“It is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read sympathetically the scriptures of the world. If we are to respect others’ religions as we would have them respect our own, a friendly study of the world’s religions is a sacred duty.” ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi
I was told today, in a very gentle and kind way, that I was going to hell because of my beliefs. This lovely lady wasn’t trying to scare me and, for the most part, she wasn’t really trying to convert me; she was just letting me know – in a very matter of fact, sure way.
My own belief system says that, so long as it isn’t hurting anyone else, everyone is entitled to believe whatever works for them. I’m ok that she believes that a certain set of rules and regulations will lead to her own salvation after death; I just wish she was as ok letting me be me.
What is the right reply to such an assertion in today’s more flexible religious climate, where many of us are practicing what I like to call “salad-bar” spirituality, picking and choosing from various traditions to create something that speaks to our own sense of TRUTH?
I once dated a man who had recommitted himself as an adult to the faith of his childhood. His faith was one of the things I loved about him, but my lack of belief (by his standards) became an issue.
I tried to clarify, “For me, the Force in the Universe is like some great underground river with all these wells reaching down into it. We choose the well that is closest to home, or which makes us feel most comfortable, but it’s all the same water.”
I was really pleased with this account, but then I heard the silence on the other end of the phone. And in a flash of inspiration, I knew.
“You think all the rest of us are drinking muddy water, don’t you?”
“All I can tell you is what my faith says,” he replied.
We didn’t last much longer.
There are very few people I know who at the very bottom of it all don’t share pretty much the same values. We love our families and friends and want them to be happy and healthy. We want to do honest work for an honest wage. We want to take care of our small corner of the planet. For the most part, we do our best to do what we think is right…
Why can’t we leave it at that, and save the afterlife until we get there?
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy
I think Pete and Maura Kennedy (with a little help from Curtis Mayfield) sum it up nicely with their song “Stand”. If I remember correctly, Maura woke up dreaming of the chorus…everyone standing together. And that’s the way it plays out when they perform it. It’s an inevitable tear-fest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoifWP5yyko
Can you feel a song rising up?
Can you hear the language of love?
Can we walk together
The winding road up to the rising sun?
Was a time we could only see
Waves of grain from sea to shining sea
Now the world is smaller, but our dreams
are larger than they used to be
Come on and stand, Come on now, stand
Come on and stand, plant your sword in the sand
in this age of unreason
there’s a time and a season for love, stand
i know you can
Like a pilgrim traveling in disguise
I searched for God, i found it in your eyes
Now I know there is a place
where sweet compassion never dies
It’s between the darkness of the light
in the deepest stillness of the night
there’s a fire that burns
where hearts will find their wings and take to flight
Come on and stand, Come on now, stand
Come on and stand, plant your sword in the sand
in this age of unreason
there’s a time and a season for love, stand
if you feel love, stand
Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, Jesus, Brahma
People get ready, there’s a train it’s coming
Many different legends, just one story
All aboard the train that’s bound for Glory
Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, Jesus, Brahma
People get ready, there’s a train it’s coming
Many different legends, just one story
All aboard the train that’s bound for Glory
Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, Jesus, Brahma
People get ready, there’s a train it’s coming
Many different legends, just one story
All aboard the train that’s bound for Glory