Whether characterized as tribal, pagan, primitive, modern or universal, all religions are fundamentally alike in their support of P-B, in their support of humanity in its stubborn insistence on self-destruction.
Religion asks that we practice moral behavior according to precepts and rituals. The ultimate reward due a believer is attained because of either “works” (good behavior) or “grace” (a compassionate god). In any case, receiving the reward is dependent upon human behavior or innate human qualities, i.e. the ability to “do good” or “be good” or the luck of having a god who is perfectly generous, in which case one can do whatever one wants because salvation is universally guaranteed.
Diversity in religions offers humanity a wide range of choices and although one Christian faith labels itself “universal,” no religion has become so, at least not yet, nor does that ever seem likely. Why not? Because religion is by definition a P-B institution, born and bred in that context. Any religion that could have empowered a person to transcend his/her human nature (false self), would have eliminated the need for its existence, it would have put itself out of business. We can all hope that such a religion will come along but I doubt that few of us are holding our breath in anticipation of such an occurrence.
The central focus of most religions be it gods and goddesses, ancestors, God, Jehovah, Jesus or Buddha also was created in a P-B context. They are all manifestations of a human need inherent in the delusional human mind and they exist within a worldview centered in both physical form and ideational form, an impermanent and insubstantial reality, a pseudo-reality, that derives its energy from fear.
People who are religious, therefore, are actually worshipping the false self. We know this because that’s where they literally “invest” most of their energy. The followers of the “celebrity cults” worship at the mall, give their alms at the casino, and receive their religious instruction from the politicians and religious hucksters that encourage and enable their Peter Pan ego-states. “Don’t be afraid, I will help you escape from or help distract you from your existential fear.” (For a price of course.)
Let’s have a reality check! There is no need for prayer or ritual in P-A because it is already perfect as it is and hence cannot be improved upon. No prayers of petition will change the laws of the universe. No chanting, no smells and bells, no uplifting hymns will get the attention of God because in truth, we are “the gods” already creating what we choose to have happen. Don’t like it? Change it! It is up to you, make a different choice.
Before we go to a lot of effort trying to figure out how to make any changes though, we might want to know that Creation is already perfect as it is. It cannot be improved upon. That means that we are perfect and will be perfectly content with our experience of life if we are conscious of what that experience actually is.
Liberated by our ability to respond, using the Point of Power Practice, we are naturally “moral” and compassionate beings because those behaviors are reflections of our true identity, our true essence. Upon awakening to the experience of Simple Reality, we will no longer project our fears onto other human beings, other nations or nature itself. The violence that threatens the very existence of the global village and the environment that sustains it becomes unthinkable in P-A, it becomes insanity.
Having all the power that we need to be Self-reliant and having the consciousness to create a joy-filled experience of life and a sustainable human community (Heaven on earth), we have no need to project phantasmagorical divine beings into a future “other-world.” We have no need for anthropomorphic beings staring back at us from the mirrors of heaven or hell accepting or rejecting our supplications, our projections. Simple Reality has no imperfections except those that we imagine, project and flee from in our self-created nightmare. It’s time we awake to the glorious and infinite possibilities of our own nature, our True self, because we are THAT.
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Find a much more in-depth discussion in books by Roy Charles Henry:
Who Am I? The Second Great Question Concerning the Nature of Reality
Where Am I? The First Great Question Concerning the Nature of Reality
Simple Reality: The Key to Serenity and Survival
