Hello! You may have seen some of my posts mentioning that I had a Bat Mitzvah or that I was raised Jewish. Well I am here to tell you that I have changed my mind about a bunch of stuff portioning to religion. Here are my thoughts (I wrote this the summer of 2013 and tweaked it a tad. Some I have copied and pasted from outside sources, yet it is what I believe.)
I
Summer 2013
At my desk facing a gorgeous
mountain
mountain
*Just to let you know I am trying not to bash
religions. If you like your religion and it does good things for you and the
universe, great! That rocks! But this is what feels right to ME. Also, my ideas
are ever changing based on what I learn and experience.*
After reading Are You There God? It is Me Margret
for the second time, I’ve been asking myself some questions about
religion. I was born Jewish. Both of my parents are Jewish and my grandparents
as well. I had my Bat Mitzvah in November of 2013 and I am realizing things
about myself all the time. I’ve been a vegetarian for about a year now (I am
vegan for 1 year now), I feel deeply connected to nature, and I love upcycling.
I don’t like the idea in some religions where
there is a “holy land” because I believe that we should appreciate where we are
right now and instead aspire to improving circumstances where we live vs.
putting tons of time and effort into a land where only a small amount of people
live so that it is the richest, best, most holy place. Instead, equally
distribute it all over the world so that it is all holy. What about that?
Also, I don’t like how some people where crosses
or stars. I understand that it shows pride for their beliefs, and it is cool
when I see someone with symbol and they start talking to them about it. I also
think they emit a certain exclusion vibe. That is why I wear a tree. I have a
tree necklace that represents nature.
I also don’t like having services in another
language. I have memorized so many prayers in Hebrew, It is crazy, but they
have no meaning to me because I don’t understand Hebrew. If they were in
English, that would be so enlightening. Just like how in the Old Catholic
church, services were in Latin, and the priests could say what the bible read
and say almost anything because the common people couldn’t understand what the
bible said because they didn’t read Latin.
I don’t like the idea of heaven, instead I see the ability to start again and reincarnate into another thing is even better because it is interesting, and a new experience where we can make a difference on Earth. You can reach bliss in the current state right now. I once made up a song about what I was going to be in my next life. Maybe a ladybug or a rabbit, or a redwood. Who knows? Life isn’t a punishment and there is always hope. For those suffering, we need to help end their suffering so that they enjoy their time on Earth as much as possible. Life isn’t cheap, and it should be cherished.
I don’t like the idea of heaven, instead I see the ability to start again and reincarnate into another thing is even better because it is interesting, and a new experience where we can make a difference on Earth. You can reach bliss in the current state right now. I once made up a song about what I was going to be in my next life. Maybe a ladybug or a rabbit, or a redwood. Who knows? Life isn’t a punishment and there is always hope. For those suffering, we need to help end their suffering so that they enjoy their time on Earth as much as possible. Life isn’t cheap, and it should be cherished.
Lastly, I don’t like the idea of a soul ruler
over a religion such as the pope I think everyone should be the dictator over
their own thoughts, and not abide by what other people think. Also with Catholicism,
I don’t like the idea that if you do or are a certain thing, you will never
have happiness. The idea of sins annoys me.
Now that I’ve talked about things that I don’t
like about religions, I will talk about things I like about them. Starting with
community.
I love that there is such a sense of community
with your religion, that you can strike up a conversation about Bat Mitzvahs or
that you can talk about you favorite deity. Or go on community service
trips. That is why I am so conflicted if I should grow up and not be a certain religion, or not raise my kids a certain religion, I and they will lose spiritual community.
I love tikkun olam or giving back to our
community (in Hebrew) or the idea that you should commit a Mitzvah and day
(random act of kindness.) With most religions that unite us all is the idea
that you should do unto others and they would do unto you (golden rule.) I love
this sense of duty to make the world a better place. It is so great, this idea.
I also like holidays and the joy of celebrating
something that happened and feeling joy thousands of years later. That is
really cool. Then you have the whole traditional food aspect, a game, and BAM!
Celebration.
My favorite and least favorite parts of religion
have made me see what I personally believe. It is a mix of Jainism,
Unitarianism, Buddhism, Paganism, and other religions I don’t know the name of.
read more about the religions above at http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/.
I believe in a mixture of all these religions
with a little thing of my own tossed in to become what I believe, think, and
how I view life (which is ever changing as I change).
-There is a higher power or powers
-God is Mother Nature and all of her children: animals and plants, as well
as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of
equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion. Plants’ souls may
be fairies.
- Life is sacred
-Be vegan and respect all life
-We are all connected.
- We are individually and
collectively powerful by our thoughts and actions.
- We treat the Earth with
utmost respect to ensure sustainability.
- All beings deserve
respect, liberty, and education no matter what sexual orientation, race, or
customs.
-Mezuzahs can protect a sacred
space. On the blessing inside instead of the v'ahavta, write “May Mother Nature
protect this house, room, community, and world, while showering it with love,
peace, and meaningfulness.
-Everyone has the right to seek
truth and meaning for themselves, using: their intellect; their conscience and
their own experience of life
- We must resolve conflicts non- violently.
-We are one people.
-Live the Yolo life because you
are only this life once
-The duty of the privileged is
the help the less privileged
-Religious truth is not
necessarily or primarily laid down either in scriptures, by a holy person or by
a religious institution
-Religion should make a difference to
the world, so be active in social justice and community work and commit a random act of
kindness each day (Mitzvah)
-Be U!
Happy religion adventuring!
Hi Twig! I love this post! So much!!!! These are questions I ask myself all the time and I loved reading about your spiritual journey. Have you ever read or heard of a book called The Jew in the Lotus? It's by Roger Kamenetz. Here's part of the description: "While accompanying eight high–spirited Jewish delegates to Dharamsala, India, for a historic Buddhist–Jewish dialogue with the Dalai Lama, poet Rodger Kamenetz comes to understand the convergence of Buddhist and Jewish thought." It's a neat book and I think you might like it. You might also check out a program called Urban Adamah (www.urbanadamah.org) if you haven't already. Urban Adamah is an educational farm and community center in Berkeley, California, that integrates the practices of Jewish tradition, sustainable agriculture, mindfulness and social action to build loving, just and sustainable communities. They have volunteer opportunities and lots of educational opportunities and an incredibly beautiful outdoor Shabbat experience. Maybe we can meet up there for a Shabbat sometime :-) I'm so glad you are exploring different religions and asking such wonderful, big questions. I'd love to hear more about your thoughts as you continue to explore! KLAM, Autumn
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