Hypocrites-R-Us and Oh Yeah, God Hates Fags?

Hypocrites-R-Us and Oh Yeah, God Hates Fags?

Mainstream religions seem to have bought into the sick and twisted theory that somehow God hates anyone or anything.  Some in more politically correct ways than say the lunatics of the Westboro Baptist Church, but just about all of them in some degree.  At best, Christianity as a whole has chosen to alienate the homosexual segment of the population because it is illogically and unfairly deemed “an abomination to the Lord” beyond other “sins” we all indulge in. 

This whole Hoo-ha is based on a grand total of 3 scriptures from the Bible:

Leviticus 18:22

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Romans 1:26-27

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Now this one is interesting because the haters seem to conveniently omit the fact that also included in the same group of “sins” warranting DEATH in the subsequent verses are the following:

029: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

030: Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

031: Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

032: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

So if you lied, or debated, deceive, backbite, are proud, boast, or disobey your parents, you are in the exact same degree of “sin” as homosexuality – and that pretty much includes everyone on this planet.

And last but not least…

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Again we see that included in the abominable group are almost every college student, politician, cop, and business owner in America.

So WHY are homosexuals singled out of a group that seems to include the whole of the population?

Why is it that mainstream religions selectively target the one aspect ignoring completely those that include most of their priests, pastors, bishops, elders and followers?

So, we have 3 (yes that is three) references to homosexuality in the whole of the bible – NONE of which were spoken by God or Jesus but by men (Moses and Paul) - and in 2 of them it is listed among such “sins” as envy, deceit, coveting, boasting, pride, disobedience to parents and other such unthinkable, abominable and unholy practices that all but describe every chest-pounding, god-bothering, church-going, hypocrite in America.

And yet, somehow we fail to recognize that Jesus himself is quoted as saying “Judge not that ye not be judged”.  So who exactly are these people that feel so strongly against homosexuality worshipping or following – Moses, whose laws were overturned by the teachings of Jesus; Paul who among other chauvinistic and hateful comments, also stated that women should just shut up and just bear children; or Jesus? 

If the Bible makes absolutely NO distinction between the gravity of “sins” of homosexuality, deceit, pride, disobedience to parents, boasting, all of which according to Paul merit death – why then do we single out just one and somehow deem it “worse” than the others?  Where did that categorization appear? And if homosexuality was such an “abomination” why did Jesus not address it even once in his ministry? He certainly touched on other aspects and sins he deemed of relevance – why would he choose to omit this particular one if it was so abominable?

But just for the sake of continuance, let’s follow the whole scenario to its logical conclusion and be honest with ourselves and our brothers and sisters we seem to have chosen to selectively persecute, hate and alienate.

The Bible states that many “sins” merit death and not just the electric chair, hanging or firing squad, but stoning to death, or burning.  So …

• ·         When will we start stoning our children to death for disobeying us, eating too much or getting drunk (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)?
• ·         When will we start stoning prostitutes to death (Deuteronomy 22:13-21) and what will our fearless leaders do without them?
• ·         When will we start killing our brothers if they convert to another religion that is not Judaism (Deuteronomy 13:6-9) And wouldn’t that include all Christians?
• ·         When will we start stoning to death anyone that worships another god than the jealous, vengeful, all-smiting Hebrew god (Deuteronomy 17:2-6)?
• ·         When will we start putting to death those who commit adultery and who then will lead our churches, nations, scouts and PTA’s (Deuteronomy 22:22)?
• ·         When will we start stoning to death any woman who is raped within the city limits for not screaming loud enough to prevent it (Deuteronomy 22:23-24)?
• ·         When will we finally start burning our wives and their mothers to death after we have sex with our mother-in law (Leviticus 20:14)?
• ·         When will we start stoning to death anyone who blasphemes (Leviticus 24:15)?
• ·         When will we start cutting off the vile and wretched hand of a woman who dare grab a man by the balls (Deuteronomy 25:11-12)?

