Spiritual People Living In The New Millennium

An honest analysis of the effect our society has on other world cultures, as well as the effect our society has on ourselves and our environment, reveals what many people already know. In our society, we are forced to participate in activities that challenge our core beliefs. We are forced to deliver up the fruits of our labor to the government, so that it may be used to harass and to cause harm to others, not only in other countries around the world unable to resist our coercive nature, but right here at home.

Our society, not just our country, but our entire modern industrial culture complete with all of it's colonial roots, is predicated on the notion of , that it is our "destiny" to "manifest" our culture to our furthest reaches, that somehow this Christian God has given us a preferred right to the wealth of the world, and that it is ultimately our destiny to rule the world, because this God says we are the chosen ones. It is this misrepresentation of the Creator that has led our civilization to this point, and it is this mentality of Divine Right that has given rise to nearly every modern atrocity.

A majority of people in this country and indeed in this world, myself included, acknowledge themselves as being spiritual people. We have acknowledged that we are part of a larger process that is beyond scientific measure. Our faith and experience tells us that life does not end after death.

Most people also believe that somehow or another, our place in any afterlife is wholly dependent upon our actions in this life. Whether you believe in a Higher Realm after death, or believe that we come back to live again, the general consensus remains, that the manner in which we conduct our lives serves to further, or hinder, our spiritual development. And in this country, the majority of people generally believe, that should we fail to meet our spiritual obligations, we may even be condemned to a tortuous eternity in a fire and brimstone prison called Hell.

It is not difficult to recognize the inherent conflict that exists when trying to reconcile the spiritual requirements of our Creator, whomever we hold that to be, with the legal requirements of living in our society. Many of the activities that our government conducts in our name, go directly against any teachings of the man from Nazareth, not to mention any personal spiritually-based sense of right and wrong. Yet, somehow, we continue to take part in this misconduct, directly and indirectly, in order to soothe our fears and to "go along to get along". Which leaves me to ask everyone, myself included, this question.

If the world were to end tomorrow, how many so-called Christians would be able to face their Lord? How many have truly lived by His words? How many people of any faith would be able to face their Creator?

The majority of people in this country willingly comply with an immoral government, either because they might actually believe that God wants poor people to fend for themselves, and that God wants poor mothers and children thrown on the street. They might actually believe that God wants pagans and gays burned at the stake, and of course, for us to "smite down our enemies". It's either that, or they just don't realize that there is an alternative to the conventional system and to this unholy madness. Or they do know, and they are afraid  or unwilling to act on that knowledge.

 There exists in this country a perpetual fear to go against the system. Those brave souls who do take that stand, do so at great risk to themselves and their families. The State is very unforgiving to people who point out the differences between right and wrong. Not suprising after all, since the system is designed to keep poor people poor, and rich people rich. Anything that threatens that axiom, is quickly labeled a threat to national security, or some other propagandistic name shell game.

In truth, the rich class could not exist were it not for the sacrifices of the poor. Much of the perceived wealth in the world was, and is, acquired on the backs and broken bodies of those that will never see those riches.

By creating an artificial system of economics, our ancestors sentenced future generations to being born into a state of involuntary servitude, to being required to participate in this "system" in order to survive. From our origins as a species that once walked hand in hand with Creation, we are now by necessity forced to take jobs that harm the Earth, and harm each other.  We have been complicit in creating a legacy of exploitation from the very day we arrived on these shores. We do not have to remain complicit.

Many would argue that the requirements of the State outweigh other concerns, mainly due to the immediacy of the enforcement arm of the State versus that of the Creator, and the physical needs associated with an Earthly existence. In other words, we are bound to the needs of our families, our children, and our communities, to provide for their welfare, as well as to respond to threats to that welfare. For most people, that sometimes means aquiescing to a law of the State that goes against their spiritual beliefs in order to maintain the peace, to protect their families, or to protect their socioeconomic standing.

I would ask you to consider another argument, one that is both well known and well debated, long before I came into this world. And that is the concept of choosing a path that honors not only the reality of the physical world and our obligations to it, but it also honors the full realization that the requirements of our Creator will not and must not take a back seat to the whims of man; that the Creator, whomever you hold that to be, will not be satisfied with a path that does not walk hand-in-hand with Creator. And we musn't be satisfied either, because our futures and our children's futures do depend on it.

I ask you to consider an alternative that is already being pursued by many throughout the world, in this country as well. An alternative that says that it is possible to protect and to provide for your families and your communities, while at the same time honoring the Highest of Laws, which is to do no harm.

For those that consider themselves Christians, this means to consider the words of Christ when making decisions, not the words of others. Much of the Bible is the words of others, only the New Testament contains quotes from the man called Jesus. Consider only the words He spoke while walking this Earth and you will see that what I say is truth.

Regardless of your specific affiliation, if any, there is a common doctrine that is found in most religions, and that is the concept of living a life of service to your fellow human beings and of living in a manner consistent with the respect and preservation of life that is the Creation. Whether a particular religious sect actually follows those doctrines is debatable.

