The Bastards.

How much do we really believe in God? According to religious doctrine, not even a leaf can stir without it being God’s will. If God possesses such omnipotent power, why then is an innocent child, devoid of control or choice in their birth, condemned and ostracized across religious societies?

They are branded as bastards, deemed unacceptable in mainstream society. Civilization introduced marriage and its associated regulations, often established by religions. These regulations form the bedrock of our social norms and practices. So potent are these traditions that we find ourselves unable to challenge or amend them. Yet, they can be profoundly unjust, even towards the blameless.

Religions are meant to be spiritual guides, advocating for the vulnerable and confronting injustice. They impart truths, albeit truths so bitter they leave a lasting aftertaste for generations. Bastards are marginalized for life, even across generations, for crimes they never committed. Hinduism, in particular, has been brutal towards widows, with practices like sati dictating that a widow immolates herself upon her husband’s funeral pyre.

For whatever reason, be it religious or political, perpetrating injustice upon the innocent should be classified as a spiritual offense.

While we champion human rights today, such crimes persist in the world’s villages. From prejudice to racism to holy wars, they remain blemishes on humanity’s conscience.

If nothing can transpire without God’s will, why then do we punish individuals, especially with penalties as severe as death or flogging? And why do our wrongs shift with our evolving understanding?

Slavery, prejudice, and racism were once societal norms but are now deemed unacceptable in enlightened societies. The closer one adheres to religion, the more stringent the adherence, prompting the question: is it due to a lack of comprehension or a deliberate disregard for the core tenets of compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love preached by religions? Perhaps some lack the capacity to truly, genuinely believe in God, or perhaps it’s a simple desire for control over the masses. What drives the labeling and condemnation of the most vulnerable and innocent in society as bastards?

If God is the orchestrator of all, where does the individual, or even human society, stand? Anyone who punishes the innocent commits a spiritual transgression, especially when it involves a child. Humans have been born in the same manner since time immemorial. In truth, considering history, we could all be labeled descendants of bastards, as religions emerged only a few millennia ago while humanity has existed for millions, if not billions, of years.

Our evolution in understanding is an ongoing process, necessitating the shedding of traditional dogma or, as I prefer to call it, spiritual crimes.

No innocent should suffer due to our traditions and customs. Legal systems should be distinct from belief systems, founded upon principles of equal human rights. Individual rights should be universally respected, transcending religion, ideology, and governance, particularly when it comes to punishing the blameless.

Canadian history illustrates how indigenous peoples were mistreated by both religious and political systems. While governments have apologized, there’s a call for the Pope to do the same. The understanding here is that religious extremism compels individuals or groups to transgress moral boundaries with fervent conviction. It’s the indoctrination within our groups that leads us to believe we’re always right, our actions sanctioned by the rules of our affiliations. If individuals acted as CEOs of their own lives, they’d question such actions in the name of humanity. Otherwise, these failures will persist.

Human rights commissions should possess the authority to ensure such transgressions never recur. Traumatic experiences, especially in childhood, leave enduring scars. Healing begins with a commitment to never repeat such actions.

The United Nations must intervene in conflicts as they arise; sweeping them under the rug only exacerbates mental health issues. Atrocities against the innocent are pervasive, fueled by politics and a sense of belonging. Victims and perpetrators exist within every nation, committing unspeakable acts in the name of land or God.

As humanity, we must acknowledge our past, recognizing that at times, we’ve behaved worse than animals. Nations evolve, and I hope we can transcend our allegiance to specific groups and embrace our shared humanity. Such atrocities should either remain in the past or serve as stepping stones to our evolution, eliminating the need for apologies for spiritual crimes.

All professions contribute to humanity’s well-being, forming a cohesive web of interdependence. Each individual, regardless of their role, plays a part in advancing humanity, akin to being God’s workhorses. By recognizing the divine in others, we expand our spiritual vision.

There exists a dissonance between religious traditions and customs. While well-intentioned, they often foster a sense of superiority, perpetuating prejudice. This disconnection is most evident in religious societies, where even actions contrary to religious doctrine are undertaken covertly. Fear breeds further spiritual crimes, laying the blame at the feet of religious authorities. If it’s not rooted in belief systems, it stems from a desire for control, divorced from spirituality.

If control resides in politics, it shouldn’t be conflated with God or spirituality. Conversely, if it’s inherent to belief systems, it should be viewed as God’s will, demanding unwavering faith. If we don’t fully understand, we shouldn’t zealously mete out harsh punishments. What if we discover we’ve wronged the innocent? Labeling them as bastards, blaming widows for their husbands’ deaths, or imposing the death penalty might prove egregious.

While criminals should face consequences, for intentionally ending a life, even as a society, must acknowledge the risk of error. Even a slight chance of innocence should suffice to abolish capital punishment. Punishing the innocent constitutes a spiritual crime.

In the still of the night, question your belief in God. If uncertain, delve deeper. Are you speaking from true conviction or merely echoing your group’s rhetoric? Dare to challenge. If religion shapes our morality, then it must conform to human rights. The Pope’s recent shift underscores this shift; religions must align with human rights, not vice versa.

As CEOs of our lives, we should define our ethics and morality, standing firm on our principles. Human rights, transcending borders and ideologies, constitute a new spiritual ethos. Define your personal spirituality, independent of religious politics.

We must acknowledge our past atrocities, striving to transcend tribalism and embrace our shared humanity. Let these acts serve as lessons, guiding our evolution towards a future where spiritual crimes are relics of the past.