This is part 4 of a series on Who Am I?
The Theological View
It is time to take a brief look at the theological point of view regarding, Who Am I? There are really only two potential answers to this question of, “who we are”:
- Either we came about by the natural process of a self-existent universe, (which is the modern scientific view of Evolution).
- Or we are the deliberate outcome of intelligent life, that guided the process, and oversaw the creation; which is the Theological view.
Theology attempts to answer this question of life, by revealing who the Creator is, and providing an explanation of how intelligent design was responsible for our creation.
Different Religions have unique stories on how this world came to be; and what the ultimate meaning of life is. Religion has been with man far longer than science. Both religion and science have grown and developed (as history reveals) out of our personal need, curiosity, and experience. Religion and science have progressed as our minds have progressed. As mankind has developed socially and technologically, so have our ideas about the earth; how our world works, and our understanding of the universe and our place in it. That progress has come at a high price in human suffering, as authority figures have always been threatened by what is new and attempted to discourage and terminate it. Nevertheless, progress has and did come. There are those who look at religion and science as united in revealing the truth; and there are those who believe science disproves religion, and makes it obsolete for humanity. There are also those who believe religion supersedes science.
Religious Questioning
Our existence and the life on this earth require an explanation. Our world and universe and life itself are a mystery; how life comes, why it is here, and where it goes; and if there is a soul (living essence or spirit) that lives on and advances by this experience of life, has been a question for humanity that it has attempted to answer since the beginning of man. Each new generation asks and wants to answer these questions, and each individual wonders about this on their own personal level.
A Personal Note
I was raised a Christian, and so these religious ideas are very familiar to me; but I underwent a dramatic change in my twenties as a result of certain life experiences which deeply affected me. As a result of this, I experienced a religious crisis. I was not sure what I could believe anymore. This prompted years of serious inquiry to see if I could substantiate my earlier beliefs, in light of real-life experience which had cast doubts. I had many questions, trying to determine exactly what I could trust, and where was truth. I will share my own story along the way, as I feel it becomes helpful to our discussions into finding truth.
Religious Truth has been Found to be Constant
A fact, of which it is pertinent to take notice, is while science contains much that is firm and proven, in many ways it is always changing and updating; because there is still so much we don’t know and continue to discover about our world and the universe.
But when it comes to Religion, the foundations for “Religious Truth” have largely remained constant. The principles of true religion are mostly the same today as they were when they were first introduced thousands of years ago by enlightened leaders.
(I don’t mean primitive man, who scientists theorize existed in different forms, but I am referring to oral tradition, and the written history, when the moral law was being formed and written down in different cultures.)
Therefore, it is not the principles or concepts contained within Religion that have evolved, it is our understanding of what those truths mean; and how they should be applied.
Below is a list of those basic religious beliefs contained within the predominate Religions of the world, that have been around the longest. Specifically, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. These beliefs combined make up 77 percent of the population of the world today. For many Buddhists, the first 2 beliefs do not apply, but as part of belief 3, they do believe the point of existence is to live morally, which brings a reward during life, and after death– up to the ultimate reward nirvana.
Here are those basic common beliefs:
- A belief that there is a God or Creator (in the singular or pluralistic sense) of this world and the universe, who is watching over us.
- A belief that we should trust and worship God, as a supreme being.
- A belief God will bless us if we try to live moral lives.
- A belief that murder is wrong.
- A belief that to harm another is wrong.
- A belief that we should not steal from others.
- A belief that we must be truthful and honest with each other.
- A belief that we must strive to be virtuous, and sexually true to our marital partner.
- A belief that we should learn to be contented with what we have, and true to others. And a true friend does not scheme to take another’s partner, friends, or property.
- A belief that we should do good and help others in need, express sympathy, and practice compassion.
- A belief that wisdom comes with experience and age; and that the youth and young adults should listen to and respect their elders, carefully consider their advice and honor them.
These moral laws are a part of almost all world societies. They are ancient, and have been practiced (as far as we can determine) from the beginning of the verbal and written law.
A Code of Moral Ethics are the Foundation of Society
Why is this code of moral law consistent down through the ages? Because “truth” is timeless– and does not change. Because the issues related in living together and getting along are universal. People of all ages of this world suffer and struggle with the challenges of existence, and need to find solutions to survive. The laws of society devolved out of this need to avoid societal chaos, and find values all could rely on. But religion specifically goes beyond practical need. In some instances, it offers answers, not just practical moral law.
