Who Flipped My Triangle?

A while back, I read about a study conducted on fans of the Italian soccer team during a match against France. Researchers tested the fans’ testosterone levels before the match and found that when the Italian team scored, their testosterone levels noticeably increased. Conversely, when France scored, the hormone levels dropped.

Interestingly, these changes weren’t observed in the players but in the regular fans. This demonstrates how profoundly a sports match can affect us as human beings. Another example that comes to mind is from a documentary about wolves. It mentioned that when wolf pups were born, protective hormones surged not only in the parents but also throughout the entire pack. These are powerful and intriguing phenomena, highlighting the interconnectedness of creatures.

As creatures of nature, this behavior is present everywhere, yet we often fail to examine it critically to understand our own behavior. I intend to explore this further to understand evolution-related issues better. These hormone fluctuations are not just archaic occurrences; they happen today as well.

While hormone production related to wolf pups is understandable, as humans, we should already know more about our emotions and their causes. I feel like a child repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?” in our quest for self-understanding.

In Western nations, children are often taken away from individuals who act out emotionally or under the influence of hormones. Most, if not all, justice systems aim to control emotions. Are we evolving too quickly, unable to balance our evolving social rules with our out-of-control emotions during these changes? It’s a clear fact of being human that, when forced, we adapt to changes. It is time to learn about the realities of our hormones and their connections to our behavior so we can understand the consequences of our actions. We can’t hide behind emotions, regardless of their powerful nature. We need to understand the importance of evolving and changing gradually, with acknowledgment as the first step.

Growing up, I heard a sermon by Maulana Ajmal in Pakistan. He said, and I quote, “If I give you a piece of paper and ask you to put your finger through without ripping it, what would you do? If you take a pin and make several holes in the paper, it will allow you to put your finger through without ripping it.” He explained that human knowledge must be given gradually; otherwise, it confuses rather than enlightens. End quote.

Adaptation to knowledge has its own rhythm, and everyone has their unique pace. Sometimes, knowledge brought to light by an individual might not be understood by the masses and can be misinterpreted.

Our grading system in schools is a great example: knowledge of any kind should be given gradually because knowledge is meaningless if not understood. Just like muscles are built with steady stress, not sudden heavy weights, the same applies to learning. If someone doesn’t understand, they might need more time and explanation. Religious knowledge often lacks a solid foundation; digging into it can lead to losing faith. It’s not about God’s existence but about our understanding. Believing extremely without understanding is ignorance. Killing someone over incomplete knowledge is like giving a death penalty and later discovering the person was innocent. This is a spiritual crime, common on both sides of any conflict.

Drug companies claim their drugs are scientifically proven, yet people die from these drugs. Religious extremists commit acts of violence in the name of a God they don’t fully understand. We use only a fraction of our brain’s potential. If you doubt this, look around: in every field, we are evolving and still learning, showing we have much more room to grow.

Ask yourself in the dead of night: How much of a wolf are you? How much of an evolved human being are you? This personal question can only be answered individually. If you feel influenced by your sense of belonging to a group, you won’t be honest with yourself.

Overcoming the sense of belonging requires becoming the CEO of your life. If you don’t believe you are the CEO of your life, become one first before claiming to be an individual beyond the boundaries of your group.

As humans, we are not fully evolved yet, despite our progress in all areas, including religion. Claiming to be a perfect, evolved human is a reflection of social and political influences from our groups.

Unfortunately, we still need to protect ourselves, our families, communities, nations, and religious beliefs from our kind due to differences. Some want to change everything, and some resist change. Our civilization hasn’t reached the point where we can live harmoniously despite our differences.

We may or may not reach that point, depending on how we use our weaponry. We could destroy ourselves before reaching our potential or recognize and understand the emotional beast within.

Each situation is unique, but the politics of belonging is a powerful force. We need to evolve individually to become CEOs of our lives, understanding the balance between belonging and freedom, not just one or the other.

Would that be chaotic? Maybe, but we already have chaos. Conservatives and authoritarian systems resist giving CEO powers to individuals, especially in religious politics, which won’t accept that God exists without humans.

Personally, I believe if you only follow knowledge from ancestors or old books, you’ll just continue the past. Innovation requires forward-thinking individuals questioning and improving existing knowledge. In all fields, including religion, knowledge must evolve to meet humanity’s needs.

If you’ve adopted your group’s political knowledge, it’s your choice. But if you can’t step outside those boundaries and think like a CEO of your life, you are using your free will to stay within limits. As a CEO, you owe it to yourself to understand why you are the way you are.

Remember, potentially you are created by God, whether you believe in God or not. You are above any data you possess. Use your free will to make choices; you are a CEO created or not. If you can’t step outside your boundaries, you undermine your potential, not following God’s order to evolve continuously.

Look around at human evolution: we can predict and track weather and natural disasters. Without forward-thinking individuals, we’d still be throwing virgins off cliffs to please God.

God and religion are still part of our lives, but human progress shows we are not to be contained within boundaries. It’s mind-boggling that individuals today can still be radicalized into extremists. Fundamental problems are related to basic issues. Prejudice, whether racial, national, or religious, stems from the politics of belonging.

If all groups teach prejudice, humanity will never unite. We will always identify as Muslim, Christian, black, white, Pakistani, Canadian before recognizing our shared humanity.

In reality, we are all human beings first, beyond our assumed identities. Scientifically, we are made of the same material. Genetically, we can intermix and reproduce perfectly, share blood and organs, and save lives. Differences come from data, not carbon or genetics. This data must be overhauled and re-evaluated by all groups and individuals because we are not just data.

Your religious knowledge, nationalism, racism, traditional clothing, symbols, and cultural traditions are all data. You are an entity beyond this data. If taught otherwise, you need to re-evaluate yourself.

Strip away everything and dig deeper to find a human being with five bucks. You hold the key; you run the computer. You are above the computer, beyond the data. Find yourself beneath cultural traditions and take charge of who you are. Discover your potential and make God proud, or remain stuck in the politics of belonging, committing spiritual crimes under a false sense of pleasing God.

A black person remains black regardless of their beliefs. We have white Muslims, black Jews, brown Christians, and olive Hindus. Differences stem from education.

These differences are rooted in fears of love loss, power, and security, making them entirely political. We fear members of our group straying to others, weakening our group. Politics, security, and upbringing teach us to belong to our groups, despite abuse within them. We think that’s just life, but it doesn’t have to be.

Differences of opinion are common, but the problem is when society, parents, teachers, nations, or religions enforce their views as the truth. We use the politics of God, heaven, and hell to control and mold our offspring, even if we’re wrong. Belonging to one group is spiritually wrong; we must let humanity or God function as a whole. If your holy knowledge preaches for a particular group and not humanity, it is political, not holy.

Imagine if no one killed over beliefs. Humanity would be much further along today. Human knowledge is like a light switch; it comes on instantly. Humanity needs to take a leap of faith, addressing current issues as they arise. Stopping killings over beliefs is the first step to self-understanding, belonging, and God.

Understanding the balance between belonging and freedom and the reason for free will is crucial for individuals today. Knowledge of self-worth and connection to the source is foundational. Humanity must understand that God’s body can’t function if its cells are at each other’s throats.

Belief in a single mosque or church brick must evolve with the times. Individual responsibility for adapting to a changing world is essential for peace. The rhythm of adaptation should suit everyone to evolve. Those slowing down evolution may have wisdom for gradual adaptation instead of sudden destruction.

The idea that war creates peace is false. War creates emotionally charged, cunning creatures, hindering our journey to peace.

