explanation.
Some of the stories stuck and were passed down word of mouth as truths. Gods and spirits were ultimately invented along with tenets regarding laws for folks to live by. Some of these early beliefs were good in that they brought order to ever expanding societies. Others were pure hogwash, such as throwing someone in a volcano to appease a god or ripping out someone’s heart to insure a good crop or stoning a prostitute to death.
Religion evolved into the major religions we have today which themselves have evolved from their earlier versions into multiple sects.
Evolution of religion was a necessity as we learned more about ourselves and the world around us. For instance, we no longer need to blame an evil spirit when someone becomes ill.
Just because a culture has its religions doesn’t mean philosophers quit thinking. Nope, these deep thinkers posed new ideas way back when and continue to do so today. Some philosophers appear to focus on the big questions while others focus on why we humans do what we do. What does it mean to be ‘good’? How to have peace of mind and happiness.
Out of the early philosophers came the critical thinkers. They believed the world must be governed by explainable natural laws. Today critical thinkers are our scientists.
The earliest scientists and some that exist today hung vehemently onto the concept of a god. After all, someone had to create all that their five senses told them existed. However, they questioned the idea that a god or spirit was responsible for all things unexplained. What was wind? Why do bodies rot after they die? What makes ice and why does it turn to water? What makes people sick? They wanted to explain things rationally. Today science is moving to replace gods and spirits as our mainstream religion.
Unfortunately, all religions have a major built in flaw. Yes, that even includes science. That flaw is dogma. Dogma, in case you’re not familiar with the term, simply means a belief system that is accepted as an absolute truth.
At one time, it was scientific dogma that accepted that the Earth was flat and that the sun revolved around the Earth. In religious dogma, some believed (and still do) that abortion is murder. While some religions believe that prostitution is a sin. At one time it was punishable by stoning to death. Another religion sent young maidens to temples to please the god and the local male population who paid money to the god (priests). All of these are examples of dogma and anyone questioning the validity of these ‘truths’ were and are punished
People throughout history (including today) have been ridiculed, persecuted, and have paid with their life by opposing or even questioning accepted dogma. And that is exactly the reason why all dogma is worthy of doubt.
Dogma is not the only problem. Sometimes we use the term religious and spiritual like they are synonyms. When a priest, minister, mullah, etc. tell us something is true, we believe what they tell us is true because they are spiritual people. They may be spiritual, but don’t bank your retirement on it.
To be religious, you simply are saying you believe and follow a specific religion. However, spiritual is a state of being. It is who you are. The religious pastor, priest, or mullah will preach dogma and maybe do a darned good job of it but be about as spiritual as a cockroach (with apologies to the cockroach). The more you care about others, the more spiritual you become. Let’s look at a few examples just to be sure you understand.
Spiritual people realize that the only person they can truly control is themselves. They realize that by changing themselves, only then can they make the Earth a better place to live. If they have an angry thought, they take it out and examine it. “Where did that thought come from?”
They are aware that outer adornments and pleasures don’t bring lasting happiness or contentment. They are keenly aware that the only constant is change. They know that to find answers, they must look inside themselves.
How to recognize a spiritual person
- People often tend to flock around them like moths to light.
- They are helpful to others.
- They accept others without judgement.
- They speak out against cruelty and injustice regardless of personal cost.
- They defend those that are unable to defend themselves.
- They have a reverence for all species.
- Their love requires no reciprocation.
- They take pleasure in the success of others.
- They are a source of encouragement.
- They are compassionate
Don’t misunderstand, and think I am saying religion is bad. Religion only fails us if we forget that religion in all its forms was created by humans. Humans have flaws in their understanding. Therefore, it is reasonable that our religions will have flaws. However, within each religion, there are the elements spirituality. For instance:
- Judaism –
- “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18)
- Any love that depends on a specific cause, when that cause is gone, the love is gone; but if it does not depend on a specific cause, it will never cease. Pirkei Avot, 5:19
- Christianity –
- Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. John 4:7-8
- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
- Hinduism –
- “My true being is unborn and changeless. I am the Lord who dwells in every creature.”
- “Where there is joy there is creation; where there is no joy there’s no creation. Know the nature of joy.” Maitri Upanishads
- Islam –
- “You cannot guide those you would like to but God guides those He wills. He has best knowledge of the guided.” (Holy Quran/28: 56) – 5:96
- On those who believe and do deeds of righteousness there is no blame for what they ate (in the past), when they guard themselves from evil, and believe, and do deeds of righteousness, — (or) again, guard themselves from evil and believe, — (or) again, guard themselves from evil and do good. For Allah loveth [hubb] those who do good. [al-muhasaneen]
- Buddhism –
- Silence the angry man with love. Silence the ill-natured man with kindness. Silence the miser with generosity. Silence the liar with truth. [Gautama Buddha]
- Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded. – “Purity and impurity depend on oneself; no one can purify another.” The Buddha
- Science –
- Quantum entanglement – strong evidence
- Thought affects reality – strong evidence
The blind, thoughtless belief in any religion or philosophy is the ultimate act of delusion. It condemns you to much suffering. To avoid this, question your beliefs and take none of them too seriously. Instead, move inside where your thoughts reside and observe the effects they have on your life. Read what history’s philosophers tell you. Study the dogma and truths found in all religions. Examine the real motives behind your actions. Learn the real meaning of love.
To help some of you have a broader view, I’ve included just a few of the many resources available to you.
Resources
- Books:
- Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. HarperCollins, 1991.
- Hume, David, and J. C. A. Gaskin. Principle Writings on Religion, Including Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion and the Natural History of Religion. Oxford University Press, 2008.
- Videos:
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Mama Vic
