I wonder…
A friend, who is Catholic, had a long talk with me yesterday, and we shared our ideas on why so much war and strife has to happen. How so many people who are overzealous in their fervour to prove their love for each's own God, or to uphold the monotheistic/polytheistic value of their religions, have open the doors for opportunists to place their evil plans into actions.
To feign the very religious, I would almost say, this world has truly become Satan's playground. And because of what? Spyder, my dear teacher, told me,
In the name of religion, we maim and we kill. We claim to be 'holy people' and we behave as if we have a monopoly on God. Yet, the truth is we do not own God. He created us and we are but His people; He owns us. Would that we, the peoples of the earth, all be humbled by this realisation and not let our egos deceive us into thinking that that we own Him or even worse, that we can take HIS place and thus play God.
It happens to me every day. I face it from family members, from people I love, from people I learn to care for, and choose to make the objects of my affections. I get it from strangers, from the people who brought me up, who brought me into this world, it has never ended, and the whole crux of the matter, this constant arguing, squabbling, comparing… all for what?
The Entry to Heaven. A graduation gift from the Big Guy up there, a place whom none of us living beings have ever seen. Each one of us are in a huge big school called life… and the terms roll out one after the other, and we pick up different lessons crafted individually according to every person's needs to learn. Every one graduates at his own pace, but because we don't really know where we go to after we breathe our last breaths, we being the imaginative creatures we are, make up, set up, pick and choose laws from the Books to comfort ourselves in the one hope that Death would not be such a terrible thing to look forward to.
But thank God for the Books our predecessors have left behind, the Guidebooks that were supposed to be keys to the Truth, they have been valuable resources and every single piece has had its message and preaching of love and respect for all regardless of races, colours and creed. All divine, in each's very own way. We are different though in our beliefs, because as my friend told me, every person walks a different path in pursuit of God, and the ways we seek him differ because we were made different.
Today, if the ones who have gone before us were here to tell us what they think of the situation, I wonder what they would say?
'Why are you guys so preoccupied with the afterlife? It's not here yet. Why aren't guys focusing on preserving God's first gift to you, the opportunity to exist, breathe and live on this Earth right now?'
OK. Maybe I made that paragraph up.
I'm tired of the assault, tired of the arguments, but it doesn't mean I will stop completely. Maybe I want to take a rest, maybe I just want to sleep, just a night on this, try to ignore the wars, the battles, the fights that someone else is having with another someone else because they cannot agree on which version of Syurga is more accurate. I'm sick, and sad and tired. But I have not given up on Faith yet, because blind as it may be, it is my only key to sustenance, and it reminds me that I have been given a voice to do something, and I will say something in the best way that I can do so. As responsibly as I can manage to be.
But this line from the dedications in The Five People You Meet In Heaven really struck me and I just want to share these with the most fundamental of readers who enjoy my blog. Even if you choose to feel I'm talking nonsense today, and I'm bordering on being a heretic for my liberal opinions, I just want to tell you this. I do not see myself as a liberal thinking person at all. Closest friends know, I'm just as conservative as you are, and that I love God just as much as You do… but I love Him because of what He did for me, not because of what He promises to give me when I die. And because of that, I will be His instrument and let Him take me up in His waves. I will swim where He requires me to swim.
Everyone has an idea of heaven, as do most religions, and they should all be respected.
—Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet In Heaven
I really really wish we would all stop fighting for God. If two men were to maim and kill just so that they could get to date me, I'd turn celibate and choose to turn away from relationships forever, because it pains me to see people resorting to violence just so that they can get what they want.
August 23rd, 2006 at 6:43 pm
I hear some people get reincarnated as a dog in their next life. That would be quite bad, having to eat dog food all the time. And then get run over by a car. Maybe Eric loves you as much as God, you never know.
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:05 pm
That’s why I stay away from books which questions life and your objective on Earth. Watch popcorn movies, read MAXIM and get slosh once awhile. Start thinking about religion only when your kids starts taking drugs. ~kd
and Hotpants,
reincarnating as a dog is not so bad, that is if the owner is a dog-lover. I’ve friends who pamper and treat their dogs like members of the family. You must’ve heard of “It’s a Dog’s Life!” quote reflecting how it’s so much easier being a canine without a worry in the world. ‘cept for roadkills like you said.
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Hear hear. I agree totally.
On that same note… all fundamentalists (regardless of religion) should read that book. Because it speaks to all and none.
August 23rd, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Amen. I think that working on living a loving life is much much more important than trying to “save” people. It all starts with actions and the heart, not outward proclamations of “I’m saved!!!”. Showing people why you believe is more worthwhile than shoving bibles down their throat to make sure they swallow the message.