My point is that all of these things are not only ridiculous but obviously overlooked by those who choose to judge and persecute the homosexual segment of the population and with good reason because eventually everyone would be stoned to death or otherwise smitten, destroyed or outcast for something, and the harsher judges usually have more to hide.  This is evidenced by the long list of Evangelical preachers involved in sex scandals over the past 10 years, not to mention the thousands of cases of pedophilia perpetrated by the catholic clergy, the cases of Mormon leaders and sexual abuse in the media, etc., etc., etc.

So, what if we actually chose to follow some of the teachings of Jesus and recognize that what he taught was Non-Judgment (5 references in the New Testament), Love (263 references in the NT) and forgiveness (appearing 61 times in 47 verses of the NT) rather than focus on something that only appears in 3 verses in the entire Bible and was never spoken about by Jesus himself?

Is it not contrary to the teachings of Jesus to judge and alienate anyone regardless of what they choose to do? Who then is really the bigger sinner if all of us commit any number of the “sins” grouped in with and considered as serious as homosexuality and yet choose to condemn one singled-out behavior? 

Jesus DID say this:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Mathew 23:14)

…And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mathew 25:51)

And he said it 17 times!

My friends, we all have our own problems and if we think for a minute that we are better than anyone else, or more righteous than anyone else or live closer to God than anyone else, then we do NOT understand the nature of God and we delude ourselves in order to feel warm and fuzzy in spite of our severe self judgment. 

Maybe we should not worry so much about what goes on behind closed doors at the neighbor’s house and more about how we are implementing the basic principles of our respective spiritual philosophies which should be love, forgiveness, non-judgment, peace and kindness to all without regard for what we do but based on who we are – a part of God.

Love and peace my friends.

David Reuben

The Scariest Event in My Life.

As a child I was born into a family that had a defined religion with certain beliefs and the social behaviors that this entails.  I was taught that it was the only truth and that all other belief systems were “the philosophies of man mingled with scripture” and inspired by the devil. Of course I believed this and adopted it as my truth from a very young age like anyone who is brought up in a rigid social or religious environment.   In my case I was a “Mormon” or a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but the phenomena and process is the same for any religion or philosophy.

I was taught to seek knowledge but I was also told that when the leaders spoke it was the same as if God had said it, so questioning was not only frowned upon but a mild form of blasphemy or disrespect for God’s “anointed”.   Later in life I found that asking questions that are uncomfortable in church will get you asked to stay with the intent of the lesson or not join the Sunday school class in the future, which reinforces even more that real questions are not welcome.

I became very proficient at not asking the hard questions and accepting the rationalizations for some of the more controversial aspects and history of my religion.  I went on a mission where I taught people about my beliefs and told them that if they would pray and ask God if it was right, that He would confirm it to them through the Holy Ghost – they would feel an overpowering joy or sensation and that was God speaking his confirmation to their heart and mind.  Did it work? Sure it did.  People looking for something more, as we all are, are told that God will confirm that what we are telling them is better and everyone wants that.  With 2 lessons on Mormonism 101 under their belt and a chapter or two of the Book of Mormon read, they pray with a desire to know its true and they feel something because a lot of them are baptized.  I did it too but what I felt, I have felt since and God had nothing to do with it.

So we accept what we are given at birth and we ask for confirmation, we casually look around and determine that there isn’t anything much better – if at all – out there, so we proceed to cement our beliefs.  We experience small miracles, answers to prayer, we see the priesthood heal and strengthen the weak, we see lives change for the better and it all confirms that we are right – we have the truth.  At this point it becomes automatic and a way of life – comfortable if you will.  I KNOW I have the truth, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the church is the ONLY true church on the earth, so I have pretty much got it made.  Honestly – why would I question that?  Why would anyone that believes that, (or whatever they “know” to be true) question anything about it – especially if it will only get you in trouble or labeled as weak in your faith or worse yet a potential apostate?  Then if you have taught your kids the same things, it might not look so good if you show any signs of doubt, or questioning because that could be interpreted as weakness, destabilize your teachings and worse yet, cause them to do the same thing and how will that reflect on you in the ward or neighborhood?

