Scientology

 

Scientology began in the 1950's by fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard.  It is a new religion that seems to focus on facts and knowledge rather than emotions or faith.  It goes hand in hand with Dianetics, which their website, http://www.scientology.org/, states is a methodology which can help alleviate unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears and psychosomatic illnesses (illnesses caused or aggravated by mental stress).

 

This religion has grown and it seems it is now around 10 million.  Celebrities like Tom Cruise have brought the religion to the spot light with many people wondering exactly what kind of religion it is.

 

It is a religion dedicated to improving life with scientific facts and using a scientific method that frees the mind of pain, fear and hate and anything that inhibits a person from being happy.  There is no faith, there is only what is proven to work and see it for yourself to believe it.  The focus is on the mind, body, and spirit and survival in the universe.  A person can free their minds with Auditors, or Counselors that help Scientologists reach hidden abilities they don't know they have.

A curious thing about Scientology ais that it believes in reincarnation like Hinduism.  Its the only religion it seems to have anything in common with.

Last time I spoke of forgiveness.  Well, forgiveness in Scientology does not exist.  Hubbard says, "If there is any saintly quality, it is not to forgive. “Forgiveness” accepts the badness of the act. There is no reason to accept it. Further, one has to label the act as bad to forgive it. “Forgiveness” is a much lower-level action and is rather censorious."  I'm not sure about this.  I think forgiveness frees the mind and there are acts that we consider bad and affect us emotionally and we need to free the mind of this emotion to move forward.  Forgiveness does this for us.

Scientology is an interesting and complicated religion.  There are many facets to it that are difficult to understand when I read about it.  But the concept of believing in what is in front of you and what is proven is a good one.  I believe in that but I also believe in what isn't proven and I think there is so much more than what is in front of us.  And like Scientologists, every religion has the goal of freeing the mind so we can survive. Scientologists do that themselves, other religions free the mind by releasing it to God.  Ultimately the goal is to be happy and live a happy life.  There are just many ways to go about doing that.

 

 

Forgiveness in All Religions

Forgiveness is an action that is deeply personal to all of us.  Regardless of our religion.  The primary benefit of forgiving is the person who forgives, by letting go of the stress of holding hate and revenge in the mind and body, they are releasing the negative energy and anxiety keeping their life angry so that after, they will be able to live a fuller, happier life.  However, forgiveness can also benefit the person who is being forgiven.  Perhaps shame and regret hold this person down and distraught and unable to move or love or be happy.  If they are forgiven it could relieve stress and a huge weight off of their shoulders so they too can move on to a fuller, happier life.

Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism have festivals or holy days to remind us to forgive.  Judaism has Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement.  This is the day where Jews forgive those who have done them wrong so that they too can be forgiven for their sins.  Islam also teaches forgiveness and says that Allah will reward those that forgive others.  For Eid-al-Adha, the custom is for Muslims to go ask others for their forgiveness and any sins or wrongs that they might have committed against them during the year.  On this day, forgiveness must be granted and friends and family reconciled.  For Hinduism, forgiveness is for oneself.  They, too have a festival to mark a day of forgiveness.  Its called Holi, festival of colors.  Its in the spring and a day to forgive and reconnect with broken relationships.

In Christianity, forgiveness is essential and mandated by God and Jesus.  If we want to be forgiven, then we must forgive others. 

Buddhism has a different take on forgiveness.  Its not something that is mandated by God or Allah.  Its for your own well being.  Hate hinders the mind so one must free the mind by forgiving.

We are all sinners, none of us are perfect and all of us have wronged someone in some way, even if by accident.  So why wouldn't we forgive someone else for their mistakes when we ourselves have made so many mistakes.  I know its difficult and there are things that will take longer to forgive but each day is new day and a step toward forgiveness. 

Forgiveness is so common in religions that I wonder why then is there so much hate and unforgiving between religions... With Omnism there is no need to be unforgiving of another religion because acceptance is forgiveness. 









 

Asatru Movement

The Asatru Movement is an old pagan religion from the Viking Age that was renewed in Iceland in the 1970s.  There are around 2,000 followers that believe in the Norse gods such as Thor, Odin, and Frigg.  Of which so many movies are made from these days and my kids love those stories and the possibility they may be true.

Most pagans today believe the old tales of the gods as metaphors, not necessarily literal.  As with some Christians using the messages of Jesus and the Bible as metaphors, not literally.  Pagans are basing their beliefs on history lessons and even folk tales.  Christianity bases their beliefs on the same thing, stories written down from people's point of views, which could also be classified as folk tales. 

Religions, like Christianity, have said Pagans are devil worshipers or godless creatures, because they're polytheistic rather than monotheistic.  I don't agree with that.

