Many people think that all pagan religions are the same. But there are many different pagan religions. I am going to discuss two of them, Voodoo and Wicca. We will start with the religion of each. Wicca includes the worship of the Goddess and sometimes the God (Pan) and the Goddess. In Wicca, most everything involves the moon phase-the moon represents the Goddess.

With actual Wicca, members must follow the Wiccan Rede. It is a list of rules that all Wiccans must follow. In this is contained one of the major rules which is to harm none. There is no black or even grey magic included in Wicca. They also teach that it is wrong to try to control ones free will. Wicca is one of the most loving and peaceful religions that I have ever come across. They do not impose their beliefs on others nor spurn those who think differently.

Now Voodoo is a completely different subject. In the Voodoo religion, members “serve the Loas”. This is not so much a worship as it is a paying tribute for favors done. The Loas are the spirits of Voodoo. There are literally hundreds of them. Normally a member will choose one or just a few Loas to serve. The members will give offerings either on their own altars or will give offerings at a temple or hounfor. Voodoo does not follow the same rules as the Wiccans.

Voodoo is quite alright with controlling a person’s will if it is for the greater good. Voodoo is also just fine with revenge or justice done to a person who has brought intentional harm to another.

Wicca is more of an Earth religion. It celebrates the changing of the seasons as well as moon phases. Voodoo celebrates special days that honor particular Loas. There are some people who claim to be Wiccan but they do not follow any of the Wiccan beliefs. In the same manner, there are people who claim to perform Voodoo magic, but they do not follow the Voodoo religion and therefore cannot possibly be performing Voodoo magic.

Some people claim that there are similarities in the Catholic religion and Voodoo. They claim that the saints and the Loas are actually the same. This is not true. The truth is that in order to try not to be persecuted, the members of the Voodoo community tried to disguise their religious beliefs as those of Catholic religion. Voodoo practitioners even today in some countries are jailed and even killed. Members of the Wiccan religion as well have suffered at the hands of religious radicals who would try to destroy anyone with different religious beliefs from their own.

There are many differences between Wicca and Voodoo, but the one thing that they do share is the fact that they are both very old religions and that they are both do not persecute people with different religious views-even though their members are persecuted not only in the past, but also today.

Creativity Writing Class at Stanford focusing on Science Fiction considered.

As a non-religious person, I’ve written some Science Fiction that blends religious beliefs of my characters and the society at large into the fray of the plot and genre. I find this a nice way to teach the reader to think in ‘what ifs’ and question their belief system. A strong devout religious person will surely come to their same conclusion, perhaps someone on the fence might be reached and to a non-believer, well heck I am just writing to the choir so to speak.

Now then, there was an interesting video posted to YouTube titled; “Getting Creative” in which the professor explains a class that she teaches. In the YouTube video the description explains; “Opportunities for students to be creative outside of arts classes are few. In Professor Hester Gelber’s class, students engage with religious studies by creating their own short stories. They read science fiction and fantasy novels to explore our modern take on religion.”

This is an interesting concept, for instance consider L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and creator of Scientology (a religion now with millions of followers, including one very famous actor – Tom Cruise). Obviously, his writings were inspired by religion, how it worked, why it worked and the flaws he saw in it as well as contradictions to modern science, especially if one attempts to size these older religions up by their verbatim, literal interpretation.

I wonder with the professors PC (politically correct) displacement, if a student who is less-than-PC or SC (socially correct) could expect to get a decent grade? I am somewhat troubled by her openness to project her views even in this video. After all, true creativity would be a divergence from the current society, otherwise it is mimicking the current paradigm and taking the current trends and focusing them forward.

Many of the past Sci Fi writers were completely critical of their time, or the perception of the era they lived. Can this professor be non-bias in grading? I wonder, also if she assists the student in reasoning through things then inherently, whether meaningful or not, has the student imagining the professor’s future or views. I think true creativity and pushing the envelope of society, needs to shake it to its core, so then, the trend lines today need to be shown for their mistakes in many regards. Do you see my points?