So we recite our mantras on fast and testimony Sunday, we “testify” or “witness” and we go through the motions of righteousness and convince ourselves that we are headed to a celestial kingdom with lots of wives to boot.  Meanwhile we go about our daily lives acting like an asshole, neglecting our spouse and children to provide as god would want, or in a job where we hurt others to get what we want and maybe we are perfectly nice people but our minds betray our beliefs as we strive to implement a set of standards that we are unable to reach fully so we tell ourselves we are tackling one principle at a time while we chew Prozac like Rolaids and grovel on our knees for forgiveness for our weakness. 

Enter guilt – again. I say again because it is the same emotion that was used to keep me from asking the hard questions or from questioning another man’s inspiration for my eternal salvation, the same motivator that kept me going to what in reality were very boring meetings and what in essence was the true motivator along with fear for keeping the faith.

Could guilt and fear be motivators for staying strong in my religion? Hell no – I have a testimony, I know it’s true and that’s why I endure the boring meetings and the Prozac. Wait a minute, something isn’t making sense.   Well, there is something to think about.

Meanwhile back in Zion, my logical brain has questions that can’t be answered in church because nobody wants to address them in public. Could it be that I am the only one as weak as to have these doubts and questions? Then there is the all sacred untouchable subject of Joseph Smith because we teach and are taught that if he is not a prophet, the church is not true.  Oops – who knew we would discover DNA and prove that the story about the Native Americans being descendents of Jews was pretty much made up? The Bible is the literal word of God – has anyone that believes this, read that foul book with a half open mind? What about the letters in Joseph Smith’s own hand telling a woman married to another man to come get some holy loving because his wife Emma was away and to not tell her husband she was married to him in the temple?  Or that he had thirty some-odd wives one as young as 14 but did not tell his wife about them.  Then there are some pretty serious inconsistencies in his story about the first vision regarding dates and events.  Blacks – the seed of Cain? I was not taught about blood atonement and when I heard about it, I was asked to leave the class on Brigham Young for asking about it. Then when I looked into it, I was amazed at the contradiction in theology.  Then we have emasculation for disobedience, the Mountain Meadow massacre; the temple ceremony and its evolution (I’m glad they didn’t actually cut the marks into your skin any more when I went through); The churches (Mormon and Catholic) and their participation with the government in Operation Paperclip/MKUltra and the mind control projects of Dr Mengele, etc etc.– I won’t go into it because I have no interest in making this about accusations or specific questions – its about asking the hard questions.

It was not until I was out of the church that I felt I could ask them and that brings me to the scariest thing I have ever done in my life.  I have been in some scary situations, I have been through separations, divorces, shot at, losing my relationship with my children, kicked out of schools, put in jail as a minor, had a contract on my life – twice… and yet none of it was as scary as leaving the church and questioning my beliefs.  In fact, it was so scary I went about it in a chicken shit way.  I was taught that you did not say no to a church calling because it was like saying no to God (100% pure Mormon Doctrine).   I was a Stake President and I was made aware by an apostle that I was about to become a Mission President.  I was asked about who could run the businesses in my absence and where I stood financially etc.  After that informal interview, I was put in a place where I had to make some hard decisions. I recalled my mission and the effects of an immature asshole president on my life, I looked at the effects of harsh judgment of young men by my father in his mission and the effect on their lives and then I realized that I would be leading an army of good intentioned young men to affirm things I had unanswered questions about. Not to mention questioning my own maturity at 30 and there was no way in hell I was going to risk that one.

This is where the chicken shit comes in. Rather than just say no, I felt the only way was to be unworthy so in a nutshell, I lied to my wife about an affair that hadn’t happened, she left me and I was excommunicated.

