RELIGION or POLITICS - How's YOUR FAITH today?

Hi Ho, y'all, ... I know people are looking and reading my Blog, but so far no one has left a comment, despite two subjects that should be are important to EVERYBODY right now. What is wrong with you people??  I mean, sure, most everyone has there own opinions about both religion and politics, but don't you all realize how important it is today to take action in what you believe??? Are you a real American?? Yes, then " WAKE UP" to what is happening to your country right now.

 Are you a Christian?? NO? Some other, what is called, faith?? Do you believe in "God"? How strong is your FAITH????? If not a Christian, then what else do you have faith in? Why?? I'm obviously not a Christian, and I am far better off not being one, but I'm not against any religion that you have real strong faith in. But that word "FAITH" is up for issue today, so stay with me here. Fun Ahead !!!!


I am going to ask some questions on religion today, and I'd sure like it if some of you would take a moment or two, and express your opinion, whatever it might be. Let's get some dialogue going, huh???

What got me thinking was a "letter to the Editor" in my local newspaper. Basically, she was responding to an article by a columnist, Leonard Pitts, who, in another column of his, was agreeing with  another writer, Anne Rice, both of whom were seemingly anti-religion. They also apparently sided in with those who were for gay marriages, abortions, and some such.

This letter writer suggested, that these two should read the Bible, and find out why Christians are against same. Then she quotes from the GOP platform addressing these issues, like; When a party backs abortion and uses tax money to pay for them, that it was obvious is against the side of God's law. Hmmm, I am not sure about God's law, but I do know it is not good government to advocate or pass a law that would use taxes for such a purpose.

Then the letter went on, stating how churches do such good work feeding and finding clothing for less fortunate, and then questioned, what were atheists doing for these same unfortunates.

But what set me off was when the writer wrote about the many "GOD FEARING" churches which are "hospitals for sinners".

There was a bit more on the same vein, but even when I wasn't a Buddhist I could not understand this term of reference, God Fearing. How could anyone use that terminology for an entity who is supposed to all loving, all caring, What's to FEAR???? And why does FEAR make you a better Christian.

I just plain don't agree and don't think it should be used. Of course, Buddhists don't have to deal with a 'being" entity, who deals out favoring one over another depending on who is good or who is bad, or answer one person's prayer and not another. Or a youngster dying or getting killed, and some crook who is drowning in luxury and apparently not at all fairly paying for his crime, thievery etc.

Or some good living person who falls into hard times, and moans, "OH God, why me?

AS A BUDDHIST, SINCE RELIGION IS A SPIRITUAL PROCESS, I KEEP IT LIKE THAT. WE BELIEVE IN A HIGHER POWER, BUT THAT POWER IS STILL SPIRITUAL AND WITHIN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US ON EARTH. SO, WHEN WE CHANT OUR PRAYERS, WE ARE, IN EFFECT, PRAYING TO OUSELVES BECAUSE THAT POWER IS WITH US CONSTANTLY AND AVAILABLE 24/7, IF YOU WILL, AND THAT IS MY "FAITH". 

OH, YES, BUT DESPITE MY GREAT FAITH, I STILL HAVE TO TAKE ACTION IN EVERYTHING I DO OR, AND WANT.  NOW, IF I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN FOR MYSELF AND I NEED HELP, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PRAY WITH UNLIMITED FAITH, AND THE POWER TAKES OVER, WITHOUT FAIL.  (of course, this applies to any legitimate effort in life).  NICHIREN SAYS, "FAITH ALONE IS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS". AND IT IS JUST THAT SIMPLE.  FAITH MUST BE UNLIMITED.

Oh, and how about doing bad things? Well, since we, everyday, have choices to make, many times, for one reason or another, we make bad choices. We identify these choices as "causes", and causes, good and bad, come under the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. Hellooooooo, now you have to wake up because, oho, good causes - good effects. Then, Aha, bad causes also have bad effects. And in every one the effects are inevitable, with no time limits.  

OF COURSE,  IT IS OBVIOUS THAT TO A BUDDHIST TO APPLY 'FEAR' TO ANYTHING WOULD BE TOTALLY RIDICULOUS.  LOVE AND PEACE WE STRESS.

Once more........ When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power then there will be PEACE in the world.

So come on people, get involved here. I need you.    Cheers.    CJ