Sunday Wisdom

From One Mountain, Many Paths
An American Freemason Speaks Out for Peace

by Dr. Patrick Swift
Click book or here to go to the page and buy it for yourself,

There are many religions back to God, like stepping stones on a path.

Pawnee Proverb, Adapted
Indigenous Native American Indian

People who praise their own faith and belittle the faith of others solve no problems.

Sutrarakritanga 1:1.50,Adapted
Jainism

The whole theme of Patrick's book is to me that when it comes to religion we need to "let go and let God" - It is not our "human" duty to worry about the way God speaks to individuals and to other people. We have seen folks on the news picketing soldiers funerals and other places with hateful signs and placards. In other places these so-called "Christians" get on bull-horns and preach to groups of people they do not know and accuse them of all sorts of things. They actually give Christianity a bad name.

It is my opinion only, and you have a perfect right to disagree with me, but I think Jesus delivered his sermons quietly and with authority. I think that he proved his teachings by living what he taught. Now I know there are folks who say that every word in the Bible is the inerrant word of God but I really do doubt that. The Bible was written by men. Men who liked to control things. I believe that there is a difference between what they wrote and what I call the "inspired word" of the Bible. The inspired word proves itself by its efficacy in the world. By changed lives and situations.

Some folks preach that the reason that the world is is such trouble today is because of the "fags" and the way people are not following God. If God does take an interest in the human situation I think he is more interested in how we treat each other. Is there a child going to bed hungry? Is there someone ill and alone? Is someone hurting because of rejection or sharp words? Are we interested in each other or only in ourselves? Is there a young father struggling to keep his family afloat? Do we treat others with love or do we reject and call them names?

I think if God is going to punish us it would be because those questons can all be answered in the affirmative. Not because of who we love but because of who we do not love. If you have amassed a lot of wealth at the expense of others I think this world can be a luxurious place to live. I doubt that the inspired word of God would tell you to feel comfortably about that. In any case you should look to yourself and not worry about the religion of others. That is one thing I love about Freemasonry. Freemasonry regards no man for his wealth or honors -- or his religious or his religious standing. In fact, religion is one of the two things we are not to discuss in lodge. The other is politics. I think the founders of our fraternity were very wise men indeed.
Have a great week. j