Integrating science with spirituality is as crucial as embracing the responsibility of evolution. From Jesus parting the ocean to Prophet Mohammad’s journey to God’s realm, and all the miracles performed by prophets, the holy books abound with myriad stories. Natural disasters and predictions of impending doom also feature prominently, instilling fear to control followers’ hearts. Instead of succumbing to fear and despair, I advocate taking personal responsibility for actions and standing on equal ground with God. While I acknowledge my dependence on the proper functioning of external and internal universes, I refuse to squander my potential feeding fears propagated by religions. Such fears not only subjugate but also erode self-esteem, reducing individuals to puppets of ideology rather than CEOs, which is the rightful role of every human, blessed with free will.

Personally, I have faith that God manifests positive outcomes in life as I fearlessly carry out His work, believing that God needs me as an active participant to sustain His being, rather than mere worship to fulfill my desires. Some religious teachings advocate fearing God to avoid hell. I question why fear is necessary if I am fulfilling my duties while alive. Moreover, why is the afterlife more significant than the present, where I can contribute to God’s purposes?

Logically, no one returns from death to provide proof; thus, beliefs remain matters of faith. A steadfast belief system is an asset, but it becomes problematic if it incites violence or impedes personal happiness. Individuals must scrutinize and rectify their belief systems if constant fear and stress persist, irrespective of their faith in God.

As individuals, we must abide by fundamental life principles, reciprocating and expressing gratitude for the experience of life. Life is not a random occurrence; at the cosmic level, despite the chaos of the universe, Earth sustains life. Internally, a human body houses trillions of cells and bacteria, all integral to survival. To assert control over everyday decisions amidst such complexity is a testament to human resilience. Throughout history and even today, belief in God persists due to human mortality and the need for control or solace, whether real or a placebo effect.

Belief alleviates fears and instills hope in a chaotic life, provided one comprehends the power of their belief system. While having a belief system is valuable, it becomes detrimental if it fosters prejudice, obstructs human rights, or leads to violence in the name of group identity, contravening spirituality and God’s essence.

Narratives and hymns wield significant influence over individuals. As communities, we must guard against prejudice to prevent perpetuating cycles of spiritual offenses. God and belief systems fulfill human needs; thus, we must derive benefits, not harm. Spiritual injuries stem not from spirituality but from political affiliations and group loyalties.

Religious stories often portray God as an authoritarian figure who exacts revenge to enforce obedience—a notion I find repugnant. Daily, thousands fall victim to violence, whether by individuals, governments, or political factions under religious banners.

It’s inconceivable that God punishes everyone to enforce discipline, especially when innocent lives perish unjustly. Spiritual teachings should not condone collateral damage or accidental justifications.

The core of my blog, “Who Flipped My Triangle,” argues that positioning God and the Devil at the apex demeans human worth, shifting blame for our actions onto higher powers, although we possess free will. With free will comes responsibility, yet we shy away from bearing the full burden, often committing acts of brutality against others, including our kin. This disorder not only afflicts individuals but extends to humanity and, metaphorically, God, akin to human immune cells attacking self-cells, causing what I term God’s “arthritis” due to our free will. We can rectify this condition if we choose, taking responsibility for our actions.

The power we assign to God epitomizes human perfection. Tasks beyond our control or ability, we believe God can accomplish. Thus, we worship and pray, sometimes treating God as a fellow human, expecting Him to share our feelings. A sperm bears no resemblance to a fully formed human; similarly, no seed resembles a tree. Assuming God shares human emotions or thoughts is equally presumptuous.

Is God a superhuman? What defines the human-God relationship? Why assume God delights in our worship and sacrifices? Such beliefs imply God thinks and feels like humans, suggesting He’s vengeful and indiscriminately targets even the innocent—an unsettling assertion.

Consider this analogy: a cell within the human body exchanges with the body, receiving sustenance and in return, contributing to the body’s function and life. God, akin to the body, wouldn’t harm His “cells” unless something malfunctions, akin to autoimmune diseases in humans. Humans, with free will, oversee God’s realm through their actions, responsible for maintaining justice.

My worship isn’t constant bowing or kneeling; rather, it’s serving humanity, through which God lives. If all humans practice daily chores that avoid hurting others, it’d serve as practical prayers. We each owe it to ourselves to know why we are as we are.

Each of us is the CEO of our life, as evidenced by daily exercise of free will. To confine oneself within predetermined boundaries, dictated by group affiliations, is to deny one’s individuality and God-given potential. Strip away these layers, beyond assumed identities, to discover the naked human, connected directly to God, the source of life and sustenance.

Nature’s power ensures that individuals always hold the key. You, as the executor, transcend the computer and its data, discovering the essence of who you truly are. Continuously explore your potential, as you are an ocean within a drop. Embrace evolution; resist the politics of belonging for security, as no belonging group guarantees immortality. The graveyard teems with individuals who thought themselves secure under group banners, failing to grasp that security is an illusion for mortals.

I recently watched an episode of The Nature of Things by David Suzuki, which focused on Arctic wolves. In this episode, a lone female wolf found a den to give birth to her five pups. Unfortunately, the den was located within the territory of a large wolf pack. The pups were killed and eaten by the other wolves while the mother watched from a distance, powerless to intervene. This harsh reality is a stark example of the nature of things.

This scene led me to reflect on the impact of warfare. Imagine a bomb falling from the sky and obliterating an entire family in a distant village, merely because they belong to a group considered an enemy. What is the difference between this and the predatory behavior observed in nature? Is this our “nature of things”? If so, when will we evolve beyond such patterns? For thousands of years, we have claimed to be superior to other creatures, yet we remain entangled in social crimes against one another. We continue to kill each other over differences in color, race, nationality, religion, and even sexual preference.

Who are we, and why do we believe we are superior? Is it due to our education, or is it inherent in our nature? How can we advance on the ladder of civilization to prevent killing each other over our differences?

Despite millions of years of civilization and progress in various fields, why do we still struggle with these primal shortcomings? Does this stem from the influence of the groups we belong to, or is it related to personal insecurities and preferences?

Consider another example from the wild. It is common to see a fawn being consumed by predators such as wolves, cheetahs, or lions. In these situations, the mother and other community members must flee to survive. The main issue is their inability to defend against predators, and this is simply part of the natural order. The helplessness is so profound that it cannot be ignored. We might use our intellect to dismiss this by saying that the animals lack comprehension, but the core issue remains.

Now, picture a bomb falling on a village and killing an entire family. Their only crime was belonging to a group at war, regardless of their personal stance on the conflict. When you are powerless to prevent the death of your loved ones, it mirrors the helplessness experienced in nature. Yet, as humans, we possess the capacity for deeper understanding and emotional responses. We can hold grudges and seek revenge, driven by the profound pain of losing a loved one. This cycle of retaliation—”you kill mine, I will kill yours”—ultimately leads to greater loss for humanity as a whole.

It is high time we evolve beyond this nature of things. If you find yourself driven to cause harm, remember that the “pups” belong to humanity. Justifying harmful actions as a group is akin to the behavior of a pack of wolves. Your compassionate nature allows you to help those in distant lands, demonstrating your capacity for evolution.

Despite our advances in civilization, emotionally and spiritually, we remain primitive. Our killings are not driven by survival, unlike predators in the wild, but by other motives. After millions of years of evolution, if we are still killing our own kind, it raises questions about our direction and the effectiveness of modern weaponry.

The pain of love loss is a universal experience, whether one is a wolf, deer, or human. The key difference is that humans can empathize with others’ pain and recognize the wrongness of causing harm. Unlike animals, humans have personal agency in their actions. Speaking out against political and revenge killings should be a matter of human rights.

The times have changed; swords and spears are no longer in use. Today, warfare often involves killing innocents, whether through suicide bombings or drone strikes. Modern conflicts are characterized by nuclear and chemical weapons. If we are to engage in conflict, it must be over clearly defined issues that do not harm innocents. Even in the name of religion or nationalism, causing unnecessary suffering constitutes a spiritual crime.

