Religion
I have noticed there is a lot of people who are anti-religion on this social networking site. I can understand why some of you may feel that way. In my own inner reflection I have found that being against religion isn't always good. I wrote a blog about this very subject a week or two ago. It was actually picked up by a local newspaper and published, but I would like feedback from those who are critical of it. Here it is...
Religion: A Doorway
"And he to whom worshipping is a window, to open but also to shut, has not yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn." – Kahlil Gibran
Did you miss it?
Did you know that the door was open?
Why did you shut it?
Why did you shut out the very thing that you are looking for?
As I sat in one of my classes today an argument broke out. One party was discussing how he believed that his priest had the power to exercise demons, and the other, a self proclaim rationalist was trying to debunk his belief.
When you are studying religion in college, you see this kind of argument all the time. Admittedly, I myself have been guilty of participating in these kinds of discussions. But today was different for me. Today I sat back and watched patiently, letting the argument unfold.
Both were highly intelligent individuals, both had many arguments that fit their point of view, but neither could convince the other. They were at a stalemate. Both were speaking eloquently, but neither was listening.
I remembered how frustrating that is. You feel that you know you are right and the other person is definitely wrong. There is no question in your mind of who will win the debate. You know that if you just keep at it, eventually the other party will see the error of their ways.
But ultimately neither party can win. The reason is that all beliefs, all ideas, all thoughts, and all religions are a doorway. They are a place from where we can move from. Every element of consciousness is a place that we can move from. We must learn to start where we are at, and simply open the door.
What does it mean to open the door? It means that you should remember that your thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and religion are all relative to you. Why are they relative to you? It is because all your experiences and perceptions color your mental constructs. Can you honestly say that you have ever met anyone who agreed with you 100%?
The moment you feel that you can win a debate of this nature, is the moment you have closed the door on yourself. You have missed an opportunity to see into the heart and mind of another individual and have a profound and shared experience of the human condition. I did notice that one of the two individuals was almost there, he was almost reaching out to the other. I will not say which one it was, but he was giving the other the benefit of the doubt.
When it comes to ones mental constructs, we must give the other the benefit of the doubt. Why? Because in the end there is really no argument to be won. If you think there is something to be won, then you have missed the point of the power of the human exchange.
Just listen to others, learn from them as much as you can. Even if their ideas contradict your own, it is important to listen, and then look into your heart. When one argues over their beliefs, or ideas, they are becoming defensive because of fear. They are afraid something is going to be damaged or destroyed.
One who possesses great wisdom, knows that he cannot speak of it properly. One who possesses great knowledge, does not boast, but uses it for the benefit of others. One who loving, does not ask for credit for good deeds, and does not brag about them. One who knows the truth, knows that truth can never be attacked or injured.
Religion is a door because it can open you up to love, or it can close in your face to fear. Science is a door because it can open you up to the great possibilities and wonders of the universe, or it can close your mind to them. Emotions are a door because it can help you to connect to other human beings, or it can close your heart to mistrust and resentment.
No matter what position you take, open your heart, open your mind, open your thoughts, to the idea that the other party may have some validity to what they are saying. Even if there is a single pearl in the whole ocean of conversation, is it not worth finding that pearl?
Michael Kilman
Religion: A Doorway
"And he to whom worshipping is a window, to open but also to shut, has not yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn." – Kahlil Gibran
Did you miss it?
Did you know that the door was open?
Why did you shut it?
Why did you shut out the very thing that you are looking for?
As I sat in one of my classes today an argument broke out. One party was discussing how he believed that his priest had the power to exercise demons, and the other, a self proclaim rationalist was trying to debunk his belief.
When you are studying religion in college, you see this kind of argument all the time. Admittedly, I myself have been guilty of participating in these kinds of discussions. But today was different for me. Today I sat back and watched patiently, letting the argument unfold.
Both were highly intelligent individuals, both had many arguments that fit their point of view, but neither could convince the other. They were at a stalemate. Both were speaking eloquently, but neither was listening.
I remembered how frustrating that is. You feel that you know you are right and the other person is definitely wrong. There is no question in your mind of who will win the debate. You know that if you just keep at it, eventually the other party will see the error of their ways.
But ultimately neither party can win. The reason is that all beliefs, all ideas, all thoughts, and all religions are a doorway. They are a place from where we can move from. Every element of consciousness is a place that we can move from. We must learn to start where we are at, and simply open the door.
What does it mean to open the door? It means that you should remember that your thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and religion are all relative to you. Why are they relative to you? It is because all your experiences and perceptions color your mental constructs. Can you honestly say that you have ever met anyone who agreed with you 100%?
The moment you feel that you can win a debate of this nature, is the moment you have closed the door on yourself. You have missed an opportunity to see into the heart and mind of another individual and have a profound and shared experience of the human condition. I did notice that one of the two individuals was almost there, he was almost reaching out to the other. I will not say which one it was, but he was giving the other the benefit of the doubt.
When it comes to ones mental constructs, we must give the other the benefit of the doubt. Why? Because in the end there is really no argument to be won. If you think there is something to be won, then you have missed the point of the power of the human exchange.
Just listen to others, learn from them as much as you can. Even if their ideas contradict your own, it is important to listen, and then look into your heart. When one argues over their beliefs, or ideas, they are becoming defensive because of fear. They are afraid something is going to be damaged or destroyed.
