Alas, To Muse And Ponder

By Denise

More people have been killed in the name of religion than in all of the wars combined. People conveniently hide behind it. Saying they are doing God's work. Unsavory groups and serial killers have claimed to be doing his work. How would they know what God wants? I don't think he wants mass numbers of people killed in his name because they choose to call him by a different name or share different views. Why can't we get it, that we are all praying and talking to the same Supreme Being?

To me the main precept of religion is the Golden Rule. If you look at any religion you will find this ideal. Maybe worded differently but the main idea is still there.

"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

I tend to hold onto the New Testament, as there, God seemed much more merciful and kind. In the Old Testament there seemed to be a lot of double standards and contradictions. God seemed to be a much angrier and vengeful God. When Jesus came things changed. He tried to show us how to live and show mercy and love to one another. We were given the supreme example of a human to try to pattern our lives after. He associated with the prostitutes and thieves. Showing mercy to everyone. Especially the people that needed it and were cast aside by society.

I heard an interesting comment a couple of years back. An acquaintance that fervently goes to church was talking about how wonderful the church she went to was, and it was mentioned that another person I know might benefit by going with her. Her comment back (and it was all I could do not to have a stroke) was "I don't think that is the kind of person that we need in my church." Excuse me, isn't that what churches are for? Not the already saved and forgiven? I do not understand that type of mentality.

Jesus died to give us the chance to be cleansed of our sins. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness. People have shown me all of this different literature and elaborate plans on how to get into heaven. One things sticks in my mind from the Bible.

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

How about "Judge not, that ye be not judged?" Who are any of us to say what God would say is a sin? That is pretty presumptuous for us to think we know what God thinks. Lots of people do think they have a special hotline to the Supreme Being, and have an opinion on who is going to burn in hell fire and damnation.

There is also "Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself." No special conditions were put on that. It doesn't say love them as long as they are of the same race, religion, and creed as thyself. But on the other side, remember they do have to love themselves first or it does not apply.

Or how about "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Wouldn't be any stones thrown. Even if people won't admit it, no one is blameless. People would rather cast doubts and dispersions on others' characters, than own up to what they have done wrong in their own lives. It is easier to make someone else look bad and throw up a smoke screen, so people don't look so closely at you. Why do you think the Salem Witch Trials happened? But that is a long tirade I will go into at another time.

That is one thing that just burns me up. No pun intended. One of the main reasons we came to this country was to escape religious persecution, and to be able to worship the way we saw fit. What happened to that? We set up the whole situation all over again, with the same traps set. No escape from the human mind, and people not being able to see any further than the end of their own nose. They are right, and everyone else is wrong, and should be changed, and if that can't be accomplished, they must be ostracized, or even worse, exterminated.

Another thing that has always struck me the wrong way, has been when people have to act in a loud and demonstrative manner about their religion. When I see someone acting in this manner I remember this verse from the Bible

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy father which is in secret; and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

I think in the end, when Jesus was dying on that cross, his last words still echo through time and hopefully the BIG GUY still thinks about it from time to time.

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

One more thing to ponder. Sorry I got on spiritual matters, but with it being December it is the only other time, besides a crisis situation, that people, in general, really think of such things deeply. Judas Iscariot was an integral part of the plan. He was predestined to do what had to be done for the rest to happen which was to save the human race. His lot was cast. Do you think he was punished for his actions when he really had no control over them? It was all done out of love for the human race. I personally do not. But that is my opinion.

Hope everyone has a joyous Holiday season in whatever way you choose to celebrate it. Everyone to their own. Although I think love of all of humanity with all of our differences should be celebrated all year long, and not just in December. If we were all the same, and thought the same things, this world would be pretty boring, wouldn't it?

Until next time.

"For Mercy has a human heart
Pity a human face:
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress."

William Blake 1747-1827