It is crucial to prioritize humanity over rigid group identities. Understanding humanity as a whole is essential to grasping spirituality. If you resist this perspective, it may reflect an excessive attachment to group identities, which are inherently political. True spirituality requires a focus on personal justice over group affiliation.

The philosophy of belonging to exclusive groups has long been a source of division and has often worsened conflicts. It is time for individuals to take a leap of faith and evolve. Embrace your role as part of the larger human family and contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

As human beings, we possess a profound capacity for understanding, particularly when it comes to the matter of love and loss. Unlike animals, we can harbor grudges and seek revenge, driven by the immense pain of losing someone we love. This cycle of retaliation—”you kill mine, I will kill yours”—raises the question: who truly suffers in the end?

Humanity itself is at a loss. It is high time we evolve beyond this primal nature. If you feel compelled to cause harm, remember that the “pups” or “fawns” are part of humanity. Justifying harmful actions as a group is akin to the behavior of a pack of wolves. Instead, embrace your compassionate nature and use it to help those in distant lands. This demonstrates your evolution as a human being.

Despite millions of years of civilization, emotionally and spiritually, we still remain in a state of wilderness. Our acts of violence are not driven by survival needs, as they are in the animal kingdom, but by other motives. After such extensive evolution, if we are still killing our own kind, it raises doubts about our progress and direction, especially with modern weaponry.

The pain of love loss is a universal experience, whether one is a wolf, deer, or human. The key difference is that humans have the ability to empathize with others’ pain and recognize the wrongness of causing harm. Unlike animals, humans have a personal say in their actions. Therefore, opposing political and revenge killings should be a matter of human rights.

Times have changed; swords and spears are no longer relevant. In modern warfare, it is often innocent lives that are lost, whether through suicide bombings or drone strikes. Today’s conflicts involve nuclear and chemical weapons. If we are to engage in war, it must be over clearly understood issues that do not harm innocents. Even in the name of religion or nationalism, causing unnecessary suffering constitutes a spiritual crime.

We must prioritize our humanity over rigid group identities. Understanding and embodying humanity as a whole is essential to grasping spirituality, regardless of religious affiliation. If you cannot see beyond your group identity, it indicates an excessive attachment that is inherently political. True spirituality requires a focus on personal justice over group allegiance.

If your nationalism or religion teaches that you are superior to others simply by belonging to it, consider the politics and realities of life. You share the same oxygen, the same capacity for procreation, and the same fundamental genetics with others, regardless of race or color. At a deeper level, we are all made of carbon. What distinguishes us is not religion or nationalism, but our compassionate character and spirituality.

Believing oneself to be superior to others automatically labels one as prejudiced. If you take pride in this prejudice, it is time to prioritize spirituality over mere theology in your daily life.

I am not addressing entire groups based on religion, nation, race, or gender. Instead, I call on individuals, one person at a time. The root of our problems lies in a distorted sense of belonging. If your sense of belonging is confined to a specific group rather than humanity as a whole, it is time to evolve and lead humanity to a higher level.

Groups may resist this change because it threatens their political power. Therefore, the decision to evolve must come from individuals. The philosophy of group allegiance has not worked, and it has often worsened the situation with political and religious influence. True progress will come when each of us takes a leap of faith and evolves beyond group identities.

If you exercise your free will, you are already the CEO of your life. As such, you cannot allow group identities to hinder your personal evolution. Today’s evolution demands equal human rights. If your group pressures you into committing spiritual crimes of prejudice, shouldn’t you question them about equal human rights? Embrace your humanity before you embrace any other identity, whether Muslim, Christian, Canadian, Pakistani, black, or white.

       

Imagine you’re riding on a bus filled with all kinds of people—rich, poor, strong, old, and weak. Along the way, the bus gets stuck in a muddy ditch. Everyone decides to push the bus out. When everyone puts their shoulders to it, some just pretend to push, thinking others will do the work, believing they’ll get a free ride without contributing—smart, perhaps, but not wise.

If you believe this attitude doesn’t exist, just look around. Able-bodied individuals stay on government assistance longer than necessary, feeling entitled. Then there are those who avoid paying taxes, thinking they’re clever, much like Donald Trump. Metaphorically, humanity is like this spiritual bus; it moves forward only when everyone pitches in. If you avoid reciprocity, you miss the essence of human life, which is to give and receive.

God grants life, and in return, we keep the divine essence alive through our actions. No group—whether family, community, or nation—can provide life; only God can, in the realm of spirituality, if we understand it.

Our education often teaches us to do less to gain more or exploit the system, whether through family, community, or society. This business mentality neglects the principle of reciprocity. While this approach might make one successful in business, it raises questions about their moral character as a human being. Whether it’s individuals exploiting one another or politics exploiting humanity and its beliefs—religions, nations, races, and genders—all engage in a transactional mindset.

Now, picture everyone pretending to push the bus out of the ditch, but no one is really pushing. It won’t budge. If only some push while others slack off, those who are pushing will struggle, surrounded by those who think themselves clever for not helping. Ultimately, it’s about your relationship with yourself; on your deathbed, you’ll judge yourself based on your own actions. Living with guilt and regret suggests you haven’t fully embraced your role as a CEO of your own life; you’ve let others dictate your choices.

Self-understanding is a form of wisdom that allows self-regulation, eliminating the need for external guidance. Your inner happiness and contentment are vital; as a mortal CEO, they define your success.

If your group’s teachings prioritize taking more than giving, and you apply this philosophy to every aspect of life, remember: if everyone cheats, the bus won’t move forward.

One might argue, “Why should I reciprocate if there’s no God?” It’s not about others or God; it’s about you. You inhabit your mortal body and must answer for your honest, spiritual living.

Success is meaningless without health and happiness. Inner peace depends not only on physical health but also emotional and spiritual well-being.

Recently, news highlighted famine in Sudan; people are dying from hunger. The United Nations seeks aid, attributing the crisis to drought and water scarcity.

In neighboring oil-rich countries, pipelines carry oil, not water, despite the suffering. Islam states, “If your neighbor goes hungry, your food is not blessed.” Today, it’s not just hunger but starvation and drought. Many predominantly Muslim countries understand this spiritually, yet they fall prey to political interpretations of religion. They wage war, chanting “God is great” from both sides, dying with pride. Something is amiss. Only personal reflection can reveal how our political affiliations impact our spirituality.

When neighbors starve, political religions forfeit their spiritual essence. Meanwhile, Christian charities provide aid but often proselytize. True spiritual acts are void of ulterior motives and political agendas, transcending religious denominations. The proverb about feeding neighbors wasn’t about religion—it was about compassion. Our downfall is embracing a dog-eat-dog ethos or disregarding what’s right. We pretend to help, but without genuine effort, human spirituality stagnates.

 

Basic survival depends on meeting basic needs: oxygen, water, food, love, and shelter. When these necessities are taken away, it can create inner turmoil for most individuals, regardless of their level of civilization or upbringing.

As I have mentioned before, law and order, religious or social morals, ethics, customs, traditions, a sense of belonging, and even belief in God are secondary to a full stomach. All these values take a back seat when an ordinary individual goes without food for a few days and has no hope of finding it.

As societies, we must recognize that if a community, nation, or religion cannot care for its sick and weak, it is not healthy, even for itself. Our laws and constitutions should be designed to resist the extremes of both political polarities and, most importantly, to uphold equal human rights.

Community matters to all of us, both collectively and individually. However, when you haven’t eaten for a while, all bets are off whether we like it or not. The trouble is that we can develop habits; thus, being selfish can thrust you into a dog-eat-dog world. From individuals committing social crimes to entire communities warring against each other, these are social habits we need to shake off to elevate our civilization.