Is it really creativity to rehash the same arguments about religion over-and-over again? Not really, is my answer. Will these students come up with any new genres while learning to be creative using this methodology? Maybe, but likely not – what do you think?

The Alignment Process

“God is with us.” But who is us? When us means all of us-humanity as a whole-then the statement “God is with us” is a source of hope. No doubt, that is why the Christian scriptures ascribe to Jesus the name Emmanuel-a name that means “God with us.” In the conception of the Gospel writer, this man Jesus comes to be God’s presence in the human race. In other words, God is with us all.

But that’s not the only way this phrase is used, is it? Many will recognize “God is with us” as the phrase emblazoned on the belt buckles of Hitler’s Wehrmacht. There, it was not a source of hope, but of terror. Its meaning was not so universal, not so inclusive. For the Nazi soldiers who wore it, this phrase meant, “God is with us-and not with you.“

Nor were Nazi soldiers the only ones who took such an exclusionary view of God.

Throughout human history, people have aligned with the doctrine, teaching, culture and religious practice that surrounded them, beginning at home. The never-ending search for God, for truth, for salvation, hope and fairness has driven those who have seen injustice, persecution, slavery, murder and genocide throughout each period of history-even since before the time of Moses.

People aligned with what they were taught as they grew from small children into adults who for the majority of the human race brought their beliefs regarding religion and other members of the human race into their daily lives.

Many people believed that one section of humanity-their section of the world, made up of those who aligned with their beliefs-were the right ones. They (and they alone) were the ones whom God was with. Many people who were taught a different doctrine or practice also aligned with their fellow humans, and most times, specific leaders declared war and persecution to come upon anyone whose religious beliefs as well as cultural differences should be eliminated.

The purpose of this book is to reach every member of the human race, not by might or right, but only by the compelling power of its simple and obvious truth.

It is my heartfelt belief that the insights of this book do not originate with me, but are inspired in me by God. You may conceive of this “God” as the Father of Jesus Christ. You may know Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. You may know God as Allah. Or you may acknowledge a Creator, or Mind, or Great Spirit, or the Depth Dimension of human existence, or the Infinite Horizon of being, or your own Higher Power, or Higher Self, or the Ultimate Concern of your life. These (and still other) names and images of God are all equally honored in this text, and any of these names may appropriately be given to the One whom I see as the source of the thoughts I seek to share with you in these pages.

In nearly all conceptions of God, it is agreed that the divine will is for humanity to be united. And one of the great ironies is that the various religions which share this belief are, themselves, so often responsible for the disunity-even the outright hatred and war-between human beings, all in the name of God and truth. The burning question that this book tackles, then, is why it should not be possible for people with various religious alignments to treat one another’s beliefs with respect and learn to live together in peace even amid their religious differences.

Religions often make reference to “the end times.” Ever wonder what, exactly, is ending? The physical world as we know it, for sure-even scientists must attest to that fact. But more. Consider this possibility: “The end times” bring the end of separation between people who have all been created “in the image and likeness” of God. “The end times,” then, are also the beginning. They are the beginning of the unity of all people. It stands to reason, then, that all our efforts toward human unification are efforts toward ushering in “the end times.” When we work toward realigning religion, we bring our world a giant step closer to the end of the world as we know it, and the beginning of what some call “the Kingdom of God.”

And prevail we will! I ask you to take the words of this text into your heart and mind as you decide for yourself if what I brought through rings true to you and for you.

Perhaps you may experience a paradigm shift. Perhaps you may understand more about divine will and every religion that exists on earth.

There is much that will be asked of you. Much that, in the deepest core of your heart and mind, will ignite with the kind of understanding that is as deep as it is crucial

The human race needs you. You come to this book with your own understanding of religion-perhaps with a skepticism or mistrust that is born from experience. Trust that experience: It is real. Use your experience as a measuring stick to judge the truth of what others tell you about religion. Use it to judge the truth of this book. If what I have to say about realigning religion is true, it will make sense in light of your experience. Then it will be up to you to decide what comes next.

