WHO ARE THE RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS? What Are Their Beliefs?
76Under the Eye of God
Who Are the Religious Zealots?
Religious Zealots. Who are they? What do they represent? Not me for sure.
Zealot defined: A member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea in the first century A.D. and militantly opposing the Roman denomination of Palestine. "A fanatical partisan".
These are people who represent three things: Fear, guilt and control. Either singularly or in any combination of two, or all three. With the, all three, combination being the most dangerous and destructive to themselves, or others; or both.
Destructive human conditions: fear, guilt, control:
Guilt for being what the bible, family, society or the pastor has erroneously taught to be a "sin against God".
Morbid fear of the consequences of having, hidden, subconscious or repressed feelings being discovered by others, who will undoubtedly pass judgement upon you for them.
Power . The "control" over other human beings that surreptitiously replaces the 'control' over our lives, by parents, pastors, public consensus, private abusers, either physically or mentally, or both; or any combination of those controlling factors.
This kind of 'control' over youthful minds inevitably only leads to anger, hatred, and revenge, if not directly at one individual, then toward others who are perceived to be "like" their own abusers.
The best analogy, in today's times, that i can refer to, that everyone can understand, is the adamant fervor that radicals have: the ignorant and unfounded fear of the homosexual population.
The lack of understanding of how nature works is the common denominator of the sum of all societal hatred and bigotry. This lack of understanding is most prevalent in the religious sectors, for several reasons.
The greatest blame, and shame, goes to religious leaders. They are the ones that insist on clinging to old, passe` "values" based on control, through guilt and fear. Fear of God's punishment, yes, but more so, the fear of the loss of control, they have enjoyed over multitudes of people for many years. They are extremely reluctant to give up this psychological (and financial) control, whether it is subconscious or not, is debatable.
It must have been quite traumatic and fearful for those religious leaders to have to yield some of their beliefs to the cold reality of science; when it was proven that the world was indeed not flat; not the center of the universe, or that the sun and other planets did not revolve around the earth. (just a few examples)
All of the churches' teachings that were abandoned by those realities of science were concessions that they did not give up easily, or without much argument and debate. Some still believe that civilization began 6,000 years ago and that Satan is the cause of all of mankind's troubles. Reality check: Man is responsible and the cause of all of mankind's evils and problems. Although it is easier, and less painful, to blame an unseen enemy; the facts are quite evident that man is his own worst enemy; with his relentless pursuit of greed and power over others.
The last vestiges of this control over others still clings to our society like a wad of gum stuck on the sole of your shoe. It will not go away unless we consciously remove it. We know it doesn't belong there and is a hindrance to our steady gait.
Clinging to an erroneous belief that the rise in homosexuality is in some way the fault of Satan, is a personal affront to our Creator - a slap in his (or her) proverbial face. Reality check: If mankind continues to proliferate exponentially, as it is doing, it will be our complete undoing instead. The earth cannot sustain itself and accommodate the abuse imposed on it by mankind in all its greedy motivated actions.
You inane religious zealots can cling to your fairytale beliefs of past "miracles" and the total control over your lives by an unseen entity, but you also defy your own beliefs by continuing to "assume", the untruth, that our Creator is NOT capable, or willing, to alter our genetic makeup to slow down, or stop the inevitable destruction of the earth, by overpopulation.
The religious leaders have twisted truth throughout the ages, since the invention of religion itself, to satisfy its own needs to appear in control. But, in reality man has never been in control of anything except his own destruction by his incessant quest for that control, self emulation, and self gratification.
We need to let go of the past, so we can move on into the future. Our Creator did not put all these wonders in front of us to have them ignored, misinterpreted by ignorance, or quashed by a few "conservatives" who want to hold on to their dollars and their power.
[Personal interjection warranted here: To you republicans - get over yourselves - every time you see the word "conservatives" it does not mean you - unless of course you are the cause of the stagnation of human growth and development].
With so much talk about the impending 2012 changes and trying to make sense of the future by making the "revelations" of the past "seers" fit to our times - we are neglecting the present and the truth; and ultimately the future.
So, please make a conscious and concerted effort to overcome the hatred that is running rampant in this country today, before we end up a totally subservient society that will, one day, have the need to rise against the 'establishment' in revolt, to get back our own basic freedoms and dignity, that are slowly being legislatively taken from us.
