The mountain top may be reached from any side...

The mountain top may be reached from any side...

The terrible tragedy in Norway requires some comment...

We live in changing times. Things are changing so rapidly that fear is becoming the dominant emotion for large chunks of the population. Back when I was in high school (back before 'lectricity?) we called those who wished for a return to the olden days, reactionaries. They brought to mind Disney movies like "Follow Me Boys" and "Toby Tyler," with their gentle longing for the nostalgic past...

Today, those folks have become toxic to the safety and cooperation required of democracy. The psychological diagnosis, "Borderline Personality Disorder," which refers to an individual that engages in Black and White thinking, comes to mind. Black and White thinking occurs when only two alternatives are considered, even when there are addtional options available, which are often shades of gray in between the extremes.

Many religious leaders today are taking advantage of the fear being experienced because of the changes we are experiencing. They are combining the enormous power of media and politics (is there any difference anymore?) and creating/encouraging/ensuring mass "Black and White" thinking. Questions such as, "Whose side are you on?" "Are you with us or against us?" "Are you willing to fight and die for the Lord?" are omni-present. Jesus never asked these type questions, neither did Abraham, Mohammed, Krishna, or Buddha. These questions and their ilk are asked by power hungry religious zealots for the express purpose of psychologically controlling their "sheep." By constantly repeating that YOURS is the only true religion they are plying SEPARATENESS. They know your Ego wants/needs to be special, and through the offer of acceptance by the group (your chosen faith) they gain control of YOU. This Black and White thinking is what leads to Wars. How many wars have there been where each side claims God is on their side, that to give one's life for the Lord is dying for the GREAT CAUSE and will be rewarded in heaven? All of them? Every single one? Are we that easily fooled?

All JUST wars eventually become just WARS! Death/horror/destruction...did I mention death?

I have news for you. Christianity is not the only true faith, nor is Islam, or Judaism, and none of the others is either. We are ALL God's children, EACH as good and worthy as the next. The kernal of truth that is the root of all religions is virtually the same, "Love thy neighbor."  And we EACH have the right to find our own way of connecting with the Universe/God/Tao. The true reason for all religion is to aid one on the road to enlightenment, and they all provide a proven path. But they are each only a single way. The mountain top may be reached from any side...

Today, when you experience fear when exposed to religious ideas different from your own, stamp it back down into the hole where it belongs, in the place where your childhood fears of monsters emanating from under your bed are kept. Instead, seek and offer understanding, find areas of agreement and work from that place. We are ALL one, ALL in this together...

Duffyjw