Holy shit! No garments to protect me from the dangers of life or Satan! I was in the hands of the devil now and surely going to hell.  I could see the movie from the temple where satan looks stait into the camera and says “if these people don’t live up to these covenents made this day, they will be in MY POWER” – fuck me running!  I’m in Satan’s power!!!  Well, my friends – not so.  First of all, the garments work because we believe they will – just like a cross or holy water in an exorcism (yes it works).  The priesthood works because we believe it will, just like the numerous faith healers of other religions and no they are not possessed by the devil nor do they use his power – they use the same power everyone else does – the faith of a mustard seed as taught by Jesus to everyone. The Holy Ghost as it may be still guides me as needed and I have felt no absence of his constant companionship because I never had it any more than I do now or than anyone else does. Would a parent really limit counsel and guidance to a child because they chose the wrong football team to cheer for? Think about it.  Am I going to hell? I doubt it. I am a far nicer person today than I ever was as a recommend holding Mormon. Does that make Mormonism or any religion bad or wrong? Of course not - Its whatever you want to make of it.  We can go blindly forward in ANY belief we choose and convince our self that we are right and we can masturbate the hell out of our ego with our mantras and our rituals and social capitulation and ease through with the help of some Prozac and learning to turn off the guilt.  People do it every day and die in the same routine – sure that they didn’t quite measure up but hopeful that it was enough to get their God’s approval and forgiveness.  But is that really who we are?

Are we so mindless and accepting that we don’t dare ask why? Are we so afraid of God that we won’t question our concept of him? Are we so afraid of the social and family ramifications that we would rather live mediocre lives by accepting what was taught to us as truth rather than find greatness in the discovery of truth? Do we really believe that God is the puny insecure, jealous, vengeful asshole we have been taught to fear? Or are we confused by the dogma that flip flops from that to loving kind, and all-powerful?  Which is he?  Is God a he?  Do you REALLY know anything or do you just REALLY WANT to? Is there really shame in saying I don’t know but I want to – meanwhile I will study, learn, ask and listen?  Are we so afraid that we may have been wrong in the depth of our conviction that we would rather fanaticize our life than live it?  Is it wrong to be wrong or is it part of the process?  

Sure I can ask that now, after going through the scariest yet most eye-opening, mind liberating and all around freeing experience of my life.  But I honestly believe that if we are less chicken shit than I was at 30 that we can question, ponder, learn and get in the face of control without having to divorce one’s self from corporate church and social Sunday.  

I’m not saying don’t be part of a religion or church, I’m saying dare to question what was fed to you as part of the inevitable human domestication process and ask the hard questions, look for the weaknesses as well as the strengths and have the courage to say maybe I don’t KNOW because I can’t with what I have, but I want to and will. Maybe it doesn’t make sense that there is one holder of truth and everyone else is wrong – as egoistically erotic as that may feel.  So we choose something that isn’t perfect, does it have to be perfect to be good? I don’t think so – but to be in integrity, I believe we need to not bury our head in the sand about certain things and fight to the death over others in the name of all or nothing.  That doesn’t make sense. 

Is questioning man made concepts of god really placing your faith in the arm of the flesh or is following mindlessly because that was what we were taught? 

It is no secret that I have lost a lot of respect for organized religion in general and as you study the history of them and see the current reality, it is difficult to maintain that respect because it is seldom deserved.  But does that make me an atheist apostate shit eating sinner that is going to hell for denying God – no.  I have a better concept of God than ever before in my life and a love for creation and all aspects of God that I have never felt before I dared question my byzantine beliefs.  Could it be that we can have a spiritual component to life without a church? Could it be that we really should experience joy in life? Does that mean eat drink and be merry – no – it means live in the now, be true to yourself, be honest with others about your fears, your weakness and your questions. It may surprise you who steps up to help you. It may surprise you that help is exactly what you need and there is no shame in that – that is what life is about. 

