Which God is Right?

All throughout human history man has believed in gods; sometimes one, sometimes many. Every single culture of the world shares some belief of a Divine creator, or creators. The Earth's history is pebbled with legends of the beginning of the world; from the Greek Olympiads to the legends of the Great Spirit among the Native Americans. A person cannot go to any corner of the world without running into a story of how that location's god(s) created and nurtured life, giving guidance and direction to that specific people. Hebrews, Christians, and Muslims all believe in the same beliefs revealed to Moses and other prophets, with slightly different variations and names of God. It can be said that all people of Earth have a belief of some Higher Creative Power; and despite science's methodical reasoning and logic, people still believe.

It seems that humankind all over shares this same idea of a Divine source, a fount of celestial holiness from which all life began. Cultures far removed from each other have often developed similar ideas of this concept of Deity despite not knowing of each others existence. Races of people whom have had no contact with each other often develop a similar reverence to this idea of god(s). It seems remarkable that this same idea can spring up in different parts of the world by different groups of people without contact with each other. No one from Europe told the Native Americans to believe in the Great Spirit. Likewise the complex mythologies of the Greeks, Romans, and the Norse, sprang up without influence from one another until they discovered each other. Only then did these people compare gods and drew associations and correspondences with like Deities. As vastly different as Oriental philosophy is in comparison to Western ideas, they still center around this concept of god(s), or at least teachings about them. One only need look at the Deities of China and India to see that they too held to some concept of powerful intelligent creators.

A coincidence ceases to be a coincidence when that same said coincidence is repeated multiple times. What intuitive faculty of humankind causes us to conceive this same concept? Why this same idea? Does man have an instinctive knowledge or connection with this idea we have called God? From an evolutionary standpoint one can see that such instinctive impulses such as motherly protectiveness,or fight versus flight serve to protect a species and ensure its continued existence. Given this shared ideology among all peoples of the earth, it could be theorized that the search for a Divine source is instinctive of man to ensure his spiritual well being.

Just as instincts server to compel a species to certain actions, humankind has unerringly held to the belief of a Higher Power, a Creative Force. This conviction of Divinity is often times so strong, that people have been willing to die for it. Such force of devotion can only be seen to be instinctive in nature, as even passive animals will kill members of their own kind that threaten their young. No one, yet, has died for the conviction or honor of science, however. Christians have been slaughtered for their unyielding love and devotion to Jesus Christ, while Native Americans whom refused to convert were persecuted as heretics and heathens for their faith. The Pagans of Europe were often burned as witches for their steadfast belief in their ancient gods. Followers of Islam have been killed for the message of Muhammad, while Buddhists and Hindus have as well gone through trying times in holding to their faith. Why is this belief in a Higher Power so strong that people will die for it? Once again the idea of humankind possessing a type of 'spiritual instinct' to seek out that Divine principle we call God seems satisfyingly appropriate.

Every culture in the world has a religion; every people a form of devotion to this Divine Principle. For some, it's one God; for others, it's many. Religion, it seems, is man's way of understanding the Divine within their cultural environment. Interpretation of the Will of the Creator(s) is expressed in the creeds, laws, and teachings of each faith; and when some disagree with a certain interpretation of that religion, a separate denomination is created.

Peoples of the world have often argued with each other as to which god(s) is the right and true one(s). This argument has at times blown up into all out war often in our history. Battles between religions litter history with death and destruction. Suddenly a purpose for life becomes a tool for death. Christians, Jews, and Muslims have killed each other over which path to God was right. Despite all three coming from roughly the same source, they often point to one another as wrong and blasphemous. Even in our lifetimes we can see in the news how one group of people fought and killed the other when their ideas of the Divine contradict. Each one calls the other evil, heretical, or delusional; a lie to cause the true believers to be deceived into falling away. The one thing that should unite humankind in harmony is instead used to divide and conquer. Personally, I don't believe that this Divine Principle gave us life so that we can kill each other over him. But that's a topic for another article down the road.

The question now becomes: Which view of God(s) is the right one? If there is only one true way, why then are there so many different beliefs and views of Divinity? If only one truth of God, then which one is it? It seems that the heart of man can accept and agree that there is a Divine Creative Force in existence, however, man just can't seem to agree on how to acknowledge that existence.

Those in religious authority often point the finger at other faiths as deception, denouncing them as tricks of a devil, or other enemies of God. They often ignore that prayers are answered by followers of other faiths as well as those of their own. Or, if noted, are once again placed under the heading of deception. However it cannot be ignored that miracles happen in the name of God all over the world; and not just in the name of one single god, but many others as well. People are healed in the name of Krishna as much as in the name of Jesus. People find peace and solace in the name of Buddha as well as in the name of Allah. A search through demonic possessions on Youtube will yield exorcisms done my Muslim clerics, who, by citing verses of their Holy Qur'an, chase out demons in the name of Allah. How can there be power to cast out demons in the name of Allah as well as in the name of Jesus, if only one way is true and right. Perhaps, there is power and truth in all faiths, and that all may be right in their own way.

My thesis for this article is to explain to you, the reader, how all religions have facets of truth, and that all point to the same Divine source.

We've already established that every culture in the world has some belief in god(s) as well as goddesses. This is a common idea interpreted in different ways around the globe. Science has at many times tried to tackle this concept, with no success. The idea of god(s) is everywhere, however, science has not been able to adequately measure this concept through its deductive methods, therefore, it is written off by science as non-existent. The same can be said of human consciousness. Science cannot measure nor validate the existence of human consciousness, yet every person living has the unique experience of self- identity and awareness; they are aware of their own feelings and thoughts, and existence. Science has yet to understand the functions of human consciousness, and in like, can't effectively deduce any evidence for the existence of god(s). Just because it cannot be proven by science, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Besides, how can our finite minds comprehend something of such infinite magnitude as an eternal Creator anyway?

