Belief in a god involves - a volitional investigation, a process and choice

[adam1]

Three elements of influence are present in the lives of those who develop a genuine belief in a god. They are based on the widley accepted accounts of the founders of major belief systems and sages of all eras and cultural backgrounds. They are:

1. an innate and genuine personal pursuit of the subject of a god

2. related testimonies of either a direct or narrative nature

3. the reported experience, in varying degrees, of a drawing or influencing presence from a transcendent spiritual realm

 

Although the relevant sequence of important varies among religous factions related to these factors, one universally element remains critically important; a personal interest pursuit and volitional choice to accept or reject.

 

As important as the point of a volitionally free choice is in this matter, we find in history clear evidence that some founders, and in other cases self-acclaimed groups purporting to be followers, go on to claim that they have been authorization by the same god to implement military campaigns, use coresions, intimidation, even the most henious forms of torture and death to secure the belief of other subjects of the religious dogmas they purport to be authentic. This is an obvious contradiction and blatant reversal of an earlier divine policy of allow a free, volitional choice in the case of a follower.

 

Such forms of religious practices produce heirarchical structures have also provided a shroud of sacred sanction to ruling and elities expansionist classes to exploit every kind of human and natural resource while partaking in a slice of an ever-riching pie. This type of religious mode of operation has remained unchanged throughout the ages; from the time of the kingdoms of the ancients, through the empires of the classical and medieval periods and into the blood ravaged era of the religio-polictical fabric of power-based nationalism, now set to embrace the emergence of globalism.

 

So check-out the teachings and philosophy of the founders themselves, as much as is possible. Watch for an advocated presence or warned abstinence from the mixing of world-politic based agendas in his teaching. Most importantly, determine if the founder has revoke the right to an unincumbered volitional choice to accpet or reject the following of his god. You'll find the contrasts to be distinct and compelling. ------