I’m posting a few days early this week so that you can catch the encore broadcast of Christiane Amanpour’s mini-series documentary God’s Warriors on CNN.
God’s Warriors originally aired on Tuesday – Thursday, August 21-23; CNN will rerun the documentary beginning Saturday, August 25th at 9pm EST. Check your local listings, look for alternative sources such as online video sharing sites, have a friend record it for you, rent or order it on DVD when that becomes an option — don’t miss it.
God’s Warriors is one of the most profound, compelling, and impartial explorations of religious conflict that I’ve ever seen. I’ve spent most of my week conversing on a personal, spiritual level with my spirit guides and Mother Mary directly as a result of the questions it raises about the Ascension of Mankind.
What do your spirit guides say about war?
I’ve written only a single post regarding this on-going conversation, even though I constantly pray to Mary to speak with you, through me, about how to deal with the dysfunctional effects of religion.
My spirit guides have advised me to “Secure joy in the consciousness you maintain.” When I ask Mary about religion, war, terror, she told me to look at how I am personally perpetuating these concepts.
It’s true — I’m totally guilty of employing war-speech
I prepare, on average, three Spirit Guide Readings per day, and those Readings are proof of the dangerous language that I not only allow but use:
- When I describe the guardian angels that attend you, I often compare them to Secret Service Agents, security guards, the guards at Buckingham Palace — the spirit entities who walk beside you are not soldiers.
- When I tell you whether or not you “channel the Mother,” I mention the Army of the Queen of Heaven — Mary herself shows me that this vocabulary is not her invention or mine.
- When I compare the Throne angels that attend many of you to Amazons — I am again — unconsciously — evoking images of warriors.
Angelology — the historical study of angels, their names, their phyla, the domains they govern — is traditionally embedded with war-like language and imagery. The angels have recently begun to engage me in “upgrading” the out-dated vocabulary attached to them. They assure me that this crude vocabulary reflects the limitations of human language — it’s not “wrong” so much as it’s inaccurate.
- For example, “angels carrying flaming swords” is not my interpretation — it’s entirely borrowed and culturally dated imagery — we don’t call airplanes “flying chariots.” I actually perceive these “flaming swords” as “laser scalpels” or other technologically sophisticated equipment like those used in medical procedures.
I am personally committed to expunging all such warrior vocabulary and imagery from my Readings and articles in the future.
Religion — without spirituality — is a bad idea
I’ve presented a softer public opinion about religion versus spirituality, but I must go a step further and state that I believe Spirituality can be pursued entirely without religion. It takes a lot to hold back here — I avoid discussing religion and politics, and will now make it a top priority to encourage personal spirituality, above, beyond, in and of itself.
Not only do I feel that there should be a separation of church and state — I feel there should be a separation between religion and spirit.
God’s Warriors will make you angry — I assume they must totally piss God off, too — you will feel motivated to “fight back” in some form. Mary says to me:
“Fighting back is fighting — you become one of them. Revenge and retaliation is an unjustifiable sin. God is a parent, not a king — what parent do you know who would choose to assist one of their children in murdering the other? The Creator is an Artist, not a General.”
“Then, what can I do?” I ask her.
“Infiltrate their hearts with empowered, loving alternatives.”
Seek Wisdom — Practice Love
This is very moving, Slade. Your personal struggle comes through powerfully.
As a linguist, I have to ask this:
How do you define “religion”? The American Heritage — my personal favorite — says it’s “belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.” Your blog post says quite clearly that you believe in such supernatural power(s). So you must be using “religion” to mean something different. What is it? Something to do with institutions, dogma?…
We’ve been struggling with the similar notion (in my wiccan/pagan/otherly religious group) of being anti- christian/muslim/whatever. I firmly believe that everyone is right about their own interpretations regarding god and the vehicles used to get to him/her/them.
I am standing up and cheering after reading of your intentions to eliminate the speech of war and hate from your mission.
