There is a spiritual awakening happening around the world right now that, I think, has organized religion shaking in their boots. People are starting to realize that we are all in this together and that the things that divide us have been artificially created by those who wish to control us.
Do you have the freedom to decide what you think or do you need to have someone decide for you? When I started attending the Unitarian Universalist church (hereafter referred to as the UU) I was informed that it was a stupid group because they didn’t tell you what you had to believe. This was from someone who was told what to believe at least three times a week and would consult church elders if he encountered a situation beyond his ken. In my mind that sounds a lot like brain washing to me, but free will has me accept that everyone makes their choices in life and I am not the judge of others. Sounds similar to a quote from a famous old book, doesn’t it?
I thinkthere is great wisdom to be had in religious doctrine, but I don’t think that all the answers lie there, or that you have to buy the cow to benefit from drinking milk. No disrespect intended in that comment, just a metaphor.
The key to the UU I think is the root word of Unitarian. Isn’t it better to unite in the truth of peace and the golden rule? There are so many thoughts that are universal in all the great teachings. These are the truths, and through studying them all with no pre-judging, you can see that love is weaved through the fabric of them all. Hate is not. Hate not. Judge not. All you need is love.
Don’t judge a person because they wear a burka, or a turban. Don’t judge a person because they have a crèche in their yard. Don’t judge if they don’t recognize your god, or if they don’t recognize any god. We have more in common than not. All religions and all groups have their bad apples, but in general we all value life, love and family. Although the real time of the birth of Christ was nowhere near December 25th, let’s take this time to realize that we can have peace on Earth, and not just now, but all year ‘round.
Happy Solstice, Kwanza, Yule, Christmas, Chanukah and Ramadan to all. Wait, I have an idea. Who doesn’t like Hawaii? Lets just make it Happy Hula days… ok whatever.
