POWERFULLY CONFUSING SENSE OF BELONGING IN THE ERA OF EQUAL HUMAN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.

Recently, the police officer convicted of killing George Floyd was sentenced to over twenty-two years in prison. This case ties directly to the themes I’ve been writing about for years regarding the politics of belonging. I firmly believe that a crime remains a crime regardless of who commits it, whom it is committed for, or why. Our justice systems and spiritual beliefs are meant to be grounded in truth, but do they always uphold that principle? For instance, Donald Trump’s involvement in the American justice system through political means has left many issues unresolved to this day.

Before all our assigned identities, we are human beings responsible for our actions. Our spirituality and justice systems emphasize this responsibility. If we exercise free will in all other areas of our lives, we should not hide behind the politics of belonging to evade personal responsibility. Whether you are an ordinary citizen, police officer, military soldier, or religious zealot, you are accountable for your actions. Just like drunk driving—where you should be aware of your impaired judgment before getting behind the wheel—choosing a profession or aligning with a group means you should be aware of its implications. You may believe you’re serving a higher cause, but when it comes to the politics of belonging, personal responsibility remains paramount.

Our group affiliations often set different standards for behavior, and when politics becomes involved, universal justice and personal spiritual justice can take a back seat. This has been a persistent issue for humanity. However, things are starting to change. Populations are increasingly speaking out against historical wrongs, such as the recent discoveries of unmarked graves of Native children in Canada. I’m not equating the George Floyd case with the Canadian discoveries, but rather focusing on the underlying issues.

Not long ago, Justin Trudeau apologized for the crimes committed by the British, who established residential schools to assimilate Native populations, similar to current practices in China with its Muslim population.

Unfortunately, the politics of belonging, whether national or religious, often leads to passionate mistreatment of opposing groups, even when spirituality calls for compassion. Religions that claim to act in the name of God have often fallen short of their own teachings. The scandals involving Roman Catholic priests and the discovery of Native children’s graves illustrate a profound failure. What does this say about those who profess to believe in God? Where are the voices demanding apologies from the religions and nations responsible for these crimes? Why are spiritual crimes covered up and excused, rather than acknowledged as group crimes?

It is indeed our individual responsibility to take charge, but if people are indoctrinated by the politics of belonging, they may not question their groups and might even intensify their opposition to others. My focus is not to take sides but to address the root causes of our behaviors so that we can eradicate the underlying issues. We need to live as individuals belonging to humanity rather than as mere members of specific groups.

Our court systems rely on individual responsibility and judgment. If our groups can brainwash us, it reflects individual weakness rather than group strength. For thousands of years, groups have convinced individuals that they are nothing without the group, causing us to lose the essence of what we were equipped with by God. We need to reclaim our self-respect and self-esteem and recognize ourselves as the CEOs of our lives. We must take responsibility for our actions and strive to be what we were meant to be.

We should prioritize personal autonomy and self-respect over group loyalties. While nationalism and extreme religious beliefs may make us feel secure, they can also undermine our individual sense of justice. We are each born with our own atom of autonomy, free will, and capacity for compassion and love. If you seek security within group identities, do so without sacrificing your spiritual essence, which makes you a complete human being. Without this spiritual component, you are merely another creature, lacking your full human identity.

Our justice systems are respected because they are designed to be blind and universal, much like our spiritual beliefs. Unfortunately, when the politics of belonging influence people and groups, our individuality and the respect for justice and spirituality can be compromised. It is often the weaker individual who succumbs to prejudice and discrimination, granting power to their groups at the expense of justice. Therefore, responsibility lies both with the individual and the group, but ultimately, it is a matter for humanity as a whole.

The George Floyd case should prompt humanity to address these issues more deeply. We need to create new laws worldwide to ensure equal human rights everywhere. The ongoing issue of genocides and war crimes committed in the name of groups—whether by race, gender, nation, or religion—underscores the need for individual awareness and accountability. If individuals are held accountable for their actions, they are more likely to reconsider their behavior. Increased awareness can lead to a more just society where people do not commit acts they would not want inflicted upon themselves or their loved ones.

The Canadian government’s repeated apologies for injustices against Native populations highlight the importance of acknowledging and addressing past wrongs. If individuals know that their actions might require an apology from their groups, they are likely to restrain themselves from wrongdoing.

The politics of belonging to groups should not outweigh our personal decency, compassion, and sense of justice. Each individual is born to be the CEO of their own life, and we must take that responsibility seriously. Aligning with our atom of autonomy, the sky is the limit. We need not worry about security, whether in our current lives or beyond, as long as we are true to ourselves.

As poet Alama Iqbal said, “Why are you falling for a piece of grain like a sparrow? Keep your flight high so you can become an eagle.”

The politics of belonging can become a powerful adversary, leading us to commit crimes and believe we do so in the name of God—a double injustice against individuals. It is crucial to embrace our role as the CEO of our lives and create a balance between our sense of belonging and sense of freedom. If we fail to assume this role, we will remain responsible for our actions and struggle to achieve equilibrium between opposing forces.

