"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher." Buddha
This past week, my husband, in his usual diplomatic balm, posted some controversial links about religion, politics, and education. The ensuing comments were both quick and fervent. One of his posts linked to a story regarding the Republican party and its growing anti-science position (a story about politics with a hint of religion). The melee of comments regarding this story got me thinking about my own religious philosophy.
My family is a religious anomaly. I am a theist, my husband is an atheist. Unlike many of our peers, we do not follow one faith or religion. I was raised in the Mormon church. Although I have long stopped going to church, I have retained some of the tenets, assimilating them into my individual spiritual practice. My husband has studied many, if not all, world religions. He meditates regularly to clear his mind and center his energy.
Quite an unusual union, a Mormon married to an atheist. But it works, because we both have a strong conviction that personal beliefs are as individual and unique as the person. We are raising our daughters to discover for themselves what they believe.
"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church." Thomas Paine
One comment, among the many, caused me to pause and take reflection: “ ... without an absolute, [God] there is no true right and wrong”. I disagree. One needs only to turn inward to know right and wrong. I feel, as a society and individuals, we get into trouble when we turn over our spiritual direction to another person or religious organization. We innately know what to do, if we just listen inward.
As individuals, we must determine our own path, decide how to live our life. I feel this is one of our fundamental responsibilities. No one can tell us what to believe or how to live our life, we must discover this for ourself. Everyone has a unique path to take. Honor your path and respect others on their journey.
“Everything you really need to know is in your heart. It is easy to get caught up in the belief that others know more than you do. True knowledge is more than just a collection of facts. Today trust yourself more, and live from that trust.” Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., P.T., A Year of Living Your Yoga
Recent Comments