juantoo3
....whys guy.... ʎʇıɹoɥʇnɐ uoıʇsǝnb
I realize some people are very passionate about their beliefs. I am about my own. There is a certain freedom in taking control over one’s own destiny, in taking charge of one’s fate, if not in this life then certainly in what is to come.
Then there are others who, for lack of a better way to put it, could care less. They are only too happy to have their fates dictated to them. To some degree I suppose we are all subject to this. We can’t all be doctors, and plumbers, and auto mechanics and computer whizzes, all at the same time. We have a tendency to specialize, in large part because there are only so many hours in a day, and only so much brain to wrap around a given subject. So we take in what we can, those things that are important to us and relevant to our situation. Some people are content to allow another to direct their walk in life, to conduct their affairs in accord with how some particular spiritual leader tells them. They are content to have their spiritual lives directed by a “specialist.” After all, we trust specialists to know what they are doing.
I suppose this is acceptable, provided the spiritual leader sincerely has the best interests of the individual at heart. It is also a heavy responsibility, guiding another along the walk of faith. The problem enters when one discovers that the typical spiritual leader is every bit as human as the next person. Place a person on a pedestal, and they will invariably fall, sooner or later.
Being enslaved to a particular doctrine, held in bondage by the attitudes of another, can be a risky proposition. I have had the misfortune of walking that path once. I didn’t question the sincerity of the person I am speaking of, but over time I noticed that the goalposts kept changing. And, of course, if my own outlook did not change in lockstep with “his,” there was something wrong with me. The reality was nothing of the sort. It took time, a great deal of it, but I came to the realization I needed to direct my own walk. I have done so since. Forever is a very long time, and my soul is precious to me. I no longer trust it to any specialist.
There is empowerment in walking my own walk. Now, I wish to be clear, I do not mean making things up as I go, or picking and choosing a “smorgasbord” religion. I do mean studying for myself in the chosen walk I prefer, and using common sense to guide myself on that path.
I suspect, after a lot of years of travelling this road, that this empowerment is what the leaders of the various religions had in mind. In fairness, I can only speak with semi-certainty regarding the teachings of Jesus, much less so of all others, but I suspect empowerment of the individual is the underlying principle behind all of the major faiths.
There is a huge difference. I do not think the major faiths began with the intent of enslaving the people with doctrine and dogma. I think many people get hung up on “the letter of the law,” and overlook the intent behind it. I think the intent underlying the major faiths is the empowerment of the individual. The spiritual leaders whose words we look to guide our lives by originally came “to set the captives free.”
Trouble is, there is power in slavery. Political machines the world over understand this. And the typical under-educated “common” person has little clue, and even less political ability to resist. But the times, they are a-changin’. Especially with the advent of the internet, and the ability to interact with people of diverse walks, allows empowerment on a degree unheard of before. We have only to reach out and grab the golden ring.
This forum allows a unique perspective, further fostering empowerment. Yet many do not understand that empowerment. There still exists in the world, and even here, those who feel their walk is the only walk. In the sense that their walk is correct for them, their view is legitimate. Beyond that, when there is insistence that their walk is the only way for others, they knowingly or not wish to enslave, rather than empower.
It is a fine line, believing passionately in a walk of faith, and imposing that passionate belief on others. It is one thing to share a point of view, to share “what works for me.” It is quite another to impose that belief, whatever it may be, on all comers, to the exclusion of other walks.
If I seem passionate in my walk, it is because I am passionate about it. Part of that walk is to empower others. Which is why I do not discount other points of view, even if I personally disagree. It is why I take exception to self-proclaimed prophets who “know the truth.” It is why I do not impose my views on others. I stand my ground if I feel well founded, but I do not disregard the views of others. It is better I think, to walk my walk, and live my life as an example. Sometimes I goof up, we all do. I do not belong on a pedestal, and I would immediately climb back down if someone tried to place me there.
