Is YOUR religion THE religion?

       A hot topic no doubt. Is your faith the right faith? Is your denomination God's chosen one? Are you praying correctly? Are you going to Heaven? Is there a Hell? We all hope we were born on the right side of salvation, don't we? A very good friend of mine who practices Judaism told me that when she was growing up her Christian friends told her that she was going to Hell. Hmm. so much for the "judge not" part of the Bible. We have seen the tragic results from a few religious extremist  self-proclaimed Taliban who took it upon themselves to interpret the wishes of "Allah" and killed thousands of Americans. Killing others is not a practice that pleases the one who created them. For years the Hindu religion's caste system treated some of their believers horribly just because of the family to which they were born. They called them - Untouchables. No one has the wisdom and knowledge to know and judge a person's worth due to the family in which he was born. The Buddhist practice of enlightenment to some ultimately involves renouncing all worldly possessions to the point where the only way to survive is through the charity of others. As one approaches enlightenment, wouldn't you be more helping to others than having them share what little they have to keep you alive so "you" can attain spiritual purity? Then there are those who practice the art of no religion. They believe that there is nothing outside this earthly life. This I believe is the saddest of all. If there was an atheist temple, the sign over the door would read, "All who enter - Abandon Hope." The fear of death must reign supreme in their lives.
     Well, I guess I've sufficiently made everyone mad, but then have I? Have I spoken in errant of these religions mentioned above? Sure, I am going to get a "no, but" response and that is okay. A man who considers himself a Christian and practices it not by condemning others to Hell for having a different belief, but helps his fellow man regardless of another's different belief has - The Right Religion. The woman who practices Judaism who sees Yahweh in us all no matter what we say or do has - The Right Religion. The Islam who treats non-Islamic people with the same reverence. Who sees Allah as everyone's else's God but only going by different names, has - The Right Religion. The Hindu who no matter what caste system others tell he or others like him are in choose to ignore them in favor of treating everyone like a brother or sister. He has - The Right Religion. Or the Buddhist who instead of giving away his things in order to achieve enlightenment, he uses what he has to help others attain their own enlightenment. He has - The Right Religion. The Atheist? Perhaps there are those who have their own personal God, one which may not act or fit into the categories of today and they see the world as all being Atheist in a way, because each believer has his own unique outlook of the way God is. We all each practice our own religion in some manner that is unique to us. Perhaps even the Atheist has - The Right Religion.
      Is YOUR religion THE religion? The answer to the question is only up to you. How you practice it, perhaps? Do you believe that anyone who doesn't see or practice their religious beliefs like you is wrong or do you see God in every individual you meet? Do you allow others to follow their path even though it may not agree with the one you are on? Do you believe that your religion can only be found entirely in the written words of books printed long ago or does your religion flow like a raging river, dynamic and exciting. Flowing and changing, taking you to places you've never been before? The question has been put to you, it is up to you to find your own answer.

Nameste'

Barry Brown, Author and National Speaker
"A Journey to Balance - Making Sense of It All."