Stop the greed and Stop the hate. Promote love and peace, before its too late.
d.william 02/13/11
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PLEASE DON'T THINK OTHER RELIGIONS ARE NOT DOING THE SAME THING TO THEIR KIDS
Anti hate video - If you are not moved by this one your are truly a religious zealot
ARE RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS DELUSIONAL???
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I agree with you. If you want to see some hate, take a look at my hub, 'Little love was he ever shown' I wrote it about a family member who was gay.
Cheers
http://hubpages.com/profile/always+exploring
I did just finish reading your poem and left a comment. If there were more people like you who were willing to write and speak out against hatred and bigotry, we might just be able to get rid of it in our society. Or at least plant the seed of love and understanding instead of the hatred and bigotry so prevalent in all ignorant religious beliefs. People will never learn that you cannot belief half the crap written by "religious bigots".
I agree again and thank you for reading and leaving an educated comment.
I have to tell you d. Williams I am a Conservative...To me that means not spending what I don't have...We my husband and I worked all our lives, we've never spend what we don't have...I believe we are born, and if we are born gay, I believe we are born that way, it's not a choice...I feel that should be understood and accepted by all. Our country at the moment is filled with a lot of hate and unemployment. I am not a religious person, I am a Jew, and care about Israel and it's people...and feel this is sill the best country to live in because there is freedom to speak and not be persecuted for your believes...right or wrong it is the American way. I look forward to following you.
http://hubpages.com/profile/b.+Malin
Thank you for reading and your comments. If everyone thought as you and I, there would be no room left in this life for hatred. Although, i have little, or no use, for the evils of organized religion, i do believe in a Creator and an existence beyond this material world.
As one of my readers so aptly put it: "religion is the enemy of spiritual progress: comment by:
Hi! I wish there were more thoughful people like you out there. Maybe there are, and they are just afraid to speak out. Whatever a person's beliefs, they should not be about fear,guilt, or control. I know so many who never lose that outmoded thinking their parents taught them, if they had parents who just passed on whatever without thinking about it themselves. I had a Jehovah's Witness friend for a time--long story--and we went back and forth for 3 years with her circular argument about how SHE was living the "right" way. We have since parted.
http://hubpages.com/profile/Jean+Bakula
Thanks for reading and your thoughtful comments. It is sad that in this age of enlightenment that people still cling to the old ways of promoting religion through fear and guilt.
Shedding those who are so rigid in their slantedly narrow beliefs is probably the best thing we an do for our own spiritual growth and happiness. I have had to shed a few of those too, in my lifetime. Some will eventually find their own way, others never will in this lifetime.
Well you make some good agreeable points about hate... and yet I get the feeling you are speaking from a position of hate and or intolerance regarding some things. Which is fine. I believe hate is a human emotion, that it is part of the mix. We can try to put a lid on it or chastise it out of people, but truly, friendship and understanding will eliminate the hate - not more hate.
Regardless, I am no better. I am guilty of the very same thing at times. I get upset and spew some hate now and then and regret it later. Its a natural human emotion, its just not the one that we all prefer to receive.
As far as sin goes... my bible says sin is as simple as eating a piece of fruit that God said don't eat. From that point forward - no human was any better than any other human. Ya know... those of you without sin, cast the first stone. You sound like someone is casting stones at you and you're pretty mad about it. Just so we're clear, it wasn't me. (I think you know that though).
I don't understand what all the carrying on is about from anyone - from any angle.
I hope you find peace with it d. Everyone needs to be at peace.
Peace to you.
- Harlan
It is refreshing to read an article by someone who has done a lot of thinking and has taken a stand.
I respect your views and agree with many of them, as I have always been on the liberal side of most topics like health care reform, justice for the poor, and social welfare. After reading your article, however, I regret that it is much more narrow-minded than the writings of many of the people you judge harshly. Your article displays an outsider's view of faith, for one thing, and it is disheartening to see that there is still so much Neanderthal thinking on what faith in God is about and what is actually taught where God is revered. The media Christian is a far cry from any but the most extreme fringes of people who claim to be Christians.
One example is that Christians are taught to study the scriptures, pray, think, and decide what is true for themselves because they believe that God holds the individual personally responsible for discovering the truth, at least in most so-called Protestant congregations. If someone fails to do this, it is no different than if someone reads your article, believes every tenet without question, and does not think or discover for him or herself whether what you say is true. There are people like that in every arena.
