Selectively Juggling

No, I do not practice religion, and this is based on my conscious choice. I was raised in a religious household. I needed to undo, unlearn that dogma. I am spiritual though, and see beauty and incredible love, power and energy in nature. My church is nature, the waters, the lands, mountains, rivers, skies, animals, forests and plants. I also see how beautiful moral people can affect incredible change and love within the world, and not through the lens of religion, but compassion and humanity. The most Christ like people I have met, are indeed not religious at all. They are simply good, moral, loving people who consciously choose to do their best by self and others. Conversely some of the most horrendous people claim to be religious, but their actions say otherwise. Just think of right-wing evangelicals, who practice racist hate.

Yes, I have met many wonderful people who do practice religion (my parents included). Yes, I do believe each person should be free to practice their religion, but I also believe in “freedom from religion- not just freedom of religion”. I also believe there needs to be a complete and utter separation of church and state. The political must not be driven by the religious. I also have major issues with religious missionaries venturing into other countries, communities and cultures trying to convert and indoctrinate others into their religion, completely disrespecting and disregarding the people’s original religious beliefs. It smacks of colonialism and racial bigotry.

I’m sure this post may upset some, that is not my intention. I know that these posts are read globally, and as such I want to reiterate that I know my own social lens is through the eyes of a white women. I know, embrace and fully respect that it’s a huge world, made up of billions of people, thousands of different cultures, hundreds of different religions and belief systems. My personal journey to a more loving and compassionate life, needed me to remove the blinkers that I had in place. In doing so I opened up my mind to a whole other world of understanding. This is my path, my journey, and although not underpinned by religious beliefs or practices, it is still loving, compassionate and purposeful. More importantly I am raising my children up to be strong, ethically just, moral and compassionate people, who see humanity through the lens of compassion and inclusivity.