In today’s governing systems, our societies collect taxes to manage our affairs. If you have more, you give to the government instead of directly to the poor because personal insecurities can dry up your contributions. If you earn less, you automatically cut your expenses, and your giving is the first to go. Governments collect and run programs for the less fortunate and other daily upkeep to provide an easier life for citizens. Logically and spiritually, we should all contribute happily, but this is not always the case. We often vote for political parties that promise to cut taxes, yet we want our communities to run smoothly. We demand everything from police to roads to crime-free societies from the government. If the government cuts programs, life can become harder and more insecure for the ordinary individual, placing political parties in a difficult position. If they don’t keep their promises, they are out in the next election. We all need to be educated about taxes and the spiritual nature of human individuals.

We want everything from our governments: free healthcare, old-age pensions and security, affordable living, and other securities during vulnerable times. If everything costs money, where does that money come from? Taxes are the simple answer, but if you live in a dog-eat-dog world, you won’t be happy to pay your taxes. This is where I believe individuals need spiritual help to understand human nature and our dependency on each other, much like helping dependents in a family. Without education on spirituality, we are confused as individuals and suffer as communities, falling behind those who understand it. Politically, we have been bombarded with the notion that taxes are part of socialism, so even our so-called religious leaders, who are supposed to preach spirituality, engage in non-spiritual actions. These confusions are created by powerful political propaganda aimed at gaining power, with conservatives or Republicans portraying socialism as a villain. While socialism has its drawbacks, particularly related to those in power, it offers more spirituality than the dog-eat-dog philosophy.

I may sound like I am advocating for socialism, but I am actually advocating for taking the best from all human knowledge to promote spirituality. Firstly, spirituality is against individual injustice. If you prioritize the masses over the individual, it is spiritual injustice. Thus, I view the masses as a single entity or corporation that can be taken to court if it commits injustice against an individual. Spirituality is more like a justice system that cannot be infiltrated by political influences. If tainted, it becomes a modern-day religion or a politically influenced biased justice system. Interestingly, today’s political parties appoint Supreme Court judges, which shows how politics taints everything. No wonder we are in such chaos.

Logically and personally, let’s consider an example: say I am eighty years old, can’t eat much, sleep much, do much, and can’t take anything with me when I go, yet I still complain about the taxes I pay. The real problem is not the taxes, because by nature, we want to help individuals in need. Being in a position to help makes us feel good and brings spiritual satisfaction. So, what is the problem? It certainly is not that we are becoming spiritually bankrupt, as a large segment of the population votes against conservatives or Republicans. The issue is the feeling of injustice. In daily life, we consider a government, a corporation, or even another individual as entities that should be taken to court if they commit acts of injustice. This cannot be painted politically; it should be painted spiritually. For instance, if an individual is perfectly capable of working and helping but tries to milk the system, it is spiritually wrong. This wrong should be addressed spiritually. If a group is cheating and using collected taxes for their political agendas, it is against spiritual values as well. This discussion should be open to the public without political influences.

We have been oscillating in our progress, especially concerning social issues and religious extremes. Humans have been experimenting and evolving with social rules for thousands of years, but the hunger for power and political control has remained consistent. Sometimes, this desire is cloaked in religion and hidden behind what is supposed to be plain and simple spirituality, but unfortunately, this has not been the case.

Even in today’s democratic era, democracy calls for individual education. For instance, a voter has the responsibility to use their right to vote wisely. Understanding why, how, and who to vote for requires personal awareness and knowledge of communal issues. If you lack individual strength, you could be herded like a sheep and used for the political agendas of a few. You shouldn’t vote for someone just because they are a relative or friend. You must consider the character of the individual, understand your personal values, and assess whether the party you are voting for aligns with your values. If you are the CEO of your life, you can’t be easily influenced one way or another. To become the CEO of your life, you need a well-rounded education. Your spiritual values should guide you when voting for a political party. If religions are entering politics, it is too dirty for a spiritual path, so religions should be kept out of our political systems.

Since the advent of religions, wars should have ceased, but the opposite has occurred. We fight and kill each other with great passion, believing we are doing the right thing in the name of God. It becomes especially ridiculous when people kill each other in the name of the same religion and the same God.

Personally, I think it has never been about God or spirituality. It has always been about the politics of belonging, whether for revenge, territory, or collective ego. All these reasons are related to everything but God or spirituality.

There was an old movie about Russia and communism, whose title I have forgotten. When the revolution came, people’s big houses were taken by the government, and they were forced to share their homes with strangers. It was a noble act to help the homeless, but clearly at the expense of individual suffering and human rights violations.

I believe there is always a reaction. If you go too far in capitalism without boundaries, you will end up in the reaction zone, which leads to socialism or even worse, communism. In the American election, Bernie Sanders garnered many followers, a clear sign of discontentment and a potential rise of socialism in a capitalist nation, driven by extreme capitalism. Both extremes cause the pendulum to swing back and forth.

Capitalism allows the rich to get richer through freewheeling and dealing. Depending on an individual’s insecurity level, money gets accumulated regardless. People invest and reinvest, but spending depends on personal insecurities. Thus, money gets taken out of circulation and turns into properties and land, making the poor poorer. In this technological age, the gap is widening faster than in the past.

For example, if I am a farmer with fifty workers during the harvest, and my neighbor offers to harvest my farm with a machine at a tenth of the cost, I will let my workers go to save money and time. Legally, there is nothing wrong with this, but society loses its spiritual aspect and swings to an extreme, until the pendulum swings back.

This back and forth is detrimental to humanity. As humanity, we should constantly evolve in all aspects of life. Finance alone is not enough to run a country. The proof is that countries with social networks and universal healthcare score higher than America, despite its superpower status.

If this trend continues, a population of unemployed and hungry people can turn on the governing authorities or become one, because they can’t afford food or meet basic necessities. If everyone has a gun, the one percent of powerful people is a very low number to hold all the power, and they can lose more than they bargain for.

Socialism and communism are reactionary systems to capitalism, and capitalism is a reaction to the restrictions imposed by socialism or communism.

The preference for capitalism by individuals is closely related to personal insecurities, stemming from the knowledge of mortality. This knowledge should logically lead individuals to the opposite of hoarding, but we love to compete and succeed, so we hoard to fit in, compete, impress, or be admired. However, eventually, we all leave everything behind.

A while back, a rich man died in Toronto, leaving behind fifteen billion dollars. One of his friends mentioned on TV that he was excited to buy a freezer full of hot dogs on sale, despite living in an old house.

You can accumulate as much as you want, but you can only consume a limited amount during your limited time. Living with an extreme desire to fit in, compete, impress, or be admired is unhealthy because you are doing it for others. It is your out-of-control sense of belonging compelling you to save and make more than you consume. In reality, what matters in a mortal life is what you have consumed during your temporary visit.

If you live in a tax-evading system, avoiding taxes and hoarding will come back to haunt you. By holding back, you can make life harder for the less fortunate, who may turn against you or vote against you. The government is forced to be divided, as they need to uphold the promises made to the taxpayers who hold back. This division leads to inefficiency and corruption, eventually causing the downfall of a superpower or empire.

If the tax system were taught in schools with an experiment, imagine this scenario: a teacher wants to give each of his twenty students ten dollars, but he later discovers he lost two ten-dollar bills. As he distributes ten dollars to each student, he realizes he is short by twenty dollars. To ensure fairness, he asks each student to contribute one dollar to help the two who didn’t receive any money. I bet my bottom dollar that, out of human decency, they would gladly chip in. Now everyone has nine dollars each. This situation may hint at socialism, but I’m not referring to socialism or communism. I’m highlighting the innate sense of fairness and generosity in human beings. When insecurities cloud our judgment, we tend to adopt a mentality of “what’s mine is mine,” forgetting that the money originally came from the teacher, who aimed to treat all students equally.