There is a healing comfort in surrender of ego and admitting we don’t have all the answers, we don’t know as much as we want to portray and we aren’t as strong as we let on.  There is a lot of peace to be found in honesty with our children, our spouse and our close friends.  There is an exciting component to life through honest discovery and while it can be disappointing at times to find we were lied to or deceived, at least we are discovering and that is exciting.

Do you really believe we have anything to lose by questioning the controversy, the dirty laundry and looking at it for what it is? Not only in our beliefs but in our daily lives.

Life is a beautiful, fun, challenging, exciting, event and when it is based in love, honesty and humility, it doesn’t get sweeter than that.  Trust me and try it – then decide for yourself.  What we think is true –seldom is.    

Lay down the "armor of god"  and pick up the mantle of humility and love.  Dare to be fragile, trust to be cared for and enjoy the process of discovery rather than regurgitation.

Love and Peace

Dave

Illegal Immigration

The buzzword of the new millennium seems to be “illegal immigration”. Arizona made a stellar step in the wrong direction and politicians spew rhetoric and utter bull shit to appear like there is actually anything they can do about it – or would if they could.

Illegal immigration is just a scapegoat to distract our attention or the government would actually conduct raids that rounded everyone up. But they don’t – because they are in bed with the corporations who rely on the immigrant workers for cheap labor. The largest food processing plants and corporate chains in the world employ mostly illegal immigrants. Then these companies have the workers that begin to get too much seniority, wages or join a union systematically deported. But the bulk of them are left in place or the whole system would fall apart. What would Wal-Mart, Marriott, Hilton, Con-Agra, Tyson, (just to name a very few) do if suddenly 60-80% of their labor was deported? If something was really done about illegal immigration, these companies would cease to receive the highest profits in the history of earth like they are this year. If the lawmakers actually did something about it, they would bite the hand that feeds and owns them.

If you haven't already, watch a documentary called "FOOD INC"

Lets face it, the government knows where they are, they know what it costs and they know that it makes economic sense (at least to who matters) to leave things alone and just give the impression of doing something about it. Anyone with a brain cell knows that the economy and basic social order would collapse if they deported everyone that is "illegally" in the country.

Imagine the lost revenue in taxes and unclaimed tax refunds - The government does - yes many pay taxes (automatically deducted from their wages) and few of them file a return.

Who will do the jobs they do? Not the Anglos- period. Don’t even think about asking an African American to work in a field – that’s a touchy subject.

Imagine the riots when fast food shuts down and we can’t get our super size fix, meats aren't processed, food isn't packaged, produce is rotting in the fields, sheets go unchanged and bathrooms stink at the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, and every other hotel in America; and who in the name of god will mow our lawns? (The Samoans and Tongans all cut trees now.) Who is going to do all this if there are no "illegal" immigrants? And how much will it cost in an economy that is already in the toilet if we have some lazy-ass toothless white dork wearing a shiny polyester "Live Union-Live Well" jacket pretending to do it?

Since there is no logical answer to any of these questions and many more, "illegal" immigration will be a part of life and a necessary one that we should embrace and rename. I'm certainly not going to do the shit they are willing to do, and neither are any of you. So anyone in this country whining about it and bitching about the woes of the economic impact is just an idiot capitulating to a system of perception wagging the dog and living on the mental planet of idios or retardia.

And in the end, all this bloviating from all sides including mine - is just that - hot air and smelly opinions. All we can really do about it is look for the positive side of what is, and appreciate it - or bitch about it and stew in our puke.

If you think your vote counts and you can make a difference that way, well you just keep voting and bless your simple little heart to heaven, and God bless America, her troops and all the virtue and beauty she stands for to you because voting has had such a stellar impact on these issues so far.

After all is said and done, our life reality is our perception and life will be as stressed out or as blissful as we want it to be. Nothing we do on the outside will affect or change that, and yet everything we do within - starting with how we choose to perceive life, its events and challenges and consequently create it for our selves ... will.

