EQUAL HUMAN RIGHTS, A SPIRITUAL WRENCH IN POLITICAL RELIGIONS.PART ONE.
September 22, 2023 by dancingbottle
In the UAE, casinos are challenging the conservative and religious values of the population. Religious principles are being questioned as they clash with the values of newer generations. Should other Muslim nations take note of these shifting attitudes? If we examine human history, this pattern of oscillation is nothing new; nations often shift back and forth like the wind. Consider Iran after the religious revolution—things have never been the same.
As we evolve and adapt to contemporary demands, what will happen when the world universally embraces and demands equal human rights? Religion may be among the first institutions to face challenges, as many religious doctrines insist on the superiority of believers and the inferiority of others, often portraying God as a biased and discriminatory entity.
Let’s examine the current trends. Historically, the world was dominated by computer technology, but the advent of AI is rapidly transforming everything we do. Regardless of religious beliefs, humanity is in a constant state of evolution. We cannot halt progress when younger generations wish to embrace a changing world. Humanity’s evolution stems from our awareness of mortality, driving us to create legacies that outlast us.
Groups are composed of individuals, each with their own opinions, making it impossible for all to always align perfectly. Our level of education may influence our insecurities, loyalties, or ability to question political affiliations. Religious traditions, customs, rituals, and rules are often based on metaphorical realities that are not always well understood, leading to differing opinions even within the same group. It’s common to be fervently for or against issues due to the political dynamics of belonging to specific groups.
In today’s world, just as we have always had differing opinions among religious populations, we continue to clash over beliefs that remain largely unknown. The problem is that humanity is constantly evolving, and today’s differences are often labeled as extremism, bigotry, prejudice, or discrimination. Has this issue been resolved? Not yet, because religious populations are often deeply passionate, sometimes resorting to violence in defense of their beliefs.
Consider blood transfusions—a medical advancement that has undoubtedly saved countless lives. Today, hot-button issues include abortion, homosexuality, equal human rights, and global warming, yet wars continue to ravage the world. We are determined to fragment countries, nations, and religions into smaller components while simultaneously advocating for equal human rights. Humanity faces challenges from global warming and shifting business interests, compounded by the threats of nuclear, biological weapons, and AI.
Our problems often call for unity as one humanity, but group, racial, gender, national, and religious politics frequently prevail, leading to oscillation between progress and regression. Political groups have historically exploited individuals for their own relevance. However, in today’s rapidly changing world, we must act together as a unified humanity. We have reached a level of medical advancement that includes artificial insemination, cloning, and stem cell research, yet we still argue over issues like abortion. This debate is less about medical advancements or religion and more about political interests.
God has provided us with the capacity for education and advancement, yet we resist moving forward. Can we really halt progress and evolution? History suggests we cannot, so why not be optimistic and trust in God, allowing our scientists to guide us into the future rather than restricting their progress due to fear of change or disbelief in our God-given potential for evolution?
Groups, nations, and religions will resist changes that threaten their political interests, so the responsibility falls on individuals. We must understand the weight of our individual responsibility. While political affiliations and financial interests are valid, failing to become aware of our broader responsibilities is too high a price to pay. We must embrace universal concepts like God, spirituality, and humanity to become the CEOs of our own lives. Each of us holds the key to the true power of God and humanity.
We have the power to integrate our immediate interests with the broader politics of our affiliations. If you are born as a human, you belong to humanity as a whole, not just to your specific group. You are a spiritual entity with free will and a personal sense of justice. This means addressing your desires and political affiliations responsibly. Regardless of the extent of your desires, you are always responsible for your actions. Committing social or spiritual crimes in the name of race, gender, nation, or religion is no excuse.
Our justice system would fail if we did not hold individuals accountable for their actions. If you believe that God and the Devil are responsible for everything, consider where your free will and personal sense of justice fit into this belief. How do you think God and the Devil make things happen physically? No good or bad deed becomes significant unless performed physically. Your role is crucial; without you, events remain suspended. Have you ever seen a bomb explode or a bullet fired on its own? If not, recognize your importance and the power of your free will before making choices.