There is no punishment at all if you choose to dismiss the messages given to you in this text. However, the result of that dismissal will only be heartache, alienation, broken lives and-in the most extreme examples-continued bloodshed among people, perhaps in your part of the world, perhaps in your own community. Prevention of unnecessary pain and bloodshed is what this book will achieve, but that can only be done when you decide to embrace and live the message.

It is the deepest hope of each member of the human race to have inner peace in his or her own personal life; to have outer peace in his or her home, neighborhood, village, town and schools where his or her children learn.

If you have been drawn to read this book, you are being asked two things: to lead and to understand. You are asked to lead by your own example of religious peace, tolerance and compassion for others. And you are asked to understand that others will need to extend this same compassion, peace and tolerance toward you.

The ground rule of every major religion is love. The foundation of love is truth. Let us now explore how we can realign religion so that it reflects the truth you know in your heart and inspires the love all true religion seeks.

Remember that the human race can only evolve as each human being evolves into his or her highest and purest truth. The truths revealed in this text can ultimately free humanity to live in peace-now and forevermore.

Excerpt © Copyright 2009 by Barbara Rose, PhD All Rights Reserved, Exclusive Book Excerpt re=published with permission from the book Realigning Religion Published by The Rose Group (October 2009) ISBN-13: 978-0-9788955-7-0

Many women take belly dancing classes for many different reasons. Some of these reasons are personal and some are public. Among those who attend church there is that question of “Is it okay to take belly dancing lessons?” Religious beliefs may or may not interfere with taking lessons.

Religious Beliefs

There are different beliefs or rules with different denominations. Playing cards, social dancing, covering your hair, wearing makeup, dress codes, are a few of these restrictions. If personal and religious beliefs are in conflict with taking dance then do not participate.

If the church you attend sees dancing as a sin, then any dance art will be taboo and you will be led to believe that you are sinning against a superior being. If a church ritual says you must fast for 3 days, water only; then do not eat. It is your personal choice to follow the teachings of your chosen church or not.

There are church goers who participate in square dancing, folk dancing, line dancing, waltz and tango, and many other forms of dance. The same can be said of belly dancing; folkloric and ethnic costume styles cover the body from head to toe.

How We Think

The main theme is how you think. If you think something is evil, then it is. If it is a good thing, then it is good. Just as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, likewise, evil and good are in the eyes of the beholder. Belly dancing can be thought of in either direction depending on the thinking and presentation of the person who is considering studying this form of art.

History

Originally belly dancing was used as birthing exercises and for the birthing process. During idle times women danced for social reasons in the company of other women. This enjoyment continues in our modern world.

Historically women have danced in spiritual ceremonies and events; no thoughts of evil or offensive behaviors were ever performed for a spiritual being.

Other Motivations

If the dancer decides that she wants to be provocative, wear scanty costuming, and move her body to entice male strangers… this is another story. These women have other motivations which are not accepted by any church and their teachings.

Benefits

1. Belly dancing offers benefits designed for the female body. It offers healthy solutions for mental, physical, and spiritual needs.

2. It is a dance which helps people to experience happiness, good health, and the celebration of life.

3. This dance helps many women to appreciate and accept their female body.

4. They develop a better understanding of their mental and physical attributes, and in turn are respected.

5. Women have many issues working in a man’s world and there are uncomfortable and challenging conflicts which many women struggle against. This dance offers them the opportunity to understand and cope with these difficult issues.

Suicide bombers have existed for centuries. Their motives during war can almost be understood as similar to other warriors who sacrifice themselves for their country or personal beliefs. It is a military tactic excused by religious belief, and promoted through societal values and traditions. It evolves through centuries of traditional values, teachings, and positive reinforcement strategies designed to breed future generations of those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

By understanding the psychology that motivates suicide bombers, criminal profilers are better able to recognize and potentially understand this extremist movement. Then, if understood, the more complicated question remains as to what to do about it.