So bless the people that are willing to do what I am not so I can have the things I enjoy and I hope they get the things they enjoy for it in return - including a warm comfortable bed and freedom to keep doing it without living in fear.

As for the government’s role - what role? Its inconsequential, so bless them for trying to make us all warm and fuzzy and for "protecting" us from the terrible-terrible aliens, terrorists, deadly flu viruses, gremlins and boogie monsters in such a fine ethical, godly, loving, Christian, moral, fashion and for being such a beacon of integrity to the world.

So, in conclusion, we owe every "illegal" immigrant that is gainfully employed in whatever job, a big ass hug and a sincere "THANK YOU"; and as far as I recall God meant for us to love everyone regardless of migratory status.

I say we get over our self righteous selves and practice what we preach - holy shit wont that be novel.

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

This question is an obvious take-off from the adage “what would Jesus do?” that is so over-displayed and under answered in actions in our society these days. I saw this bumper sticker on a car you would expect to see such a question posted on – an old Subaru with a myriad of bumper stickers promoting peace and tolerance that most fish touting minivan drivers would actively run off the road just for the rainbow sticker in the back window and the dread locks in the driver’s hair.

We all know the picture and I don’t believe I need to go into any more detail for most of us to have a clear image of the car and person I’m describing. And if we are honest with ourselves, many of us have felt that contempt with the rolling of the eyes as we glance at the cacophony of liberalism pasted all over the tree-hugging vehicle as we drive away with a tinge of indignant disdain. Be honest with yourself because my job is not to judge – frankly I don’t give a shit what reaction anyone evokes in your gut, because the only person it has any effect on is you. I just like to ask the questions most people don’t have the courage to answer honestly – and that includes myself - which is why I pose the questions I do.

I consider myself to be fairly well versed in the basics of most of the main stream religions and I have a very extensive background in what is termed Christianity so I feel that my questions are well founded. However, I don’t mind being wrong because it’s how I learn and evolve intellectually and spiritually. So, if I’m wrong, I hope it will be pointed out to me and if I’m not, I hope I make us all think a bit about who we really are.

Jesus taught that the representations of the petty deity of the old testament and the “law of Moses” with its barbaric nonsense were obsolete and to be replaced by the law of love as Jesus taught it throughout what we know as his ministry. Love one another, forgive those who offend you, turn the other cheek, etc. We all know it and we claim to believe and be followers of those teachings if we profess to be Christian. Many non-Christian religions teach the same in differing ways but the same concepts none the less.

So, why do we feel that the Law of Moses was only repealed until we feel like we are too pissed off or too offended and somehow there is a referendum to the teachings of Jesus?
Is there a clause in His teachings that makes exceptions to the rule or were they merely suggestions for his followers to feel warm and fuzzy while spewing them about in church meetings?

I have heard on many occasions where self proclaimed Christians have publicly prayed for our troops to prevail over those of our brothers and sisters who somehow became “the enemy”. My understanding was that we were to forgive, love and adopt apparently sissy shit attitudes like that – ouch huh? So what is it? Love and forgive or kick their ass in revenge? So who are we following here, Jesus or Moses? And either way do you REALLY believe a God that as Christianity claims created ALL of humanity would help one group of children destroy another? How many loving parents promote fighting among siblings much less help one sibling kill another? Does that really even remotely make sense to you? Isn’t that fratricide no matter how you look at it? Hell, even the vengeful, almighty smiter from the Old Testament frowned on Cain killing Abel – didn’t he?

Yeah, I heard the argument “better that one man perish than a nation dwindle in disbelief” and lame as that strikes me, it was a specific directive from God to one many consider a prophet, in a specific scenario - not as a rule of thumb to justify murder. And even if it was a blanket statement, When did George Bush or Obama get promoted to prophet?

