Sometimes it seems that which we are trying to seek we already have or that which we’re looking for is right in front of us, but we’ve got “selective blindness“. Most of the major religions believe in monotheism: there is but one God over all! The problem though is that there are many religions, and many denominations within those religions who think ONLY THEY know who and what that God is!
The practice of such exclusivity (otherwise seen as arrogance) reminds me on belonging to a country club.
In the thirteenth century, it was St. Francis (of Assisi), revered by most today, who told his followers that if they were to find a page of the Koran, they were to kiss it and place it on the altar. Yet today, we assail any religion that opposes ours and we spit on, and put under our foot, the works of others. Maybe we learned too completely the practices of Constantine who burned every work other than those which he felt should be included in the Christian Bible.
Thankfully many of the Gnostic works and others have been unearthed for our benefit.
There is but ONE GOD, worshipped in many different ways, and called by many different names. God is “all in all” as the New Testament reminds us. Mystic , Rumi says “There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground”. There are many ways to practice our spiritual beliefs, yet none of them is through the degradation and devastation of the beliefs of others.
Who has a copyright on the sayings and acts of God?
What one book can contain all the knowledge there is of God?
Which religion has the only truths of and perfect rituals of God?
Where is the one infallible person (Pope) or book (Bible)?
The world, the galaxy, the universe is the playground and the creation of the Creator. Let’s go INSIDE and play and then maybe we can go OUTSIDE and be better playmates. Think maybe?
I was sitting still this morning and a thought came to me. Listen and Learn. I am listening to what I am being taught by God through others, by listening to what they say, by reading, music, and what I hear in the Spirit. There are many ways to hear God and I agree no one has the monopoly on that. He equips people through books, music, tv, radio, and nature. We all have a part in this diverse universe and the more we explore, and enjoy it, we will learn as Ernie puts it, better playmates.
Posts like this gets me all worked up/excited and almost spouting off an “Amen!” at my computer screen! Exclusivity in doctrinal beliefs is so pervasive and rampant in my church even though it prides itself in being inclusive and seeker-friendly. Yeah, whatever! We’re not even close to the ideals/values expressed in this post. I’ve got much work to do here!
Amen
Amen – Oh Yea, I like the new format Enjoying Fridays downloads – love hearing everyone share their insights From the pew in Florida
Jared- Something tells me that you are more than capable of doing it. I sense the compassion all the way from Colorado!
Mike- Kudos to the Florida consciousness which takes the time to attune to other voices: different frequences with a similar resonance.
Awesome feedback everyone, and it encourages me the likemindednes and connectedness we can all have regardless of distances (potentially ecumenically and in miles)!
I would say “amen” too. In Avatar, they had a line that says: “You can’t put anything in a cup that’s already full.” May the day come when we can revel in our emptiness, so that the lifes of those around us might fill us up.
There is no spoon!
I like sugar free coco in my coffee cause unlike Ernie, I just can’t bring myself to pay 4 bucks for a cup of coffee (It’s blasphemous!!!!). I’ve found that if I get a small coffee & then try to put in the coco, it spills out around the edges. But if i get a large cup filled 3/4 of the way, there’s plenty of room for coco, whipped cream, maybe even a dash of kaluha. I also keep plenty of extra coco in case someone else wants some—but I never try to force my coco on anyone! (Make your own spiritual analogy–it’s 1 am & I’m just rambling like Howard Dean at an MSNBC interview)