After studying world religions for over twenty years, it is clear to me that a dominant theme in religious organizations is a negative perspective on humanity. These religions emphasize some failing in the human condition that corresponds to a religious or spiritual goal. For example:
~ within Confucianism, the human problem is chaos and the spiritual solution is societal order;
~ within Buddhism, the human problem is suffering and the spiritual solution is awakening;
~ within Judaism, the human problem is exile and the spiritual solution is to return to God;
~ within Christianity, the human problem is sin and the spiritual solution is salvation;
~ within Islam, the human problem is pride and the spiritual solution is submission.
These religions emphasize that there is only one way, one path to their prescribed spiritual solution, to "God" -- their path. Each has a defined path: follow their rules, follow their directions, or you will not achieve your spiritual goals. Sacred Heart of the Rose believes "the path" may well be unknowable; perhaps it is not an "it" at all. We believe in the Unknowable and the Inevitable Search for Knowing: we believe that All Will Be Revealed. We are open to the possibility of many paths to spiritual well-being and achievement. Order can be good, awakening is good, a return to "God" is good, salvation is good, submission can be good: we do not argue against traditional religions and their belief systems. We simply choose another path, one that includes questioning and discussion. The basis will always be a positive approach: we choose to emphasize the best in humanity.
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Post © ACG April 2010
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