One who possesses great wisdom, knows that he cannot speak of it properly. One who possesses great knowledge, does not boast, but uses it for the benefit of others. One who loving, does not ask for credit for good deeds, and does not brag about them. One who knows the truth, knows that truth can never be attacked or injured.
Religion is a door because it can open you up to love, or it can close in your face to fear. Science is a door because it can open you up to the great possibilities and wonders of the universe, or it can close your mind to them. Emotions are a door because it can help you to connect to other human beings, or it can close your heart to mistrust and resentment.
No matter what position you take, open your heart, open your mind, open your thoughts, to the idea that the other party may have some validity to what they are saying. Even if there is a single pearl in the whole ocean of conversation, is it not worth finding that pearl?
Michael Kilman
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cal-el on
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This is excellent and has something to do with something I'm about to post. Much appreciated.
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Permalink Reply by mjfaustino arsatelier on
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I find it very nice, the way you put it! An open and sincere dialogue without resentment... and love. Thanks Michael!
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Permalink Reply by Peace_maker on
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yes so so true here if people can only listen to there hearts not there egos as well but listen to what the other one is saying then being afraid that the other may know the answer better then you know ur self. I think we all have the same belief system" no matter how we think or agree it is about the same thought or theory. I know talking 2a ( e theist ) he only believes one thing is only the creation of the universe that had created earth or the universe has a billion suns and only take away there is No God, but the theories how the big bang thing happen to create such as the solar systems. it is like finding a needle in the haystack. as well is the same for finding the answer who created heaven and earth in sevens days..................."
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Permalink Reply by Kana Gopal on
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i love the last sentence in your posting and i still don't like religions. i find them divisive. but i love God, who i connect to thru meditation.
I don't like the rituals and some of the beliefs that come with religion but if they help a person become a better human being, i am ok with that.
i think the highest form of devotion is to love God. to love God is to love humanity. i have no difficulty loving God, who i relate to as an ocean of love and wisdom, a beautiful being. hence, i'd say connecting to the spirit. being spiritual and walking in God's footsteps is the answer to us opening our hearts and minds to others. -
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Permalink Reply by Michael on
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I am not a huge fan of religions either, but I have learned a lot by studying them and trying to understand them. As I continue to do so, I see more and more how people have been given an wonderful opportunity with religion and with science that they rarely take.
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The Point here is not to lecture on what you believe, but to recognize there is an opportunity to find wisdom in opposing mental constructs. I respect your beliefs but remember they are not shared by all. I do not believe in Satan or the Devil, or some evil force that is out there for corruption. That is simply an example, my point is that everyone has a seed of wisdom.
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I wasn't denying you but your response felt a bit out of place with the rest of the thread here. Again my point is that everyone has a seed of wisdom.
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Permalink Reply by Pittan on
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God's instructions are the same but their interpretations are many. Don't confuse religion with spirituality.
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spirituality unites because it focuses on the spirit's innate purity/truth, wisdom, creativity and its expression. what the spirit/soul/atma/Self expresses is this beauty thru values. take any religion and reduce it and you will get values.
i have been doing living values education training for the last 8 years and i always find one outcome -- people bond despite their diversity. in 2004, i conducted a living values training for 35 muslims and christians in jogjakarta, indonesia where peace,love and tolerance was the order. it was such a beautiful experience. this while the majority muslims were hunting down the minority christians in another part of indonesia.
religion can divide when we get fanatical and intolerant because then we focus on the differences. -
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I believe so much any thing can be a solution that one can be able to under stand the concepts that one can bring with the beliefs for any religion to make life and thge people of many faiths to come together
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Spirituality does not always unite. I have encountered many people who are "Spiritual" but do nothing but divide people. Spiritual is a label just like religion. It is not perfect either. It is a mental construct created out of subjective experience and human perspective. If you are focusing on "the truth" then you have in fact missed the entire point. There is no "truth" there are many "truths" the moment you think you have the answer it has become a belief and the truth is lost.
Anything can become fanatical. Most of the conflicts in the name of religion are actual conflicts about resources. In fact I challenge anyone to name a conflict that is entirely about religion and has nothing to do with politics, resources. or land. Religion divides because it is intertwined with politics and struggles for power.
Spirituality has not seen too much of this yet because it is small. I have seen battles over what that term means, and exclusion of others (myself being one of them) for simply disagreeing with some of the power based structures within spirituality. People believe in this higher, lower, vibration stuff and that certain people are awake and others are not. Spiritual people believe in the teachings but they do not say what to do with those who find no value in the teachings.
My point in all this is again, there are seeds of wisdom in everything. We should not discount anyone or anything. I have met people in all religions, beliefs, and so on that have great wisdom. I have met a devout Christian with a great respect for other beliefs for example. She taught me more about the value of the Christian Religion then I could have ever found if I had not given her a chance to speak.
Listen to others, many of you who responded threw up your guard about your own beliefs making statements about the beliefs of others. If you feel a need to defend your mental construct then you are identifying with it, and that my friends is ego based, and no different then any other religion or scientific construction. Stop trying to defend and just be open to listening. My beliefs are highly flawed as well. I know it and so I must always listen to what others have to say. That was the point. -
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Just because someone has a religion, doesn't mean they aren't spiritual. Each interpretation has inherent value. That doesn't mean you have to agree with them, but respect here is key. I have found out more about myself with those I totally disagree with, then I ever could with those I do agree with. Everyone is on their part of the path, it is not our place to judge if that path is good or not.
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