As a light bringer, illuminate the love of the spirit in the world and don’t get caught in the human weaknesses of fear and hate. We will all be standing with our torches behind you!
Jeff,
Yes, I am using the word religion within the context of social institutions and dogma.
Kate,
Thank you so much for that show of support!
It’s so hard to define yourself as one thing without coming up with a list of what you’re NOT. I’ve spent a life-time trying on various paths of faith, and I can honestly say that for me what has been “wrong” with one of them is to a certain extent wrong with all of them…
I realize I’ve set up an enormous challenge for myself to be a voice for Spirit without religion, but this is actually one of the most common ways I hear others express their faith — “I’m spiritual-but-not-religious.” The only shift that profession requires is to move from the apologetic tone that typically accompanies it… to say it with pride, power, and an awareness of how great diversity and individual expression IS.
I too feel that if you live according to the integrity of your personal connection with spirit, everything else is “details” — the rest will take care of itself.
All I hope to accomplish is to encourage everyone to give themselves permission to engage that personal direct connection to Source FIRST.
There is no clear blue-print for that — it’s a supreme creative challenge — but it’s yours and no one can give that to you or show you the way. Nor can they deny it, define it, or take it from you.
Yikes!
I’ve NEVER received this much hate mail and unsubscriber notifications in response to a single post before.
Ouch…
I must be doing something right.
: )
Hate mail and unsubscribers?? For this message of peace??
I guess we have a long way to go, still, as a species… Oh dear!
Slade, your reply to Kate answered the question behind my question — what is the BOUNDARY between “spirituality” and “religion”? How can an individual navigate those waters?
“If you live according to the integrity of your personal connection with spirit, everything else is “details” — the rest will take care of itself.”: the perfect reply.
Thank you, Slade, for another insightful, courageous post!
Gosh, Slade, you must be doing something right. That strong of a reaction means you really pushed some buttons. As I just stated on another site, “What others think of me is none of my business.” I just wish they would keep those opinions to themselves, only the really hateful ones. I have learned to look at what others say about me and ask the qestion, “Is this mine or theirs?” If it is mine, then I decide if there is something I want to change. If not, then I don’t. If their insight is true than I will make appropriate adjustments. If not, I release it back to them to do with as they please.
I had 2 private emails this week that said I had offended someone with my references to the Christian religion. This person went on to say that the Christian religion has persecuted and killed thousands in the name of religion. He called my articles “schizophenic raving” because I talk about God and the Universe and call them he/she/it in the same sentence. I took the chicken or smart way out (I am not sure which it is.) and didn’t email him back the second time. I am calling this person a “he” because of the feel of his anger in the emails. I don’t know who “he” is because he used someone else’s email and name to contact me. Anonymity bothers me some but I can understand why some people prefer to use Anonymous instead of their name. Using someone else’s name and email really bothers me because of the dishonesty in it. If you would rather not print this one, it won’t bother me. I think I am venting a little of my own anger at this person.
Slade, I saw nothing wrong with this article but, then too, I have my own issues with religion.
Jeff, Patricia,
I know — hate mail, indignation, outrage — ain’t it GROSS?
I always waffle about allowing those kinds of comments… but here’s a little of my policy and thought-process which might inform your own — bottom-line, would you allow someone to spray paint graffiti on the side of your house — or your church? Or burn your own work in your living room?
I feel the Haters should definitely go establish their own blogs and hate me over on their bandwidth. Even though I know you guys would put them in their place for me, I just don’t want that here.
I can’t tell you how much restraint it takes to wrestle them live, but that’s exactly where I’m drawing the line. I find it truly telling that absolutely 100% of these types of comments are authored by people who never leave a link to their own blog or web site. Were they to come from bloggers who wished to respectfully disagree and leave links to their alternate viewpoints, I would approve those comments.
But I would NOT engage them in my comments other than to thank them for posting; I would absolutely NEVER respond by personal email.
