Release Your Religion
Religion! Now there's a sensitive topic.
But if you're smart enough, you won't be at all offended by what follows. All you need is a genuine desire for freedom - and an open heart.
Let me start by asking a question.
How many of us are limiting our lives, because of the "religion" we have chosen?
It might be an actual religion, such as Judaism. It might be the 10-step system from our favourite self-help book. It might be the general belief system of the society in which we live.
We each have our own "religion."
And these religions are holding us back.
They provide a framework to live within. But by default, any framework keeps you packed in.
Does your chosen religion hold you back?
Our religions force us to do things differently. We don't take action, because it's against our religion. We don't follow our bliss, because it's against our religion. We feel unable to change, limited, bound by the system of our religion.
And that stops us from truly experiencing freedom.
So, this section is all about realizing that many of us use our "religions" as an excuse for not taking action. When we realize that, we can learn to disregard the religion - and do it anyway.
Today's post is about realizing that there are really no rules.
It's about releasing our own "religions."
That's freedom.
Let's start with the self-help world.
Now this is an industry littered with redundant religions.
The Secret. Cosmic ordering. Positive thinking. The Law of Attraction. Tarot cards. What The Bleep.
These are all systems which tell you how to live. The Law of Attraction has probably received the most focus in recent years. It tells you that similar things are attracted to each other - so think rich, and you'll attract more money into your life.
Some of these things can certainly help guide you toward success.
However they still impose a new set of rules for you to live by, a new religion to follow. You have to make sure you "attract" correctly. You need to follow the precise seven steps for "ordering" from the universe.
When you don't "manifest" the right way - you blame your negative thinking, and beat yourself up. The rules of the religion start to constrain you, and ultimately begin to lead your life.
Right? Think about it.
The truth is that almost 100% of all self-help systems are based on just a couple of core principles.
Firstly, you get what you expect. (Rule #7 - Intention Sets Direction.)
Secondly, you can let go of "bad" emotions. (Rule #2 -
Learning to Let Go.)
But these simple principles are so easy, they aren't attractive enough to most people. So self-development authors surround them in hype and ritual, giving them a seeming importance.
Readers follow these rituals, and limit their experience - by trying to force themselves to follow rules and principles that
are simply not important.
Would you prefer to follow the rules of a self-development guru - or would you prefer to be free?
You don't need to follow the crowd when it comes to success and your own freedom.
To experience true freedom, you need to realize that the rules around you can all be dropped. And, if you wish, that includes this one!
The same can be said about the world of real religions - systems that contain more rules than most!
How many people reading this book are currently being restricted by their theistic religion?
They beat themselves up for "sinning." They change their lifestyles to align themselves with their God. They don't mix with certain people because that's what is written.
Let's get one thing straight here: Today, as ever, religions are being used to control people. No doubt about it.
The "rules" are progressively changing, with modern day "leaders" telling the world which bits should and shouldn't be adhered to. The Book of Leviticus tells us we shouldn't eat prawns, but how many Christians adhere to that these days? How many even know about it?
The rules are fluid. They're not "real." They're not Holybound. And there's no such thing as that mean, evil God sitting and judging you.
(It's worth considering whether there is such a thing as God full stop. Consider reading "The God Delusion" and "The Dawkins Delusion" to make your own mind up. Remember, you can be an atheist and spiritually-developed.)
Religions are just a set of rules invented to keep the masses in control. They're a form of police, with the ultimate threat: eternal damnation. Something we can neither prove nor disprove. And so the members of religion continuously live in fear.
Don't.
Decide right now to be free.
Don't let the rules of religion hold you back, or limit your life. I guarantee you'll regret it if you do.
It doesn't matter whether you're Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, or a Scientologist - if you feel limited in any way by your religion, you are NOT experiencing true freedom. If you feel you are sinning, you are NOT experiencing true freedom.
And so.
Every day, people use their religion - from the Law of Attraction to Christianity - to determine how they act. They change their lives to fit the rules. They limit themselves and their actions. And when they get things wrong, they feel bad and punish themselves.
Long story short: Religions restrict you. Release your
religion.
And the next time you feel yourself limited by religion in ANY way whatsoever, remind yourself that the real truth is quite simple. Religion forces you to adhere to man-made rules. True freedom doesn't.
So - be free.
Understand this section on a deep level, and you'll have taken a massive jump in your journey toward true self-development.
More photos: http://flickr.com/karlblog
Labels: God, inspiration, self-development
by Karl
6:05 PM
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18 Comments:
Okay, I can see your point, but I'm Jewish and I don't believe in sin. I have the freedom to think and do as I like that I never had in any other religion I tried, there are no set rules (well, there are but you don't have G-d throwing a couple of lightning bolts at you if you don't do it right), and all I ever have to remember is that I accept the consequences of my behavior(good or bad) and I am here to do good in the world. I also know there is evil in the world and I do my best to stand up for people who can't. I don't see this as being restrictive, dogmatic or anything else.