Overview

Suicide bombers are motivated and systematically conditioned through societal upbringing, including:

• governmental support;
• encouragement and enforcement of religious beliefs;
• societal approval for courageous deeds by recognizing suicide bombers as heroes; and,
• a basic belief system that the self is less important than the interests or needs of the country or society.

Throughout generations, parents, friends, relatives, religious leaders, and governmental leaders have promoted a religious ideology that supports and promotes bombings as a legitimate individual and governmental defense system. It is this ideology that criminal profilers confront when seeking solutions to resolve a generational system that permeates beyond borders.

Motive

Through individual sacrifice suicide bombers believe their death will immediately enter them into Paradise. The suicide bomber is captivated by the idea of the martyr. They seek religious salvation through religious martyrdom. They are willing to die for their beliefs and believe that their courage will be rewarded in Heaven. Martyrdom provides individual purpose encouraged by societal rewards with recognition, awards, and monetary incentive for relatives and friends. Honor and honorable mention whether on earth or in heaven encourage the suicide bomber who is rewarded with his portrait placed in a shrine or his name mentioned during a religious ceremony.

This attitude breeds in a society that considers the individual as less important than the needs of the country or society. We learn what we are taught.

One of the more prevailing reasons that motives suicide bombers is the honor and admiration they receive following commission of the suicide mission and their death. It is considered a religious obligation to honor and admire the family of a shahid. Families of shuhada receive substantial financial rewards, mainly from Gulf countries and especially from Saudi Arabia, but also from a special fund created by Saddam Hussein.

Another frequently mentioned motivation is “battling Israel,” according to Avishai Margalit, author of The Suicide Bombers. Battling Israel “is one of the most urgent tasks of the defensive jihad.” It is considered a duty that should be undertaken by any Muslim, man or woman, and it overrides any other obligation. The idea of defensive jihad can easily be understood as carrying out the national goal of “freeing the land” from the presence of the invaders,” explain Margalit.

The motives of suicide bombers has been questioned and researched in attempts to understand what most of us consider incomprehensible. What is particularly confusing is the religious connotation combined with a willingness to end one’s life so quickly in search of an unknown afterlife. This seems to be a conscious contradiction to the purpose of religion and religious life.

Conclusion

In summary, suicide bombers are motivated and systematically conditioned as a result of societal upbringing, including: religious beliefs; governmental support; encouragement and enforcement of religious beliefs; societal approval for courageous deeds by recognizing bombers as heroes; and, a basic belief system that the self is less important than the interests or needs of the country or society.

Throughout generations, parents, friends, relatives, religious leaders, and governmental leaders have promoted a religious ideology that supports and promotes suicide bombings as a legitimate individual and governmental defense system.

We learn what we are taught and believe what we learn.

It is quite disturbing and embarrassing to the indigenous African that our traditional religious values are on a downward slope. In his book; “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”, Walter Rodney argues that the ravaging underdevelopment in Africa, can be traced to the cultural and political imperialism by the colonial masters. However, we are not concerned with political imperialism here. Rather, we are mainly concerned with the religious imperialism on Africa, by foreign Missionaries.

Before the advent of these Missionaries, Africa had it own traditional religions and belief systems. In Northern Nigeria for example, the dominant traditional religion was The Bòòríí. The bòòríí priestesses called Inna, communed with the spirit through ecstatic dance rituals. This act of ritual protected the society and also provided healing and divination for the people. In the south eastern part of Nigeria, the dominant traditional religion is called The Òdìnànì, having Chúkwú as the high God, and Ágbàrà or Álúsí as the lesser spirit. In the south west, the yorubas venerated the traditional God, Ólódumarè, through lesser gods or Òrìsa like; Orúnmìlà(grand priest), Ògún(god of iron), Yemoja(mother of waters), Sàngó(god of fire and thunder), the gorgeous Yeye Osùn (Second wife of Sàngó), and Oya(Third wife of Sàngó).However, with the introduction of foreign religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and so on, these traditional religions began to diminish gradually.