Erin Pavlina offered a little advice on this when I interviewed her, which I posted separately on Spiritual Blogging.
Interesting that you should bring this up. This is the 3rd time I have had this message in 6 days.
First message came from Joe Vitale who just spoke at my church this past Sunday. His message was about the ancient Hawaiian Ho’oponopono system. If something is in your world that is not right, you had a hand in creating it and you must right your part in creating it. Here is what the website says “You as a soul are precious. Knowingly and unknowingly you impact all about you through thoughts, words, deeds and actions. Self Identity through Ho`oponopono is a process of letting go of toxic energies within you to allow the impact of Divine thoughts, words, deeds and actions.” From what I can follow, one goes to the Divine saying I love you, I’m sorry (for my part in whatever it is that is a problem) Forgive me, Thank you. Have to learn more about this.
Second message was from a Wayne Dyer CD….”if you squeeze an orange you will get orange juice. If you get squeezed (mentally stressed, buttons pushed etc.) and out comes anger, poision or anything other than love, that is what is inside you.”
Now this “‘Secure joy in the consciousness you maintain.’ When I ask Mary about religion, war, terror, she told me to look at how I am personally perpetuating these concepts.”
Ouch, I give! I really am paying attention now.
As to the hate mail…Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necesseary?
My guess is some folks got the juice squeezed out of them!
“Not only do I feel that there should be a separation of church and state — I feel there should be a separation between religion and spirit.
God’s Warriors will make you angry — I assume they must totally piss God off, too ”
Slade,
In the above paragraph, you are advocating separation instead of union. You are judging others for seeing the world differently. You are claiming to have god on your side (He agrees with “us” and must be pissed off by “them”).
In the next paragraph, you write down Mary’s words to contrast your opinion, but you don’t make it clear what your final stance on the subject is.
I understand that some of your more sensitive readers could be offended by this. They could be people who are just discovering spirituality after years of imposed, empty religion, and perhaps don’t see your point from a high level view, getting angry at the disdainful opinion you seem to have of them (because they take it as a personal attack)
I believe that’s not what you actually said, but you don’t make it clear at all in the post. Also, this doesn’t justify hate mail, of course, but I’m not surprised that you got this kind of reaction.
i still love you
oh, and agree with you, too.
Religion (social institutions, dogma), in my opinion has throughout history set true spirituality back lightyears. Thankfully, we are starting to pull our collective head out of the sand.
I guess I’ll never, ever get the point of sending hate-mail to a blogger. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve read some stuff here and there, now and then that I think is wrong, just plain stupid, or sometimes even dangerous. And when that happens, I say, “Gee. That’s pretty stupid.” And then I go away and don’t read it anymore. I mean, WTF, over? It never occurred to me to try to change the author’s opinion or hyperblast them for said opinion, since, hmmm, it’s their blog and they get to say what they want on it. No one’s making me read it.
Okay. I’m through ranting on all your behalfs.
Cathy,
Thanks for sharing the messages of Joe Vitale and Wayne Dyer — I like both of those guys!
: )
And I like your “juiced metaphor”!
Vitor,
I am clearly struggling with my response to the documentary — and admitting that I do feel angry — how easy it is for anyone to want to “join this fight” — the thought process I imagine any individual has. I am not immune or above those feelings.
If I feel that way, that some people’s actions are atrocious, that surely God cannot stand for it, then I can acknowledge how these kinds of emotions make people feel that war is justified.
It does make you angry; it makes me angry; it would make anyone angry — so how can you rise above that judgment and remove yourself from that “Right Fighting” mentality.
Fighting is still fighting.
But just to clarify, I DO feel that Justice should remain blind. I DO feel that I should continue to explore a separation between Spirit and Religion — look closely now — I am stating my feelings.
I’m not saying “You should…” I’m saying “I feel…”
And I’m inviting you to watch a documentary — a television show — to explore the issues for yourself and decide how you might personally handle that anger.
