"Reverie" by Yanni

My God

When I first discovered the internet, I knew there were types of places I did not want to go, sites I did not want to see... ideas I did not subscribe to, but in my own naive way, I assumed that "The Internet" was by its very nature a level field on which we each could state our preferences, and allow others the dignity to have their own personal beliefs, except if they were harmful to others. I knew, too that no one was going to force me to go to those sites, and that the people who owned them, had the right to their own opinions as well, again, barring that those sites were doing illegal things, or harmful to others.

I made friends with people of different religions and beliefs and found them to be interesting and likable, even lovable, people. Naturally, I made links to interesting sites of various kinds.I soon found out, that I was mistaken in my belief that we each had a right to express our opinions and associate freely with whom ever we chose online.

I placed poetry and my stories online to share with others and received good comments from visitors. One very nice man commented on my work, and in the course of reading my pages, he proofread some of them and let me know when he found an error. I visited his pages, where he had some beautiful poetry on display, of his own creation. I asked to display one of them on my site with appropriate linking. He was agreeable, but said that the site actually was located on the site of a relative of his and that person would have to agree to the link and display.

Imagine my distress when I got a rather unpleasant and short note telling me to UNLINK IMMEDIATELY!, because in that person's opinion, I was undesirable as a link. I found out that it was because I had linked to poetry and friends who were pagan and some Wiccan in belief. Apparently, this person had had a bad experience with someone who claimed to be Wiccan, equated all Wiccans with Satanism, and lumped everyone who was not Christian into that group.

I, of course, removed the link, and the lovely poem, which on its face was very loving and embracing of people. Apparently, only certain people fit their standard. I was very saddened and hurt by the whole exchange, but in the process I have found that I definitely don't want to be a member of that "exclusive" group, or any group which issues blanket judgements on people who are different in their beliefs. "Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged".

My God is a loving and fair God. My God created this complex and infinite world and how many others? We can only guess. My God is not restricted to any one belief system. My God is the creator of us all. S/He is not male or female; not black or white or red or yellow or blue or green. My God is spirit and love and much more that we tiny brained humans cannot comprehend. My God does not fit into a compartment to be conveniently categorized and does not have to follow the rules.... certainly not human rules.

To try to place God into the confines of a single belief system illustrates one of the fundamental lessons that humans need to learn. We all have seen the Science Fiction movies where some alien space ship lands on earth. Instantly the military types want to annihilate them all as threats to national security, the religious leaders want to destroy them as threats to organized religion. It doesn't matter to either of those groups, and to be fair, many individuals, whether the aliens are actually hostile or not. They are simply different and that is enough in the narrow selfish view of humankind to warrant their destruction. Not to mention the gross arrogance of thinking we are superior to all other life forms. Come on.... a race intelligent enough to have space travel, comes to our planet... WE can't do that yet.... and yet we are supposedly smarter and more fit to live. Shouldn't we be attempting to LEARN from those beings rather than destroying them? We are a warlike and arrogant people. Biblically this was also described as "stiff necked". "Pride cometh before a fall."

Humans have carried this attitude with them throughout history. It is a true miracle that we did not long ago destroy ourselves and our planet. We have as a group repeatedly destroyed various cultures, and other groups of beings, because they were different in color, faith, culture or simply because we wanted what they had. It is shameful what we as a people have done to those weaker or different from ourselves.

We are daily reminded of this violent and cruel history in the news and on the streets. Greed and envy and jealousy are truly deadly sins. My mother used to say she would not tolerate a liar... because if you would lie, you would steal, and if you would steal you would murder. Think about it. It is quite true. And it is something we all struggle against throughout our lives.

We ridicule, abuse and destroy in the name of God and religion. My God weeps at such behavior. We are like children, untrained in the ways of polite society, we push each other around, bite and scream to get our way. We are unworthy of what our generous and loving God has given us. It is far past time that we put such childish behavior behind us and live as God meant us to live. In love. Simply and plainly... love does not abuse or destroy. Love is tolerant and forgiving and gentle with a strength that is all encompassing. Strength is not a display of who can be king of the mountain, strength is not who can knock down someone weaker. Strength is the capacity to be gentle with those in pain, to be firm with those who are hurting others, it is the ability to withstand neglect and deprivation in order to give what is needed to another.

God sends us prophets and wise persons of every race, creed and color. We have been offered a wonderland to share and enjoy. We have the ability to make it a paradise or a hell. Too often we make it Hell. Do unto others.. before they do unto you has become the rule.. not at all the Golden one which used to be taught. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." "Love thy neighbor as thyself."

My Spiritual Journey is an ongoing event. I believe in learning from the sources which are shown to me at various times in my life. Below are a few of the things I believe.

I Believe there is a Plan.

I Believe God is all powerful.

I Believe God is LOVE.

I Believe we each are eternal.

I Believe no ONE religion has a free pass.

I Believe each of us has a purpose in the Plan.

I Believe we are here to learn, to love, and to grow spiritually.

I Believe God created us all equally deserving of love and respect.

I Believe God created all, for all, playing NO favorites.

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