Today, these foreign religious beliefs have permeated the whole African continent, to the extent that majority of Africans including Nigerians, no longer venerate their traditional Gods. To make matters even worse, most people perceive traditional religions as uncivilised and belonging to local, poor and barbaric people. Using Nigeria as a case study, the Pew Research Centre(PRC) reported that as at 2012, 49.3% of Nigeria’s population were Christians, 48.8% were Muslims, while the followers of indigenous traditional religions were 1.9%. This is quite embarrassing and disturbing. This report shows that we have simply abandoned and neglected our own traditional religions, and taken shelter in a foreign religion.

Yes, the missionaries painted their religions as the only true religion, but this is only normal for them to do. Every child a product of his epoche. Let us consider this scenario to illustrate Better. An English man went to the grave to honour his dead brother, by putting beautiful flowers on the grave. After doing this, he turned to his right and saw a Chinese man who also came to honour his dead sister by pouring rice on the grave. On seeing this, the English man laughed and said; “Do you think your dead sister will get up and eat that rice?”. The Chinese man replied; “If you think your dead brother will get up and smell the fragrance of your flower, then my dead sister should also get up and eat my rice”. In China, rice is highly valued, while in the English countries, flowers are more valued. My point is this, since the missionaries defended their indigenous religion, then we Africans should also value and defend our traditional religions.

Unfortunately, due to the undeniable fact that these foreign religions have eaten deep into the heart of Africa, eradicating them seems an impossible task. But something can still be done to address the problem of negligence facing our traditional religious values. Thus, my panacea to this cultural illness, is a form of Religious Adaptation. Religious Adaptation is a process of fusing the essential elements of other religions into our own. Let me explain this Better. Since a key feature of these foreign religions are sacred texts or holy scriptures like; The Qur’an, The Bible, which contains the nooks and corners of their religions, we Africans, can also invent sacred scriptures of our traditional religions, which will contain our indigenous creation story, our indigenous religious laws, and a chapter containing the stories and power of our traditional gods like; Sàngó, Ògún, and so on. The latter which were formerly done orally. This indigenous sacred texts should also be written in different languages within and outside Africa. Also, since the priest of these foreign religions go about preaching and advertising their religions, our high priests and priestesses should also do the same.

Honestly speaking, embarking on this proposed panacea will take years and even decades to perfect. But with determination and perseverance, we will get there and eventually reborn our traditional religious values. After all, “the great city of Rome, wasn’t built in a day”. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and so on are not African religions. As Africans, we should proudly uphold our indigenous beliefs and return to our traditional religions, instead of killing them with foreign religious beliefs. Thus, when this is done in Nigeria for example, the embarrassing percentage of traditional religious followers which is 1.9%, will increase to a more reasonable percentage.

Religion is something that the mankind appreciates for ages and it becomes a most important aspect of every human life. Every religion has its own principles and each religion teaches the mankind a unique lesson. The religion gives shape to the culture and heritage of the society. It also teaches the way to live the life and the purpose of life. The philosophy of religion is all about learning the life.

The philosophy of religion is all about the religious doctrines, scriptures, stories, beliefs, practices, histories, arguments. Anything that supports to learn the life and know the purpose of life is the philosophy of religion. The studies are carried out to learn about every religion, its authenticity and the values of the each religion. The philosophy associated with religion basically tries to gain an understanding of religious beliefs and faith of each religion and the matters it conveys to the people.

The philosophy of religion tries to comprehend God and the concepts behind religious beliefs. It is more theoretical and it does not have any experimental evidence. It helps to understand the God and conveys the matter that the religion wants to deliver to people. It basically analyzes and justifies the authenticity of the religious belief.

Though theology and philosophy deal with the concepts of religious belief, theology speaks about a particular religion, whereas the philosophy deals with the scientific investigation of a religion and also analyzes the merits and demerits of the religion. In religious philosophy, the sacred writing belonging to a religion is considered as source and theme for the research.

