Marilyn MorningstAR

philosophy

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ON RELIGION

SUBJECT TO CHANGE/GROWTH

I BELIEVE:
 

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In compassion, kindness and understanding, and in the inherent worth of every person. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring simply because they are human. I believe the human mind has unlimited potential. Great minds have given us everything from electricity to penicillin, regardless of their religious preferences.
 

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In working towards a culture that is free of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, origin, physical/mental disability, age, etc. I believe this can be done since the settling of America occurred because human beings IN THEORY desired TRUE freedom, including the right to practice and live the religion of their choice and to allow others to do the same.
 

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In the sanctity of the human person and their right to think, worship and live differently than me. I oppose the use of undue control, coercion, force, blackmail, domination, torture and cruel or unusual punishment. I believe “opinion” to be subjective, not absolute since opinions are relative to unique experiences and change over lifetimes.
 

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In the importance of democracy within religious, political and family structures. I believe tyrants breed hatred and destruction; that advice should be given as a gift of love, but without any expectation of acceptance.
 

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In the separation of church and state, the Constitution, the freedoms of belief, speech, thought, education, association, and expression. I believe these freedoms should be FREE to all people, both publicly and privately.
 

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That the systems of “truth” in the field of morals, ethics, and religious belief I have studied are not “absolute since they vary by culture, by country, by religion, and over time. I believe, due to incalculable contradictions, alterations, and men’s imperfection, that “truth” is subjective. It is fine for people to have their own version of truth and belief as long as they realize others beliefs are just as absolute as theirs and therefore respect and tolerate other people’s rights to enjoy their own version of belief.
 

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In the generally positive influence that most religions have had on their followers and on society. I am sad when people are harmed emotionally or physically due to religious fanaticism, narrow-mindedness and violence in the name of religious superiority.
 

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In the importance of individual believers determining their own mores and standards, evil influences and policies within their chosen faith group, and I also believe the world would be much happier and safer if all religions and their followers loved one another as taught by most religions, and tolerated all others beliefs, unless those beliefs were harmful to others. I believe in a calm mind, and in harmony. Harmony cannot abide alongside anger which often stems from the need to control others thoughts, feelings and lives. Anger creates dissention. God will not abide where anger and dissention reside. I believe anger, whether spurred by religious differences or otherwise, has NO positive value. Bullying, whether in families, corporations, or politics will never achieve any lasting positive results. Love, acceptance, patience, tolerance, compassion and kindness are the only virtues that have any positive lasting value.
 

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In the importance of education and mental development. I believe that people are not truly educated unless they have studied the world's major religions and ethical systems. People all need to learn of the good and bad impacts religions have had on society. Blind faith is foolishness. Study of history, science, philosophy, ethics, religion, art, technology, cultures, geography and all subjects pertaining to broadening the mind creates open-minded, well-rounded, intelligent citizens of their country. Ignorance and intolerance breeds misunderstandings, dissention, unnecessary battles, disharmonic living, and generally pits people against each other. It is hard to admire, respect or love something unknown, something foreign. God said LOVE ONE ANOTHER, not love certain people and hate other people who do not look, think or act like you. To me, loving one another begins by tolerating one another, accepting differences and marveling at all the diversity of thought, race, religion, and culture in the world. I believe if people practiced the simplest of God’s commandments by loving everyone, tolerating differences, accepting that others have a right to their “different” thoughts, the world’s population and GOD would be much more content. I believe in peace. To have peace, one must learn to accept the unacceptable and avoid expectations – one must remember his/her own shortcomings, misunderstandings, mistakes and changes-in-opinion over time. Only then can a person accept all others, even the worst of them. There is some good in all men/women. Every life is its own world, its own experiences, its own viewpoints. No two people have the same life, the same opinions, nor the same beliefs. We are only followers, not judges. We must do our part to love, accept, tolerate and add peace to the world.

 

In short, my “religion” is decency, honor, respect, compassion, kindness and wisdom. First and foremost, each person on this earth is a human being - thus making us all kin. My “universal religion” is based on my knowledge of my oneness with all my brothers and sisters in this world, without regard to their race, creed, age, beliefs, or even their misconceptions, opposing opinions and questionable actions and dispositions. The genuine knowledge of oneness of mankind creates compassion and kindness and acceptance of each others differences and is the only avenue to true love, compassion and WORLD PEACE.

This is my current belief system.
All the rest, to me, is in the process of becoming my future “opinion”.