Theology of a Modern Heretic: 2010

Which one is the true religion?

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WHICH ONE IS THE TRUE RELIGION?

Remember that Jesus is not a Christian, Gautama is not a Buddhist, and Mohammad is not a Moslem. These ‘individuals’ were able to find their own path towards 'enlightenment' realizing 'who they really are', and were able to become ‘one’ with the 'Universal Consciousness'. Yet, in their effort to share their paths to others hoping that 'we' too will be able to 're-member', they were misunderstood most probably intentionally by those 'followers' who want to capitalize on their 'master’s’ belief.

Is there a perfect world?

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Is there such thing as a perfect world?

The world that we are living now is a perfect world.

For most people, our concept of a perfect world is a place where eternal happiness exists. Where there is no war, and there is absence of pain and suffering; where everybody lives in abundance and harmony. However, what you see today is the complete opposite; thus, you will think immediately that our world is not a perfect world. But I tell you right now that our world, no matter how “chaotic” you might think it is, it is perfect. To illustrate why it is so, here is a story.

What is Karma?

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What are the consequences of doing wrongful acts?

According to Christianity, if you follow Moses’ Ten Commandments, it will lead you a better life. The Ten Commandments itself are guide posts for living. However, if you carefully study it, you will notice that these commandments root itself from the Law of Cause and Effect or the Law of Karma. The Ten Commandments tells you not to steal, kill or lie, else, you’ll suffer the consequences.

What is 'right'?

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How can I distinguish “right” from “wrong”? (Will I go to hell if I eat pork? Probably a sin in my place wouldn’t be that bad in your town!)

As what most people understand what sin is, it is said that it is an ‘act against the will of God’. However, how would you know then that what you are doing is actually the ‘will of God’? Is it because it is against the laws that your religion has set thousands of years ago wherein oftentimes most of its doctrines are no longer applicable to the present times?

Is there heaven & hell?

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IS THERE HEAVEN & HELL?

In order for us to answer this question, we must first understand the concept of heaven and hell.

Popular belief of heaven is that it is a place where everlasting peace and happiness exists. Where there is no more suffering and pain. It is a place where we meet God and live with Him forever. And if you want the kind of ‘heaven’ depicted in the movies, perhaps we probably sing endlessly with angels and all the saints; maybe we sleep on the clouds and have halos over our heads. Well, at least, that’s how the movies perceive heaven.

Is reincarnation possible?

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Is reincarnation possible?

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it can only change into another form. Thus, when an individual dies, the ‘soul’, the ‘life force’ which we also consider as ‘energy’, is never destroyed but will just be converted in other forms. Remember that this ‘soul’ or ‘individual consciousness’ actively ‘learns’ from the experience by which its body provides. And when the body deteriorates and can no longer cope up with the soul’s demand, it simply turns back into dust. And the ‘soul’, in its purest form becomes one again with the Universal Consciousness. And since the soul itself is an active consciousness, then it may manifest into another form or body concluding that reincarnation is possible, which is generally the law of conservation of energy at work.

Do we have souls?

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Do we have souls?

It is generally believed that each one of us has a soul, the immaterial part of a person that which is the actuating cause of an individual life. It is thought that once a person dies, the soul transcends to another plane. Some believe that the soul will either go to heaven or hell, depending on how the person lived his life on earth. Others believe that the soul will be reborn/ reincarnated. And some don’t even believe that it exists at all. Or do they?

What is my purpose here on earth?

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What is my purpose here on earth?

Am I here to become a father of a child who will rule the world and then tear it apart after? Is serving my countrymen my purpose in life? Did God send me to become a soldier and fight for life? Or am I here just to make everyone else’s life miserable? How would I know what is my purpose? Why am I here? Why am I alive? I am confused.

Is there such thing called ‘Fate’?

