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.

Catholicism and Pope Francis

The message is clear that I get from the new Pope.  He is not pushing Catholicism onto people nor is he forcing rules of Catholicism onto the public.  Pope Francis is spreading humanity and kindness and joy and help to the poor.  Around the world, Catholics and non Catholics gather to see him and his radiant energy of love. 

I have always envisioned Catholics to be Christians and to believe in the same words, but with stricter rules and regulations regarding faith and God.  But that is not what I see these days with this Pope leading the way.

Looking at his daily mass, at http://www.news.va/en/sites/reflections, Pope Francis speaks of God and love over and over again.  His focus is on the homeless, the sick, the poor, no matter their religion.

Rather than condemn Catholics when their marriage has failed, he prayed that they be accompanied in their time of need.  He met with a transgender man.  He comes across open and honest, even on touchy subjects like the abuse of children in the Catholic church, which tried to be covered up in previous years.

Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury describes the Pope as "humanity on fire."

Pope Francis said "resist competing for souls and make concrete gestures of acceptance and dialogue." He urges us to have Christian unity.

He also says "the most effective antidote to violence among Christians and Muslims is learning about each other and then accepting differences."

Check out more illuminating articles and quotes at http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-ridding-stereotypes-key-christian-muslim-relations-28449597

I never considered myself Catholic, I always thought that I, myself, could ask God for forgiveness without confessing to a Priest.  And it is relieving and inspiring letting go of words in my heart and mind to God, but I can imagine it being just as uplifting speaking my sins to a Priest.  Also, I think birth control is a blessing and that children should come into a world of love and not regret and if birth control helps ease the pain and burden of some then it can't be all bad.  Furthermore, it is God that provides us the knowledge to create medicine and technology and it is up to us to use it responsibly.

However, the message coming from Pope Francis and Catholics is a message I believe in.  I can say that part of me is Catholic and my hope is to spread love and humanity just as much as Pope Francis.

Kleicha-Food that Reaches Across Religions- Jews, Christians,and Muslims

Food always seems to bring people together and inspires laughter and smiles with a full belly.  That's why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  Its only about the food, no presents, no expectations (except eating), just a general appreciation of life and people and family and grateful for the food we have.  I started thinking that perhaps food could also bring religions together like it seems to do for families.   In my search, I came across United Noshes.  They are attempting to prepare food from all of the countries in the world!  Its a great feat and I'm excited to try some of their recipes. 

One in particular showed my interest.  Kleicha.  This date filled pastry is from Iraq and from a time when Iraq was filled with many religions.  Jews, Christians, and Muslims would all make this pastry to celebrate the holidays of each of the religions.  It is said to even have origins as far back as Babylonian times!



For the recipe, http://maryamsculinarywonders.blogspot.com/2013/01/285-iraqi-date-kleicha.html.

For United Noshes and other world cuisine, check out http://www.unitednoshes.com/.

Yazidis

Yazidis have been in the news a lot lately, due to their persecution by ISIS.  Who are they?  It is another religion I have never heard of until recently.  It makes me wonder how many more religions there are out there...And I can't wait to explore them all!

Yazidis primarily reside in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.  Many of Yazidi beliefs come from Christianity and Islam together.  And Yazidis adhere to much of the Bible and the Koran.

It is rumored to have been founded by an 11th century Ummayyad sheikh, and comes from Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian faith, believed to be the world's first monotheistic religion.

Children are baptized, and circumcised, like Christianity.  Yasdan, the Creator of the world, or God, is the almighty for the Yazidis and can't be worshipped directly.  Yasdan has seven great spirits or angels and the greatest is the Peacock Angel, called Malak Taus.  The peacock is a symbol of immortality in early Christianity because the skin doesn't seem to decay.  Yazidis pray to Malak Taus five times a day, like Muslims pray five times a day and refrain from eating pork, like Muslims.  They sacrifice animals and believe in rebirth of the soul or reincarnation like Hinduism.  So, this ancient religion is even more than Christianity and Islam.