It is not enough to know these or any other Truths and to become "enlightened". Truth must be brought fully into your everyday reality. This is what is meant by "walking your talk", to walk each step with a prayer in your heart, to be fully cognizant of your interaction with the Universe and with all the other Souls that share this reality with you, from the baby in your arms, to the leader of a faraway country that has been labeled an enemy. This is the essence of what Christ said when He spoke that eternal life was through Him. That was His message then, and it remains so, that the way to God is to live your life the way He did. You must learn to walk His talk, because faith alone will get you nowhere.

I consider myself first and foremost, a spiritual being sharing an Earthly experience with billions of others, and as such I am bound to a higher authority to hold myself accountable for all my actions, or inactions, while present in this reality we call life. It is that primary focus which guides me, and which I diligently seek to carry over into all other aspects of my life.

I do not claim any special knowledge, nor do I claim to "walk my talk". I do on occasion recognize Truth when I see it, but I am far from perfect in it's implementation. I have numerous flaws and there are many things that I have done in my life that I am not proud of. However at this point in my life, I have come to terms with that part of myself, and I strive to walk a different path.

I am a minister, legally ordained since 1996 through the Universal Life Church, but in practice I consider myself non-affiliated with any organized religion. I come from a Christian background, but my path has taken a different road. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth truly lived, and I try to follow His teachings, as well as the many teachings of others. I have come to realize that the man we know as Jesus is one of many Masters that have walked, and continue to walk this Earth.

My own path has taught me that the essence of spirituality lies in your ability to develop a personal relationship with your understanding of the Divine. And my personal relationship with Creator has revealed to me the path that I must take. It is the developing of this personal relationship that I try to impart to others as a minister these days. I also continue to provide traditional ministerial services.

We do not have the right to impose our spirituality onto others, however, it can be argued that we do have the right to refuse those requirements of government and law that a reasonable person would recognize as being against the laws of the Creator and against Nature, which is the Creation. Or call it Conscience if you will. It is that force within ourselves and outside ourselves that knows right from wrong. And it is that knowing of right from wrong that has brought me to a personal decision in my life.

I will no longer lend support, material or otherwise, to those elements of our society and our government that violate what I know to be right. I will no longer cooperate with, or contribute to, what I know to be wrong. I will stand up for those that cannot stand up for themselves. And I will help those that need my help. I will, from this day forward, strive to walk a new path that my ancestors, and my Creator, can be proud of.

There is a legal basis in our society that supports our right to practice our spirituality in this manner. In a court of law, it is standard practice for people giving official testimony to swear to God that they are telling the truth. Our Congress begins each day with prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance has "under God" in it's declarations. Churches in this country even enjoy tax-exempt status to "pursue God's work".

So why would the law require people to swear to God in court, unless the law also recognizes the inherent and legitimate natural right of the people to live in a positive manner pleasing to their God, a manner that assures their place in whatever afterlife they hold in their spiritual tradition?

I emphasize "positive manner" here because you cannot infringe on the legitimate rights of, or cause harm to, another because you think your God tells you to. And as long as the practice of our spirituality does not infringe on the legitimate rights of others, we should not be forced by the State to participate in activities that we know are wrong, that we know will cause harm to others, and that we know will ultimately cause our damnation.

We must also resist giving any support, material or otherwise, to a government that is morally and legally corrupt.  To do so is a violation not only of the laws of the Creator, it is also a violation of the laws of our country that make it . The Bush Administration is a terrorist organization and has commited numerous War Crimes. and as long as they or their accomplices remain in control of our government, it is legally and morally justifiable to refuse to cooperate with, or to pay any money to, the government or their agents.

As individuals living in our current society, putting your beliefs into action, or "walking your talk" can sometimes lead to the State imposing heavy sanctions or even imprisonment on you, either of which damages your ability to protect and to provide for your family, and will likely put them on the street to boot. And sometimes it can lead them into taking your life. Nevertheless, numerous people in our society have taken that risk, and continue to do so, in order to not violate their own conscience, and in order to do what they know to be right and just.

This is why we all must stick together, to resist the governments efforts to harass and imprison us. We must come to each others defense when needed, we must refuse to allow the homes and liberties of our neighbors to be taken from them, and we must extricate our brothers and sisters from the unjust prison system.

 I do believe that it is not possible for all of us to take that sort of action however, for one reason or another. The necessity of protecting our children is as important to the Creator, as it is to all of us. Only you and the Creator know what you are capable of. What is necessary from everyone however, is for all of us to take some sort of action, however small, that helps to move society as a whole toward a Christ-like life. And then after that, as long as you are able, keep doing it.

Actions such as helping those in need, without imposing your judgements upon them. If you have the resources to help others, it is right to do so. If you can offer shelter, food, clothing, respite, or your labor, it is right to do so. It is also right, and necessary, for all of us to stand up to the elements of our society and our world that violate these principles, and to always do so in a manner befitting a child of God.

We must realize that we are all in the same boat, so to speak.

United we stand, divided, we do indeed fall.

 "And what rough beast, it's hour come round at last,
Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?"
~William Butler Yeats~

Peace,
Paul Fisher
We The People Network



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