We have now established that this Divine principle is, while acknowledged by the human heart, cannot be understood by the limited capacities of the human mind. Therefore, it would be a grievous error to assume that one philosophy can adequately explain this common belief in Divinity, or who, for that matter, it is. It stands to reason that this concept of god(s) was meant to be perceived without understanding. Isn't that the basis of what faith is anyway? Let us assume that no one holds the key to a total understanding of the Divine, we just know that it is there.

With everything in this context, it could be understood that everyone is looking at the same thing, just interpreting it in the light of their angle of view in the world. Just like looking at the same object from different directions, we will not see the same 'thing'. We will see different shapes and aspects of that one object based on our place of perception. So, why is there so many different beliefs and religions? So many different gods and goddesses? The answer is simple: We are all looking at the same thing, just seeing it from a different view. We then interpret this view based on our cultural environment.

Let me give an analogy. Let's take two people, who for the sake of discussion, have never seen a house before. Each man is coming from different directions. The first man stumbles upon the front of a house. He sees the shape and color of the building; it's roof, walls, and windows. He also notes that there is a drive way, a front door, a car port, flower beds, and a mail box. The man takes all this in, has his experience, and carries on with this new revelation of what a house is.

The second man stumbles upon the same house, but sees its back yard. The relative shape and color are still there, as are the roof and windows. The chimney may appear on the left instead of the right as when viewed from the front. But this man, sees a huge oak tree with a tire-swing and tree fort, a back porch, and a clothesline. Like the first man, he continues on his way cherishing this new revelation and experience.

Eventually these men from different directions run into each other. They begin to relate to each other their experience of the house. They know they are talking relatively about the same thing; the basic shape, color, roofing and windows are all correct. Yet the other details are not in agreement. The one man argues that a house must have a driveway and a mailbox, while the other counters that the house must have a tire-swing and a clothesline. Each man dismisses the others details as errors, insisting that his view is the true complete image of the house. Each man saw the same thing, but only from one side. In their limited understanding, however, what they saw was the whole picture. This is how I believe that religious wars start. Each one 'knowing' what it sees, yet discounting what others see from their side of the world.

This is my thesis for the existence of different religions. They are all seeing the same thing, just from different perspectives. This explains how different religions can all have power, and that different people can find peace and solace in different belief systems. It all comes from the same source!

This theory, however, brings up another question. If all roads lead to the same destination, then why would this Divine creator allow such diverse confusion to exist, instead of bringing us all under one umbrella so to speak? The answer: that each person has different spiritual needs, every race and group of people have differing necessities. In much the same way that humankind comes in varied shapes and colors; so too, does the needs of each individual vary. Every person's physical make up is different and unique, requiring a variety of differing dietary needs and exercise. Some people are lactose intolerant, so can't drink milk, while others can drink it almost constantly. Taking the widely held belief of 'As above, so below' into consideration, we can see that spiritual needs must be met based on an individual basis; what is good for one, is not always good for the other. And who better to know our individual needs than the Great Spiritual Dietician. Disharmony and spiritual deficiency occur when one or a group of people push their spiritual needs/requirements upon other people not fit for that kind of spiritual practice. Different cultures or races of people often develop similar spiritual needs. This doesn't make one race better than the other, it's just the way things work out.

In light of this, it can be seen that religious turmoil and strife are not products of god(s), but derive from human fallacy, when one group tries to push their “one true way” on other people. The need to conquer and subjugate other people is exclusively a human phenomenon; a thirst for dominance evolving from primitive and outdated instincts to protect one's own. This human 'greed' for power and control is completely removed from Divine Nature. Think on this: Why would the One(s) that gave us life want us to destroy that same blessed gift by killing each other over him? It is absolutely NOT Divine providence to kill our fellow brothers and sisters of humanity.

Taking all this into context; it is apparent that each religion touches upon the Divine in some way, and each one contains holy truths relevant to that specific racial culture, or group of people's existence. With this in mind, it can be said that every god that has ever been worshiped is simply an aspect, or facet of one true Divine Being, who is unknowable in totality with our limited, finite minds. In kind, every goddess that has ever been worshiped is an aspect, or facet of that part of the Divine which is feminine; not separate, but part of the same whole. Remember in Genesis how it is written: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:26 (emphasis added). Man as a collective was created both male and female, after the image, or template of God himself, who is also male and female. This shall be a topic for another in time, however.

In conclusion; Divinity is a majestic, cosmic jewel and we each see a beautiful facet of this magnificent gem. Religion is a personal and individual experience, one in which the Divine reveals him/herself as we need to fulfill our spiritual needs. Therefore, we should NEVER force our view of who or what the Divine Creator is on anybody else, as each person's spiritual needs are specific; Only God(s) knows best how to meet each person's spiritual needs.

So let us not kill or hurt each other over different interpretations of religion. Let us all respect each other as brothers and sisters of humanity, and nurture each other as we seek to draw closer to God as we each see him/her, or them. Follow that Divine Principle within your heart, and never look down on another person's gods or forms of worship. Honor them, as you honor God, and look for the Divine in all things, seeing Them manifest and reveal themselves to you. Respect the rest of humanity's view of the Great Divine Jewel. Follow God within your heart, cherish your experience as a personal revelation of the Glory of the Divine as He touches us all in our own personal ways.