 Spiritual: August 26, 2009 Issue [#3240] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: SophyBells  
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. Is there only one true religion or many valid paths to the Sacred? Let's talk about it this week!
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Is There Any ONE Right/True Path?
So what do you think? Is there only one true/right/correct religion? Or could there be one God (whom I shall refer to as the Sacred from here on out) who is reachable through different paths? That's the issue I'm tackling it this week in the Spiritual Newsletter because of a couple of questions posed by Vatel de LeMaitre  via "Spiritual Newsletter Feedback." (By the way, thanks for your questions/comments!)  I look forward to hearing what others of you think about this subject as well, asking only that you do so with respect for all perspectives, especially those whose differ from your own.
To start, here are the responses:
Dear Sophy,
I hope I am not being presupposing, or violating any taboo in this, but why have you chosen to say what seems to be "all religions are right, they're just different," rather then "some beliefs make sense and are logical, while some are not"? In essence, I am wondering what objectivity there is in all this? Thank You.
And then a second, more general question:
Something I have been wondering with this newsletter is whether or not you think there is an objectivity to religions- a standard that sets one apart as heavenly and another as sadistic. Many faiths hold such ideas as well as the Golden Rule: so is there or is there not an objectively true religion?
I suspect the first comment/question relates to the Scotty McLennan quote I include at the beginning of every Spiritual Newsletter, since it's directed to me. So I'll answer that question first by saying that I have not chosen to say that "all religions are right, just different," because that's not what the quote is saying or what I believe. As I have stated in previous newsletters, I believe there are many valid spiritual paths that lead to a relationship with the Sacred. In other words, I do not believe that there is only one correct, right, true path to finding or seeking the Sacred. Which is why I very much like the quote from Rev. McLennan about how we are all climbing "the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine" though we may take different pants to arrive at the top. It makes an assumption that the Sacred is so universal, so loving, so all-encompassing that no one religion can possibly contain it all, so there are multiple paths striving to reach the same Sacred Reality.
A little bit about me -- I was raised within the Christian tradition, some of whose followers purport that it is the only absolutely true, correct religion -- in other words, the only valid path to the Sacred. But as I grew up and learned about other spiritual paths, I have come to a different understanding of the Sacred which has resulted in a deep respect for traditions other than my own. For instance, many share the same essence of what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Rule." When I found that out, and read and learned about some of them, I developed a deep sense of interfaith appreciation because even though some went about it differently than my experience with Christianity, many seemed to have some basic core beliefs in common. So now, while Christianity is the spiritual practice with which I am the most familiar and the path I continue to follow in terms of the teachings of Jesus, I believe that if someone is truly seeking the Sacred with a pure heart and compassion for others, there are other paths different from my own that can lead one to a relationship with the Sacred.
Of course not all "religions" truly seek the Sacred -- rather they tend to focus on their own personal gains and self-satisfaction. When I learn about a new religion or spiritual tradition I look at what they have at their core -- and if what they embrace is love of the Sacred and for others, with compassion at their center, then I suspect they may be a valid path. But those that seek their own gains and/or abuse/inflict harm on others in any way are not, in my mind, a valid religious path. So, for instance, any religion that practiced sexual abuse of non-consenting adults or minors as part of their practice would, for me, not be anywhere near the same "mountain" that I am traversing.
So I guess that would be the objectivity Vatel de LeMaitre was asking about -- though for the most part I think, by its very nature, that our spirituality is a very subjective experience. In other words yes, there are certain criteria by which one might judge whether or not a religion or spiritual path is valid or true. And for me that would be what we find at its core -- and if what we find there is love and compassion, caring for others more than caring for self, a "Golden Rule" if you will, then I would consider a practitioner of that path a fellow sojourner on the journey up that metapaphorical mountain of which Rev. McClennan speaks.
I guess the bottom line for me is that I believe that the Sacred is so immense, so infinite, so full of light and love, of course Someone like that would accessible to and known among people of many faiths and cultures and not just my own. And for me this is a cause for celebration and rejoicing, knowing that we are all part of one Sacred family. What about the rest of you? How do you view this issue? Please use this as a stepping stone or "prompt" for writing something about what you believe about this -- and rather than just sending an answer, create a static item and point me to it, and I'll feature some of them next month.
SophyBells |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about spiritual journey and truth. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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#1465688 by Not Available. |
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| |  | Zen Turtle (E)
A whimsical poem about two critters talking religion
#1537699 by E-Dog |
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#1541723 by Not Available. |
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Now for a few comments about my last newsletter about the sacred relationship we have with animals:
From tangerinedream
Nicely done on this newsletter. I understand the connection between pets and their owners. It's nice to see another person who also feels like this. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
     
From salliemoffitt
I enjoyed reading your newsletter. My dogs and cats are valued members of my household, and I couldn't imagine life without them. But I do have one point to make about people that have pets: make certain you provide for your animals in the event of your death. My uncle recently passed away and left behind two adorable yorkies, but they were taken to the animal shelter and put down before we could rescue them. Make certain to include your animals in your will or make other provisions for their care. Thank you, Sallie
Thank you for that very important reminder, I could not agree more!
From Zeke 
It's possible that God gave us pets to demonstrate what true love is like. They do not judge us, the just love us.
Amen to that!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated!
Until next time! SophyBells |
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