Ceremonies,
elaborate rituals, utensils, vessels, sacrifices, incense, myrrh, the proper
and improper slaughter of animals, feasts celebrations with prescriptions for
wave offerings, libations… etc. The list is too long, but one can see that man
fell in love with these things, and still loves, deriving a sense of pride,
identity and belonging. Nonetheless, these things were only permitted.
The
wandering Israelites desired meat. Lack of protein can make you grumpy, but was
that really the case? When the flocks of quails arrived the people gluttonously
devoured them until they vomited. It shows God’s displeasure and scorn. Thus He gave
them over to their own cravings. (Read Romans 1:24-28) But was there another way? What was God’s plan, and
why no one searched it out?
Obviously
that was not God’s perfect will, but He seems to had been swayed. His people, with
their demands, could bend His arm. I think that when we discover those divine
soft spots we tend to take advantage of them by pushing those buttons as if we
are gods and the Almighty must obey our demands.
The emergence of religion
The emergence of religion has much to do with our ways rather than the Maker’s ways, which must be studied, an undertaking most pleasing to Him.
With
this example we can see the early and latter stages of the Israelite journey.
We see the progress, but rather in the God-permitted direction, and not according
to His perfect will, which perhaps is crowned with immortality?
All
peoples practiced religious rites. The Israelites lived in Egypt 430 years; a
long history during which one can be profoundly impressed with religion. Visual
impressions also impress our genes, as if in time human genome, we can say, craves
things it has been used to.
We
have now a proof that genes carry ancestral predispositions and habits, e.g., scientists
discovered a gene that increases the chances of becoming hooked on cocaine. Addicts
were 25% more likely to carry the gene variant than people who did not use
cocaine. Scientists believe that genetic factors account for 70% of cocaine
addiction, making it as heritable as schizophrenia and other mental health
conditions. Studies of twins suggest alcoholism is about 50% genetic.
Addictions
come from substance abuse, but besides these there are scores of other
predispositions ancestors passed on to their offspring—strengths and
weaknesses.
There
was a time when there was no organized religion and no go-betweens defining the
Creator to others. We may assume that teaching and learning of the Truth was
not yet known; hence, religious observances gained ascendancy rather than
knowledge.
The
ascent of science could be seen as the final phase in the progression of
religion. Any organized religion has the element of conformity; and conformity
has many faces. As it is the case with Judaism, Christianity and Islam religious
submission comes in different packaging. Judaism is split between orthodox,
conservative and progressive; and within these three branches there are several
other traditions. Christianity also comes in three, Catholic, Greek Eastern
Orthodox and Protestant, with many other branches. Islam is mainly split
between the Sunni and Shia with other splinters. Each camp defines their
beliefs through their religion’s founder and with the help of their holy
literature. Adherents must conform to those different streams of beliefs and
interpretations. However, none of these versions actually lead to God, but
rather to religion itself; to the packaging, sets of beliefs and too often;
subjective interpretations. But let’s take another look at religion.
Outward appearance
Does God care about the type of a hat you wear, coat, or prayer posture? Isn’t it all for others to see and in the name of self-definition? One does it only to depict belonging, but does the invisible God really ask for it? You can say yes, for it is written (the Bible or Koran), but all of this was never God’s first choice, but rather man’s choice with God’s permission.
A
self-defined religion is only that, and nothing more. It obscures the spiritual
reality, which in time ceased to be a reality and became more a mystical
concept than anything practical and applicable.
There
was a time where someone walked with God without ritual and religious frame and
that man was Enoch. Today this mystical individual excites senses, for
immortality is completely outside any religious frame, which supposed to hold
the living picture.
Life's Endlessness
Life has no beginning and no end. Once it enters into a biological shell that shell lives and must never die for the infused with life individual can learn the meaning of existence and identity.
One
needs no self-identity for not one of us has decided to be born; and not even
one is in charge of self. We come by grace and not by accident. We must not
leave by accident or death, but can walk with LIFE, which God is. We can learn
about our biological and genetic makeup and discover that we carry immortal
genes just as we also carry the death genes. Then we have the will and choice,
which when used for peacemaking and harmony we engage in healing and
restoration. Anything damaged heals; sometimes fast; sometimes slow and
sometimes not at all. It all depends on the information we work with.