One question that has always perplexed me is: Why do we have wars in the name of religion where both sides feel they are right? If both are “right”, is anybody “wrong”? In any organized religion, it’s always “us” (we’re right) versus “them” (they’re wrong because they don’t believe as we do). Why can’t people just respect other people’s beliefs, especially when those beliefs are based on love and peace and bring unity for our world regardless of what one calls the “Supreme Being”? Could it be that this Divine Entity is one and the same for all and that the only difference is really how one goes about finding that inner peace and what one calls this Divinity?
Generally, we as human beings inherently “search” for the Supreme Being, The Light, The Almighty, etc., through some form of organized religion or spiritual path. As worshipers, we call this Deity by different names and “approach” this Being in various ways that ensure that our “obedience” will please the One. In our zest to please the Almighty, coupled with our human stubbornness about “we’re right and you’re wrong”, we often approach our Lord without regard to the respect for others’ beliefs. Ironically, however, this lack of respect for others’ beliefs manifests hate, bigotry, racism, war, separatism – the very acts that are in direct contradiction to a “blissful, loving state that is often required for true inner peace!” The very cornerstone of what one can call, a religious foundation. The state of blissful connection to the One then becomes pure folly for the sake of fighting for the “right” religious perspective. At their base levels, all “religions” strive for believers to acquire that inner peace, bliss, and love that can exist only by having that fine-tuned, spiritual connection with the One, that only true believers in that particular religion “rightfully” possess.
Perhaps those who focus on convincing others they are “right” even to the point of using physical means of destruction to prove their point (we’ll wipe them out if they don’t believe the right way like we do), could make more of an impact in this world by striving to understand the “why” of core beliefs different from their own. The point being that a better way could be FOR unity through understanding rather than being AGAINST something or someone because their beliefs are different. If one searches within, one may realize that the “why”, if the intention is truly loved based, is always connected to one’s purpose of bringing peace and love into this world. As human beings, our nature is to reach out to the One. How we go about it, however, is the cause of strife in the world.
Generally, we as human beings inherently “search” for the Supreme Being, The Light, The Almighty, etc., through some form of organized religion or spiritual path. As worshipers, we call this Deity by different names and “approach” this Being in various ways that ensure that our “obedience” will please the One. In our zest to please the Almighty, coupled with our human stubbornness about “we’re right and you’re wrong”, we often approach our Lord without regard to the respect for others’ beliefs. Ironically, however, this lack of respect for others’ beliefs manifests hate, bigotry, racism, war, separatism – the very acts that are in direct contradiction to a “blissful, loving state that is often required for true inner peace!” The very cornerstone of what one can call, a religious foundation. The state of blissful connection to the One then becomes pure folly for the sake of fighting for the “right” religious perspective. At their base levels, all “religions” strive for believers to acquire that inner peace, bliss, and love that can exist only by having that fine-tuned, spiritual connection with the One, that only true believers in that particular religion “rightfully” possess.
Perhaps those who focus on convincing others they are “right” even to the point of using physical means of destruction to prove their point (we’ll wipe them out if they don’t believe the right way like we do), could make more of an impact in this world by striving to understand the “why” of core beliefs different from their own. The point being that a better way could be FOR unity through understanding rather than being AGAINST something or someone because their beliefs are different. If one searches within, one may realize that the “why”, if the intention is truly loved based, is always connected to one’s purpose of bringing peace and love into this world. As human beings, our nature is to reach out to the One. How we go about it, however, is the cause of strife in the world.