Children see this fairness clearly in their innocence, yet as adults, we often descend into a competitive, dog-eat-dog world where moral responsibility takes a backseat to personal pride. Personally, I believe that helping others is an ingrained human trait connected to our inherent goodness. This innate goodness is why spirituality persists even in today’s world. It’s why we pay taxes—to establish supportive systems in our societies, regardless of their prosperity. Thus, paying taxes should be taught as a positive, spiritual act from an early age. If we grew up with this understanding, perhaps we wouldn’t complain as much; we would see taxes as part of our spiritual responsibility.

When the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, it’s not due to the system but individual insecurities that operate at different levels. Find your level of insecurity and work on freeing yourself from it; this can reduce stress and related physical ailments.

Either extreme—whether extreme selfishness or complete reliance on handouts—elicits an extreme reaction, which is never a good position to be in. If you avoid paying taxes and move your business abroad to maximize profits, it reflects a lack of understanding about using your resources for the greater good, which is tied to your spiritual outlook.

Similarly, if you always seek handouts without reciprocating, you’re also going against spiritual principles. As human beings, we’ve been given everything by nature: oxygen, health, and the ability to contribute our share. Refusing to do so may seem clever in the short term, akin to Donald Trump’s statement about not paying taxes, but spiritually, failing to reciprocate harms only oneself. Helping others isn’t just beneficial for the recipient; it also boosts the helper’s self-worth and spiritual well-being.

At a societal level, exploiting systems without contributing back can breed resentment among taxpayers. Former President Obama once noted that we are born into a world where infrastructure like roads and bridges are already in place. If individuals or corporations refuse to pay their fair share of taxes while reaping substantial benefits, it undermines societal health in the long run.

We need a system that strikes a balance—you can pursue success and enjoy your journey through life, but hoarding resources or perpetually relying on assistance is unsustainable. Programs like food stamps, welfare, and universal healthcare are pillars of a compassionate society and should not be viewed as burdens. Religious teachings often advocate for selflessness and aiding the less fortunate, yet they sometimes align with conservative or Republican policies that oppose such social safety nets, which are funded by tax dollars.

I was taught in Islam that if your neighbor goes hungry, your food is not blessed. Yet, during elections, many religious individuals vote for parties that oppose measures like universal healthcare or welfare. This paradox reveals how politics often overrides spirituality when it comes to voting choices.

It baffles me how religious individuals, who are supposed to seek spirituality, can stray so far. Why do supposedly godly people often reject measures that align with spiritual principles? Their actions suggest a prioritization of political ideology over spirituality.

If you’ve been told that supporting social programs through taxes is a godless act, you’ve been misled. Consider whether your allegiance to a political party or religious group influences your beliefs more than your understanding of spirituality. If so, question your allegiance and seek answers beyond political rhetoric.

Regardless of whether these actions are endorsed by religious groups or not, they are undeniably tied to spirituality. Individuals with free will should be able to discern the political agendas behind such rhetoric. At the very least, they should refrain from opposing measures that benefit the greater good.

Understanding the politics of belonging is part of self-governance—it’s your responsibility to vote based on informed decisions rather than blind allegiance to religious teachings or party platforms. Once you see through this political veneer, you may realize that your true allegiance lies with humanity as a whole. Only then can you spiritually mature beyond the confines of group politics and embrace a broader perspective.

It may feel safe to remain in a shallow pond with clear boundaries, but true security lies beyond such limitations. Politically drawn lines divide our world into hundreds of such ponds, yet physically, our planet has none. On the other hand, humanity continues to explore and discover new frontiers, even beyond our solar system.

Your allegiance to groups may reassure you of security, but these groups cannot provide true security for mortal beings. No family, community, nation, or religion supplies the oxygen essential for life; that comes from an entity beyond our comprehension. Our existence is not a random accident; it is a gift with a finite lifespan that should not be squandered on extreme and egotistical beliefs.

Religions often talk about this, but they often emphasize group identity over humanity as a whole. For centuries, wars have been fought over nationalism and religion, resulting in countless deaths—all in the name of security provided by these groups. Yet, they fail to deliver on this promise. Instead, they perpetuate division and spiritual crimes while failing to evolve in tandem with human progress in other areas.

Progress in science, technology, and global communication transcends these artificial boundaries. Global warming, rising sea levels, and the internet’s expansion are global challenges that defy national or religious borders. Political leaders advocate protectionism to preserve their nation’s interests, but we cannot ignore these global issues under the false assumption that divine providence will protect us.

I believe that divinity is entwined with these challenges, urging humanity to unite and take collective responsibility. The protectionism preached by religions and nationalism is rooted in group politics, which confines them to isolated ponds. In contrast, spirituality, divinity, and humanity are interconnected like the internet—they transcend any political or governing system.

To address looming challenges like environmental migration caused by our own actions, we must unite as humanity. Imagine if everyone worked together to advance humanity—where could we be? Unfortunately, we’ve often deprived each other of such progress, whether through conflict or brain drain, which weakens us collectively.

Religious followers should consider whether rejecting knowledge from non-religious sources is justified. I firmly believe it’s not; knowledge becomes wisdom only when practiced. Religious texts may offer wisdom, but without practical application, we only grasp half of what divinity intends to teach us. Supporting initiatives like universal healthcare and welfare is a spiritual duty because they uplift those in need, embodying spiritual values that religious rhetoric sometimes contradicts.

From racism, nationalism, to religious extremism, and the fervor of team sports and fan conflicts, prejudice in all its forms remains deeply rooted and is the root cause of many of our social and spiritual problems. The number of people entrenched or intoxicated by an uncontrollable sense of belonging is so vast that it feels like walking on freshly fallen snow. There are no footprints or tracks to follow; hidden sinkholes could be covered by the snow, yet one must continue walking without the fear of stumbling into a pitfall. There is common knowledge, knowledge implied between the lines, and then there is knowledge that requires understanding.

Our brains resemble oceans, with knowledge flowing in from all directions like rivers—data, junk mail, or whatever one may call it. It is an individual’s responsibility to pick and choose, mix and match, to make their mortal life a journey of reciprocity: taking and giving in equal measure.

I feel it is my duty to reciprocate by speaking my truth as I see it, even if it may not be universally accepted but makes sense to me. If someone disagrees with me—which is highly likely—we can agree to disagree like civilized human beings. Our challenge lies in being passionately attached to our knowledge due to an uncontrollable sense of belonging, yet every day we learn something new, demonstrating that our knowledge remains incomplete. Just observe history and contemporary events, where people often resort to violence simply because they disagree with each other’s beliefs. More often than not, these conflicts arise from political egos tied to group identity or disputes over territory and lost love.

Externally, we may wage wars in the name of God, but internally, our knowledge of God remains incomplete, fueling our conflicts with insecurity and a desire for control. A genuine belief in God should foster humility and a commitment to helping humanity as a whole. Unfortunately, politically charged religious teachings have twisted spirituality to the point where each religion claims superior knowledge of God over others. Followers, driven by passion, genuinely believe in their righteousness, making it challenging for humanity to unite.

Individuals are so indoctrinated that they not only passionately believe in their religion’s teachings but are also willing to kill and die for them. Allow me to share a verse of poetry by Baba Bulleh Shah, as I often find my thoughts aligning more with him than with others. Since he wrote in Punjabi, I will first present the original words and then attempt a translation:

“Rub rub karthay budhay ho gay mullah pundit saary
Rub thaa khoj khraa na labhya sajday kar kar haary.
Rub tay tary andar wastha vich Quraan ishaary
Buley Shah rub onhu milsy, jehra apaney naffus no maary.”