If the image of the dread lock wearing peace mongering alternative lifestyle, kind, loving person with a bumper sticker that says “my karma ran over your dogma” in a Subaru gets your nose in the air and inspires images of hell fire and damnation wrapped in Old Glory, maybe you should think about who is more “Christian” in this scenario.

Maybe we should sincerely ask ourselves as we support this travesty of a war with the blood and entrails of our children and our blasphemous prayers for death to the enemy through prevalence of “righteousness” – Who would Jesus REALLY bomb?

Love and Peace all! Pass it on!

Pawpa Dog

Be in the Mystery - Not in the Know

This subject touches on some very sensitive and deep seated concepts related to our belief system and even some of the fundamental issues of what we perceive as truth. In true fashion, I am very direct in my approach and somewhat matter of factual which can come across as harsh, overly opinionated or judgmental. My intent is NOT to sway anyone in their faith or their beliefs as I have no agenda in that realm. My intent IS to open up some possibilities that will relieve some stress and anxieties related to faith as well as provide a more open view on what faith and truth can be to us.

Most of us subscribe to a delineated belief system or in other words a religious organization that outlines in somewhat linear terms what the truth associated with that organization is or should be. We accept these concepts and adopt them as an integral part of our personal belief system. Many organizations encourage study of the scriptures to validate these concepts and as we relate to what we learn, it becomes more a part of who we are and how we conduct ourselves, view ourselves and interact with others.

As our belief system becomes stronger we hold the associated concepts as “the truth”. We may have spiritual experiences associated with our pursuit of this understanding that further cement the fact that the path we are on is the true path or based in the true religion or church. This is a double edge sword for several reasons. On the one side, it is comforting to feel that we are right and that we are on the right path. On the other side, this comfort can lead to a limiting complacency.

Here is where I delve into touchy territory, so as what I say rubs you the wrong way, strive to be open to your heart and soul and not so much to the ego (who enjoys comfortable warm and fuzzy) as we explore possibilities. If we allow for “possibilities” the threat to our ego is minimized – we always have the option to accept, reject or just allow as an option anything we learn or are exposed to.
As a child I was taught that I belonged to the true church that taught the true gospel of Jesus Christ and that it was the only way for me to reach exaltation or return to the presence of God. I heard many people testify how they know what they have is true and through the years, I too developed my own testimony of what was true to me which I shared openly with statements beginning with the words “I know”. I not only knew but would have gladly made the ultimate sacrifice for what I knew to be true my conviction was so deep. Like myself there are many who have similar convictions of what they believe – regardless of the denominational label or philosophical principles – it is a human characteristic.

The down side to knowing something is several fold in itself. A mere 500 years ago we knew the world was flat and along comes a new discovery to show that we now know the world is round and yet as our discovery continues and evolves we find that the world is not exactly round and so it goes. The truth about my car to many is that it is green and yet the color of my car is merely the fact that of the full spectrum of light, it happens to reflect a limited spectrum of green. So maybe my car isn’t TRULY green – it reflects green. The fact that I perceive it as green doesn’t make green the truth no matter how convinced I may be it is.
Again, as our discovery continues and evolves and we are open to the mystery, our understanding grows and evolves as well.

So, do we really KNOW anything? Certainly we want to think we know, we want to feel secure in our knowledge and we are comforted in believing we know which feels really good. But, do we actually know or are we still at the level of “the world is flat” and convinced that we are right?

After receiving a spiritual confirmation of truth, it is difficult to question that confirmation as it could be interpreted by a less loving god as a doubt or a wavering of faith, a denial of personal revelation or a weakness in our devotion to his omnipotence. This is a frightening thought and more so if your belief system includes a jealous or vengeful god. However, allowing possibilities is not a denial of anything – including what is or has been our belief system to this point. It is merely that – an allowing of the infinity of possibility without judgment or malice. Would a loving God really object to that – in essence having an open mind?
What if we don’t REALLY know – is that bad, wrong or sinful? Is it a sign of weakness to say “I don’t know, but I want to learn”? And is it wrong to allow that maybe we can learn from all sources rather than limiting our research to a narrow source of information just because it is what we know?

