Has Religion Failed Us?

I realize religion is a touchy subject for some. For this reason, I decline getting in philosophical discussions on religion. Some people are imprisioned by their belief. I know. I was one of them. For example, I saw the devil in everything. In my view, the devil was everywhere, creating all our problems. My mind was certainly not open. I saw everything with my rose-colored filtered baptist glasses. If it didn't fit my belief, I discarded it or was not open to receive it or even question it. From my experience, several churches say, "Oh! just have faith and believe." In other words, "nicely, shut up and don't question."

Our belief systems control the way the view the world. The brain is programmed to construct reality based upon our belief "software program" that we have installed. Some of us are still running on Windows 98 and some programs are full of virises...ha ha. I don't know, maybe there's something to this. For example, we are told we are Africian American or whatever race you may be. We "download this program" and begin to act as we believe we should. By doing so, we are essentially isolating ourselves from the world.

I was blessed to have travelled to many parts of the world and to have seen many different cultures. This helped open my world. I learned to identify myself with humanity not with my small group and helped me realize the oneness of us all.

There's a program you want to avoid downloading. That program is Fear. Fear locks you in a spiritual box with chains, limited to the five-sense reality of earth. You are like the droplett separated from the ocean. Bottom line: Fear will prevent you from tapping into the universal nature of God. People with an agenda like separating you from God and to control you, so beware!

These same people searching for control are using the age-old but well-proven method of divide and conquer. While we are busy comparing our differences: race, religion, politics, etc, they are mopping up power.

The real reason I'm writing this blog is because recently several christian people I'm came across are struggling with dealing with death. I know how they feel. I was "in their shoes." These people felt the same uncertainty and fear I felt as a christian. It was only when I dropped the religion and realized the universal oneness of this Infinite Awareness that I came a peace with dying. It seems the church always seems to leave you in doubt, although I admit it might not be intentional. I explain to these people that we are all eternal. That when we leave this earth we enter a different form or another dimension, and that energy once created cannot be destroyed. There's no point in trying to save anyone, we're eternal and in no need of saving. Maybe we need to progress more spiritually, but we're in no need of saving.

Unfortunately, fear is utilized to keep the churches full. Fear of salvation, fear of the devil and fear of not receiving your tithe blessings. In many churches, little info of spiritual value is taught and with all the different views taught, no wonder why so many people are so uncertain about salvation. Church service seems to have become more of either a guilt trip or a history lesson. I fully believe the bible as having many spiritual truths, so let's go with a little less of the history please and instead talk about improving our spiritual well being.

I remember as a kid when the preacher would call out for more money. He had to build a bigger church. Well, everybody would give money and probably lots of it. The new church would be built. But that didn't seem to be good enough. He would ask once again for more money so an even bigger church could be built. If that wasn't enough, he lived rent free in a home provided by the church. Not to mention all the expensive cars I've seen preachers driving around in that was paid for by the church. Now, if I remember the story correctly from the book of Genesis. On the seventh day of creation God ran out of money and had to take a break. I don't know what happens then, does God create a stimulus plan! Anway, this world is in deep trouble if God can only work if the money is right.

Once again, my goal is not to save anyone. My hope is for more of us to understand the oneness of us all. The future of this planet depends upon this. Something to think on.

Cheers

Paul