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Is there such thing called ‘Fate’? (Free Will vs. Destiny)

A very close friend of mine once asked me, “Which one do you believe in, Free Will or Destiny?” “Both”, I replied. He argued that I can’t believe in both at the same time because choosing one contradicts the other. “It really depends on how you define free will and destiny though,” I added.

What is faith?

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What is faith?

The definition of faith seems universal to all religions. It is about believing in God and trusting Him without any speck of doubt. This is very difficult to achieve yet faith is very powerful. And as they say, faith can move mountains.

Faith is like not questioning God’s existence. If you have faith in something, you don’t cast doubt on it. You completely trust it. Just like if you have a goal with you, and if you believe that you can achieve it, then, you will surely be able to achieve that goal ‘without any doubt’.

Can I perform miracles?

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If “we are God” does that mean that I am powerful and can perform miracles?

Yes.

As I have mentioned, Jesus has set an example for us to follow. He was able to realize his Godhood, thus, the reason why He is able to perform miracles. However, you might be wondering why many of us are not able to perform miracles. It is because of the lack of “faith”, which is discussed in the blog, 'What is Faith?'

Who are we?

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WHO ARE WE?

This question has haunted us since time immemorial. And still we have not found the answer yet.

Generally, a lot of people say that our purpose here is to please God. And in order to please God, we have to do what is right [and “doing what is right” is even subjective, which will be discussed later in this book]. But how about those people who don’t believe in God, Does that mean that they don’t have any reason for living since they don’t believe in a God in the first place?

Who created God?

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Who created God?

This is a very interesting question. And for sure, you have asked yourself this:

“If God exists, and He created all things, Who created Him?”

If there is a “Someone” who created God, who then is the creator of God? The question then starts to loop into itself [who created the creator of God and so forth], and it never ends.

Is Jesus or Buddha a God?

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What about Jesus, Mohammad or Buddha, are they not God? What if I worship Jesus, wouldn’t Buddha be jealous?

By the way, it is only in Christianity that Jesus is considered as God. Buddha and Mohammad, are not considered as Gods in their respective religions. However, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad and all other great teachers and prophets have provided us the path towards enlightenment. A path, which will help you realize your “godhood”. They have understood fully their true being which has allowed them to achieve their full potential. They have lived their life by example for us to follow. Whether, you choose Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, or any other great teacher’s path, God will never be envious for every footstep you make leads to Him.

Why is God a jealous God?

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Why is God a jealous God?

He never is a jealous God. Why should he be jealous? To whom should He be jealous with when in fact everything you see and cannot see belongs to Him? The idea of a jealous God probably emerged because of the various religions that exist today. People would think that a Hindu God is completely different from the Christian God. As what have been answered in the question “Who is God?” Everything is God. Hence, whether you call Him, Allah or Father, we are worshipping the same God. We are just calling Him in different names.

Why doesn't God still perform miracles?

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Why doesn't God still perform miracles like He did in the Bible?

You are that which you call God because you are created in the image and likeness of Him. Miracles are happening everyday. It is just that you fail to notice them. You fail to acknowledge that it is God who is doing it. As what have been said, we are all connected. We are part of the greater whole. We are one. Thus the working of your brethren is the undertaking of the greater whole. The healing that is rendered by your doctor is a miracle in itself. You too can perform a miracle, and by just the power of your thoughts, which will manifests into your actions, you can do great things.

Does God love everyone or only Christians?

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Does God love everyone or only Christians?

Religion is only a pathway towards the realization of who we really are. God definitely loves us all for his love is unconditional and his mercy is infinite whether you are a Moslem, Hindu, Jew, Christian, or in any religion for that matter.

The Art of Floating

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The Art of Floating

A lot of people have been complaining why they are not getting what they want. And sometimes, it is funny to hear them blaming ‘GOD’ for not being able to have their desires in life. Statements like ‘It is God’s will that’s why I am not able to get this job.’, ‘God doesn’t want me to have a baby boy.’, ‘I will be able to pass my driving test if God permits,’ are very common. Well, all I can say is, everything that happens to your life is never God’s will but your own choosing. You are in control of your life.

