Why Do You Believe What You Say You Believe?

In my experience, when this question is asked of professing Christians, an awkward silence follows.  I have yet to encounter a person whose answer is not eventually expressed as “it’s what I was taught,” or words to that effect.  And so, a follow up question: “What makes it valid for you?”  Again, silence.  There’s a strong suggestion here that most of us come by our professed faith second hand – “If it’s good enough for ……………, it’s good enough for me.”  I wonder how well this applies in other aspects of our living.  Some might say that it doesn’t matter; spiritual things are in a league to themselves.  I choose to think that there is a vital connection between spirit and mind; no neutral zone for either in any area of life. 

Another popular response to the original question credits the Bible.  As in the familiar children’s song, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  The simple faith of a child is prescribed as appropriate for all ages.  Does God speak through no other medium?  Is the Bible really where we learn all we need to know about God?  Why do we choose to think so?  Why do we vest authority in someone else to make such a choice for us?

I learned recently about an organization known as The Church of Yahweh.  I invite you to check out the website: www.Yhwh.com.  This organization has published The Future Testament to help respond to this challenge of a genuine, aware, religious life: “…to distinguish eternal truth from cultural tradition within scriptures and denominations.  Then, with the eternal truths firmly identified, determine the best way to express those timeless realities today, here and now, within this time, place, language and culture, to create a new tradition.”

At first blush, I thought this to be a rather presumptuous undertaking. But I have to acknowledge that my response is influenced by my own conditioning to think that God’s only true revelation is through the Bible, and specifically in the person of Jesus Christ.  The final word.  I have come to believe that the exclusive nature of this understanding is at the heart of division and separation between persons of differing faith traditions and cultures and consequent mistrust, even hatred that expresses itself in acts of aggression and conflict.

Long story short, I am reading The Future Testament with an expectation of discovering new light for my spiritual path.  I encourage you to do the same.  You can order a copy on the website.  Or type The Future Testament into your browser.  A Kindle edition is available.

I believe my best spiritual path is the one I make.  But this is not accomplished in a vacuum.   The soul stories of others, including yours, are learning resources for me.  I hope you will share yours.

Charter for Compassion

A friend recently invited me to add my support to this Charter for Compassion.  Its words speak loudly and positively to me; perhaps they will to you also.  You may wish to visit the website and join me in adding your own support.  I hope you will.   http://charterforcompassion.org/site/

Charter for Compassion
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.