Religion in its most pure form unites. However, ironic as it is, the greatest culprit in the past and present of egotistical separation has been, not what I call pure religion, but institutionalized religion.

Wherever there is separation there is conflict. When we individually separate our heart from our mind, there is conflict within our soul. When we feel separate from nature, our mind wants to either conquer or control. Organized/Institutionalized Religion through their dogmatic textual beliefs separate into the believers (I’m right) and non-believers (you are wrong). Christians believe in a divine Jesus. Muslims believe in a human Jesus who was a prophet. Unity would come from acknowledging that quite possible he was divine as well as human and was a prophet who brought a radical message that was contrary to the message of the established religious authorities.

The ‘I’m right,’ ‘You’re wrong’ mentality is the worst case of dualism. Where there is dualism, there is separation. There can be no unity. Where there is separation, there is always the potentiality for conflict.

As the reader, you must agree with me that over the past thousands of years, religion has been an underlying factor in so many conflicts that have erupted on this earth. And the same is true today. Of course, there is another very important factor. Where there is the ‘church’ there is power, gold and land to be had (economic power); all in the name of God—that is my God not your God.

I wonder at the uncommon sense that most people seem to use when it comes to religion. Even sometimes to the point of ‘drinking the cool-aide.’ Is it that hard to consider and reflect on the mysteries of self, heaven and earth? Are they that dis-empowered that they blindly have faith and believe what someone else tells them as long as that person wears the symbolic ‘Shepherd’s Frock?’

I do understand that for millions on this earth, survival needs are first and foremost in their conscious. For them the considerations of the mysteries of heaven and earth would definitely take a backseat to the needs of safety, shelter, food and water. This fact alone is a tragedy. And could this be the reason why the ‘powers to be’ desire to keep the people symbolically ‘down?’ If I have to spend the majority of my time ‘toiling the soil’ to get the bare essentials, when am I going to have the strength or metaphoric time to even consider the mysteries of heaven and earth, much less question established beliefs, religious or otherwise?  

But how about the rest of us where shelter, food and water are not survival issues (at least at the present time)? The sun shines on my face and the rain falls on my head—as it does for every human being and creature of this earth. I can be of any faith and have any thought in my mind and the sun will still shine on me; as it will on you. The mystery of life and creation does not discriminate. Why then does organized religion force people through fear and righteousness to discriminate and to ‘see’ others, creatures and humans alike, as different and lesser than themselves? Where is the common sense of the ‘faithful?’ If survival is not the issue, what is consistently more important: following blindly or seeking truth within one’s heart?