As I have searched, I believe almost all religions hold levels of truth, and provide a moral framework for those who practice them around the world. This builds a moral foundation for their society, assisting in training up good citizens who live good lives and are moral and honest in their relations between people, which helps fundamentally to hold society together to be stable and consistent. People are able to relate to their neighbors because of common beliefs, and have confidence they can be trusted. I think because of this, all cultural religions with these fundamental laws of integrity bring about the good we find in the world, and are a positive influence for strong trusted relationships in their cultures. This is not to say there are not religious prejudices, and difficulties between religions and different belief systems; but on a fundamental level society needs common beliefs that all conform to. These laws and common-sense beliefs also influence the nonreligious, and provide a positive foundation for them as well in society (whether they share in these beliefs or not); because these moral practices also shape the world they live in, and they gain the same benefits of a stable law-abiding society.
Atheists and Agnostics Appreciate the Moral Law
Many who are not religious also recognize most of these morals and values as common-sense measures required to support a successful society, where personal integrity is valued; and believe in them on their merits, with no religious connection.
A Belief; There is No One True Religion
I have heard some suggest it does not matter what religion you are in, as long as you live a moral life and are a good person. We will all end up in a good place with God, and there are many roads back to heaven. Some believe there are many Gods, deities, or guides we can worship who assist us from the other side.
Whatever the truth of God may be? Those who practice a similar moral law, stabilize their existence with one another in our modern society.
A True Religion Must Answer Life’s Greatest Questions
People unite themselves to a particular Religion for different reasons, and to meet certain needs they feel they have. People are all unique, viewing the world from their own perspective, and can look for different things from Religion.
I believe the most important role of Religion is to provide sound answers to our real purpose for being here? and helping the individual to discover, “Who Am I?” which is the message of this series.
I therefore believe true religion can’t just be abstract in its form, leading nowhere really, except to pointless and meaningless ceremony or worship for the sake of worship, even if it holds some significant truths that have been handed down.
For religion to be authentic, it must be able to provide life’s answers, and give true direction.
Some religions fill our most basic need for meaning, keeping us occupied and feeling like part of a group or congregation, and feeling good about ourselves. This has great value for many people in providing a foundation, and filling the emptiness in their life. But religion has more than one responsibility. If it is authentic– it must be able to explain and reveal answers to pain and suffering; and conflict among people–including war, hate, death, societal disintegration, moral and physical destruction; and natural disasters. It must give guidance and true direction to how we overcome human conflict; offer a plausible explanation of our world and universe; and help us to see what a meaningful life looks like. It needs to explain what all of this we are experiencing down here is for? And how it will lead to a meaningful and happy conclusion?
Most attempt to do this, but that is where I think religions deviate the most, and expose their greatest differences; when attempting to answer these types of questions, relating to life’s meaning and purpose.
False Religion
Some religions preach a mysterious, difficult to understand, and nonspecific deity; and are broadly inclusive of popular cultural trends; which some prefer, as it offers comfort that someone is looking down on us, and is not too judgmental of us… but asking almost nothing from us. These are religions of convenience for us… that do not interfere with our own lives and plans. Many people like these religions because they think they can have sin and holiness together. They have a very low bar for morality. But a religion that does not ask you to rid yourself from sin (engaging in self-defeating practices) and excessive immoral self-indulgence is a contradiction to truth. We all contain both good and evil within us, (or possibly worded another way) selflessness (good) and selfishness (evil), but the more we pursue the one, the less we can pursue the other. We can’t be selfish, and selfless at the same time. If we are self-consumed, we do little to help others and improve our communities. We are one-sided in our closest relationships, unwilling to give support and love, unless there is something in it for us.
Similarly, we cannot simultaneously seek good and evil because they are diametrically opposed to each other. We have to pursue the one or the other. Whichever one we are actually pursuing, our efforts to appear to be living the other… are a lie and a deception.
“[For] every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit… Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” -Matthew 7: 17&20 KJV
The Miracle of Human Change
Who we are… personally… is the sum total of our thoughts and acts. This is sometimes a condemnation of us; but it can also be the liberation of us. It is a two-edged sword that can swing both ways for change. A human being is capable of complete and total change, people are not helpless to remain as they are. We can become whatever we want to be morally and spiritually by making small consistent changes to our thoughts. Our thoughts (and what we encourage or entertain to pass across our minds) like ripples in a pond move outward and grow in size to affect our attitudes and beliefs. But thoughts can be fed and encouraged from good sources or evil ones. We will serve what we come to entertain and love; and we will come to love what we encourage and seek externally, and internally. What we think, will in turn shape and change our desires– and our desires shape our actions. The crowd we run with, and the friends we choose– become who we are. This is the process of Human growth and improvement, or our moral destruction.
Some self-serving, vile and evil people have found a new vision of goodness and truth, and have altered themselves to become very good, honorable, and truth-seeking people. The opposite is also true. Some very good people have been slowly influenced to lower themselves to greed, or excessive self-serving indulgence, or unhealthy pleasure pursuits; and get lost and become hardened and evil. We can always change…and…we can always come back to truth. There is always hope.
We write our own story; we make our own life what it is, because we always can choose what we will think, and how we will react.
To be continued . . .
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