Pagan ethics believe in honor, courage, integrity, hard work, and loyalty.  All of which I would not say are evil.  Also, Christianity chose their holidays to coincide with pagan holidays so it would be easier to convert them.  So, who's to say who is right and wrong. 

I think perhaps Thor, Odin, and other remarkable people did exist.  And the word used to described them were gods.  Many of the wise tales and traditions we have are passed down from our ancestors and are incredible and hard to explain.  If we believe in the one God and the possibility of His existence, then the possibility of Norse gods is also believable.

Conclusion, the pagan religion is included in Omnism.

Atheist or Anti-Theist

 

I recognize Atheism as a religion.  But this is one I've been hesitant to write about.  Because I can't say as an Omnist and belief in all religions that I believe in Atheism, or that there is no God.  When I truly believe in the other religions.  The ones that state there is a God.  So, is Atheism a part of Omnism?  I don't know to be honest.  I do know that I respect the Atheist beliefs because everyone has a right to believe what they want to and you can't change the heart of a person.

However, after the recent shootings in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  The killer of three young Muslims was said to be an Atheist or an Anti-Theist, is the new term for him.  I have heard he hated all religions.  He didn't just not believe there was a God, but detested anyone that thought there was one.  I wonder if that is how Atheists behave.  Then I remember that every group has fundamentalists or extremists and this is an example of an Atheist terrorist.

Because there are Atheists that don't believe in God but still try to live a good, moral life.  Atheists around the world recently developed their own Ten Commandments.  Which include, commandments such as "Be open-minded", "Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them", "Treat others as you would want them to treat you", and "Leave the world a better place than you found it".   These are all things that I agree with and try to live by.  So, then again maybe I am a little bit Atheist.  Here's a great article where you can find all ten of the commandments.  http://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/atheism/atheists-write-10-commandments

Then there is the Pastor, Ryan Bell, that lived a year as an Atheist and in the end decided that there was no God and he is an Atheist.  He's not a bad person, just chose reality instead of God.  I can see the appeal and how much easier life could be without belief and faith.  Because those two things do take some effort.

But I know the feeling of not being sure of a supreme being or God or the universe being connected somehow.  A feeling of where there seems to be no hope or reason for what you're going through or experiencing in life.  This feeling is lost and sad and I didn't like it.  I choose to believe in God and that the universe is connected and my life has a purpose and the moments with my family matter and that faith holds me up and helps me to see the beauty of the world.  Believing makes my life, this life I am living, better.  When I have faith I'm connected to God, the energy inside of me feels charged and loving and excited.  I'm not saying that I don't have questions and criticisms for religions, but I believe that any religion that can't take a little criticism, isn't worth the effort of believing.  Even Omnism.


 

I Wish I Could Go To Church

I want to go to church, I want to bring my family to church.  I remember as a child going to Sunday School and to church with my brothers' family and I loved it.  People were nice and happy.  It was fun learning about the Bible and the stories in it.  I was taught a good and kind God that brought joy to the world.  I don't recall any negative feelings or judgments about others, including different people, or even mentions of other religions in a bad way.  My mom didn't go to church, she always said, "why should I go to church, then walk back out and sin."  At the church I knew, no one judged her, they still loved her and welcomed her at Easter when she did venture into the building. 

I think about the sermons that were preached.  Things like God forgiving us for our sins and following a righteous and moral path with God leading the way.  That God loves us.  I remember giving myself over to God so I could be happy and live a good life too.  All of those are memories of a child that loved church and God and the family it brought with it.  Those are the memories of the God that I know and love.

But when I speak about God these days to preachers and members of a church.  It seems full of judgments.  Rather than being welcomed and understood with open arms as my family being Muslim and Christian.  Islam is criticized and we are nudged, with a smile, to come to church and accept only Jesus as our Savior. 

I wish I could find an interfaith place to worship and find the love and family to openly and kindly discuss our beliefs with acceptance and compassion.  And perhaps in a bigger city, something like that exists.  But here in a small town, where there is a church on every corner, acceptance goes only as far as a polite smile when you say your Muslim and Christian.

Hinduism is Easily a part of Omnism

Hinduism is a vast religion and I couldn't possibly cover everything with one simple post.  It is one of the top religions in the world with 900 million people believing.  Most of which are in the India and Nepal region. 

One of the things I find most interesting is that its really not a religion like other religions.  There is no one person responsible for the spread of the religion, like Jesus or Mohammed.  And there is no sacred book that you must adhere to.  It is a way of life, a way to live, more like a feeling of being rather than a book or strict laws that you force upon yourself so that you may be a part of a particular religion. 

They say that, like Yazidis, you have to be born into being Hindu.  But so many people across the world have adapted Hinduism outside of India and Nepal that its impossible to restrict such a popular religion.  And since its more of a way of life, anyone can live as a Hindu.