The philosophy of religion analyzes the claims that are put forth by the religion and justifies the claim and gives appropriate explanation. It basically helps to answer the questions raised and trying to find out the solution by doing research on the topics considered for the study. The conclusions are derived from the study subject and the explanations are given appropriately in the context of religion.

This philosophy is viewed differently by each and everyone. Each person look at the same concept in a different perspective based on the idea that individual possess in the mind. It is always true that the individual who is open minded can always analyze the concepts in a better way than the individual who considers the study with some opinion before hand. It is something that helps to give justification to the beliefs of a religion.

When brainwashed into an expectation of great rewards people become like puppets on a string. That is even more so when a threat of great proportions against them is planted in their minds. So it is with religions that promise an eternity of pleasure, love, and other things as opposed to life’s hardships and often poverty. Try taking that away and you may be murdered, ostracised and terrorised.

So it is with racial and religious hatred that is currently on the rise. People like their own systems of belief and when outsiders try to change that comfort zone all hell can and often does break loose.

That is why my message of reincarnation as opposed to heaven and hell cannot be taken literally by so many. They are conditioned to either not list, not believe, or turn away from anyone who suggests such a thing.

My memory of it, however, is strong and so too is it with many hundreds of thousands of other people around the world. In my research into religious beliefs many things cropped up. The Spirit of the Universe, the real God, led me on a path to understand why people are tethered to religious lies and of the role their imagination in their entrapment.

One passage in the Old Testament explains it even better: “For God hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes… For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but hath removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” Isaiah 29:10,13

Those who have a spiritual connection are linked to the Spirit and are the inheritors of the earth, spoken of many times in the Old Testament. The others are usurpers and would love to know how to connect to the power. But the Spirit put in place religion to stop that from happening.

Now that we are fast approaching the end of the day religions are falling apart. That is also in prophecy. The bonds of their own making are failing and people are waking up. It is, however, beyond them to give up what their brainwashed minds tell them. Their fear is still of hell and their expectation is their dream of heaven.

In his letter, Rizal explained to Hidalgo why he had chosen “Noli Me Tangere” as the title for his novel. He said the book contains things which no one has spoken up; they are so delicate that they cannot be touched by anybody. He continued, “I have unmasked hypocrisy which, under the guise of religion came to impoverish and to brutalize us, I have distinguished true religion from the false, from superstition, from that which traffics with the holy word to extract money, to make us believe in sortileges, of which Catholicism would be ashamed if it were aware of them.”

This excerpts from the biography of Dr. Jose Rizal written by Palma highlighted to us the philosophico-religious views and the alleged retraction of our national hero before his execution. It depicted the kind of character he had. He was a keen observer, and minds the condition of the people and the society he inhabited. He was not contented with the things he witnessed, with the kind of system he was born to. He studied more, analyzed more, compared and discerned truth from hypocrisy and by his efforts, from the very truth he had found, made a heavy mallet, destroyed the walls of injustice and pulpit of hypocrisy and successfully freed his countrymen.

The youth of today, and all people who still witness this modern era, it will not be useless to take some ideas from this man we considered hero of our own race and reflect from him the kind of society we have, the precepts we have been under to since the time we were born. It would not be futile to ask ourselves, are we on the kind of society deserved by one who’s living in democracy? Are the nation’s resources not exploited by foreign countries? Are we not deprived of our rights as human beings? Are we free to express ourselves and our own ideas? Are we not deprived to speak? Are we not deceived by political manipulations? Do we exercise our minds to think critically if things being imposed on us are of concrete basis? Or just be stagnant with the kind of views, beliefs, traditions passed to us by our ancestors? Maybe it is high time already for Filipinos especially to our youth to reflect on the mind setting we have, with the kind of mind, attitude, virtues and character exhibited to by our national hero. He did not live just for his own life and well-being. He thought of the welfare of his family, his community, and his country. And did not just thought of the present, but of the future. We would also admire his self-esteem and great courage to stand for truth even he knew he was to stand alone. When he knew very well he was on the right track, he hold his principles tight until the end of his life.

