A New Religion


A)  Seven Themes

I.. Relating to the above

I think we need a new religion, a new emphasis for these times.  These times feel special . Pressure does seem to be increasing, some culmination  seems to be brewing. True,  it just might appear that way.  In either case, we need to leave a space, a void for something “new and/or ancient” to happen. 

This new something should be a direct way of relating to the above, or God, as if his presence can be felt.  Yes, many nuts do this, but many nuts do a lot of normal things too.   There is a need today to reach up spiritually, at least at certain times.  We might do this individually or even collectively.  It depends what's in the air.  Other times in our lives, when everything seems dry,  we can ignore God, or perhaps venture in an opposite direction and just keep his presence at a distance, or even doubt or not believe in his existence.  But for some of us, or maybe more, at least at some special moment, we might find ourselves appealing to the above.

Also in the realm of possibilities is that God's presence is with us, perhaps invisibly, sometimes, oftentimes, or always.  We don't know.  Still, it has to be part of our exploration.  The entire scale of possibilities has to be played out, particularly in these times, when it seems there is a limit to what we can draw from our families and our civil and social engagements. One all encompassing cry to the above or a constant feel of his presence has to be part of our repertoire.

It's as if we have to speak to God today.  Whether myth or real the ancient Abraham broke through barriers when he spoke to God.  He related in a personal way, had a one to one relationship.  This was something new.  His followers became a people who honored this rare occurrence and remembered it.   Today it is not enough to just remember what the ancients did through rituals.  Nor can teachers teach us.   We have to  be active ourselves.  The family or the tribe do not exist in the same way. 

For good or bad we have become individuated.  We are somewhat alone and isolated.  Gaps and voids exist as a result.  As such, each person has to have this presence near and available.  In addition, there should be no go betweens, no angels or God men or other middle men.  Just you and God.   This comes first.  It's that simple.  That is the base for this new religion.  This and direct communication.

Logic, reason, common sense, observation, personal experience along with old traditions and wisdom are drawn upon.  I am not a scholar and most of my learning took place before the computer era.  Knowledge was gathered here and there as with a treasure hunt, each valuable bit leading me to the next step.  I was out to solve my life, not specifically to become expert in any particular area.  Philosophies, religions, both east and west, as well as the sciences are tools as are instinct, insight and epiphanies. Wisdom and truth can be found in many places.

Judaism can also be a useful tool to draw upon. It is old and ancient and at the genesis of all western religions. Why not go to the core? Many surrounding cultures and ancient people had similar myths and stories such as a flood. Judaism acted as a funnel, encapsulating various strains of human experience from the past into one expression. Even fertility Goddesses pervasive in many surrounding peoples were at first seen in Jewish culture before eventually weeded out.  It is a good middle point to be drawn upon, standing between the nature based cultures and formalized ritualized religions.

Opinions are encompassed without necessitating a rigid doctrine. Generations of thinkers comment and add their perspectives. Some are misguided, some have incredible wisdom. It is said to be like an ocean that runs deep. For our purposes we will sift our knowledge from all sources available. What thoughtful person active in the world today hasn't used Zen to get them through an aggravating situation? Perhaps there is a rough equivalent in Judaism. Perhaps not. Much of the esoteric sciences have their roots in Judaism. In astrology there are twelve zodiac signs reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel. In addition many surrounding and previous cultures are reflected in the writings of Judaism. It did not exist in isolation. From whatever source the object is to relate to God directly. Judaism can be a useful tool.  

Simple observation and experience and reason are also helpers.  Everything in our life can help. We have to get t here any way we can.  Today, at some point, we have to relate to God as Abraham did, directly and personally. It is all that's left.  All these elements have to contribute in knowing God in an intimate way, for a moment or more, and this is the singular purpose and direction of a new religion for these times.