My argument is that not only is it healthy, positive and enlightening, but it is not stressful or offensive to anyone – including God.

By admitting that we don’t REALLY know, (and frankly why would you really want to?) we open the universe of mystery and we have an unlimited field of exploration to enhance whatever has worked for us in the past or to replace it. The beauty is that there is no agenda other than discovery and understanding which becomes enlightenment. If history is any indication, chances are pretty sound that we don’t actually KNOW much of anything and isn’t that wonderful?

As this relates to our religious beliefs, we don’t need to denounce what we have nor should we. However, as we allow for the fact that we may not know as much as we want to think we do, we open our minds and hearts to sources of information that may just resonate with us in ways we never expected. Jesus NEVER taught that there was only one book to read – politicians did, popes did but not Jesus. No truly great prophet or avatar ever said to limit our quest for enlightenment to only what they said or taught – and those that have or do have an agenda that is not of spiritual enlightenment but power and control.

Being in the know or thinking that we know, breeds arrogance and complacency while being in the mystery promotes humility and unlimited possibilities for growth and understanding. When we KNOW something, it is like saying we are a “master” at something and we cease or greatly limit any further learning, growth or progress of any consequence in that realm or endeavor. When we are humble enough to admit we don’t know but want to understand, it is like saying we are an apprentice – and maybe we have a lifetime of experience but we are open to continue learning.

We don’t really know what church, religion or philosophy is true. We may believe, we may want to know, we may have faith to die for, but we don’t know. We can argue about the attributes of God, the residence of God, the religion of God but in the end we don’t know. We want to know, we believe we know, we even fight wars over what we believe - thinking we know – but in the end, we don’t know. I have felt God and I believe that God exists but my quest to know God cannot be limited to what I have been told because if that is what I believe then that is all I will find.

Many concepts resonate with my soul and as I explore them deeper I add them to my repertoire but by allowing for the possibility of evolution of my understanding I am able to remain in the mystery and that my friends is a wonderful place to be. While we may have faith that transcends logic, and we may be ready to die for that faith, it is still just that – a hope we are right. And is being right so important? Is being right more important than being enlightened or being inspired or being in the moment and truly connected to God? The most exciting part of this is the fact that what I believe God is and what you believe God is doesn’t change what God is. The fact that one person believes his view to be correct and therefore the other persons view to be wrong means that the reverse applies as well. And what if… just what if we allowed for more possibilities. What if we allowed for the possibility that our texts and schools, religions and churches are all right in the sense that they are attempting to put in 3-dimensional terms things that are multi-dimensional and the differences are merely explanation, redaction, description, metaphor, verbiage, culturally oriented and their inherent limitations as they apply to the projector and the recipient who are both limited by a 3 dimensional frame of reference.

When we are in the mystery, we cannot judge anyone or anything because we admit we don’t actually know and therefore we are not necessarily right so others are not necessarily wrong. We are too busy absorbing the new wealth of information that is opened up to us to worry about comparing what others do, think or believe compared to our frame of reference. When we look at it like that it just seems silly and a waste of time. But if we know we are right, we cant help but compare and judge and yet in the end we just think we know, we may want to know and we may be clinging to the security being able to say “I know” gives – but we don’t know.

So why not give being in the mystery a try and relax the rigidity of perceived knowledge for the vastness of understanding? All of a sudden we don’t have that many differences and we can focus on what we have in common and what a world that would be.

You wont offend God and you wont be thrown out of your church or synagogue, but you will be open to a new world of understanding, love and compassion that may just show you paths that you never considered walking before but by being true to your heart will lead you directly to God. Not because anyone told you but because you experienced, discerned and chose for yourself.

Be in the mystery and let arrogance and narrow mindedness vanish in its light.

Love & Peace All