Religion

As the sun shone down they no doubt scratched their chins and puzzled over how to resolve their differences. Here they were in Iznik, a small town in Turkey, with one aim in mind: How to get Christianity to be the number one religion. It was obvious that to hit the top spot they would have to stop their bickering and all speak from the same book, in the same way.

At their meeting they started to formulate a 'master book' comprising of all the Christian teachings and dogma that they could agree on. No easy thing when Jesus had taught of love, the oneness of all life and that all people, whatever their race, sex or colour, are equal in spirit in the eyes of God.

"Come on now," one of them may well have said, "This is after all the year 325, so lets get real. Who will believe all of this stuff when most of society today is macho, hedonistic, chauvinistic and quite a lot of other 'nistics' as well."

No easy job then for all of those Christian Bishops meeting in what was then called Nicaea. There was only one thing to do and that was to tailor the Bible, for this is what they were trying to agree on, to suit the people of the day. And that's what they did - I think.

Well, it could have been something like that. I wasn't actually at that meeting, of course, but it did take place. The fact is that the Bible, and the Christian religion, has been messed about with over the years. There have been different translations, the first into English from the original Hebrew by John Wyclif and friends (1382-8). William Tyndale had another go in 1525 and then there was William Coverdale doing his bit in 1535. The King James version followed in 1611 and was produced by around 50 scholars of the period. Over the years important chunks have been ommitted and words altered.

So what is my point in all this? And yes, before I answer, I know there are lots of religions in the world besides Christianity like - deep breath - Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, African, Sikhism, Jainism, Zaroastrianism, Mazdaism, Porseeism, Buddhism and many, many more. And I haven't forgotten things like Ancestor-worship, Paganism, Druidism and Spiritulaism. There's a lot of ism's in the world, some still determined to become 'number one'.

My point is that though the fundementals behind a religion may well be something very potent, important, truthful, mind blowing or whatever, but what is revealed to the general public has been created by man (woman). It means that religion is adapted and adjusted to the needs of the time. The real 'truths' behind the religions are often forgotten or conveniently ignored in order that followers will act in a certain way. Tell someone the wrath of God will be upon them if they indulge in a naughty and they may well stay on the straight and narrow - just where the leaders want them.

Following the 16th Century national churches were created in England and Scotland in an attempt to take control. Religions shove people in certain directions and tell them how to think and act. In part this can be for the good. Telling people not to steal or murder would be for the common good but there are other 'instructions' that may not be so hot for individals. Like going to war - how can this ever be done in the name of religion? Isn't it really up to us as to how we live our lives?

But things are changing, in some parts of the world at least.

Though religions are still there, in lots of cases they are losing their control and power. We no longer just accept how things should be. As part of our, what I believe to be, natural development we are questioning old ideas and we are starting to say, "Is what they are telling us true?"

I see there being two types of religion:

(A) One, as mentioned, where 'they' are in control and 'we' do what they want. Some people, I'm sure, find this comforting. If we pray, do this or that, everything will be fine and we'll eventually move on to 'heaven' as long as we aren't 'naughty' because then we might go to 'hell' - I'm still on the Christianity kick here.

In some parts of the world religion still rules the roost so lives are often wasted and potentials aren't reached, especially for many women. The population do as they are told, when they are told. Personal expression is ground under foot.

(B) The other sort of religion is where we are the ones doing the seeking. We dare to question what or who God may be, or even if there is such a concept. We ask: Why are we here? How did it all come about? Is there an afterlife, a heaven or do we reincarnate? We are starting to follow the advice of the Sphinx, 'Know thyself'.

You can see why my boyfriend often says I talk a lot of mumbo-jumbo! He would say something like, "Jayne, why do you bother? If you find yourself in a heaven after you die, fine. If you don't you won't bother because you won't be able to." He really annoys me at times!

When we start to look for answers of a religious nature there is usually a reason why. The obvious is that we feel that there has to be something more, so we try to think about what this might be. There can be a lot of other reasons.

In Africa, for example, it is said that around 7000 new religious movements have started since the 1930's. These are usually a combination of African rituals and traditional beliefs all mixed up with Christianity or, in some case, Islam. This may well reflect disappointment with contempory life or the political and economic situation. It is also the hope for a better future, so the religions are designed to instill such hopes.

We also turn to religion in times of stress or difficulty. If we have nothing else we look to a God, Supreme Being, Guardian Angel, Saint, lucky talisman, symbol or something like this. We seem to have an instinct that there is something more, a power, or helper waiting just off stage. It's also true, don't you think, that there isn't any society that hasn't sought to give order and meaning to their lives through religion?

Personally I don't belong to any organised religion, but I do have my beliefs. I suppose you could say I've created a 'Jayne's Religion' made to measure for me. It's made up of bits and pieces from all over the place and, like all the major religions, it will no doubt alter and be amended as the years pass - again to suit my needs at a particular time. I'll stick with this unless I hit on something that I feel instinctively to be true and answers a lot of my many questions.

I believe that there is one supreme source or power. If you were to ask me what this is I'd probably cop out and say, "It's beyond my/our comprehension." I call it 'Ms.Big Boss' and she helps me to help myself. I believe that I'm boss of my life, but that Ms.Big Boss is on hand if I need her. I mix this with certain values and principles (which I won't go into here) and I have my ready made 'religion' where I and my conscience are in control.

This way there is no one to tell me how to act or what is right or wrong. It's up to me, with a few nudges from M.B.B.

I believe most of what Jesus taught and feel confident that there was such a man, probably a member of the Essenes. As to being the Son of God, I think we are all the Children of 'God' and we can become as Jesus: '...every one that is perfect shall be as his master' St.Luke6.40. The difficult bit is becoming perfect! But in time, perhaps after many lives, we'll all get there.

To sum up, for me, organised religion equates to contol of the masses (for good and bad) whereas I think that perhaps for us now it should be more along the lines of: 'Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and ye shall find etc.' The answers must be out there, mustn't they?