Translation: “All the Mullahs and pundits grew old chanting God’s name,
Yet none found the real God; weary from countless prostrations.
The Qur’an indicates God resides within you,
Bulleh Shah found God in controlling his worldly desires.”

Whether you consider yourself devout or secular, as long as you acknowledge your humanity and are alive, you embody a physical manifestation of God. Therefore, you bear personal responsibilities. First and foremost, you must learn about yourself as an individual—what and who you truly believe yourself to be. As I’ve stated before, when a baby is born, they are like a brand-new computer, equipped with all its apps and features. Then, everyone around them begins to install data—what constitutes human data?

Traditional attire, religious symbols such as turbans or crosses, religions themselves, nationalities, races, genders, methods of worship, and fasting practices—all of these are forms of data.

If you believe you are defined by this data or are akin to a computer, you are mistaken. By utilizing the free will bestowed upon you by God, you rise above both. If you consider yourself superior to others due to your accumulated data, you fail to see things clearly and do not delve deeply enough into understanding yourself. Contemplate God, genetics, carbon, humanity, spirituality, and practical prayers—only then will you uncover your true self.

There are no Muslim, Jewish, or Christian states; there are no United States or European Union states. We all pass the genetic test for humanity; we all possess free will and an intrinsic sense of justice, capable of overriding all pre-installed data. This is why the pursuit of equal human rights has become the new global religion and justice system, spreading like wildfire across the world.

So, whenever the politics of belonging confuses you, remember that you were born with more potential than you were led to believe.

You are born a CEO; your identity is that of a human being, and God Himself resides within you. Nationalism and religion seek to rob you of your humanity, which constitutes your true identity. It may seem daunting to stand against conventional wisdom, but your education—what I would call indoctrination through the installation of political data regarding a sense of belonging—is designed to confuse you, to make you believe that as an individual, you are insignificant. Yet, as a component of life with God-given free will, you are meant to stand alone and soar.

Your umbilical cord was severed the day you were born; you now breathe oxygen independently, not provided by your parents, community, nation, or religion. Reflect on who you are and what defines you. Your parents bring you into the world, but it is not without God’s will. Raising you is their reciprocation to God, and as you mature, it becomes your duty to reciprocate in kind. With free will, it is your responsibility to savor the journey. If you must walk a path no one has traversed, gain confidence in the same entity that provided you with oxygen. Remember, you are alive not by your will alone; were that the case, human beings would be immortal.

 

From the beginning of our social and political awareness, fear-based control philosophies have been robbing individuals of their peace of mind, as well as their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This, in turn, diminishes faith in both God and humanity.

Personally, I believe that God’s existence is intertwined with the existence of the human individual, no matter how insignificant they may appear to be. Just look at our ghost towns: the buildings, roads, and systems are intact but hold no value unless people inhabit them. In other words, something is only valuable if it is needed. Similarly, God may seem useless alone; it’s the human individual who attributes value to God, feeling weak and having no control over mortality, hence the extreme fear of death, which is closely tied to the fear of losing loved ones and material assets. As I said before, God and a ghost town have one thing in common: they can’t be meaningful without human beings.

You might argue that God created everything, but I can counter that it is humans who assign value to everything. It’s an assumption from both perspectives if we disregard the importance of the human individual. Without humans, logically, everything falls apart because there would be no one to assume, argue, or even kill each other over those assumptions.

The education of individuals under political influences fosters a sense of belonging that makes them feel valueless, vulnerable, fearful, and needy. Politically, people are preached to and convinced that they would be wrong to stand up and recognize their value, especially if they are mortal. This insecurity among individuals has been a boon for ruling authorities.

I believe that human individuals need to understand their place in the grand scheme, rather than subscribing passionately to fear-based education, whether it comes from religious authorities or other governing systems.

First of all, as individuals, we are told that God has endless powers and can help us whenever we need. But comparing ourselves to the unlimited makes us feel even more limited. Yet, we are the foundation of God’s physical powers or expression.

This traditional knowledge has been robbing individuals of their value and self-esteem. If a person determines that they are valueless, the only beneficiaries are those in the business of politics and power, whether it is religion or an ideology. They won’t preach for individuals to become the CEOs of their own lives, capable of putting them in their place if needed.

If you start to look at yourself the way I see it, first, you will understand and filter out the politics of power. Second, you will develop self-respect and learn to be who you really are. In reality, you are an ocean in a drop and the CEO of your life.

As the CEO of your life, you will see how important you are in the larger scheme, whether you believe in God or not. You will not be who you were made to believe; you will develop self-esteem to be more productive and useful to God and yourself simultaneously. Your importance is illustrated in this example:

When you see a beautifully designed tablecloth, you admire it as a work of art. But if you examine it closely, you will find that it is made of a very fine, weak, thin, and easily breakable thread. The value of this thread should not be underestimated. Without it, there would be no tablecloth. If you pull one thread out, it may not affect the appearance or strength immediately, but if you keep pulling, it will eventually lose its beauty and strength and become valueless.

Now, if you are the thread and the cloth is God, you can’t separate the two and place value on one but not the other. The beauty and strength of the material are valuable only if both are in the picture. They depend on each other to be a beautifully designed cloth. So, should one fear God when God is made meaningful by human beings? This question is for you to answer personally. Your fear is deeply related to insecurities and control; you want more security, so you seek God’s help. If you can overcome these deeply ingrained beliefs, you will see yourself as a workhorse of God. God needs you to be healthy and strong to take care of divine affairs.

A poem I read as a boy in Pakistan, by an unknown author, resonates here: “A lily in the pond of a forest cries about its dullness for thousands of years; it is very difficult to find a set of eyes that can appreciate its beauty.”

As human individuals, we need to recognize that even God’s existence depends on us. It is our spiritual duty to respect life and reproduce, making killing in the name of religion or any governing system a spiritual crime regardless.

If you believe in a philosophy that does not respect the importance of the individual, you are influenced by the politics of belonging to a particular group. You need to focus on God, humanity, and spirituality rather than religions and nationalism exclusively.

My logic is simple: God is like a ghost town without humans—valuable yet useless. Take pride in being God’s workhorse. Don’t be fearful and begging, because you are the main source of fulfilling someone’s prayers physically. If you feel inferior as a thread, remember that the cloth’s physical existence depends on you. Understand the politics behind the traditions and customs related to your religion.

Each human individual adds to God’s physical strength. If you tell me that God has more power and strength, I would believe it, but only partially because of human physicality. If you say that God has more powers than all humanity, I would have some reservations because today we are saving lives from natural disasters by understanding storm paths. I am not saying that God does not protect us or has no reasons to destroy us, but human beings can save and kill with intentions as well. So, does God have more power than humanity? Spiritually, maybe, but physically, even God relies on human beings.

Today’s news suggests that in the near future, we will harvest human organs from pigs through genetic advancements. This will undoubtedly provoke religious protests based on traditional ethics. My question to them would be: ask the loved one whose child’s life depends on a transplant but cannot find a suitable organ.

Each one of us carries a part of God’s power, whether we believe in God or not. With that power, we have already been helped by God. Remember the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” So, the human is helping themselves while simultaneously helping God to exist physically.

God has blessed us with this power to reciprocate and serve ourselves during our mortal lives. When you want more, you have to put in the effort to get more. Just as you can’t wish your way to bigger muscle mass—you have to work hard for it. Praying has its place, but only after you have done your share of hard work. Some are lucky to be born in favorable circumstances, and others are given opportunities, but for most, personal effort is a must.

Why God helps some and not others is something I don’t know, so I put it in my “I don’t know” basket and continue living and reciprocating in my way, whether I fit the mold of regular religions or not. I feel comfortable in my skin and have no fear of God because I believe God is not to be feared. I believe the real worship of God is practical prayers—doing God’s work as a duty and reciprocation on equal footing, which means helping humanity as a whole.