If you live in this era, you are witnessing advancements such as artificial insemination, cloning, and stem cell research. We can now detect issues with mother and fetus in advance. Let experts decide on abortion, rather than turning it into a political issue. I am conflicted about abortion because I believe all human beings are living manifestations of God, and killing them seems contrary to divine will. This raises questions about extreme religious violence and the human cost of such conflicts. If abortion concerns you, consider a rule where medical professionals, rather than politicians or extremists, make decisions. Politicians should not have the final say, as their opinions can change with political winds. Today’s focus should be on equal human rights, not on letting religious leaders dictate national policies.
With thousands of religious leaders preaching bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination in the name of God, it is crucial to let doctors and scientists perform their duties, even if it conflicts with religious beliefs. We must work together as humanity to avoid catastrophic outcomes, such as nuclear warfare, driven by outdated beliefs. Our collective responsibility and free will must guide us. Critically examine your affiliations and their impact on universal values, and recognize your individual role in shaping a better future.
If you are called to awareness, what is holding you back? Is it your group affiliation, business interests, or the belief that you are merely an extension of your group? This mindset reduces you to a political puppet, which is not aligned with divine purpose. In addressing modern-day issues, you must act with individuality because we are not created to be mere worker bees or warrior ants. We are human beings, each with our own atom of autonomy that helps us stay spiritually aligned. If you deviate from this, it indicates an internal problem—meaning your choices are not truly yours but are being made for you.
Advancements are driven by the original ideas of individual thinkers or inventors. Disregarding the contributions of doctors, scientists, and other professionals can be purely political. If global warming is an issue, we should listen to scientists, not businesspeople who are concerned about their future and can influence scientific opinions. This all comes down to the individual. If we cannot or choose not to understand our personal responsibilities, we risk being bought and sold.
Our doctors and scientists are among the best humanity has to offer. If we cannot overcome the religious objections to blood transfusions, how will we move beyond outdated beliefs? If a modern individual cannot influence their group due to political reasons, change will be stifled. Today’s problems are not limited to specific groups; we face global warming, equal human rights, and internet-related political influences and crimes. Meeting the standards of today’s humanity is vastly different from even fifty years ago. Our average lifespan has more than doubled since then. Do you think this happened because we prayed more? These physical facts should prompt us to reassess our perspectives. If this doesn’t resonate with you, it’s time to step out of denial and embrace the era you are living in.
Religious extremists have historically resisted new technologies and advancements, such as blood transfusions, for political reasons rather than actual realities. Logically and spiritually, saving a human life through advancements is more aligned with divine work than any religious fanaticism. The numerous religious wars and extreme violence over history are evidence of this. When you strip individuals of their importance, self-respect, and self-esteem, you undermine their ability to regulate themselves. Thus, if we examine crime rates globally, religious nations should theoretically fare better than secular ones. If they don’t, it should be a wake-up call for their spiritual integrity.
If you refuse to understand or acknowledge these issues due to political or passionate reasons, consider them from a spiritual perspective rather than just the politics of belonging. If we assume that God is responsible for everything, we should at least research how things are done. If human beings are irrelevant, explain how all good and bad deeds are performed and for whom. It doesn’t make sense to exclude humans from this equation because actions need to be performed physically to be meaningful.
If humans provide the physicality, removing them from the equation disrupts the entire divine framework. You might argue that there is a world beyond our physical reality, but this remains in the realm of metaphorical reality, which cannot be fully understood or followed without physical evidence. Ultimately, without human physicality, neither God nor the Devil can act physically. Denying the relevance of the human individual is a political stance and, to me, a spiritual shortcoming.
What if we consider that all our progress is part of God’s will and that people who obstruct evolution are also part of this divine plan? Although this might seem contradictory, I believe every advancement follows a certain rhythm and speed of adaptation. Personally, I choose to support progress rather than hinder it, as I believe human beings are designed to evolve according to divine order. I prefer to be part of the evolutionary process rather than stand against it.
Our true purpose is to actively contribute to humanity during our lifetimes, rather than simply worship and pray for a place in heaven. No one returns to tell us what lies beyond death, and one thing is clear: God does not need anything from us other than our physical presence. If you believe that merely showing devotion without physical contribution will secure a place in heaven, reconsider. The purpose of human life is to reciprocate for the free oxygen, life-sustaining conditions, and physical abilities we are given—none of which we control. Even as a human individual, I would notice if an employee is ineffective but adept at flattery. Our physical existence is meant to merge the spiritual and physical worlds to make meaningful things happen.
