As bloggers, some of us aspire to more intense undertakings such as a novel or a book of poetry while others are content to simply scribble on and on into oblivion. I fall into the latter category with an exception. I would like my writing to make a difference in someone’s life.
My most recent post, ROY MOORE VERSUS TRUTH, details the advancing candidacy in Alabama’s United States Senate race of a man who has been described as a “homophobic, Bible-thumping firebrand.” Indeed some of his verifiable quotes would give credence to that assessment.
I walk this earth as a dedicated anti-religionist. “Religionist” is a term I use frequently to define someone who supports his/her intolerance, bigotry, racism, homophobia with their religion’s label and their religion’s scriptures. Most often they view that scripture as inerrant, literal, and infallible. The religionist’s adherence to a theology of hatred and condemnation precludes the universal message of love, compassion and brotherhood as given to us by Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. For additional clarification, I too love the verses and the wisdom of the great scriptures, but believe it is indefensible for anyone to use those writings as a catalyst for violence.
Perhaps as a means of qualifying myself to the those who are non-believers or to separate myself from people like Roy Moore, I inevitably have a need to mark my anti-religionist statement with an asterisk. * “But, I am blessed with an undying faith in a Higher Power.”
What I share about myself is not a self-promotion. Rather, it is a need to reach out to those who do not understand a faith unbounded by theology or religion, those who have been deeply scarred by purveyors of religious hypocrisy, and those who have been misled by misguided religionists. It is my personal vision of hope in perilous times.
The bowed head and folded hands presented in “Namaste” say, “I bow to the divine in you.” When I greet my brother who does not profess a faith, I say “Namaste” because I know the divine exists within everyone. When that brother who does not profess a faith acknowledges and accepts who I am, he is also saying “Namaste”. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we valued each other more?
Thanks to Scottie for his comment on my post ROY MOORE VERSUS TRUTH. His short comment encapsulates the essence of Jesus into one paragraph.
“While I do not share his faith , nor am I religious in any sense……..I support his view of what faith should be……..there is not only a place for everyone, but a hope for how things could be if we valued each other more.” SCOTTIE @ Scotties’sToyBox
lpb quest - the twilight dance 
You wrote about, ” the universal message of love, compassion and brotherhood as given to us by Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.” I *love* this sentiment.
I heard it described that Spirit/Higher Power/God is like an elephant surrounded by blind people. The person at the tip of the detail says that god is wiry. Someone at a tusk would describe god as hard, cold, and smooth. Each culture is like a different blind person. They see a limited aspect of the Universal Spirit and declare that “This Is God.” But really, it’s just the interpretation from that particular position.
I love Unity’s statement that “many paths lead to God.” I like to use “and”, as in, God is like the tusk, and the tail, and the ear, and the foot. I try to include all perspectives and use techniques from many different faiths to learn about and get closer to my Higher Power. Namaste.
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Thank you Shawn for visiting and commenting. I endured many scars, battles and heartbreak before resting in the concept of the Universal Spirit. The Unity following has been part of that journey. Namaste
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