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Two Cents Worth

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Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

Are we not supposed to learn from our mistakes? By our, I mean me, you, family, friends, neighbours, us, people, humanity, the public, citizens of the world. If you look at what is going on in the world today, or even our own little part of the world, you can see we haven’t learned much.

There has always been disagreement, debate, dissent, dispute and conflict regarding religious beliefs and convictions. The name of God is often used to advance a particular view as interpreted by the holders of those beliefs. There are many such examples in history. A large variety of religions have used whatever means they deems necessary to instill their views on others. Many of the mainstream churches of today have, in the past, fallen victim to the lure of power and control. Our religious history is tinged, scarred, tarnished and sullied.

There has been no shortage of those trying to recruit, induce or convert others to their philosophies. As seen by the large numbers of organized churches today there has been no shortage of those who broke away from their original religion because they differed in their interpretation of The Word in whatever form that took. All churches, religions, beliefs, conviction, began out of some sort of dissatisfaction with what was available to them at the time. We need to remember the fault lies with the humans who run things.

Now don’t send me nasty letters. History shows this to be true. I can’t confirm it but I am pretty sure the cavemen and women didn’t decide to be Baptist or Catholic or Muslim or even Christian or non-Christian. These things evolved over time. But they, like us, believed in a higher power, someone greater than ourselves, a creator who took on an assortment of forms depending on the level of development and understanding at the time.

How this all worked is part of history. A history we still have not learned from because we are still doing the same things over and over again. Most mainstream religions no longer try to force others into their way of believing but instead try to show by example, through their lives, the peace and serenity that comes from their faith. Some religions still try to use threats, manipulation, oppression, force and radical aggression to make others conform to their interpretation, in what some might call cult-like fashion.

So we have not remembered our religious history very well so therefore we haven’t learned much. Are we doomed to repeat the horrors of the past, the destruction, the pain and suffering, the fear and alienation?

Or are we going to share with love, kindness, openness, compassion to all with whom we share this world. All of us need the freedom to choose how and what we believe in.

twocentsworth40@hotmail.com

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