August 23rd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Could not agree more- what good is religion if all it does is turn people against one another?I wish people would look beyond individual Gods, individual Truths and start seeing the bigger picture.
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:03 pm
i just like to say this also, in addition to what i posted. We do not have to accept another person’s beliefs if it is in contradiction to another… respect also means, you learn to agree to disagree. Putting it into practise means, sometimes, suppressing our urges to act irresponsibility and harm other people, be it by words or action.
All it takes is a silent nod of the head. I just feel that in many cases, conflict can be avoided if we all started to realize that respect doesn’t mean acceptance. it just means acknowledgement of another’s beliefs, and the commitment to live in harmony despite the differences.
August 23rd, 2006 at 11:56 pm
MS,
GOD A CELIBATE? A THOUGHT PROVOKING STATEMENT….IN VIEW OF THE DIVERSE MEANING IN THE DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL GODLINESS IN ACCORDANCE TO EACH RELIGIOUS PARADIGM, IT SO HAPPENS THAT VIOLENCE, A PERNICIOUS MEANS (AMONGST OTHERS), REMAINS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO GARNER IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
IN THE SAME TOKEN AS SOME RELIGIONS OFFERING AFTERLIFE SECURITY, THERE ARE SOMBRE DISCIPLES OF EXISTENTIALISTS WHO ARE DESTINED TO PREOCCUPY THEMSELVES TO DISTIL THE SIMPLE YET LABORIOUS MEANING OF EVERYDAY LIFE. TO EACH HIS OWN ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS….
ENJOY READING YOUR BLOG! THANK YOU
August 24th, 2006 at 2:21 am
Hi.
I totally agree with that quote from ‘The Five People You Meet In Heaven’.
As i’ve always said, it is ‘politics’ and ‘religion’ that divide us. If it weren’t for those two things the world would be a better place to be in.
August 24th, 2006 at 9:15 am
I am honoured that you quoted me in this post
Indeed -we do not own God.
August 24th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Christians spend a lifetime learning how to live somewhere else. It’s true. We may not always be conscious of it, but our destination is somewhere else. We were made for eternity. We were made to dwell with God, making this life but a shadow of the one to come.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, we don’t just unplug here and sit around waiting for the Holy Helicopter to take us there. God has uniquely connected this life to that one. Our lives here, and in eternity, are related. What we do here matters there.
Be careful. This is not as easy as it might seem at first. That’s because most of what we do here is tangled up in eternity and hard to unravel. For instance: Money won’t matter there, but what we do with it here will. Job position won’t matter there, but being responsible here will. Material possessions won’t matter there, but what we do with them here will. Winning won’t matter there, but playing hard and working at the top of our abilities while we are here will. Like a gold thread running through it, we will pull eternity out of our present experiences.
Let’s stop shoving bible scriptures and holy kemoley mantras down people’s throat. Tolerance, respect and humility. Isn’t it far more important to live the “truths” (regardless of what religion you practice) than just talking, talking talking?
Another wonderful post, mini. Thanks!
August 24th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Spot on! It’s not just the end, or where we begin, but it is the in betweens.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Sometimes, in the midst of all the noises, it is good to be still and quiet.
God yearns for us to listen to Him
August 24th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Urgh. Ppl who write in all CAPS give me headaches…..
Anyway, yeah - if everyone just concentrated on here and now and loving all fellow humans, maybe the world would be a better place.
Killing/ Fighting is bad however you want to justify it - worst of all if you are fighting for “religious purposes”.
(Bloody Spanish Inquisition)
August 24th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Haha… Your views are heretical, as are mine (more heretical compared to yours, perhaps)… I guess the difference is that you haven’t lock horns and grapped with theology (doctrinal debates, contraidctions, paradoxes, ciaims etc) as I have… So, never go there, where I am, be simple and keep your faith. Cheers
August 25th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
agreed that Mitch has a very good line there (just re-read his book as well as was refreshing)
the truth is that it is like telling a lie. once you have told a lie, you need to tell more lies to support/cover the initial lie.
thus likewise the sprial begins when we keep more & more to ourselves, defending our point of view & close off our mind to the views/thoughts of others. Many, many people thinking & believing the same thing — in NO way does it make it right or correct.
minishorts: you may be in somewhat of a hard place at times; and it may get tiring - still you are raising awareness & doing what you believe is right. the silent head-screwed on (hopefully) majority continues to offer our support & encouragement
August 25th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Every major war , true or untrue has been in the name of God.
August 26th, 2006 at 4:00 am
Which is a cloak for man’s lust for power.
August 27th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Hi Mini,
Just to let you know MENJ as responded to my post
Quite politely as well.