Guilt, when used as a tool by parents, communities, nations, and religions, may be considered productive for setting moral foundations. However, morals built on fear of losing group acceptance are unstable. If we are the CEOs of our lives, we can create balance between our animal instincts and spiritual aspirations. We should understand the true essence of morality and base our actions on empathy and personal responsibility rather than public shame.

When the triangle of moral responsibility is flipped, we become subservient or driven by animal instincts. But as CEOs, we can balance these extremes and fulfill our potential. This balance is crucial for living a meaningful life and ensuring that our moral and ethical frameworks align with our personal sense of justice.

You might feel inclined to adhere to traditions, customs, and rituals, particularly if your sense of belonging overshadows your ability to create balance. If you allow this sense of belonging to dominate, you risk becoming like a worker bee or a warrior ant. Without questioning, you might end up resembling genetically programmed creatures, especially if you’re led toward prejudice and discrimination. Blessed with personal autonomy, free will, compassion, love, and a sense of justice, you are far more than just a programmed being. Three key points emerge: first, not everything is predestined; second, we can make conscious choices between right and wrong; and third, if we are weak—whether due to group politics or personal nature—we may cling to our group to feel safe and relevant. This can erode our personal faith in ourselves and God, making God take a back seat to our belonging groups. In some cases, groups even use God as a tool to maintain individual weakness and insecurity for political purposes.

Most religions have traditions, customs, rituals, and rules to keep their members connected to each other and to the group. These practices not only fulfill social needs but also brainwash and conform individuals to the point where they obey the rules without question. Parents are encouraged to enforce conformity in their children through boundaries and rules, often with physical and spiritual consequences, including those that extend into the afterlife. The carrot-and-stick philosophy—used to control animals—is not suitable for humans, who can question and break rules that don’t make sense. Humans possess a unique sense of autonomy and spiritual self-regulation. Evidence of this can be seen in the happiness and low crime rates of nations that prioritize spiritual well-being over mere obedience to rules. Interestingly, these nations are often not highly religious. Spirituality transcends religious boundaries, which is why good and bad individuals are present in all societies. Morals are not exclusively derived from religious teachings, which should be a point of shame for religions that have failed to meet fundamental human needs.

I was able to change my son’s cat’s behavior by simply keeping food available all the time. Previously, the cat was fed twice a day and would eat rapidly, leading to frequent sickness. By providing food continuously, the cat learned to eat more slowly and self-regulate, which resolved the health issues. This example illustrates that self-regulation in following ethics, morals, and rules—whether believing in God or not—is a matter of trust and understanding. For instance, if physical needs are unmet, metaphorical realities like love and faith may become unstable. In essence, God and love are meaningful only when our basic needs are fulfilled. Ask someone who has been hungry or thirsty; their priorities will shift dramatically. Physical needs must be addressed first, regardless of what belonging groups might dictate. Communal law and order cannot be effectively enforced if people lack food and water. Although some may sacrifice their lives for love or God, physical needs generally take precedence. A parent with a hungry child may become desperate, highlighting how physical realities drive crime rates.

Historical and social experiments reveal the impact of socioeconomic disparities. The gap between the 1% and the 99% has persisted, but recent developments expose these flaws. Protecting the wealthy by law is only viable if everyone’s basic needs are met. History shows that extreme ideologies, whether communism or unchecked capitalism, often fail due to their disregard for individual needs. For instance, Saudi Arabia, a traditionally conservative nation, is now opening casinos, illustrating the tension between individual freedom and population control. Meanwhile, Canada, with its mix of socialist and capitalist principles, demonstrates higher levels of happiness and security. This approach might offer a balanced solution.

Societies with socialist principles, combined with aspects of capitalism and spirituality, often fare better in terms of happiness and lower crime rates. Extreme ideologies create dissatisfaction, but a balanced approach that incorporates the best elements of various systems can be more effective. Communism’s failure stemmed from its disregard for individual rights, and religions also falter as governing systems when they prioritize the group over individual justice.

The increasing acceptance of equal human rights worldwide suggests a potential for educating humanity beyond its group divisions. As we strive for social justice and spiritual principles, we must recognize the limitations of current political and religious systems. While pure spirituality and justice may be unachievable at present, the quest for balance and understanding remains crucial. Embrace your personal autonomy, and remember that you are the CEO of your own life. Strive to balance your sense of belonging with your sense of freedom, and seek to fulfill both your physical and spiritual needs. As Alama Iqbal, the poet of the East, said, “Why are you falling for a piece of grain like a sparrow? Keep your flight high so you can become an eagle.”

If you critically examine our governing systems to see which one aligns most closely with spirituality, you’ll find that kingdoms, with their caste and class systems, elevate certain individuals so far above others that they undermine spiritual equality. As I mentioned, despite physical differences, all human beings are created equal spiritually, so while a kingdom may work for some, it is far from spiritually equitable. Scientifically, if we are all made from the same substances, that makes us equal physically. Our mortality—our shared experience of coming into and leaving life—is the same, genetically making us identical. Our needs for oxygen, food, and water, our experiences of being born, growing up, getting sick, aging, and dying, also make us the same. We all experience joy and emotional pain from similar sources. So, what are the differences, and where do they originate? To me, everything about being human points toward equality. The greatest difference between people is their knowledge and its impact.