One of the main culprits that keeps you imprisoned in a limited mindset in your youth and for some even for your whole lifetime is the religious belief that you have been born into. If you're lucky you might have parents who live an orderly religious life but are not necessarily fanatics and refuse to give in to peer pressure. Lucky you. If you're born to an evolved family of non-believers yet who live nevertheless a religious moral life and pass on to you good virtues and introduce you to what is really important in life, then you're really lucky. If you're one of the many unlucky masses, however, born into a family of religious fanatics, extremists who go to great lengths to indoctrinate and mold your mind with their limited understanding of their religious scriptures and short-sighted world views then you have my deepest sympathy. The damage done to you is more than you can imagine. You will have to have a very independent and strong character to break out of that mold or should I say prison of your family's belief.

Religions dominate our human society in every part of the globe. Nations and individuals are guided, swayed, threatened, influenced, inspired, motivated and modeled according to their religions. Religions influence our way of thinking, our behavior, our relationships with the supernatural, the Divine and with each other. No religion is as tolerant as ancient Hinduism who believe that all paths and ways of beliefs are valid towards finding communion with the Divine, God. Buddhism, Jaism and Sufism likewise . Other than that I personally cannot think of one other religion that does not damn you to hell in all eternity if you do not convert to their belief. A few don't accept you even if you do convert and others accept you only if your mother is of their belief.

Over thousands of years people have killed and gone to war in defense of religions killing man, woman and child in the name of God. Yet many of the same people of the same beliefs swear against abortion for example, claiming that it's against God's will to take a life. The same goes for the people who in the name of religion are against abortion and yet they think nothing of bombing a clinic with everyone in it or killing doctors. Now try to make sense of that. Surely it takes a warped mind to understand such logic.

Firm believers and puritans who preach their religions and who supposedly live with strict morals are the worst, because if we dig deeper into their private affairs we come up with a lot of real dirt that makes our skin crawl. It has always been the case actually, the more puritanical, the stricter one is, unbending and preaching the one faith and the rules to follow, the more dirt one finds beyond the surface. In other words, the more someone preaches, the louder they screech their belief to the world threatening with hell and damnation, the more sure you can be that there is a lot of smut to uncover.

So what do you do to protect yourself from being a slave to your religion? Expand your religious belief system by studying other religions to try to understand what the differences are, and the whys. If you spend enough time with that you will soon discover that all religions have a basic core system that is one and the same.

That is, there is only one God for all alike, do not kill, cheat, lie, steal, and do unto others as you want done unto you. The many variations of worship, the different extras, the addendums, such as no music or dance is allowed, mode of dress for women, how many wives a man can have, confessing to priests, and other such nonsense, have been added on to the scriptures over a period of many centuries by some individuals drunk with power and self importance, to gain control over the masses and perhaps some truths were lost, purposely or not, in the many translations and interpretations.

Learning about other religions expands your mind, your knowledge and understanding of how people from different religions relate to each other. You begin to realize that no matter what their belief system is people manage to survive and live their lives in spite of all the dogmas and teachings, with all the limitations that their various religions impose on them. When you look at the many different interpretations and how people comprehend the mysteries of life you can help yourself to develop your own mental flexibility, to widen your mental horizons to break through the barriers of religious dogmas to emerge into a new dimension as a free spirit , and to recognize yourself to be a truly unencumbered spiritual limitless divine being.

Having said all that I am not saying break away from your religion whatever that may be. What I am saying is broaden your own understanding and perspective of your belief system, and with that you will see that there is no need to hop from one religion to another looking for truth, that the core of your religion encompasses the truth, look for that and discard the rest which is destructive. There is no need to live without religion if that is important to you. As everything else in our world of duality, there are two sides to everything and this goes for all religions as well, the good and the bad, the positive and the negative, that which makes perfect sense and that which is senseless and ridiculous. Focus on the good side, on the positive, on the constructive and everything that makes sense to you.

The only way we can contribute to peace in this world is to respect the law of freedom for one and all. This includes the freedom of worship any which way we choose without imposing our point of view or beliefs on anyone else.