RELIGION: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
E-Mail BY Bobby E. Neble Bio/Address
Religion, just the mention of the word and you have the attention of two-thirds of the world. It is probably the most attentive word in several languages around the globe, next to race. What makes this word so controversial? The implications of it and what it can do is baffling.
Is one's personal choice of faith defined by belief? Or, perhaps a specific sect, branch, or cultural background? I have asked the above questions many times, to myself and out loud to others. When in the company of the very devout, I was given a look of shock and labeled sacrilegious. In the company of the close-minded sort, I was stared at and my sanity was questioned. The most disturbing of all though, was when I would broach the subject in the company of an intellectual crowd. These individuals would stare at me with pity in their eyes and whisper of my own lack of intelligence.
My own personal road with the word has been a very long one. I was raised up in the Baptist dominated south, yet the fervor of the fire and brimstone approach never caught on with me. It took me almost twenty-five years to find my own niche, and I've embraced it with a passion. My understanding of the word has also changed. Through the many years of my search for my inner peace, it has come to symbolize a closeness with myself. A bond from within me—a bond that I have expanded on to strengthen my faith and belief. I no longer look at the word as a label. I've come to believe we're all religious in some aspect, and whether your personal belief lies in the area of Science or Creationism, it still falls into the overall balance of life.
As the Jewish historian Flavious Josephus wrote: "Moses did not make religion a part of virtues; but he declared other virtues to be a part of religion — justice, fortitude and temperance, and a universal agreement of the members of the community with one another."
I've used the above quote to enforce my own opinion of the word religion,' UNIVERSAL. Its universality is evident in its existence today. Just the presence of it in its many forms in every country around the world.
It has stayed in the mainstream through famine and war, through the decline of entire civilizations, and through societies that were created with the sole goal of destroying it. Granted, it has taken on many different faces — branched off into many divisions—and one could even argue that it has multiplied into the concept of multiple creators. However, the point remains, it is universal and has become in a sense a part of everyone — whether directly or indirectly.
In the current world picture, we have numerous nations. Countries, and a multitude of factions doing injustice to others in the name of religion. The age old question remains - Who is right or wrong? What overall creed or doctrine gives the persecutor the freedom to persecute?
A quick look at three of the main people responsible for the three monotheistic religions in existence today is worth exploring: Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad.
Abram/Abraham: The Hebrew translation of the name is in itself very inspiring. Abram [Exalted one] or Abraham [Father of many Nations] is the founding progenitor of the Hebrews, and the primary founder of the religion known today as Judaism. He is not only the patriarch of all the Jewish people, but is also revered by millions of Christians and Muslims as well. The story of his total devotion to God, even at the ultimate willingness to sacrifice his first-born son, is almost unheard of in today's mainstream religious society.
Jesus/Jesus Christ, translated from the Hebrew as [Anointed one], and revered to millions of Christians as the Son of God, by others as a great teacher and a true prophet. The primary founder of Christianity, his willingness to sacrifice himself for God is no less awe inspiring as that of Abraham's.
Muhammad, from the Arabic meaning [Praised], the exalted founder and prophet of Islam. His devotion to God was no less than that of Jesus' or Abraham's. His visions and writings came to be known as the Koran, and next to the Bible, it's the most read and studied book in print.
All three of these individuals were extraordinary during their life times, and today are the mainstays of their respected religions. I have often found it ironic that these three religions are the foremost in the strife around the world, as each are connected to each other. When each ones thoughts and personal beliefs are read and analyzed by the scholars around the world. It is very apparent that they all had a universal belief in the one God. They all strived to lead their people in that direction, and make a better, more organized structure for the whole. So how come they can't coexist?
As each day passes and the continued religious strife around the world escalates, I often wonder what would happen if these three distinguished men were to appear on the world scene today. Would they be able to put an end to all the interreligious strife? Or, would they become separate icons and boost the efforts of each respectively?
I have no answer for that, or any explanation as to how we can fix the wrongs in the world. I would like to see peace in all parts of the world. It would be nice to see Jews, Muslims, and Christians all praying together at some of the world's most holy sites, praying without the worry of retaliation and the ever presence of armed soldiers. This is my ideal concept of universality. It is my hope that one day we will see it. Then, when that day is upon us, the word religion won't cause so much controversy. It will instill a sense of peace and oneness.