By
garbskye, at
6:29 PM
Great post, Karl. Also brave! I'm sure you pissed off a few of the people you were trying to reach, but maybe that will wake them up.
The only rule from any religion we really need to live by is The Golden Rule and that's present in our conscience anyway.
By
Owen, at
6:43 PM
On this point I definitely don't agree with you. I am a Christian (what most people would call a born again Christian) and my experience is that Christianity doesn't restrict me - in fact it opens me up to deserve and expect all the wonderful things God has created for me. I find it is churches and people who place the restrictions on us in the name of religion. Very different distinction.
By
Lisa Hartwell, at
7:36 PM
Please keep in mind that "religion" here is a euphemism for the thoughts we hold in mind which restrict us :)
By
Karl, at
8:03 PM
To be honest, I think getting rid of religion means to be neither in the sky nor on the ground. It means to live in dreams, and as we all know dreams are not going to show us our real selves and our real aims. I think we should have a deeper look on religion. we should connect ourseleves to the source of the world, the creator of the whole universe, someone who created you and me, someone who gave you and me the reason to seat here and write things to inspire the others, someone who has created the freedom. And with him there is no restriction, no limitation. This is the name we have given it, but believe me, if you look a little deeper you'll find it nothing but an absolute freedom!
By the way! Im a muslim!
By
Zeynab, at
8:15 PM
Religion forces you to adhere to man-made rules.
This is what I liked the most!
This is the point. The writen rules are made by man not by God.
If there is a rule made by what we call God that's LOVE. And this bring us eventualy to The Golden Rule. Do to the others only what you want others to do to you.
Thank you Karlos for this one!
Florica
By
Florica, at
1:32 AM
Hi Karl,
I live and teach the Law of Attraction and I dispute your assertation that it is a religion.
I used to have a viewpoint similar to yours, and I certainly have trouble with the concept of Theistic religion, but direct experience in my own life has led me to the conclusion that the principles of the Law of Attraction work.
When you strip away the metaphysical aspects of the Law of Attraction there are some very sound psychological principles within and the more you look at all the "self-help" systems out there the more similarities you see.
Unfortunately, many of the recent mainstream productions such as "The Secret" have brought the idea of the Law of Attraction into the public eye, singled it out, simplified it and left it lying powerless in the middle of a talk show.
The real truth is that the Law of Attraction works when applied, not as a set of rules but rather as an "awareness". I know this because I changed my whole life with it.
I don't ask you to believe without evidence. One of the greatest self-help books I have read was Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937. This book soundly and clearly explains the principles of the Law of Attraction without ever mentioning it by name.
Read the book, if you haven't already, and apply the principles for a year. It doesn't take much work, just a little commitment. Then I challenge you to dismiss the Law of Attraction as you have in your post.
Cheers
Steve Blampied
ps Please take this comment in the spirit of open discussion as it was intended
By
Steve Blampied, at
7:53 AM
Hi Steve,
Just to clarify: I have not dismissed the Law of Attraction. I actually agree regarding its power as an "awareness" or "filter" through which we view life.
But this article was about the pursuit of freedom -- not success -- and how we can "unlearn" that which we previously viewed essential.
It seems this article is easily misunderstood :)
Karl
By
Karl, at
10:54 AM
An interesting post. I think that the "rules" are good guides to lead us in a certain direction, but when these rules stop guiding and start dictating they become something else. God or religion or philosophies are not the enemy here, but our own inability to see our own place in all of this. Flopping around with no rules is not constructive, nor is being so bound you cannot move or think for yourself.
By
Steve, at
12:46 PM
Hi Karl,
Whenever you take a stance that questions religion you are going to be misunderstood. Religion is so ingrained in our society that it's like questioning gravity!
Personally I suppose I'm an atheist in the truest sense of the word. ie. I don't believe in a God; a single deity who is conscious and looks down in a judgmental manner. This doesn't make me non-spiritual, in fact I have some very specific beliefs about the universe I live in, but it does mean I am bound only by own "internal" rules.
But there lies the problem. My personal rules didn't come from a religion. They were mostly inherited from my parents, adopted from my peers, imposed by my society and, most importantly, learned by trial and error.
Most of us function based on rules that we aren't even aware of. Rules that we have learned as young children such as "children should be seen and not heard" or "stupid boy" or "you will sit at the table until your plate is clean".
Other rules are learned as we develop into adults and throughout our life. Circumstances occur that "teach" us that we should be afraid of heights, fear relationships or need nicotine to function. Rule upon rule, some good some bad, which the unconscious part of us consults constantly to determine the correct course of action in any situation.
Those are the things we need to be aware of. Each person needs to look at their rules and determine where they came from. Are they their rules or someone else's and how did they learn them.
Every time a problematic or unwanted rule is identified it should be removed or replaced, perhaps with the help of someone like you or me, until all that remains is peace.
There my friend lies true freedom, and in fact the true "secret" to the Law of Attraction. To pick out religion is to look at only a tiny piece of the puzzle.