Though there are no books and founders.  There are a few ways of life that is common amongst Hindu's.

•      Most Hindu's hold sacred, the scriptures called Veda's.  These are texts and Veda means Knowledge.  These are ancient truths and believed to be passed directly from God.
•      They due believe in a supreme being, God, but also in deities that represent God.
•      They believe in Karma and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.  How you live this life will determine what your next life will be like.
•       And Dharma is important.  This is the code of conduct that Hindu's try to live by so their next life will be a good one.  Like the ten commandments.  A set of morals so that society can live in peace.  All religions seem to have this.  And I would say that this is one of the most important things about religions.  Because if perhaps religion didn't dictate a set of moral values, then society would be in total chaos and we would be going around killing one another.  Maybe?

Hinduism includes and is similar to other India religions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Diwali, is the festival of lights, and the sacred holiday for Hindu's, Sikh's, and Jain's.  This holiday is a day of hope and renewed energy for goodwill.  Gifts are given and feasts are prepared for this celebration.   Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is revered on this day in hopes of a fantastic year.  Legends of Good conquering Evil are also associated with Diwali.  A demon Narakaasura kidnapped 16,000 daughters and Lord Krishna killed the demon and freed the daughters.  And another legend of another demon is believed.  Ravana (who had ten arms and ten heads), and was king of Sri Lanka. He kidnapped the wife of Rama.  Rama went to save his wife, Sita, and killed the demon Ravana and reunited with his wife.  On the way back, it was dark and they could not find their way so people put lamps out to light the way and that's why they call it the festival of lights.

Every religion seems to have that attitude of Good always wins over Evil.  Also, that you must live by a set of moral values and be on the 'Good' side of the universe.  That's why its easy to believe in them all and be an Omnist. 
 

Islamophobia and Free Speech

I've been reading a lot in the news lately about Islamophobia and the protests in Germany of citizens not wanting Islam to take over their country.  These protests stem from the fear of terrorism and the attacks that Islam extremists insist on doing, like the recent one in France.  People are afraid of what they don't understand and others are using this fear to create more fear.  Neither one is truly helping any cause but chaos. 

The many Muslims that I know actually spread peace and love and acceptance, therefore not all Muslims want to push their religion and beliefs on you nor are they extremists wanting to blow up the west.  Most are normal folk like you and me, just trying to do the right thing and get through each day the best way they can and know how.

I was shocked to find that Duke University actually reversed the decision that allowed a Muslim call to prayer, chanting the adhan that signals Jummah, or weekly prayer service on Friday.  Giving in to the fear of violence is in essence allowing hate to rule over acceptance.  So, should then the Sunday church bell also not be allowed?  If we all give in to fear when we try to stand up for equality of faiths and people, then we would not have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and we would still have segregated schools and women would not be allowed to vote nor many other strides that we have had in the past century.

French laws banning the burqa, or full body and face covering, that some Muslim women wear in public places.  Or them banning head coverings in state schools, seems to me to also squash the freedom of expression and freedom of speech like Duke University.  I would say this falls in line with Islamophobia, and in truth, perhaps it does a little.  But looking at French history, their President doesn't swear in office, on a Bible, nor do their schools put on a Christmas nativity story.  So, at least it seems that the ban on religious expression in public places in France falls on all religions and not just Islam.  But seriously, why should there even be a law banning freedom of religious expression.  Shouldn't we just accept that one person believes differently than us.

It does go both ways too.  A recent scheduled Islam protest I heard about in Germany was cancelled due to fear of riots and extremists.  I will say I don't agree with cancelling due to fear of retaliation because of someone expressing their beliefs.  Though I don't agree with the message they are sending that Islam is bad and don't let it take over your country, I do think they have a right to say what they believe and the government should not have cancelled their protest, giving into fear.

I feel like if we say Islam is bad because one person carried out an attack in the name of Islam, then shouldn't we do it for every bad thing that happens.  So, the school shooting in America was done by someone with a mental illness problem, and many children were killed.  Therefore we should lock up anyone with a mental illness just in case they go and kill innocent people also.  Wouldn't that be convicting them before they were even found guilty.  It breaks my heart, anyone being a victim of violence, especially children, but just because one person in that "category" did a heinous act, it doesn't mean everyone in that "category" will commit a heinous act.

I am passionate talking about Islam and the hate that is sometimes associated with it.  I love my husband and his family and they are all Muslim and wonderful and completely the same as my Christian family.  They all go through the same struggles and the same problems and the same happy moments and the same love.  If you took away the religion, they would be equal in the eyes of so many.  It easy for me to accept Islam into my being an Omnist because all I see are the numerous similarities between Christianity and Islam and not so many differences.