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INTIMIDATED by "religion" (Are YOU ashamed or afraid to admit your own "religion".... the doctrine you claim to accept ? Do you attempt to "conceal" your true spiritual beliefs ?) It seems that there are some "religious" people who are apologetic or ASHAMED of their own professed doctrinal allegiance. These individuals seem reluctant to openly and proudly define and admit their personal spiritual understanding. Some individuals do not want to divulge their spiritual beliefs.... or the "name" of their religion.... perhaps for fear of discrimination, or persecution, or proselytizing.... by those who disagree with them. Similarly, some individuals, throughout the world, seem AFRAID not to claim belief in what "others" (family, friends, churches) have dogmatically told them to be "the only way" to be accepted or included or "saved".... by God? Obviously, throughout our world, there are many "soulful" individuals who feel threatened, and perhaps disgusted... by the hostile and arrogant attempts of various denominational "zealots".... to persuade or force everyone to "accept" a certain doctrinal batch-of-beliefs? AND.... contrariwise, there are many "spiritual" individuals and church-groups that are PROUD of their beliefs... those who lovingly share their understanding... with those who earnestly ASK and seek their opinion? Read on, below. Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com [link to Front Page] ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link, about the author)
See related subjects: My SECRET God (link) and: FAITH and BELIEF (link) and: Religious absolutism (link) and: CIRCUMVENTING and Restricting GOD (link) Begin 6/03; "doctored" 7/03; 8/03; 9/03; 11/03; 3/04; 5/04; 8/04; 9/04; 1/11/05; 3/05; 11/05; 5/06; 1/4/07 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author Acts 17: 22 (NRSV) Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are, in every way. 23 For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as 'unknown'.... this I proclaim to you: 24 The God who made the world, and everything in it; He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does NOT live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is He served by human hands.... as though He needed anything.... since He Himself gives to ALL mortals life and breath.... and all things. 26 From one ancestor He made all nations (link) to inhabit the whole earth.... and He allotted the times of their existence, and the boundaries of the places where they would live; 27 so that they would search for God, and perhaps grope for Him, and find Him -- though indeed He is not far from each one of us. 28 For 'In Him we live and move and have our being' -- as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are His offspring.' 29 Since we are God's offspring (link), we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone.... an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. Are you ashamed of your own "religion"; or are you embarrassed, or apologetic and uneasy, about discussing "spiritual" matters, with others? Are you reluctant to share your personal "beliefs".... perhaps because you do not agree with what some have claimed to be "the truth".... the "one way" (they say) to acceptance by God? Are you afraid you will be "discriminated against".... because of your "church".... or because you do not fully accept the "beliefs" that various individuals and groups have been attempting to convince you to "believe".... so that you will be "saved", by God? Perhaps you have not yet "solidified" your personal beliefs.... because of doubts.... or because of your feeling that you do not want to be "TOLD", by others, what you "must believe". Indeed, are your beliefs the same now, today, as they were last year.... or five years ago? Are you reluctant to admit being a "Catholic", or a "Jew".... or a "Muslim".... or a "Baptist"? Have you "Americanized" some parts of your name.... so that when you're introduced, your "religion" will not be readily recognized? Have you had "plastic (cosmetic) surgery", so that certain parts of your facial features will not suggest your religion, or your "nation of origin"? Have you shaved your beard, or stopped wearing your yarmulke.... because your "religion" may be thus suspected, or identified? For those who have answered "yes" to the above questions, perhaps they should "evaluate", again, the depth of their "spiritual" position.... and decide just how confident they are with their present doctrinal "conclusions". Perhaps, more time and seeking and searching and contemplation are needed.... and additional "communication" with our Creator-God. (Many of us "mature" humans have found, during our "pilgrimage" on this Earth, that it may take a lifetime to "satisfy" one's own personal spiritual quest. Perhaps, for many of us.... that is precisely the way God intended it to be.) But.... this above all -- no one should fearfully "accept" whatever "others" condescendingly (or unctuously, or hostilely) tell them that they "must believe" -- in order to be "saved" by God. Remember this: Salvation (link) is from God.... not from human-beings.... or from churches, or synagogues, or mosques.... or from preachers, priests, rabbis, or imams.... or from humanesque doctrines, creeds, works, rites, rituals, oaths, or promises. And, remember too -- something that all of us spiritual "students" and seekers have already discovered.... there are many "religious" individual's and "churches", which -- instead of being "ashamed" of their "religion" -- arrogantly and belligerently claim to have achieved full and "final" knowledge of God.... the ultimate spiritual "answers" (they say). These zealots would have you and me to believe that they alone have discovered "the only way" to acceptance by God. I am very leery of these people, and their "zeal".... verging on fanaticism. Unfortunately, if you and I do not agree totally and immediately with the religious conclusions of these sanctimonious extremists.... we may find ourselves to be categorized, by them, as "unbelievers", or "infidels".... and thus under threat of ostracism, ridicule, banishment, torture.... or even execution. (See link My Secret God.) (See also Circumventing God.) My belief is that God's people (link) will be "awakened" by God, to "God's truth".... at a time and place in their lives specified by God Himself.... and "awakened" in a manner that God has planned.... for each of His "children", individually -- unrelated to the begging, pleading, hostility, and hell-threatening of certain rigidly doctrinal church-organizations. (See link Doctrinal Rigidity.) I say that spiritual "uncertainty" -- at various times in everyone's life -- is typical, and "normal".... and even "expected".... among God's "children" (see link Children of God). That's the way we learn, and grow and mature.... as we are led-along in this life.... in our spiritual journey, and quest. I believe that discovering a satisfying and gratifying spiritual understanding -- a spiritual "comfort" -- is typically a lifelong process and pursuit.... guided and overseen by God Himself.... and not directed or mandated by other humans, or by "churches".... or by the urgent and superstitious concoctions of various worldwide sects. Finding God -- on God's timetable -- may indeed be one of the main purposes of this life. (See link Faith, Belief, and Believers.) When we, you and I, arrive at a "spiritual conclusion" that satisfies each of us, at a certain point in our lives.... shouldn't we then become PROUD of our "faith".... and not be embarrassed or ashamed to admit our beliefs. If you and I genuinely believe what each of us claims to "believe".... we will not choose to hide or mask our "religion". Neither will we opt to attempt to force our understanding upon others. I believe that all of us should "allow" God to guide each of His people to spiritual understanding and "faith".... on a "schedule" specified by God Himself. 1/4/07 |