Cheers
Steve
By
Steve Blampied, at
1:39 PM
I did understand your argument and I think you are right that many people allow their "religion" (whatever that may be) to restrict them.
I suppose, I just don't see my religion (I don't even like using that word as it is my faith) as a set of rules or something that is designed to control me. So, perhaps that's where I have already stepped past the restrictions you talk about.
I know we all have limiting beliefs that we need to release and move beyond but having a true belief/faith in something can be more empowering than restricting.
Lisa x
By
Lisa Hartwell, at
10:31 AM
Well I can say that probably most of the poeple could misunderstand this article beacuse of the word "religion". i uderstand you just wanted people to question their beliefs in the way so they figure out if their beliefs are restraining themselves. And I do agree with you that in certain self-help systems people really get restrained again.
For example:
I know about "bio-energetic" that tells his "customers" that they MUST follow him to meet God. Which for my opnion is totaly absurd. As a kid I read the bible few times and learned that God is everywhere (in a sense that natural laws exist in every aspect of life), do what you want others to do to you, help yourself and God will help you. It has learned me to live good and loving life towards myself and others.
I am NOT a christian but I do think I have understood bible more clearly than most of the christians. So in that point I do have to agree with you. Even people who believe in God and read the bible,quran,... do not read the whole thing with their minds and hearts and tend to follow poeple not their OWN minds, decisions and take responisbility for their actions aswell. It's easir to follow and than blame the "leader" on your misfortune, rather than to take a deeper look into personal life and actions that need to be transformed. I used to pitty people that pray God for their better lifes and more love for example. Today I know htey need help, but first they need to ask for it, realise themselfes that they need it. So I don't mind if people misunderstand me ot this article for instance, it's their own decision again. We'll wait for thier new decision if comes to it :)
Karl, thank you for inspiration and being a person that keeps optimism for the rest of us who almost stopped believing in power of good will and our future.
By
Damir, at
11:06 AM
Karl and all,
I think what's confusing people here is the distinction between "faith" and "organized religion". People often call their religion their faith, a misnomer.
Faith and The Law of Attraction, faith and self-improvement, faith and spiritual development all work well hand-in-hand. Faith is not restrictive in and of itself, it's when we adopt the rules of an organized religion - which are all created by man to get us to follow rules - that we lose our freedom.
Organized religion, which I've often heard said is the worst thing that ever happened to spirituality, tells us not only WHAT to believe, but HOW to believe and how to live our lives. Rules. Limits. Restrictions.
You wanted comments, Karl, and you got 'em!:-)
Owen
By
Owen Johnson, at
7:35 PM
There have been several good comments in this blog. It might be an idea to ask oneself when we assert our position in any matter including this one, whether we have committed one or more of the human thinking errors.
"Jumping to conclusions; all or nothing; generalization or denying the positive."
I am a Priest that endeavors to encourage people to question their thoughts and beliefs as often as possible. This works better than defending a position in fear of its fallibility.
Sitting around a table and discussing issues has the benefit of broadening ones perspectives, so the gathering of the community in one place is not a bad idea.
Two vehicles converging at a single point at speed can cause a lot of damage so putting up a traffic light that has the rule of stopping for red has its benefits too.
Rules are not ALL bad.
Rules that serve and protect individuals and groups are there for the sake of those without savvy.
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself is a principle that replaces the ten commandments only for those that understand the implications.
Religion based on fear is a schoolmaster to bring people to become exposed to the possibility of developing belief systems that are based on freedom. Hope that makes sense.
If humans all had the ability to do what is best for all at all times, the fear based guidance would be obsolete and I am sure it would not find a place to settle in anyones mind.
I teach freedom to investigate and test any and all thought patterns and belief system regardless of its so called holiness.
Oh yes, Steve Blampied, I admire your honesty in calling yourself an atheist but based on your beliefs I don't see you that way.
There are about as many religions within single religious organisations as there are members within that organisation.
This does not necessarily mean that the organisation is bad but some of the thinking amongst individuals is limiting and counterproductive.
Nice discussion.
Steven Parkes
By
Steven Parkes, at
10:36 AM
Absolutely FANTASTIC and one of the best truths I have ever read. Be out of the box and be free. Love it! Keep on doing what you are doing Karl it is great and revolutionary. 98% of population still love to live in their "boxes".
Zuzana - entrepreneur
By
zuzketta, at
10:53 AM
Zuzketta. 98% I thought it was higher. I would love to see the research papers that validate this figure.
By
Steven Parkes, at
12:27 PM
if any one is really looking for the real meaning of life just visit this link:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=IslamInBrief#p/c/3794E110232C84DF/0/21nZGbTEji8
By
zula, at
2:01 PM
As a Catholic we are restricted to follow the Ten Commandments which is the law of God. If we release our religion it's gonna be a mess. Can you imagine if all marriage people, sleeping to one partner to another, thats adultery. What about the same sex marriage, this is so creepy. What will happen with our children? What kind of life will we teach them? I believed that we always needs God and his Law not the law of people.
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Anonymous, at
11:18 PM
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