Its antique comprehension in religious circles that as human beings, what differentiates us from the innumerable other life forms is that, we possess a spirit (soul) which is absent in the other life forms. This can be evidenced by the concepts of life after death in Christianity and Islam, and karma in oriental religions. Almost all religion deals with the subject of spirituality in terms of getting connected with whatever deity in the spiritual realm. The Christians claim one needs to be born again through Jesus Christ in order to inherit the spiritual kingdom of heaven. This being “born again” does not necessarily mean the corporal birth but rather the spirit. Indian religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism have the notion of “nirvana” roughly translated as “salvation”. Nirvana is the soteriological goal in these religions. As stated earlier it is synonymous with the concept of liberation which refers to the release from a state of suffering after an often lengthy period of committed spiritual practice which often involves deprivation of oneself of all bodily desires.
Having looked at most of these religions I have observed that spiritual distinction can only be accomplished after subjecting oneself to some form of masochism i.e. fasting (almost all religions), rigorous bodily activities (standing up and laying down a number of times) and many others.
Why is this, the case? Why do the deities want their people to subject themselves to these torturous ordeals before connecting to them? Surely, there must be an explanation to these “strange” practices. What is the connection? I am yet to get that. I will talk much on the Christian lines as I am more experienced in this religion.
If spirituality is anything to go by then, I am dead. Being born from a Christian family I have learnt that the spiritual connection between God and man (through Jesus Christ) is of supreme importance if man is to find eternal life after death. I have seen people getting delivered (so they say) in revival meetings and the likes, where pastors and “men of God” place hands on individuals, prays for them and delivers them from “evil spirits” (yes there are good and evil spirits). I have witnessed people tumble and fall to the floor as the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost fire) descends upon them with all its cleansing power. I have, yes I have seen, heard people speaking (mumbling is more like it) in tongues (means “many languages”, as the audience, though diverse in language, is supposed to comprehend what is being said in their own language without translation) as they are filled with the Holy Spirit. I say, I have seen the almighty Major Prophets felling whole columns of people with a brandish of their handkerchief or a swing of their leg. And I sit in awe and have wondered if these scenes are authentic or that these people are just paid performers or people who pretend they are filled with the Holy Spirit for dread of being scoffed at by onlookers that they are defiant to the Holy Spirit. At one revival gathering that I attended I was so amazed by how people were being delivered so I stepped forth in line so that I could experience this amazing thing. When my turn came to receive the holy spirit, hands were placed on my head, but no matter how hoarse the deliverer prayed, I felt no different from how I felt before (well except for the exceptionally hard pushing on my forehead, probably in the hope that I would lose my balance and fall over. I stood my ground). I ended up walking away with a solemn face, pretending as if I was then holier than before. Ever since that time I have tried once more to experience it to no different effect. Yes my God has sent me pastors of his heart to feed me with his word and even through them I have failed have the awesome experience of “receiving Christ or the holy spirit”. I believe there are many others who can back up my experience.
How then does one change? What really happens? I find the answer in religious intra and inter diversity. We have different religions with different doctrines but claiming to be serving the same God. And also within the same religion we will have lots of different sects with varying, often conflicting ideologies. In the example of Christianity, there are numerous different churches with numerous ideologies as well. Some believe praying on a Sunday is the real deal, others claim Saturday is the realest. Some say the consumption of some beverages and foods is an aberration to the “principles” of God. Others will say that kind of dressing is an abomination or that hair do is evil. The varied indoctrinations have left me more confused and perplexed than ever. Why would we have different sects of the same religion with different ideas yet they serve one master? And so I draw several notable things from this;
Good and evil are all about ones conscience. What one may perceive as wrong may be right to others. It depends on one’s own interpretation. This to me explains religious diversity. It is difficult to pinpoint absolute truth in religion. Subjectivity is the order of the day. Others will eat pork others will not. It’s all about conscience (how the action makes you feel). Its intrinsic. Good and evil are contextual. Killing in war is not a wrong, killing in non war state of affairs is wrong even for a certified soldier. Teaching evolution in a school is not wrong, teaching evolution in a church is wrong.
Spiritual excellence cannot be received from another person or attained from bodily torture; one has to find it within themselves. Thus to say one cannot change by simply putting hand on him and praying for them, they have to will it from themselves. Change does not come from without but from within. And this will involve changing ones conscience and adopting a different one. One cannot make you receive Jesus Christ if you don’t will it. It’s like leading a stallion to the well and forcing it to take a slurp.
Religion may be the biggest hoax of all time. Religion may have been invented to curb chaos. If it were so it was a wise idea as to some extent there is order in this world, but at the same time let’s not forget how detrimental religion has been as history’s most outrageous atrocities have been committed in the name of religion; the witch hunts, the inquisition, e.t.c Therefore, religion and attainment of spiritual excellence, boils down to one thing and one thing only. That is FAITH (belief without question).
Having faith in everything/anything will give you confidence beyond conviction. That’s why people who have unwavering faith in their religion or religious sects believe that theirs is the true and only religion. Well, all can’t be wrong and all can’t be right. This then becomes a problem to skeptics (I like to consider myself one), who of all are the most faithless. They will need to question everything. The intangibility of spiritual issues makes it all the more hard to believe in.
No comments:
Post a Comment