It would take me a while to answer all of the misinformation in your article, but I am going to give it a try when I find the time.
Let me just ask you one hypothetical to start the discussion. If a teacher fails to teach his students conscientiously, does not show up for his classes, and belittles his students, we can all agree that he is not a good teacher. Should I then use a broad brush stroke to paint all teachers as failures and the teaching profession as corrupt? Wouldn't that be promoting hate?
Again, I respect your views, and am gratified that the Hub Pages have opened this topic.
http://hubpages.com/profile/JewelieDee
Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a comment.
Your hypothetical question makes no sense to this hub's intent. There is enough blame to go around for every branch/sect/or other religious cults than having to "paint them all with one broad stroke", as if to say that there might be some out there more relevant than the others.
The idea of being a religious zealot is by the representation of the members of their own particular cults toward anyone who does not belong to it.
The problem is the brainwashing techniques that organized religions use on children who do not understand, or appreciate the contents being forced into their heads. To force this fear and guilt into the minds of children who have not reached the age of reasoning is a dangerous and foolhardy practice that leaves emotional scars on the mind for a lifetime. This is not "faith", it is brainwashing based on fear and guilt.
I was brought up in the cult of Catholicism, and for years (even to this day) have a low self esteem from the backward teachings of religious fairytale beliefs. Today, i am an educated adult who believes in a benevolent creator that has the same love for every single one of his/her 'creations', regardless of sex, color, belief systems, or religious affiliations. I also consider myself more spiritual than most who are forced to belief the narrow beliefs of their singular cultic upbringing. For my spirituality is based on love, acceptance, universality, and by MY own choice.
No child deserves to be "forced" to belong to one particular narrowed view of spirituality - that is child abuse of the worst kind. Universal spirituality is more humane,(after the age of reasoning), to allow the child to absorb, digest, and comprehend the concept of faith itself; whether it be based on logic, reality, or old fairy tales from ancient stories of horror, threats, guilt, and fear. That should be the choice of each individual to make for themselves, not by brainwashing techniques being passed down from one generation to the next.
http://hubpages.com/jewelieDee
I have taken the liberty to copy/paste your response to me via private email, i hope you do not mind. My response will follow below.
Your email:
Dear Friend,
I went to a 4-day Christian event and just got back last night. All through that time, God kept bringing you to mind. He told me (not by audible voice but by thoughts in my mind) that my comment on your hub page was wrong. He let me know that you are one of His children and that I had not responded to you in the way He desired . . . because He loves you with a love that is greater and deeper than any doubt or pain or despair you have known.
He told me I should know better because I traveled the same path, and I knew very similar pain.
I am just the messenger here right now. I am to tell you that the reason people who are raised in Christian homes sometimes co me away from them in deep spiritual distress is because they run from He Who Gives Peace. Once you know God, once you hear His voice, even through the voices of others, then if you go and live away from Him, you are a spirit split in two. God is pulling at you with His Love and Light, and the world is pulling at you with its darkness. A spirit in that conflict is a deeply troubled spirit. But He never lets us go because of His great love for us. He is anything but a condemning God. He is a God that wants us to live as royal children under His grace, with everything good in high measure.
The remedy for the darkness is easy. It is The Light. But the dark does not want you to know the Light. Remember this. The darkness does not want you to know the Light. If darkness can keep you thinking that The Light is the problem, then we are slaves to the dark.
All we have to do, and it does not require any faith at all, is to say to God, “If you are really there, then you are going to have to prove it to me.” Yep, He honors such a prayer because it’s not about ego. It’s about love. And we don’t have to change a thing about ourselves to follow Him. He’ll change us.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' (John 8:12)"
My response to your email:
Although i do appreciate your concern about me, and my faith, it is also ill founded. I have much more spirituality and faith in our Creator than most people who belong to any cult/sect/religion, etc..
For those of us who do not believe J.C. was actually the son of God incarnate, we are as blessed as those who believe he is. In the big picture, we are ALL sons and daughters of the Creator, and each has the same opportunity to connect with the Universal Oneness, without the middle man and the same opportunity to re-unite with the Universal Oneness after death. If you choose to live your life believing your individual religious dogma, who am i to argue this point with you.?