A human individual holds the “physicality card,” so disregarding this fact undermines everything humanity has achieved so far. If you are like me, you will fact-check. Just observing the progress humanity has made—ranging from flying in space without wings to doubling our average lifespan, from video calls to AI, and everything in between—proves that humanity is designed to evolve.
If you accept that as a human individual, we all play a relevant role in both our spiritual and physical worlds, then we should individually contribute to combating global warming rather than accepting it as an inevitability and believing that it’s solely God’s job to save us. Certainly, we are blessed with evolutionary traits, but it is our resilience that has always been and will always be crucial to our evolution. One can cling to outdated beliefs and oppose life-saving advancements like blood transfusions, stem cell research, cloning, or other medical interventions simply due to old convictions. Alternatively, one can become passionately focused on social issues or unconditionally support scientific progress. With today’s knowledge, we should be evolving in every aspect—NOT selectively. Therefore, our motto should be to support evolution rather than hinder it. Burying our heads in the sand and hoping that global warming or related issues will resolve themselves is nothing but wishful thinking without action. Without human intervention, we would still be at the bottom of the food chain like other creatures. This progress did not occur in mosques, churches, or temples, which often stand in opposition to such advancements. The root of these problems is closely tied to our politically driven beliefs that deem the individual as insignificant. In reality, however, individuals are crucial to illuminating even the spiritual light of God. It is time to change and take charge because, first and foremost, we are not irrelevant. Secondly, individuals have played a significant role in advancing humanity, and there is much to show for it.
If a society believes individuals are irrelevant, that society will eventually suffer. For example, a previously conservative and religious society is now opening casinos to allow people to spend their money within their own country. The days of strictly conservative governance are over. As the conservative segment of the population shrinks, democratic societies will reject conservatism, and kingdoms will be toppled by the unrest of liberal populations. The struggle for equal human rights is opening closed societies, and conservative populations are fighting back with everything they have, including manipulating elections. This period of growing pains means societies will need to adapt to changing times.
In societies struggling to maintain control through force, their days are numbered because evolution is inevitable. Modern communication technologies make it impossible to hide political agendas of control, so suppressing people as we did in the past is no longer feasible. Advanced societies that preach equal human rights are now focused on individual relevance, which is showing tangible results. Personally, I believe that failing to acknowledge the contributions of individuals is to be simultaneously against spirituality and God. Logically, an individual’s physical contributions should be justified because God and spirituality both exist in the realm of “nothing but the truth.” There is no room for injustice, meaning such injustices cannot stem from them. Most, if not all, of our injustices arise from personal insecurities, political affiliations, or lack of spiritual strength.
When a scientist, doctor, or computer genius develops a theory to help humanity, these theories are put into practice and continuously explored further. Just look at our technological advancements—each year, new models of cars, planes, cell phones, and other gadgets are released with improved capabilities and functions. We acknowledge and financially reward the founders of new technologies by purchasing their products, which encourages further research and expansion of foundational ideas. Our social knowledge has its founders as well, but unfortunately, religious knowledge often discourages further exploration and demands blind belief. Those who question or explore are politically labeled as non-believers. Why are they labeled as such? If their questioning is legitimate, they should be accepted and given room in society as equals. However, if they claim their knowledge is complete and not subject to questioning, that is also problematic. As an evolving entity, our knowledge should never be capped or claimed as complete. Anyone who asserts their knowledge as ultimate and complete is likely influenced by political biases.
Today’s problem is that if we do not explore our religious knowledge, we may be left behind due to political reasons. Our prophets have left spiritual ideas to be explored further, yet the politics of group belonging prevents us from following these ideas as others do. Regardless of gender or identity, today’s youth are often overwhelmed and struggle to separate spirituality from the politics of their group affiliation. Spirituality connects us all to God, who is not political. If we connect God to any particular religion, it makes God political, which cannot be spiritual because it would imply an unjust God. For God to be truly spiritual, justice must be universal and unbiased. Otherwise, God becomes tainted with group politics.