I’m stating why I will personally work to discontinue my unconscious perpetuation of any vocabulary that combines “war and holy” in the same thoughts.
We have a world war going on that is motivated by religion — that’s a fact. I don’t have to “judge” that for anyone — you don’t need me to tell you if that’s right or wrong…
Lola,
Thanks the rant on my behalf — I’d have to say that my thought process is similar.
: )
Any intelligent person could spend their lives deconstructing what’s “wrong” with everybody… That would be the quickest way for me to ensure that I live in a constant state of anger and stress.
I strive to create an alternative state of contemplation and to express that for myself, and by blogging, I take it a step further to share that as an example for anyone who wants to create a similar state of mind.
I don’t abstain from hating people for their sakes as much as for my own.
I hear you, Slade!
Violence in thought, more than action, is something we all struggle with. Covert, creeping violence. Violence disguised as justice.
Our words are powerful, so they must be directed with care and precision. I applaud you for tackling this tough subject head on.
Vitor,
Thanks for a nice breakdown on the “violence in thought” — you did hear me, and translated that message better than I could have on my own.
: )
Thoughts are things, man; words are their handles. Handle them with care.
You have been tagged for The Personal Development List (See my site for details), I would love for you to participate.
Spiritual or religious, we all have a dark side which is part of our humanity,our ego. Whenever we fight against something, or fight back we’re dipping into that. But, it can be helpful to ourselves and others. The contrast of it.
What you said about Christian dogma may offend some, they may become angry and be hostile, but if it affected them that much ,it may also have planted a seed. Their vigiliance and judgement inspired you to write and dig deeper within.
So your so called dark side protested against another’s….it’s all humanity brushing up against our Divine essence.
We’re not ascended masters yet….we’re still all working on it in our own way. I applaud you for your courage in the face of some other’s derision but in a strange way it’s all a part of connection though it doesn’t appear to be on the surface.
I found you in relation to blogging, being a novice looking for help and found that and much more.
I’m happy to have found your blog….good stuff.
Christie,
You found me for all the right reasons! Glad to have you.
For record, I’m not singling out just Christians — ALL the dogma needs to be transcended.
Religion fulfils the needs of many people. That is probably why you received so much hate mail. As long as religion feels comfortable, you don’t move beyond it to spirituality. And that is not to say that you can’t have both at the same time.
For myself, I went through the stage of trying on various religions as a young adult. In my 20′s, I found one religion, that of my husband who was raised in this particular religion. It felt so good for a few years to be focused at this religion, to learn as much as I could. That stage was comfortable. One important lesson that I learned this year is when you want to push someone else out of their comfort zone, you better be prepared for the anger of that person if they are not ready to move out of that comfort zone.
Next, I moved into the stage of using religion but beginning to look beyond that to spirituality. Today, I still find myself comfortable with some elements of religion but much closer to considering myself a totally spiritual being. I realize that I am not there yet, but definitely moving in that direction.
We can’t push others into spiritual growth. I am not saying that any one of these stages is better than any other. Each stage has its use in my life. For me, each stage was very important. I did not wake up one morning and say, “Well, today it is time to move on to the next stage.” Actually in writing this comment, I just acknowledged, as I realized for myself, that this is what I have done.
Slade, I think the reason that you got so much hate mail is because people felt that you were wanting to push them out of their comfort zone. I learned you can’t do that. This probably wasn’t your intention and it may be how some people misread you.
I wrote an article this week called, “What Other People Think About You Is None Of Your Business.” It was a major lesson for me.
Patricia,
Thanks for your thoughts. The insightful comments here are a testament to this conversation’s being best debated by others, not me.
And regarding your post title:
That’s brilliant and quotable! You are an Affirmation Master!
: )
This just shows that you help others to think. That is a very valuable service, my friend. Even when people “hate” what you say, you got them to thinking.
