No 1184 of Living Life Series 1
The cycle of life goes on and on. Changes are made. Village associations give way to clan and merchant associations. Then the Western English educated upgrade to church associations in Asian societies.
They may be different but they serve similar purposes. They hold people together. They are excuses for gathering and networking. They are outlets for people to let off steam and get recognition and give recognition. God and saints are even roped in as patrons to give some divine legitimacy.
They promote lower echelons of social governance at commune style - outlets for social expressions that are healthy and encouraged by the the government of the land. They complement the government of the land.
These are not unlike the various echelons in heaven above. They complement one another in healthy way and maintain the peace. As in heaven, so also on Earth. As on Earth, so also in Heaven where there are many levels and sublevels. Like in Heaven, governments do cut and trim. They exert censorships.
So why on Earth must some say that their religion is the only one. There must be many religions to meet the needs of the many and at different levels and echelons.
If they go out of hand, the government of the land will come in the way Heaven do when things get out of hand even in Heaven. As in Heaven, so also on Earth and as on Earth so also in Heaven. This the sages say at least in China of old.
Religions will ever reinvent themselves with new ones, new sects and new denominations. These must be encouraged. Religion must not snuff out one another but grow one another in strength.
As they are for the good of men, they should and will need to coexist peacefully. Expect more religions and sects. This is in the nature of society. But all are one in wanting goodness for men. So said the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨.
The cycle of life goes on and on. Changes are made. Village associations give way to clan and merchant associations. Then the Western English educated upgrade to church associations in Asian societies.
They may be different but they serve similar purposes. They hold people together. They are excuses for gathering and networking. They are outlets for people to let off steam and get recognition and give recognition. God and saints are even roped in as patrons to give some divine legitimacy.
They promote lower echelons of social governance at commune style - outlets for social expressions that are healthy and encouraged by the the government of the land. They complement the government of the land.
These are not unlike the various echelons in heaven above. They complement one another in healthy way and maintain the peace. As in heaven, so also on Earth. As on Earth, so also in Heaven where there are many levels and sublevels. Like in Heaven, governments do cut and trim. They exert censorships.
So why on Earth must some say that their religion is the only one. There must be many religions to meet the needs of the many and at different levels and echelons.
If they go out of hand, the government of the land will come in the way Heaven do when things get out of hand even in Heaven. As in Heaven, so also on Earth and as on Earth so also in Heaven. This the sages say at least in China of old.
Religions will ever reinvent themselves with new ones, new sects and new denominations. These must be encouraged. Religion must not snuff out one another but grow one another in strength.
As they are for the good of men, they should and will need to coexist peacefully. Expect more religions and sects. This is in the nature of society. But all are one in wanting goodness for men. So said the good lord Lord Bo Tien 武天菩萨.