If we are not allowed to explore our religious knowledge, what are the reasons behind it? Are these restrictions based on political motives or the fear of exposing the truth or disproving our ancestors? If everything were based solely on spirituality, there would be no limitations to our exploration. Groups that prevent individuals from exploring their religions are simply motivated by the desire to retain their relevance and political power. Unless we can distinguish between the politics of belonging and the spiritual aspects of religion, it will be challenging to change the minds of those who have fully embraced their group’s politics.
Our prophets have done their part by providing us with the spiritual aspects of our religions. However, the politics of belonging to our groups have unfortunately corrupted these spiritual systems. Now, it is up to us to explore further, not only to separate spirituality from politics but also to adapt to the ever-evolving human societies. Remember, our politics of belonging can inhibit us from exploring and straying further. However, if you are seeking spirituality, you need not worry because it is a universal truth—nothing but the truth. “One God, one humanity, one individual, and equal human rights” should be the slogan of today’s humanity. If we do not evolve according to the time and era we are born into, we risk losing not only the respect for the spiritual side of our religions but also end up with labels of bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. This can lead to personal losses and problems, especially if we cannot separate spirituality from our political affiliations.
Question, learn, and understand the reasons behind the promotion of individual irrelevance by your belonging groups. These groups are driven by politics, not spirituality. As human individuals, we are the other wire needed to light up the spiritual light bulb. We all need to become the CEOs of our own lives, rather than allowing our groups to call the shots for us. Remember, God created every human being as the CEO of their own life by giving everyone free will and a personal sense of justice. Since we all have our own atom of autonomy, we use our abilities to make choices. Good and bad can only be created physically by us due to our physical nature. If we are created as CEOs with the power of choice, it is our duty to question everything. If someone is trying to make you feel irrelevant, know that it is not God. By examining the politics of belonging, you will see the taint that has caused changes in religions. Interestingly, the number of religions is not an arbitrary figure. By becoming a CEO, you can understand the politics behind your group’s agendas. Whether you follow a religion or not, you are responsible for your physical actions and must decide what to follow or not follow. Understanding that the politics of belonging differ from your religion’s or your own spirituality will enable you to make choices without internal conflict; otherwise, you may end up contradicting your own atom of autonomy. That divine spark within can be both a blessing and a curse.
Imagine if everyone lied all the time—the value of the truth would diminish or be lost. Conversely, if no one lied, the value of the truth would also be unrecognized. Just as we value health and fear illness based on our personal experiences, we need the concept of the Devil to appreciate the concept of God or vice versa. The question is whether we have taken this to the extreme, flipping our triangle of CEO, God, and the Devil. By placing God and the Devil at the top corners of this triangle, we have relegated the individual—who creates good or bad physically—to a lower status. This irrelevance has been created by belonging groups to control human populations. Critically examining this reveals that human free will disrupts our sacred images. Politicians use politics to keep individuals feeling vulnerable and irrelevant, with low self-esteem, so they can be manipulated for political purposes. If it is a human choice to act for good or bad, then logically, until an individual chooses to act, nothing becomes a physical reality. If it is not a physical reality, it is ineffective for human beings, God, or the Devil.
If everyone believes exactly the same way or attributes everything to God and the Devil, it implies they do not need to make any efforts in life to evolve further. Remember, whether or not you believe in God, human beings come with an evolutionary set of genes, which means it is our divine order to evolve. This means we must put in effort and struggle to follow our evolutionary orders. If someone goes to the gym to build muscles while another prays in a mosque or church for bigger muscles and does not see results, it speaks for itself. This may not be as simple as it appears on the surface, leading people to extremes. There is a clear reason for human free will and the power of physicality. This is where I ask you to question yourself individually. Where do you stand? Reflect on why you believe in putting effort, such as going to the gym, versus relying on prayer. Your free will or the choices made from it can dictate how and why you do things in your life. If everything were achieved so easily, then everyone who prays would surpass those who actively work out.
