While I regard all deities as mythological, I have no problem if other people believe in some divine being's literal or actual existence. "Whatever floats your boat and harms none" is my philosophy. However, there is a very real danger in literal belief if it is also accompanied by another belief, namely, spiritual or religious supremacy, which holds that Only One Truth exists and therefore every other belief is Wrong and Heretical.
From that supremacist belief flows all manner of evil. It becomes permissible (indeed, often a duty) to shun, condemn, exclude, punish, torture and/or kill non-believers. Proselytizing and conversion, even forced conversion, are seen as admirable. Wholesale destruction of non-believers' beliefs, culture and lives is encouraged. Anything goes if it elevates and strengthens the supremacist position.
All major religions are guilty of this. Historically, Christianity is a prime example. Around the world today, Islamic supremacists wreak havoc in various countries. Judaism still teaches that only they are the Chosen People. Buddhists are not immune from this evil either, as evidenced by the ongoing persecution and genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Hindus and Muslims have long been at each other's throats in India and Pakistan.
And it's not just persecution of non-believers. Supremacist doctrines, whether concerning religion, gender or race, usually bond together like cement for even more devastating effect. How often has religion been used to justify theft, subjugation and exploitation of other races? Virtually always. What religion has historically treated women equally, or even well, compared with men? None whatsoever. Supremacist thought of every variety is toxic to human welfare and freedom, plain and simple.
The opposite of supremacist thought in religion is known as Universalism (today often disparagingly referred to as "moral relativism"). Universalism holds that spiritual truth, healing and salvation (to use the standard religious terminology) are available to all, regardless of what religion (or none) is practised. The foundational principles of Universalism are tolerance and respect.
All supremacist religions, of course, teach that Universalism is wrong, misguided and/or evil.
But is it?
Is it really?
How different would our world be today if Universalism had been the guiding doctrine over the past couple of thousand years or more?
43 comments:
Thought provoking - so early in the morning. More wars have been fought in the name of gods.
I think religions, like other clubs, are designed, not to include like-minded people, but to exclude everyone else. There's a streak of that exclusion impulse in most of us. Even within large families, there's the in group, usually the eldest, and the out group, usually the later born.
I have been told my in law family members that because I don't go to their church and worship the way they do... that I AM evil.
I don't have a religion, my grandmother always pointed to our natural surroundings and said all we needed to understand about faith and love was surrounding us in nature. It also showed us cruelty and reality.
Very good post. Thanks for putting my mind in gear.
What is the lure of religion that it is such a determining force in society and in history? What is it about human nature that has to fill the void of the unknowable with myth and doctrine? And why do some of us not feel the need to hold to what you refer to as supremacist religion? Yes, there is a dangerous tendency for supremacist religions to see their mission to not only worship but to convert and control and dominate any who do not adhere to their beliefs. We are seeing this in the US with evangelicals disregarding a long held principle of "separation of church and state" and being driven by some dangerous belief that they can hasten the "end of times" or Armageddon through political action (or some other delusional philosophy). I'm not confident these days that there are any religions that "harm none".
I’m with you, Debra!
This:"Whatever floats your boat and harms none" is my philosophy, too. But, and there's always a 'but': I cannot take what religion does to people. At the end, it all becomes about control and power. Look at what the religious right is doing to women's rights in the US by outlawing abortion. Next? LGBTQ rights. And all because they are absolutist assholes whose only pleasure is power.
Belch.
XOXO
“We are right. Everyone else is wrong. We are better than you.”
I was brought up in one faith. Explored a few others. And finally gave up on it all. Universalism is the one I felt most comfortable with.
Oh, Debra. No one is denying that all religions have some element of truth to them. It just happens that MY religion is just a little more true than YOURS.
As you illustrate in your blog post, the wrongness of Universalism is that it is weak. That matters when resources are scarce. Supremacist religions are more coherent than universalist ones, because they have unique claims on the truth. That means that when They are attacking Us or stealing Our resources, We can fight back more coherently. (There's nothing like a war to unify the populace, and eternal salvation is a pretty good consolation prize for dying in battle.)
Similarly, when Our resources are scarce We can expand and "discover" new resources without worrying about consequences to any Thems that happen to be living there already. Universalism means that we might need to consider Them as having the same status as Us, which hinders Our access to resources, and means We get steamrollered when Their supremacist religion has no such compunctions. It is almost as if religions might be social and political institutions in addition to being the means of eternal salvation, but let us not say that blasphemy out loud.
@ Old Lurker -- During Armageddon, I look forward to eating your liver with fava beans and a nice Chianti. We'll see who's weak then! I can wait.
Very well said! And only if ......
Beautifully said, Debra! I agree with everything you've written here, especially the line: "Whatever floats your boat and harms none". Unfortunately, so many people use their beliefs as weapons and as a justification to harm and abuse others. You see it in every religion and every type of spiritual group.
EXCELLENT post! I'm with you, Debra~
i'll join you for dinner debra!
Very well written! I like it. AND, it's all true!
Interesting conversation. I learned that most man-made faith is all about power over women. Subjugation is the name of the game in every religion that is why I no longer belong to it. If or should I say when everyone finally realizes that religion is wrong and that there is no god then they will finally wake up and live their lives.