When people live together, if they all reciprocate, the household is peaceful. But if they start to use or dominate each other, things naturally fall apart. Then why do we think that just praying to God without helping humanity is enough? God’s help depends on the physical efforts of human individuals during their lives, preventing the world from becoming a ghost town. If you worship God but do nothing for humanity, your worship is an impotent act of spirituality. God’s work is not done without the physicality of human beings. The real meaningful life is during our living years, where we are useful to God. If you are useful and reciprocating, you have nothing to fear. Heaven or hell is unknown, so sacrificing this life or living in fear and stress is like putting all your eggs in one basket, playing into the hands of the powerful in this world.

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Imagine going to a native reserve and seeing signs written in their language, or having a language police enforcing this rule. Such a scenario would be frowned upon by the vast majority of Canadians. If that’s not acceptable, how can having a language police be right? Not too long ago, a native person played a significant role in bringing down the Quebec separation movement.

 

Sure, Quebec holds the title of a distinct society, but in the larger scheme of life, we are all part of the world. Nowadays, we have genetic pie charts explaining why someone has certain skin colors, eye colors, or hair colors. If you still feel superior to others, it’s time to grow up socially, especially as times are changing. We need to embrace these changes, or we risk contradicting the valuable principles we advocate worldwide.

 

Equal human rights are one of the reasons Canada is considered one of the best countries to raise a family. At Folklorama, every nation has a spot to express their traditions and customs, yet they happily coexist under Canadian law. If you look at their backgrounds, these nations might be at war with each other, yet they can live together peacefully despite their differences.

 

Our traditions, customs, or backgrounds are not what truly matter. At the end of the day, it’s about humanity and equal human rights, regardless of where we come from or what language we speak. It’s always about what you say. Language is an asset because of its content, not because of its letters or script. It should not hinder the expression of content. An individual should be respected for their knowledge and abilities, not the language they use. Contributions to humanity’s well-being and evolution should be accepted and respected, regardless of the language in which they are made.

 

All the progress humanity has made in various fields has come from all over the world. Today, you can draw a portrait of Jesus as a white man from Europe or Santa Claus as an old white man with a beard from the North Pole, but it’s the message and actions that matter, not the language or background.

 

We have a united nation with around two hundred countries, and with technology, they communicate instantly. When I watch the news and Justin Trudeau speaks French, there is an instant translation. So, what’s the big fuss?

 

I come from Pakistan and am writing in English, but I ask readers to focus on the content, not the English, because I know there might be mistakes in my writing.

 

Everyone should focus on the content, regardless of the language, because that is what truly matters.

 

I am not conservative by any means, but I feel strongly about language prejudice, especially in this day and age with today’s technology. This does not mean I am against any language I cannot speak, but I would like to understand what is being said. The argument for keeping a language alive is not the issue, and I do not undermine the importance of French in Canada. However, I am against the idea of prejudice. Having a language police is as prejudiced as it gets.

 

If a terrorist wanted to bring in Sharia law and the Arabic language, that would be seen as radicalism. But when we in the Western world think that language police is okay, it is not okay because it is related to prejudice. We have equal rights; we can live as separate colonies, native reserves, blacks, whites, Christians, Muslims, gays, straight, or any other denomination. However, enforcing our way of living on all Canadians is not acceptable.

 

Bring me the brain, not your background. I may not agree with Kevin O’Leary’s ideology, but I think he should not be held back because of the language.

 

Those looking to bring their respected group to power are infected by the bug of prejudice. You can mask it all you want with politically correct language, but at the core, it’s an “us vs. them” philosophy.

 

The “us vs. them” philosophy has been infecting humanity for millions of years, claiming billions of lives. Yet, we still don’t get it. Personally, I believe the cure lies within the individual. When a person gains freedom from insecurities and respects others as themselves, regardless of background, we will have a chance to evolve to the next level.

 

By now, we should be able to pinpoint our primary problem: prejudice. This issue has made us rob each other of love and cling to ancestral traditions and customs, living the same way our ancestors did.

 

We don’t only need technological evolution; we need a real evolution in sociology so we can join hands to help humanity evolve. As groups, we should educate individuals to step out of the politics of belonging and the pigeonholes of their groups. If all groups have political agendas to bring power to their respected groups, no one would be able to look at or join humanity as a whole. Today’s problems highlight the need for unity. Global warming, for example, can’t be effectively fought if one country cares about it but another does not. United efforts are essential because our physical globe has no political boundaries. We, like other creatures, mark our territories, and interestingly, we even have designated spots for burial after death. We have a long way to go to evolve socially. We are fighting over the refugees from our conflicts; wait and see how humanity deals with climate refugees.

 

The need for a united nation extends beyond our disputes; it should bring humanity together. However, a system where a few groups have veto power is infected with prejudice. You might say you are not prejudiced, but your actions may say otherwise. Just look at the popularity of certain sports teams among their fans; they want their team to win regardless of performance. It’s that simple. Start by looking at yourself as an individual, one person at a time.

Kingdoms have always influenced other social entities. Whether it’s a religion or a politically elected government, both need to be overpowered by power-oriented kings. The reason is obviously power, so the politics of power is nothing new. Jesus experienced it, as I mentioned in a previous post (Read: A deadly mistake, mixing religion and politics). When a kingdom, empire, dictatorship, authoritarian regime, or even a democratically elected government is involved, there is a power struggle for the individual. This political power struggle always causes individual suffering, whether through financial loss or love loss. I call it human individual suffering.

Miraculously, humanity has been functioning for millions of years, regardless of kingdoms, dictatorships, religions, isms, and even democracy. This journey of our evolution clearly shows that human beings as individuals are very resilient. We have survived, and continue to survive, despite all kinds of brutalities inflicted by our ruling authorities, who lead us to conflicts and wars. Regardless of the sacrifices we make, we are still expected to be loyal to our groups to the point that we willingly kill, die, or commit spiritual crimes in the name of our nations, races, and religions.

My question is, should we just complain about our past, present, and each other as us vs. them? Should we do nothing about it and keep repeating history, or should we do something to change it? We can start by calling out our powerful groups and evolving to the next level, joining humanity as one entity, which is logically above and beyond any religion, nation, or race.

Just like a depressed or anxious individual, we collectively view our past situations similarly—we think the past was great but the present is bad. Or, like an anxious person, we believe that when we reach an ideal future, we will be happy. If not, worries consume our present, which is literally alive because we can make choices in it. Since both the future and the past are not the present, we can’t change them unless they become the present. Therefore, I prefer to focus my efforts on the present, where I can make a difference. We can’t keep adding bad days to our mortal lives due to past regrets or future worries. This is where free will serves its purpose for each of us.

Some would still argue that a kingdom is better than democracy, leading them to embrace dictatorship. Even today, we run our worldly affairs like empires, giving power to individuals like presidents or prime ministers instead of democratically elected councils. Sure, we would still have present-day problems, but we wouldn’t have dictatorship. Our democracies are pulled from all directions to fail—just look at the American election hacking or deep divisions within ruling parties or oppositions. Dig a little deeper and you’ll see that even our highest congregation, the United Nations, is infected with prejudice, exemplified by the power of veto. Whoever came up with the veto system must have had a political agenda rooted in prejudice.

Our prejudice seeps into every action, whether individual or collective, which is why humanity still can’t recover and evolve to the point where we can solve our insecurity-related problems. Our personal insecurities connect us to our race, nationalism, religions, and now even to gender. I believe we are all part of a singular organism consisting of individual cells, each directly connected to the source. No particular type of cell can be special because they all depend on the source, and interestingly, the source depends on the cells to function. There is no difference, thus equal rights are the best way to achieve justice, bringing internal and external peace.