Those who would enslave others, climb the pedestal of their own volition, and defy others to knock them off. And they will fall, it is only a matter of time. It is inevitable; it is human nature assisted by the law of gravity.
Then there are others who, for lack of a better way to put it, could care less. They are only too happy to have their fates dictated to them. To some degree I suppose we are all subject to this. We can’t all be doctors, and plumbers, and auto mechanics and computer whizzes, all at the same time. We have a tendency to specialize, in large part because there are only so many hours in a day, and only so much brain to wrap around a given subject. So we take in what we can, those things that are important to us and relevant to our situation. Some people are content to allow another to direct their walk in life, to conduct their affairs in accord with how some particular spiritual leader tells them. They are content to have their spiritual lives directed by a “specialist.” After all, we trust specialists to know what they are doing.
I suppose this is acceptable, provided the spiritual leader sincerely has the best interests of the individual at heart. It is also a heavy responsibility, guiding another along the walk of faith. The problem enters when one discovers that the typical spiritual leader is every bit as human as the next person. Place a person on a pedestal, and they will invariably fall, sooner or later.
Being enslaved to a particular doctrine, held in bondage by the attitudes of another, can be a risky proposition. I have had the misfortune of walking that path once. I didn’t question the sincerity of the person I am speaking of, but over time I noticed that the goalposts kept changing. And, of course, if my own outlook did not change in lockstep with “his,” there was something wrong with me. The reality was nothing of the sort. It took time, a great deal of it, but I came to the realization I needed to direct my own walk. I have done so since. Forever is a very long time, and my soul is precious to me. I no longer trust it to any specialist.
There is empowerment in walking my own walk. Now, I wish to be clear, I do not mean making things up as I go, or picking and choosing a “smorgasbord” religion. I do mean studying for myself in the chosen walk I prefer, and using common sense to guide myself on that path.
I suspect, after a lot of years of travelling this road, that this empowerment is what the leaders of the various religions had in mind. In fairness, I can only speak with semi-certainty regarding the teachings of Jesus, much less so of all others, but I suspect empowerment of the individual is the underlying principle behind all of the major faiths.
There is a huge difference. I do not think the major faiths began with the intent of enslaving the people with doctrine and dogma. I think many people get hung up on “the letter of the law,” and overlook the intent behind it. I think the intent underlying the major faiths is the empowerment of the individual. The spiritual leaders whose words we look to guide our lives by originally came “to set the captives free.”
Trouble is, there is power in slavery. Political machines the world over understand this. And the typical under-educated “common” person has little clue, and even less political ability to resist. But the times, they are a-changin’. Especially with the advent of the internet, and the ability to interact with people of diverse walks, allows empowerment on a degree unheard of before. We have only to reach out and grab the golden ring.
This forum allows a unique perspective, further fostering empowerment. Yet many do not understand that empowerment. There still exists in the world, and even here, those who feel their walk is the only walk. In the sense that their walk is correct for them, their view is legitimate. Beyond that, when there is insistence that their walk is the only way for others, they knowingly or not wish to enslave, rather than empower.
It is a fine line, believing passionately in a walk of faith, and imposing that passionate belief on others. It is one thing to share a point of view, to share “what works for me.” It is quite another to impose that belief, whatever it may be, on all comers, to the exclusion of other walks.
If I seem passionate in my walk, it is because I am passionate about it. Part of that walk is to empower others. Which is why I do not discount other points of view, even if I personally disagree. It is why I take exception to self-proclaimed prophets who “know the truth.” It is why I do not impose my views on others. I stand my ground if I feel well founded, but I do not disregard the views of others. It is better I think, to walk my walk, and live my life as an example. Sometimes I goof up, we all do. I do not belong on a pedestal, and I would immediately climb back down if someone tried to place me there.
Those who would enslave others, climb the pedestal of their own volition, and defy others to knock them off. And they will fall, it is only a matter of time. It is inevitable; it is human nature assisted by the law of gravity.
. i appreciate your post.