Glue or Scissors?

Just a quick note about last week - I actually thought I had posted, but I guess I hadn't. Sorry, all.

"Everyone ought to worship God according to his own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force." - Flavius Josephus, Life

This week, allow me to briefly comment on the role religion has played in communities and societies throughout history, and reflect on how this plays out today.

Religion is often cited in ancient history as being essential to bringing together communities around central, unifying ideas, and particularly for sorting out meaning in a world where the people simply didn't understand everything (still the case). As such, I can't imagine what a history without religion would have looked like - I suspect even Vulcans must have had religion and emotions in their distant past.

However, many instances in history also cite examples of where religion was a basis for war (almost never the only basis, of course). Religion has constantly been used as a justification (or an excuse) to oppose those with different views. We see the same today with numerous ethnic conflicts throughout the world which cite religious differences as a basis.

Religion should guide us, help us understand the world, and help us understand each other. Don't let the organized institutions of religion corrupt the faith and spirituality at the core of religion. Let the labels be just that, and let the different paths to understanding all be valid and enlightening ways to view the world. We must come together, all humanity, as a global community, to heal all that ills our world.