(This is a letter my husband wrote to the local paper. I would've been a little more gentle in my argument, but he has that pesky testosterone to deal with. I admire it as a true masterpiece of religious debate and wanted to share it with you...)
A great master was once quoted as saying, "There is a principle which is guaranteed to keep mankind in everlasting darkness. That principle is: contempt prior to investigation."
Nothing perpetuates that principle more today than the book which is the cornerstone of every major religion in the western hemisphere: the Bible. The problem lies not with the book itself as much as the way in which it is percieved. Throughout the centuries, organized religion has fostered the belief that the Bible is the direct word of God, and that all truths are to be found within its pages. It is this philosophy which has closed the minds of so many. Those who open their statements with "the Bible says" self-impose such severe restrictions on their minds that logic and reason seldom penetrate. This brainwashed condition is the single greatest stumbling block to the spiritual development of mankind in the world today.
To those of you who still think for yourselves, consider that the Bible is written in such a way that one can (given the proper interpretation) utilize the scriptures to lend credence to any philosophy one may care to imagine.
This is due in part to the fact that a handful of men have manipulated the ancient texts in order to fulfill their own agenda. That agenda was one of power, and that power was maintained throught the use of fear. Even today, fear is the primary ingredient in most religions. Fear of punishment from a malevolent God for not adhering to specific dogmas set forth in some great book of truth. The God of the Bible is jealous, vain, vengeful and cruel. He is indeed an entity to be feared.
Oddly enough humans who display these same characteristics are often locked away from society at large. Perhaps it is best that the God of the Bible remains in the Bible. Woe unto us if he ever gets out!
Fortunately there are concepts of God other than the biblical one. The God of my heart is a kind, understanding, tolerant God who could no more condemn one of his children to everlasting damnation than you or I could murder our own children for their transgressions. My God corrects, not condemns.
It would be so easy if the answers to life's mysteries were all written in a book, but one must realize that all books are written by men, men as fallible and imperfect as we. The path to truth is long and difficult; by its very nature it is umpopular with our "instant gratification" society of today. The first step on this path is one of humility; the admission that we know nothing, for "only an empty cup may be filled." We must then look within ourselves to find God. A spark of the divine resides within us all, and it is only by direct communion with that spark that enlightenment may be attained. The answers are not written in a book by the hand of man, rather on our very souls by the hand of God.
Look with skepticism upon any religion that tells you what to think instead of how to think. Trust in yourself, for each soul's spiritual journey is unique and personal.
~ Particle
© 1997
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