Malak Taus has yet another name, Shaytan, which is Arabic for devil.  And this is why Yazidis are believed to be" devil worshippers".  But Yazidi is derived from the Persian "ized" and means angel.  Izidis actually means "worshippers of God".

It is a strong religion that has lasted centuries of persecution and yet the Yazidis march on, never abandoning their faith.  And also never converting others to their religion. One cannot convert to Yazidi, you have to be born into it to be a part of this unique religion.

Therefore, their faith I can say is solid and true and a part of Omnism.  Though I can't convert to Yazidi, I can accept and believe in what they do.

Check out BBC for a great article about the Yazidis.  http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28686607

 

Worshipping Rats

When I told my husband that I believe I'm an Omnist, he asked me if I will start worshiping rats then?  I laughed at his joke, thinking that there was no such religion that worshiped rats. 

Well there is actually, worshipers of the  Hindu goddess Karni Mata.  She was born in 1444 and lived 151 years and it is believed that she could perform miracles.  In the village of Deshnoke in India, there is a temple, Karni Mata Temple, where worshipers go and give gifts to the rats at the temple, believing they are the incarnation of the goddess and the tribes people of the clan, until they are reborn again as human anyway.  So, people travel great distances to feed the rats or the goddess and their tribes people in the temple.

Hinduism is a complicated religion and one I haven't touched on.  I don't know for certain the exact number, but it has many gods or goddesses that different regions and people worship and believe in.  Some of the Hindu's I have spoken with tell me that it could be impossible for them to know all of the gods and goddesses personally but each Hindu holds one or a few sacred to them. I do hope that in my Omnism journey, I will learn more about the amazing Hindu religion.

As an Omnist, I can't say that I will be walking along the temple in Dashnoke, nor will I be feeding or dining with rats anytime soon.  But I do not begrudge anyone that believes in the goddess Karni Mata, nor her incarnation.  And I do believe that the faith in the goddess and the reincarnation of the tribe is real.  It reminds me that we should respect all living things, because you never know if you shall be reincarnated as a rat in the next life.


Here's a great article of the Temple with National Geographic,
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0628_040628_tvrats.html
 

Sikhism



Sikhism seems to be a more and more popular religion.  It has been in the news quite often these days and I wonder why?  I never even  heard of it until just recently, even though it is now the world's fifth largest religion.

After researching Sikhism.  I can understand the fascination.  It is a giving religion, focusing on living a good life and doing good deeds and avoiding sins and showing compassion and kindness, believing all are equal and not doing empty religious rituals.  Like so many religions, these are the core beliefs.

Sikhs are monotheists, the belief in one God, it's important to them to do good works and not false rituals, have God in your heart, give to the poor, and serve others. 

Sikhism began in the India, Pakistan region in the 1500's with Guru Nanak.    They did not believe in the caste system and idol worship as was and is still popular in the region.  I'm sure it was difficult for them in an area ruled by Hinduism and Islam, but the religion stayed strong with nine more Guru's leading the way the years to come.

When accepted into the religion, you become a member of Khalsa and are baptized and must follow the Sikh code, or the five K's.   Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kanga (a wooden comb), Kaccha (cotton underwear) and Kirpan (steel sword). 


Sikhs believe in birth, life, and rebirth.  And Karma, what you do in this life, will determine the quality of your next life. To achieve a good life, Sikhs must follow Nam Japna, keeping God in mind at all times; Kirt Karna, earn an honest living and avoid crime; and Vand Chhanka, giving to charity.  These are the three duties.  There are five vices that Sikhs must overcome, lust, greed, attachment to worldly items, anger, and pride.  If the vices are overcome, a Sikh may have a better life in the next life.
The Sikh place of worship is the Gurdwara. 
The Sikh book of worship is Guru Granth Sahib.

For more facts on Sikhism, check out the description here http://www.sikhs.org/

Overall, I would say that this is a great religion to add to my list and I do believe as the Sikhs do.  We are all equal, and we should take care of those less fortunate than us, and life isn't about religious rituals but just in keeping God and goodness in our hearts.  I also believe in Karma and making this life count and the possibility of being born again or rebirth.