Loved this blog. Kept me thinking all week. I attend a lovely Unity Church in Texas. Many people are struggling with the same feelings etc. We joke about being “recovering Catholics” Baptists etc. Many folks express that they have never been in
such a loving church before, my heart nearly broke when one gentleman who is gay remarked he never felt safe in a church before coming to this one. Needless to say our church
is hardly militant in any form or fashion. We have many wonderful speakers on all religious topics who come and share. We have a great sense of community and spiritual community without the crap.
Anyway, remember when the images of Mary and Angels were first put to paper, the mentality of earth (collective unconscious) was one of survival. Having God and his Angels be warrior-like was a mighty wonderful thing to have on your side. In some parts of the world now, this is still true…. I think it is our
job to lift the collective unconscious by lifting our own awareness first and then sharing that with others by example or blog!
I recently had a very interesting meditation. I was sitting on a rocky surface looking into a shimmering pool. The rock next to me explained what the pool represented. (everything in this mediation was a sentient being even the rock I was sitting
on!)
The rock explained that I was looking at the collective consciousness on different parts earth. Some areas were bright and shiny, some were black as tar, some had lone sparks of light amid a sea of black. The rock explained that this was how they were able to monitor who had begun opening their hearts to God, who were choosing to be a channel of God’s love and who wasn’t. I began to send my energy into the pool to bring light and love and help them choose God. I was stopped by the rock, telling me that it was too irresistible a force to send God’s love from their side; it would take away all free will because the draw would be too great. It was my job to send that love from earth and influence from this side where people could choose freely. Gave me lots to ponder!
Slade,
Thanks for this article. I did happen catch the series. My first reaction was anger much like your own. I thought these people can’t be serving the same Divine light that I know to be god. It really makes the case for what many of my atheist friends say about abolishing religion. But then as I thought about it, the “holy wars” aren’t actually about the religions, religion is the excuse for action. It’s really about culture clashes, grudges, and fear and always has been. Finding a way to have your God approve your violence turns it from violence and anger to righteous good vs. evil. Therefore these people get to act out without having their conscience bother them. It’s true that religion gives a handy excuse but so does patriotism, and probably a million other things that will pop up if religion were to be abolished. The problem isn’t in their beliefs, it’s in the need to do harm, get revenge and destroy that which you don’t understand. I agree that religion isn’t necassary for spirituality, or vice versa, but some people do find spirituality through religion. If that is their path then so be it, the more people that are able to find true spirituality within themselves the better. I am not going to judge them on how they find it. Still I think it’s ashame that they do these horrid acts in the name of their religions, in the name of God(s). I feel it may corrupt their souls in horrid ways, and the souls and spiritual outlooks of others. Mary is right, we need to stop associating war with religions that so many people cling to for their spiritual sustenance. It begins to lead the poor (inner, not outer poor) and lost down horrid paths.
Years ago I stopped praying/doing magick for peace. Now my prayers/magick is all centered around those people who need and perpetuate these wars. I pray that they find true Divinity in their hearts however they can. Enlightenment and love is the real answer to stop war. Nothing else will do. Sometimes like the other night I even pray in my sleep for it. (That was quite a strange dream).
Thank you for your article and the oppurtunity to respond.
Jen
Cathy, what a wonderful meditation and like this article, gives me a different way to look at things. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Slade, I watched the TV show as well, with my husband. I forgot about it coming on and walked into the den and Daniel was already watching it. I did not like it at all. How can it do anything but stir up more anger and violence? What was the purpose of doing a show like that? Was it to show that both sides think they are right? As I said, I missed the very beginning.
Cathy,
Your church represents a better distinction (I should’ve made) between Spirit and Religion — that an authenticity of spirit applied to the other is ideal; religion without spirit, but claiming it, is the opposite.