Where i take exception is when "Christians" or any other professed religious zealots try to "convert" others to their narrow minded view of what is true faith, and what is not. Religions have lied to their congregations, (followers) every since they were created. Their main objective is to control through fear and guilt, in the pretense of 'saving souls'; all the while with their hands out for your money. This is not a religion i want anything much to do with. My contention is that when we brainwash our children into ANY sect/cult/religion, etc.., we are actually cheating them out of make their own choice as to how they prefer to serve the higher purpose without guilt, hatred, intolerance, fear, etc...
Today's religions are so grossly corrupt, that there is none among them that can actually call themselves spokespersons for the Creator.
We, as humans, have the same capacity for love, compassion, empathy, and generosity to help the poor, the infirm, mentally/physically disabled, and other in need persons as lay persons through public charities, or private work as is being done through the organized religions that DO good in spite of the way they were indoctrinated.
I know i am at peace with my Creator, and have his blessings to speak my mind against what i perceive as injustices and child abuse in his name.
I do not need "saving", i already am part of the Universal Oneness, and no one can deny me that or take it away with their narrow minded perceptions of what they deem right and wrong.
Thank you for calling me narrow-minded, my friend. You do me a kindness you may not understand. May God, the one true God, guide you into all truth. I won't combat with you over what's true because this is a spiritual war, and God has other ministers to handle that.
http://hubpages.com/jewelieDee
Wow. We are certainly misreading each other. I did not call you narrow minded. I simply stated that any religious sect/cult teaches their children a purely narrow minded view of what is correct and what is not, according to the specific teachings of that cult/sect, etc...
One cult/religion, is no more right than any other. One does not have to belong to any cult to be in the good graces of the Universal Oneness (the creator). There is no one particular path to salvation. Even the bible in all its limitations teaches that there are many paths to follow in life, but they all lead to the same destination - back to the Universal Oneness.
I would like to say that it is true that in some cases, religions are cults and do exert mind control. Take, for example, the Opus Dei, that secretive organization of the Catholic Church. Its public principles are holiness and sanctity but it uses highly deceptive practices to lure the best and the brightest young people to their numerary membershihp as well as mind-, conscience-, and life-controlling tactics to retain members. Those who do manage to escape are left with strong vestiges of guilt and fear, since they were taught that the Opus Dei (and the Catholic Church) is the only and ultimate authority in their lives and that they can fear hell if they balk. The Catholic Church is not the only religious entity guilty of such things, of course. Certain Protestant sects and offshoots, and fundamentalist Islamic sects also try to control people.
If they are holders of the truth, then why use control tactics to retain "believers"?
As a Christian, I have always been taught that "it is for freedom that Christ set us free" and that God will never overstep our own will. The emphasis is on God's love and the belief that once we accept our Lord, there is nothing we can do that will make Him love us more or less. He loves us perfectly. As in any other way of life, there are practices that make us happier, like reading our Bible, praying, and serving others, but guilt, fear, and worry are not from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
I sincerely apologize if I have been defensive and have misread your comments. As a fallible human being,I am still a work in progress (sheepish smile).
JewelieDee
There is no need for an apology. We are all free to express our own views even if they differ from mine or others.
And by your comments above i do know that you understand the concepts of which i speak.
I often wonder what this world would be like if children were taught right from wrong, love rather than hate, and to accept the diversity amongst people, as a gift from God. Then after the age of reasoning, when they are able to listen, understand the words and concepts, and make an informed intelligent choice as to which (if any) religious group they wanted to be a part of.
Also, knowing that even without joining with any particular sect that we are all equally spiritually connected to God, without preference of religion and their odd rituals, chants, and often bizarre behaviors. Would they choose to join one particular group or just live a life of spirituality in love, peace and in harmony with other people and mother nature?
I guess i am just a naive dreamer after all.
Unfortunately we do not give them this choice when we teach them long before that age of reasoning that the family, friends, and the community they are brought up in is so narrowly limited in their religious beliefs.
I am in the process of writing another hub with the subject of: What would this world be like if there were no religion(s) in it?
Spirit Whisperer Level 6 Commenter 15 months ago
This topic is as relevant to day as it ever was in the brief history of mankind. You cut to the chase and make the reader think which in my view is the sign of a great author.Thank you.