Many Paths...One Goal?
From my blog: http://stillnesswithin.blogspot.com/2011/05/many-paths-one-goal.html
It is said in many religious beliefs that the followers of that particular religion have 'THE' correct answer, that their religion is the ONE and ONLY path. I beg to differ....
Having been in uber christian churches from about 1985 to 2000 I can share my experiences based on those years and what I have studied since.
I left that religion because in all the years that I was steeped in it, I never really felt that it was 'the' correct path. Can any one organized religion really say that they are THE only way? And the way to what? Salvation from sin....do we really need saved from sin? Is there really a literal heaven and hell?
If you look at the worlds major religions, they all have the same theme. God is the ultimate being above all. Man went astray and sinned. Man needs saved. God sends a saviour that dies and raises from the dead. Seriously, with so many religions having the same theme are any of them correct?
What about the Bible? What about it? It has been shown most of the new testament was not written down in an organized way for over 200 years after the death of Jesus. So what happened to these orally shared stories over that time? How can we be sure they were written down accurately. Have you ever done the kids game where everyone sits in a circle and one whispers a phrase into the ear of the kid next to them, and its passed along and by the time it gets back to the original person its totally different? I think this has happened with biblical accounts.
Do I believe that the people in the bible existed? Yes. Do I believe the principals literally as they are presented in modern language. No I do not.
And go back to accounts of pre-organized religions. All 'beliefs' were based on the fact that the earth, sun and moon gave life, sustained life, and led the people on how to plant and harvest crops to feed themselves. The earth gave the materials to shelter and clothe the people. They gave gratitude to the universe and all it gave. Knowing that there was some type of greater being that gave them all that they needed thru nature and being grateful for it every moment of every day.
What irks me most about organized religions of today is the legalism. The ideas that there is a higherarchy of value of people. God is over man, man is over woman. Many of the world religions teach that women are subject to their men, not to be heard in the church/temple but to ask at home.
Children are to be told what to believe and how to believe and all people are threatened with damnation in an eternal burning hell if they do not believe exactly what the church tells them is right. (Fear mongering in my opinion)
I just cannot believe in my heart that whatever being of pure energy that put this galaxy, universe, and beyond into existance is anything but pure and peaceful. It is in my opinion, man that has created the legalism and condemning rules to live by in order to have control.
So, as I stated, this is MY path...MY opinions based on my studies and meditations and based on my experiences....
So what do I believe? Thats for another blog post...lol
Do I attend 'church'? Yes, I go to a Unitarian Universalist Congregation. www.uucy.org
We believe in principals not creeds and doctrines, and we believe that every person has the right to believe what they choose to believe and we can cohabitate with open minds and peace...