Your point about survival and the earlier ages of civilization recalls a lecture I heard on NPR last week — the author Ken Wilbur discussing the correlation between the Chakras, Psychological development of the individual, and Social development. I haven’t read his books, but look forward to exploring these concepts.
Essentially, he explains the social conflict as a world where there is a spectrum of social development — such that we have the material tools of a higher level of human technology available to individuals who are “operating” from the ancient mindset you describe.
Has anyone read his stuff? I think he’s the author of a book called The Theory of Everything…
Your meditation with the pool is fascinating! As I often describe a light pool or light table in my Readings, an astral place where you gather with your guides to view this type of information.
This is definitely a pattern or image that many of us see. Jeff Lilly writes about a pool in his meditations.
Jen,
Thank you for sharing your response to the documentary.
Great point about “justifications” for actions — religion, patriotism, etc. There is a definite similarity. I think it’s a kind of social immaturity… again, like one of your children telling the others — when you’re not necessarily present or able to respond to them as a group — “Mom said so…” and the action’s being something horrible and unjustifiable…
I totally agree with you that people can discover true spirit through religion — through — and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. People can also be taught how to shoot guns, and some will use a gun to hunt and feed their families… we can’t blame murder on “the Gun.”
And also, we must recognize, that the average person doesn’t need a bow and arrow to kill a buffalo in order to survive in the modern world — we have the ability to use our technology to lift the physical standard of living for everyone.
I feel that the goal of providing the basics for as many people as we truly can, including them as a partner in abundance, will take care of fighting over crumbs and allow everyone to participate in human society from a different set of needs.
Hi Slade:
I’ve been enjoying your site. Just wanted to mention that I believe religion is a man made concept arising out of everything from fear, control, to a way to make sense of things, etc. Spirituality is the communion your soul has with your creator, spirit guides, etc. It’s right here inside of you, always with you, requires nothing from the outside or any “place” to practice it. Sometimes when I have said the word “Spirituality” people translate it to “Spiritualism” and have generally had a hard time with the concept.Sometimes, people don’t want to take the time to explore the meaning of the term. It’s about taking personal responsibility…we’re all in charge of our own spirituality and can’t depend on any religion to do the work for us. I believe that alone scares most people. Anyway, just thought I would add this. Keep up the good work, I really like your website. Thanks, Judy
Judy,
Thanks for your words of encouragement — it means more to me than you may know — especially on this post.
Amen to all that!
And I love you, Slade, for your courage in these posts.
Jewels
I have seen many people struggling to define themselves as a single thing. This is a normal human reaction who lives with other humans. Sociologically you are demanded by surrounding humans to define yourself. The confusion many has is simply because they do not want to define themselves as they do not belong to a single belief %100. However social forces pushes us to use a category for ourselves.
Think about 9/11 and think about spirituality. It took a different dimension.Many sociological research shows that after many years of 9/11 people’s choice of belonging to a religion grew faster than any other given event or religious war. Question is whether Islam is different than Judaism, Christianity or even Buddhism.They are not, in Nepal and Burma people kill other people in the name of Buddha, in Israel people are killed because of Torah gave permission to settle, in Peru people are dying because Church doesn’t allow them to use condoms, etc.
The next level in human development will be uniting under the “same” purpose we all fight for. If there is a creator and we believe in the creator, why not getting united for the creator.
“Not only do I feel that there should be a separation of church and state — I feel there should be a separation between religion and spirit.”
And what happens when those structures are so deeply embedded into societal laws and customs?! If you weren’t aware, many countries in Western Europe, such as Germany, tax people based on the religion or church they belong to. the Protestant and Catholic church in Germany are funded almost entirely by taxpayers belonging to one or the other. You can opt out of these taxes, but then you can’t be buried in a Protestant or Catholic cemetery. In Kindergartens, children attend either Protestant or Catholic classes, yet if their parents do not pay these taxes, or they are some other religion, they must go to a “special non-religious” class. Discrimination starts early over there.
Big hugs,
J.Henry