Finding my Path

For many people, discussion regarding politics and/or religion is just impossible. Regardless of how well a person can make a point, the other party in the debate generally cannot be swayed. For many, the mere mention of an alternative point of view is enough to cause rising blood-pressure, anger, frustration - sometimes all at once. Nothing will close an open mind faster and more thouroghly than having one's religious beliefs questioned. What then, can one expect when you start to question your own religious beliefs? When stories you learned as an impressionable young child are proven false, how are you to react? How are you affected by the loss of a very personal, very powerful belief?

Much of what I was taught as a child has been disproven because of the learning that has occured in my adult life. Much of the Doctrine (Not all of it specific to my former particular sect) I was taught is easily debunked with basic, 6th grade science. To hear Church leaders and apologists try to explain it all away - normally using nothing but their personal faith as reason to not believe in proven scientific method - makes me very sad. Sad for them, sad for their followers, sad for the new souls that will enter their buildings and be swayed by their words.

The following may seem harsh to some Christians, because I do speak about it a bit more than other religions. The simple reason for this is that I was brought up Christian and I live in a Nation that is 80%+ Christian. I mean no offense, I am not bashing your Faith. I believe that spiritual or religious faith, regardless of the belief, is a great character quality. Faith carries with it a lot of power, and when that power is used for good purposes, it is wonderful. Conversely, when people use the power of faith with bad intentions, it tarnishes an entire religion, often an entire nation or race.

In light of the research I've done over the last decade, I have been on a spiritual journey that has led me to investigate all of the faith-based beliefs that I have been able to find books and other information about. While certainly not conclusive, and I have yet to correctly annotate what I've written, the following is some of what I have learned. Understand that these are my opinions based on the facts and history that I have learned. Proper source annotation will be my next step.

As my journey has progressed, I have studied many texts of history. History of civilization in general, religion and my own Country in particular. Over and over again, in the years throughout the age of man, strife and suffering have been the companions of religion. Wars have been waged in the names of Gods for millenia. This has been especially true with the Abrahamic Faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - during the last 2000+ years. Often (and still) pitting one against the other, one sect of one Faith against another sect; even occassionally lashing out at other cultures with different Faiths and dieties as well. Christianity and Islam in particular have spent 1000+ years killing each other over the right path. The correct doctirine. Both have tried to "reform" Jews. Both have set out at various points in history to rid the world of heretics and infidels. All are resolute in the absolute truth of their Faith above all others. Killing in the name of Love. War in the name of Peace. Horrendous acts of coersion in the name of Freedom of Choice.

When I have tried to explain my findings on this subject, without exception the Christians I have spoken with have told me that I am mocking God, belittling Jesus or misquoting scripture. Being American, Christianity has been the dominant sect in my culture, and the culture of those I've discussed this with. When I have quoted scripture to attempt to prove a point, I have been labeled sarcastic, even a heretic! When I explain that I do not feel the prescence of their God that they feel, I am told I have a closed heart (and will surely spend eternity in Hell). Proof of the 400 years of constant addition, removal and altering of the books of the New Testament when Christianity was new - is met with sheer disbelief by those who have never heard of it, and is dismissed as "unimportant" (Unimportant?) by those that do know some of the history.

What could be more important than the major source of a religion's belief system being altered by people that were not witness to the prophesies and actions of the book's characters? In many cases these alterations were made hundreds of years after the occurences that are being described may have happened. In particular, during the years leading up to the final ratification in the 4th century CE (AD), the Church recognized Gospels, cast aside Gospels, recognized those Gospels again... A cycle that repeated itself with nearly every single change in Church leadership.

When I have quoted scripture to show how modern Christianity does not follow much of the doctirine of the Scripture, I have been told that times have changed. New interpretations of The Word are used to guide followers in the modern world. Oh really? By whose authority?

The King James version of The Bible in 1 Corinthians, Chap. 14 verses 34 and 35 state:

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." " And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."

How does a Christian then justify the fact that in modern day Christianity, women are not only "allowed" to speak in church, but in many sects are actually allowed to be Reverends, Pastors, etc.? Has there been new prophecy to change the laws set out in The Bible? Sects that claim to have living prophets (Catholicism, Mormonism) are regarded by many other Christian sects as untrue , even non-Christian. So the laws cannot have been changed by divine intervention. Who among mortal men has the authority to change the Word of God? There are many examples in The Bible of law that was set down, but is disregarded by modern Christianity. How can anyone have faith in a religion that on one hand has a strict set of laws set down in doctirine, but on the other hand picks and chooses which laws to obey, and which to ignore?

The Dharmic religions of the East (Hinduism, Bhuddism, etc.) are another story. For the most part peaceful, and non-aggressive, followers are encouraged to seek enlightenment beyond the physical. Dharma is a concept that is shared in varying degrees with other religions. It refers to the proper order of Nature, and the personal ascension to that perfection. It is very much like the Abrahamic concept of sin, and repentence. The main difference being, there is more emphasis on Nature. Where as in Abrahamic religions the order of things and law is handed down from God, Dharmic faith teaches that there is a balance in Nature, and to attain Nirvana, one must learn to live within that balance so as to never upset it. It is a code of conduct that demands much respect for the people, places and things around you.

To attain Nirvana, a soul passes through many lifetimes. As each life progresses, the soul learns additional lessons to help him/her live in balance with the natural order - Dharma. This they share with the ancient religions. Souls pass on to another life, in order to gain more knowlege, more insight, and ultimately - enlightenment.

People that follow ancient beliefs such as Pagans, Neo-Pagans, Wicca, Druids, etc., are believed by some to have no moralityor faith. This seems to be because they follow only one main crede: As long as it harms no one, do as you will (An' it harm none, Do as thou wilt). This is considered to be too unstructured for contemporary faiths. However, it seems to be OK for them (Abrahamists) to decide which of their very structured laws they will obey. After all of my research, and from knowing people that follow the Ancient Paths, I can attest to a deep-rooted faith and reverence for thier Dieties and for our planet.

For many thousands of years before Abraham walked in Israel, people celebrated the changing seasons, the full moon, plantings and harvests. Burning the first of the harvest as a gift to whatever dieties were revered in a particular locale was a tradition in agrigarian cultures long before God commanded in Exodus Chap. 20 verse 24:

"An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen."

The ancient religions have the one basic law, and a lot of tradition. This compels followers to think about their actions. There is no "law" against stealing, as in the Ten Commandments - although on a secular level, communities certainly had/have laws. But taking another's property would cause harm, so a Pagan would not do it. So it is with murder, drunk driving, loud parties after 10:00PM, etc. To have to think about your actions and the consequences of each of them, to not have a set law guiding them, is the ultimate example of "Free Choice". To choose to cause no harm to others by your actions (or inactions) is certainly honorable, one could even say Divine.

For now, I will put this subject to rest. I am on a journey that is ongoing. No destination has been acheived yet. If I feel like writing more on the subject, I will.

Blessed Be...