Religious leaders such as Mullahs, Priests, and Rabbis can inspire people with passionate speeches to engage in wars, commit murder, and sacrifice themselves, all in the name of God. This robs individuals of love and commits spiritual crimes under the guise of divine will. Since we are all created equal in every way, especially spiritually by our creator, spiritual leaders should advocate for equal human rights openly. Instead, we often hear preaching that promotes prejudice and discrimination based on the politics of belonging. Scientists can invent medicines to save lives irrespective of race, gender, nationality, or religious beliefs, or they can develop nuclear and biological weapons to destroy lives, depending on their personal intentions.

Knowledge itself can be either a weapon or a remedy, but its intentions and real-life effects should be critically examined. The intentions and spiritual character of the individual make all the difference. Wealth and power do not dictate superiority, as everyone ultimately faces the same fate. This applies to both kingdoms and dictatorships; they should be seen as essentially the same. Moving to religions, adherents often believe their system is superior and involve God in political purposes, using God to enforce mass over individual philosophy. While this is similar to socialism, it still fails to align with true spirituality, despite claims about God. Remember, nothing but the truth: even injustice against one individual cannot be justified by God or spirituality. Politics is politics, even when intertwined with religious beliefs. Since spirituality and justice should be nothing but the truth, the injustices of kingdoms and dictatorships, as well as religions that elevate some people above others, fail the spiritual test. We cannot impose metaphorical realities over the physical realities of others, as was done by Roman Catholics against Native children. Injustice against living, breathing individuals is a spiritual crime, and no God should be implicated in the politics of governing. If it’s a matter of land dispute, state it plainly—don’t drag God into it. Regardless of the politics of belonging, real justice cannot involve killing or depriving someone of love in the name of God.

Consider the spiritual crimes committed throughout history in the name of God. Even the most advanced computers would struggle to quantify these atrocities, which unfortunately continue today.

Communism and socialism, despite their appearances, prioritize the mass over the individual, leading to inherent injustice. Concentrating power in the hands of a few does not ensure justice for the individual, so these systems are not close to justice or spirituality. The closest approach to spirituality and justice is to grant equal human rights to all humanity. The challenge lies in individuals’ insecurity and their attachment to group politics, which impedes the appreciation of democracy. Democracy removes superiority through the principle of one person, one vote, treating all individuals equally, regardless of prejudice, discrimination, race, gender, religious beliefs, or lack thereof. While not perfect, democracy is the closest system to spirituality that humanity has developed. However, those blinded by the politics of belonging may fail to recognize this.

At the individual level, we can offer equal human rights to one another, especially if we can receive them ourselves. Unfortunately, as groups, we often fight against these principles to maintain political power and control. Evolution is ongoing in all aspects of life, including our knowledge. Failing to evolve in certain areas while advancing in others can create dangerous imbalances. If you believe in your holy books and the prophesied day of destruction, you might think it’s a divine prediction. However, if God intended this, why have we been given the power to make choices? Why are we tasked with converting spirituality into physical actions? Why are we endowed with the autonomy of free will and the nature to evolve, even before birth? If we were to follow religious teachings strictly, we would be at the bottom of the triangle, with God and the Devil as the main figures.

What about our free will and physical capacity to enact or bring spirituality to life? Good and bad exist only if human beings provide the physical means to create these realities. Don’t you believe we can work against destruction, especially if it comes from our weapons of mass destruction? If we understand global warming trends, why can’t we see why religious groups oppose scientific progress? They opposed blood transfusions, stem cell research, artificial insemination, and so forth, yet they benefit from these advancements. They go to doctors for modern medicine but commonly oppose scientific progress. We should recognize that if we can prevent practices like throwing virgins over cliffs, we can continue evolving optimistically and potentially work against impending destruction. Look at how effective we have become in combating infectious diseases, global warming, and advancing medicine. Blood transfusions, which were once opposed by religions, have saved billions of lives. Our advancements in various fields, including weather prediction, are not the result of practices like throwing virgins to please God.

Understanding our importance is crucial, whether in a spiritual or governing context. The essence of human life and respect for it reflects respect for the creator. No matter how much we try to place God and the Devil at the top of the triangle, removing the human being from the picture undermines both spirituality and justice. I strive to connect with my creator by speaking my personal truth, acknowledging that I am continually learning and cannot claim my truth as the ultimate truth for everyone. With billions of people, differing opinions are inevitable. If your truth leads you to be a good, peaceful, and evolved person, you are on the right path, regardless of your religious beliefs. However, if your truth is tainted by the politics of belonging and leads to prejudice and discrimination or makes you believe that God is prejudicial and discriminatory, you are moving away from justice and spirituality. Believing that God is involved in such injustices may be a sin committed in the name of political belonging. My advice is to avoid tarnishing God’s name with political agendas. Undermining the individual due to religious beliefs or politics disrespects both yourself and God. Respecting humanity’s core essence will lead to equal human rights and justice for all, which is the true spiritual truth. Remember, as the CEO of your life, you have the power and understanding to navigate the era in which you were born.