Can God let me win the lottery?

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I have asked God several times to let me win the lottery. It’s not harming anyone nor interfering with other’s free will but how come I never won?

You may not be harming anyone but there is still a violation of free will on this. The winning numbers in the lottery are not results of random events but consequences of freedom of choice. We might not be able to see it but everything is actually in Divine Order even to the tiniest detail. To enable us to understand, here is an example.

How come He doesn’t answer my prayers?

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How come He doesn’t answer my prayers?

Every time we are facing challenging predicaments, we always to tend to lean on somebody whom we can trust. Someone whom we think can aid us in resolving the crisis that we are experiencing. Most of the people would consult their friends, families, counselors, lawyers, doctors, and the like. And most of us would always requests for His Divine guidance and assistance. However, there are still a lot of people who are usually disappointed because their prayers are not answered. In order for us to understand why our prayers are not answered, we have to look deeper into how we pray and ask for aid.

Why can't He just get in the way?

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Why can’t He just get in the way especially when innocent children are dying in calamities? And why can’t He just destroy all the menace in the society?

Great calamities are results of imbalances in nature which are mostly consequences of our actions. Flash floods are caused by illegal logging. Ozone depletion is a result of our extensive usage of chlorofluorocarbons. Any calamity you can think of is an indirect/direct consequence of our actions. In these calamities, a lot of people die including innocent children. Their deaths are not the workings of God but the results of our exploits. Although it injures Him when one dies, God will still not interfere because He will always uphold our freedom of choice. We can always choose to protect and save these kids. We can always choose to prepare for any disasters. We can always choose to prevent it from happening. Again, all depends on the decisions that we make.

Does God make decisions as He goes?

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If God does feel emotions, is He an active force/mind that makes decisions as He goes?

God may feel emotions but He does not act on it unless otherwise conjured. In a sense, God is neutral unless you ask His guidance. Hence, He would not interfere with our free will except if we allow Him or solicit it.

No movie has greatly illustrated the neutrality of God except for George Lucas’ Star Wars. It may be a science fiction to you but the theology behind the FORCE is immensely expressed. For those people who don’t have the slightest idea of what the movie Star Wars is, let me just give you a brief overview on the importance of the Force in the movie.

Is God Evil & Wicked?

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Since God is everything, does that mean that God is evil, God is wicked, and God is Satan as well?

My answer to this question will surely be very difficult to digest for most people. Yes, God can be wicked. God can be evil. God can be Satan because, again, God is everything. Don’t get me wrong. I know some people who are reading this book will call this a heresy. Yet, let me explain why this is so.

Does God feel emotions?

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Does God feel emotions that are generally considered very human, such as anger or impatience, when He supposedly has all the time in the Universe and can see the things turned out eventually according to His Plan?

A lot of people consider disasters, accidents, serious illness, and tragedies as punishment of God due to their wicked actions. They feel that every time they commit mistakes against Him, He becomes insanely enraged and strikes a lightning bolt to the offender.

Who is God?

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WHO IS GOD?

Who do you think God is for you? Most of us would say that,

He is the ultimate, invincible, omnipotent being constantly monitoring our actions whether we act according to His will or against it. If you are the latter, then you will be punished and sent to hell and burned in eternal damnation.

We also would describe Him as,

A Supreme Entity Who is eternally loving and merciful.

The Book

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INTRODUCTION

It was not a choice but a requirement that I became a Catholic. I live in a country, wherein more than eighty percent are Christians (mostly Catholic). Born to a family that was deeply rooted to Catholic Dogmas, I was immediately baptized to embrace our Church Doctrines.

It was not my picking. My parents wanted me to be. The society dictates that I be one. Nevertheless, I am still thankful that I was introduced to the most prevalent religion in the world, Christianity.

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