So many humans are kind to one another. Loving and compassionate. Non-judgemental and accepting. Like magic. They approach life with a light burning bright in their hearts and their souls. And when they walk into a room, that light shines. I have seen these people with my own eyes. They are members of my family, my friends, acquaintances, present and past.
So, when I see those opposite things happening, it makes my own heart heavy.
I’m not sure what makes people think they have the right to treat other human beings horribly. What is it? Especially when they do these things in the name of God.
I’ll tell you what today’s date is. March 24. And on this date, back in 1832, the founder of the Mormon religion, Joseph Smith, was beaten, tarred, and feathered, in Hiram, Ohio.
Now, we may not all agree with the things that Joseph Smith believed, but that certainly isn’t any reason to beat, tar, and feather a guy. But there it was. An example of people treating people miserably.
Before I go any further, I have trouble with many things about religion. I know it has its good points, as so many have pointed out to me. Yet, there is plenty wrong too. Historically, millions of people have been killed in the name of God. People have burnt books in the name of God. They’ve tortured others in the name of God. I can’t imagine an “all-loving” God would be “thumbs up” on this scheme.
Religion is a big part of the world. Billions follow some form of religion or another. Here is the breakdown of who they are.
Christianity — 2.382 billion — 31.1%
Islam — 1.907 billion — 24.9%[1]
Secular[a]/Nonreligious[b]/Agnostic/Atheist — 193 billion — 15.6%
Hinduism — 1.161 billion — 5.2%
Buddhism — 506 million — 5.1%
Chinese traditional religion — 394 million — 5%
Ethnic religions — 300 million — 3%
African traditional religions — 00 million — 1.2%
Sikhism — 26 million — 0.30%
Spiritism — 15 million — 0.19%
Judaism — 14.7 million — 0.18%
Baháʼí — 5.0 million — 0.07%
If it seems like I come down on organized religion sometimes, I do. On a personal level, people in organized religions have judged me harshly and treated me unfairly, all because I am gay. They don’t care that I’ve been in a monogamous, kind, beautiful “marriage” for 32 years. Instead, they let their religion drive their treatment of me. I see this repeatedly happening to other people. In my own life, on the news, in society, and more. And not just with gay people, but with immigrants, people of different races and religions, and on. So, if it seems like I come down on organized religion sometimes, I am guilty as charged. I don’t like when people pee in my Wheaties.
Yet, I know that there are good people who practice religions all around the world. After all, religion and spirituality are both rooted in trying to understand the meaning of life. Oftentimes, they both try to make sense of how a relationship with a higher power may influence life and its meaning.
But, religion and spirituality are very different in practice.
Religion is an organized, community-based system of beliefs. You, most likely, are expected to physically “go” to a church and adhere to specific rules.
Conversely, spirituality resides within the individual and what they personally believe. No buildings needed.
Within religion, there might be spirituality. But being spiritual doesn’t necessarily mean you have a religion. And both can be good for us if they generate a message of goodwill, kindness, and peace toward all people. But many times, people in organized religions only “accept” those who look, waddle, and quack just like they do.
I understand that religion gives people something to believe in. It provides a sense of structure. And, of course, there is that shared commonality of the same beliefs. I understand all those positive aspects of belonging to a religion, and when they are practiced kindly and compassionately, I welcome their contributions to this world of ours.
But many times, this is not the case. And when one religion believes it is better than the next? I want to look at their phone bills to see how many direct calls they have with God telling them so.
Until then, I will try to do what good St. Francis did.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
And if I have offended you? Please let me know where and how I’m getting things wrong.
Peace be with you all.
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Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
God, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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“God has no religion.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
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“God has no religion.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
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“God has no religion.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
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