True believers, found within fundamentalist religious practices, fanatical ideologies, and resultant political systems, have in common an unquestioning belief in the supremacy of some entity, making it unnecessary to question or think for oneself.
With religious fundamentalists that entity is a god — created by men in the image of a man — a dictator ruling humanity with an iron fist. No surprise such believers want to see that dictator-god and iron fist reflected in the outer world. The religious right is a manifestation of arrogant, rigid beliefs about the nature of a supreme being.
Dictator-gods are to be propitiated, feared and obeyed. Such belief-driven behaviors allow one to avoid the measuring of actions and words against inner knowing — conscience. Just adhere to the dictator’s rules, whatever those might be, including putting to death literally or otherwise, nonbelievers, spirituality, or worldly systems like democracy.
Meaningful spirituality, found both within and outside of religious institutions, is simply love — no hatred, no fear, no retribution. This does not mean the avoiding of action to stop harm from being done to self, others, the planet, democracy. But action can happen from a place of love and compassion. Revenge, hatred, cruelty … such things have no place in the administration of earthly justice or the creation of peace.
Spirituality demands self-reflection, discernment of truth, making wise choices. And every choice either increases or decreases our capacity to love. Integrity requires listening to that inner, still, small voice and acting in accordance.
The journey of life is about love — cosmic-sized love — not about fear and hatred. Beliefs are like a suit of clothes or armor. They can be changed. What might our world be like if we replaced rigid beliefs with actual love and kindness?
Bonnie Mangold, Teasdale
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