I look at it optimistically and see us changing history regardless of our past because today, our prejudice has met its match. Humanity has found a new religion of equal human rights, spreading like wildfire fueled by the internet.

From a Tunisian street vendor to Malala Yousafzai to little three-year-old Alan Kurdi, their stories are awakening us to seek equal human rights. Sure, there is a lot of resistance—from protectionism that caused Brexit to the election of Donald Trump to all kinds of terror attacks—but these will change in time.

Equal human rights will eventually win because they represent the next level of evolution. This can of worms has been opened, and the taste of democracy has spread to individuals worldwide, especially with cell phones and the internet facilitating rapid change. Now it’s just a matter of time, as the internet helps propagate this new and improved religion of humanity. If you have any human rights violations, they can be posted within minutes and go viral.

Most religions have failed to do justice to the individual and humanity as a whole because they function with prejudice in favor of one particular group, promoting their way of living and spreading their political agendas.

If it is good for the ordinary individual and is based on an equal human rights justice system, any governing system can work. Even in the past, some kings were good and loved by their subjects. Dictators and authoritarian governors have their followers as well. Today, humanity has evolved to the point where governing entities need to be replaced regularly so no one can transfer people as property to their family.

Humanity has changed, and as individuals, we all need freedom. The old ways of governing are no longer in style, nor are they helpful or desired. No one tolerates forced conformity anymore, so power seekers have changed their tactics. Just look at today’s politics—there is a lot more manipulation to get elected. From false promises to outright lies to character smears of opposing parties, it’s all fair game.

Our personal insecurities and deep inferiority complexes play a big role in how we vote. We have been brainwashed by our religions and isms to believe that we mean nothing and are born sinners. That’s why we seek refuge and shelter in the wings of our belonging groups, yet we distrust ourselves and undermine our personal and individual potential. Our acceptance of being inferior has deep roots in the politics of our belonging religions and the knowledge preached to us through our ancestors. They have told us that the human individual is meaningless, yet the very existence of God’s physicality depends on the human individual. A ghost town and God have one thing in common—they both need human individuals to be meaningful or useful.

From the beginning, our religious knowledge has been tainted with the politics of our sense of belonging to groups. Logically, it should be based on spirituality, yet every religion has been and is influenced by politics. Everyone should know the real meaning of politics—in plain and simple words, it means hiding the truth and manipulating the population. Even today, our governing entities are hell-bent on brainwashing us to believe that, as individuals, we are just drops in the ocean and have no value. In reality, each of us is an ocean in a drop, depending on how we see ourselves. If you want proof that you are an ocean in a drop, just start to look and understand yourself one function at a time. Having ten trillion cells and one hundred trillion bacteria function flawlessly is a miracle in itself. It is as complex as can be. Do you really understand yourself? How can you function with all the opposing senses and functions, including all kinds of killers and poisons, within one body? A functioning human body is a clear sign of a divine entity wrapped up in a small package, so no, you are not an insignificant being at all.

You are a CEO, yet you make decisions to join a group and become meaningless. Actually, you should have the courage to tell your group when they are doing wrong. Individual powers are the foundation of all our progress in all areas of life, especially in religion and technology. The human individual has been involved in religious knowledge and every technological advancement we have made. We fly into space where no bird can fly, yet we have no wings. We dig deep into the earth to find resources without claws. We swim to the bottom of the ocean without gills. We may be a bit behind in the social department due to killing each other, including innocent ones, but a segment of the population is defending and preserving endangered species from extinction. This compassion is a clear sign of our evolution. Sure, we are not perfect, but we have not completely evolved yet either.

In the end, all religions preach us to be good people, but they also preach the politics of belonging to a group, thus becoming political entities that make decisions to go to war over who is right. Looking at history, no one can dispute that religions and wars have never been separate. It is horrible to see that we have not evolved yet. The killings are an ongoing passionate process that religions can’t seem to shake off.

It is absolutely arrogant and egotistical. As religious people, we should be humble and accommodating to other human beings because of our religious teachings, especially regarding the knowledge of God. I personally believe God exists through all living human beings. You can say the Devil exists because of us as well. How can these opposing entities survive through human beings? It is because human beings hide behind them and don’t take responsibility as individuals, so our conflicts carry on through generations—not because of God and the Devil but because of our personal emotions related to love loss.

A common theme in religious knowledge is that God will punish us, so we should be good and stay in line to be obedient to our groups. This makes us easy to control and herd whichever way they want—they can send us as an army or as suicide bombers as they please. I believe that if God lives through humanity, killing even a single human in the name of God would be killing God bit by bit.

We use a bit of our brainpower and claim we know everything there is to know, yet we are far from it. Just look at our actions. We have been claiming egotistically to have knowledge while evolving non-stop since the beginning. It is obvious there is something wrong with this claim. If we were using our full brainpower, we would have no room to learn new things. If we are constantly learning and inventing new things, it should be proof enough that we don’t know everything there is to know. So, how can we kill each other over our half-knowledge and keep doing it despite our evolution?

The Internet: A Modern Necessity for Evolution

Today, Canada recognizes that high-speed internet is a necessity due to its importance in global societies.

I believe the relationship between modern technology and our physical and emotional needs should not be a tug-of-war. Instead, they can complement and work together. The needs of social creatures can be complicated and complex, but we are continuously evolving to meet these demands. The internet connects us, fulfilling our social needs.

Being hooked on technology doesn’t have to be detrimental. We can use it to help rather than harm us individually. To manage the internal pulls of technology, one must act like a CEO—understanding and setting boundaries. We’ve plunged into the digital world without our guards up, leading to issues like identity theft, child exploitation, and various frauds, creating a sour taste of out-of-control addiction. We need to recognize both the limitations and potential of navigating the virtual world.

Humans need to connect for multiple reasons, and I believe this connectivity is one of our greatest stepping stones towards evolution. From spirituality and belief in God and humanity to overcoming security-related issues, the internet helps individuals become CEOs of their lives. It is not only a luxury but a God-sent essential tool for our rapid evolution.

Historically, strict religious rules have tamed the human animal, leading to wars and emotional desires to annihilate enemies. Our out-of-control sense of belonging to groups feels strong and natural due to initial and immediate security, but real security lies in belonging to humanity as a whole.

Today, the signs of these trends are clear and pronounced. Our families, communities, nations, and religions cannot stop the spread of knowledge. When something is this powerful and uncontrollable, it is unwise to resist it; instead, it should be embraced, imperfections and all. We must see the positive in every new invention and remain optimistic about new horizons. Nothing is perfect, but when has anything ever been perfect for human beings? We are designed to evolve, so we must improve things, no matter how good they are. This is just the beginning—we are far from reaching our God-given potential.

People resist improvement in the realm of religion due to fear of their potential. They are taught that religious texts are God’s unchangeable words and must be endured. They overlook the infiltration of human politics into our religions. Prejudice, superiority complexes, and spiritual crimes against humanity have nothing to do with God, yet they have been part of our religions throughout history. Our ancestors killed each other, and modern humans have not yet evolved from this illness.

The Quran is a single text for all Muslims, yet Muslims passionately kill each other over doctrinal differences. Sectarian wars are as old as God’s words, so where is the spirituality free from politics? It is hard to see that in organized religions. The more you listen to passionate religious leaders, the more inclined you become to kill even the innocent children of opposing groups. Yet, it is clearly stated that killing one innocent person is equivalent to killing all humanity. Since politics cannot be separated from human organizations, including religions, it is time to evolve from our ancestral knowledge—and fast.

The politics of security is the foundation of our conflicts, and our sense of belonging to groups fuels the destruction of spirituality, humanity, and God simultaneously. The internet is not only an information highway; it is a path to evolution. It has the potential to help us transcend protectionism, prejudice, racism, nationalism, and religious extremism, even though it can also facilitate these human illnesses.