I despise organized religion. Talk about the root of all evil.
Looking forward to joining you for liver and chianti some day (hold the fava beans.)
My liver, Debra? I hope you stockpile a few bottles of Pepto-Bismol along with the guns and ammo (and a can opener. Don't forget the can opener!)
Hi Debra!
Mike sent me.
Thought provoking post.
Well done.
I agree with your concise and cogent argument, Debra. Humans really don't like to be reminded that they are still animals (and always will be), with all primal instincts intact, and are still subject to the same forces as any other species: over-population, habitat fragmentation or loss, food and/or water shortages, disease, catastrophic weather or geological events, etc. Human evolution has also produced the double-edged sword of reasoning, thought, intellect, language, etc. that can be twisted so horrifically when literal belief and supremacist doctrines meld together. Wealth and power (perceived or real) has and continues to persuade humans to do horrific evil on this planet.
The soapbox is now free.
Interesting points made. I was raised Methodist, kids were raised Catholic. Neither go to church (that I know of), and son had an outdoor wedding featuring a justice of the peace.
I personally don't go to church, I believe there is a God, tried to make God and the minions a bit more human and quirky in more stories, and tolerate about 96% of organized/semi-organized faiths.
No fava beans for me, I'm driving. Of course, that will be some interesting transportation when the time comes. In the meantime, I'll keep hanging with Father Nature nestled deep within our mini-mountain and think about my place in my little corner of the woods.
Not a fan of any group that thinks itself better than others.
Well said, Debra. Insecurity leads to a desire for superiority.
Love,
Janie
Interesting conversation to have.
Amen.
May Godzilla and Mecha Godzilla smite all non believers. But don't worry, he loves you.
My son’s girlfriend is trying to explore Christian faith beyond the conservative evangelical (and frankly abusive) church in which she was raised and values my opinion. I bite my tongue because I do not want to insult the family that raised her. I like your definition, if I may paraphrase, of “find peace and harm no one.” I think that’s a good place to start.
Whatever gets you through the night, as long as you don't insist that it also gets the OTHER person through the night.
I agree - Whatever floats your boat. Interesting post.
BRILLIANT POST! I would like to post this everywhere. Have a great day.
I have always thought that if chocolate, one of the most sublime things in the world IMHO, wasn't liked by everyone (and in fact some people are deathly allergic to it) that was proof that no one thing is meant for everyone. I respect my carob eating friends, so long as I can partake in the blessings of dark chocolate deliciousness.
Very thought provoking question. Wow and yes i think things would have been a lot different. Thanks for sharing this fascinating post.
Hugs June x
Well said, sadly so. The my dog's bigger than yours has always bothered me. It seems no matter how educated we as a society become, we can't get away from this. Rather sad, I think.
"Whatever floats your boat and harms none" should be a way of life for all. Just imagining the world we would build, if everyone believed and practiced that view, makes me warm inside. I hope for the day when a Universalist way of life becomes universal...
If an organization teaches love, respect and caring for all then I see a benefit for society. When the use of fear and punishment with a set of strict rules starts being used to increase the organization's power then any benefit comes at the price of degrading/punishing another group.
The universe gives us a confusing and often cruel reality. I think religions try to fill in answers for people. As our knowledge grows we should expect and accept some change.
You gave us a good thought provoking post, thanks.
A very enlightened post. I could not have put this better myself ( especially since I would find it difficult to explain it all so logically and easy for those who think differently to understand) and I am totally in agreement with you!
powerful and very impressive sharing dear Debra ,i am agreed to each bit of you said here ,religions that appear through people who had heart of gold and silver soul fell into to hands of powerful people who used them to exploit weak and obtain worldly advantages sadly .
universalism or else i truly believe in unified supreme force that is governing this universe and beyond it ,i think from where i see it's work is enormous beyond imagination ,astonishingly systematic and flawlessly well organized . from huge to tiniest it is just perfect. i loved your line "whatever floats your boat and harm none" yes this is my thing either :)
thank you for beautiful post .hugs and blessings!
oooh, don't get me started on religion. In my opinion it was created to control the masses and make men rich and powerful. It's caused more death and misery than all the wars put together.
I could not agree more! There was a Universalist church in my old city in Massachusetts. Although I am not religious, I wish I checked it out. The irony of supremacy always made me question religion. The basis of religion is supposed to simply be about acting as a good human, respecting everyone (I think).
Okay, guess I'm the lone voice here. I do believe that Jesus is the only way but I think we will be surprised who we meet in 'heaven'. God wants all to be saved and how he will work that out is just one of the mysteries I'm happy to accept because I look at Jesus and see his inclusive love.
Hi, .. bj from sweet nothings here. I hope you are doing good ! I’m not blogging any more but in joying Instantgram and Facebook.
@ Anonymous -- Hi bj! Nice to hear from you again! It's been a long time! I hope you're keeping well!
It's my understanding back before the Sky Gods took over people thought each other's gods amusing but one didn't feel compelled to wipe out thems who disagreed with yours.
Brilliant post, Debra! (That's because it captures exactly how I feel (lol)!). Although it's no laughing matter. Well said, my friend!
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