If you feel unsuccessful, don’t you want to ask yourself why, especially if you’ve been told to take the easy way? Personally, I believe if an individual does not take charge of their life, someone else will. Those in charge will run the show with their political agendas. Do you really think you are a helpless human being? Ask yourself honestly if you are putting in honest efforts. Are your desires greater than your efforts? If there is an imbalance, fix it. Go to the gym if you want bigger muscles. If you prefer to go to a mosque or church, do so for the love of God. In real life, reciprocate for the gifts you have already received—life itself, oxygen, a functioning body with internal and external health, and favorable life circumstances. Remember, you have no control over the things that keep you alive. Yet, you do have the power to choose; so if smoking is harmful to your health, then stop smoking. You can pray to God for good health, but not doing your part means you have placed God on a pedestal and made yourself irrelevant.
Remember, God works with you, not for you, because as human beings, we are the other wire needed to light up the bulb of knowledge and evolution. Logically, humanity’s current state is the result of both human effort and divine influence. You do not have control over your next breath, so this light bulb only illuminates when both negative and positive wires are involved. You cannot place all the responsibility on God, nor can you claim that humans or groups of humans are doing everything. Things are not only happening but are also being physically performed.
If you believe that humans are doing everything, you might go to the gym, but if you cannot breathe on your own, you cannot achieve anything. Therefore, you must stop smoking and go to the gym as a choice and duty. If you believe you cannot do anything physical without God’s help, then you are placing God as the sole actor in your life. As I mentioned, you are one of the wires that light up the bulb making things happen physically. This raises a crucial question: why do you look down on yourself and have low self-esteem? Learn about the politics that keep you believing in your irrelevance. If the light does not work without your physical input, then you must recognize your importance and relevance.
With changing times, we are moving beyond our norms and realizing there are more trees of knowledge than our ancestors taught us. If we were born into a group of people who believed a religious tree is the only source of all knowledge, it implies that all necessary knowledge can be obtained from religion alone. To me, God has provided us with an evolving nature. No human knowledge is final for humanity. We have been blessed with a brain that evolves with everything new we learn. Therefore, the whole forest of knowledge is for our consumption, and there is no need to cling to a single tree. This applies to science as well. Limiting ourselves to singular trees does not align with our nature as evolving human beings. If we are born as humans, we are meant to evolve, as it is our divine order. Failure to do so means we are shrinking ourselves to one singular tree, which can be limiting. Since modern-day living requires knowledge from a wide range of sources, we need to shed our political skins to embrace the new possibilities and live authentically and successfully in all aspects of our lives.
Science may challenge our beliefs in God, but as mortal beings, we benefit from our belief systems. For instance, scientifically, we have not yet evolved to fully understand concepts like love, God, bravery, generosity, and sacrifice. Belief in God can provide fulfillment in areas where science falls short, as science alone is not sufficient for us who are aware of our mortality. We need to explore our emotional side to understand our belonging, as our belief systems deeply intertwine with our hormonal responses. So, am I against believing in God? Far from it. I am against the politics of belonging dictating our spiritual beliefs. I would like religion to transcend group politics, extreme rigidity, and work toward our evolution, not against it. You can believe in or embrace science wholeheartedly, but you will still be like those who cling to a religious tree. As human individuals, we hold our own exclusive atom of autonomy; we should be CEOs of our lives and use the entire forest of knowledge. By making choices, we can not only appreciate our metaphorical trees but also live a successful life, enjoying all aspects of human existence.
An extremist is an extremist, whether for science or religion. If you are solely for science, you might miss out on metaphorical realities like love and God. Conversely, a religious zealot might forego beneficial practices like blood transfusions or miss out on scientific, technological, and medical advancements. Regardless of the perspective, it is the individual who suffers from a smaller, unfulfilled, and fearful existence. Viewed through this lens, there is little difference between an atheist and a religious fanatic. One claims there is nothing beyond this life, while the other feels insignificant in the grand scheme, like the song that says, “we are but dust in the wind.” Without complete knowledge, we cannot make indisputable decisions. We do not even know everything about ourselves. Every day brings new discoveries through seeking. Claiming that our knowledge is complete is unconvincing, especially in light of the diverse and evolving world we live in.
I would argue that a partial understanding of knowledge is what makes us human. However, we do need to overcome political influences that inhibit our spiritual growth. Seeking and exploring are necessary to move beyond mere existence and strive for a fulfilling life. Our spiritual beliefs should reflect our evolving understanding of the world and our place within it.