The unexpected in religion is often what we need to contend with in religion. If we are in a religion and do not keep our eyes open and question what goes on, we will be gullible and taken for a ride.
This is not because of God and saints but because we are gullible and there will be those in a religion who think they know better and want us to buy their ideas and views often out of good intentions.
This has been going on for centuries and is nothing new, more so when people tell us to believe and to accept. Didn't our forefathers said so as well?
The approach of evangelistic men in religions of society is no different from that of our parents and grand parents. Sadly, non believers and doubters run them down and regard them as controversial and pain in the neck.
But what if they happen to be our elders and parents who tell us what to believe and do? We never regard our parents and grand parents as controversial, do we?
While in the past we will just accept what others say especially what elders and parents say even if there was lack of rationality, in modern society, we think we can rely on ourselves and go our own way.
That is both good and not so good. It is not so good as then there will be lack of consensus and cohesion. Institutional religion cannot do without consensus and cohesion.
That is why religion while encouraging open mind often is its own undoing by double talking and insisting that the flock just accept, believe and be saved. That would be too convergent.
But the other extreme to question and not believe if taken to the limits is too divergent. That to some is due to lack of faith in God.
In Chinese philosophy, there is need for balance of polarities the yin and the yang and only then can we move on and progress be it in spiritual or mundane worldly life. This is age old philosophy that have withstood the test of time.
The need to bear in mind yin and yang balance is not just a spiritual principle. But it is a principle if applied to mundane life will bring results that augur well for progress, more peace and fruition in life. It is good for both spiritual and worldly life.
The yin yang understanding and approach as well as that if a principle that is good for spiritual is equally good for non-spiritual life are two of the many spiritual principles touched on by the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨).
These obviously are consistent with and acceptable to all religions and cultures. The good lord says that all religions are directed at bringing salvation of the souls in their respective unique ways.
Double sided nature of religion comes as no surprise. After all, this is indeed characteristic of life and the universe. Religion is no different.
Religion is part of the world. Religion is not spared from the ills of the world. However, religion is supposed to solve the ills of the world and bring solace to what many think they cannot have without religion.
But is this really true? Well, it is both true and not true. It is not true as many outside religion can find spiritual peace by being one and in unison with life and the world.
That is perhaps one aspect of the saying by the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨) that the far may be near and the near far.
The good lord also says that we can be better at what we are by learning from the teachings and principles of others. That includes the teachings of all saints and religions as well as the wise thinking of those without religions.
That is perhaps one aspect of the saying by the good lord Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨) that the far may be near and the near far.
The good lord also says that we can be better at what we are by learning from the teachings and principles of others. That includes the teachings of all saints and religions as well as the wise thinking of those without religions.
