Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. —Sir Francis Bacon, 1561–1626, was an English lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and essayist but is best known for leading the scientific revolution with his new “experimentation and observation” theory, which is the way science has been conducted ever since.
The insights from this above statement, lead me to compose this poem:
How sad,
That people who ignore Religion
DENY everything of value in it.
How simple,
That people who are babes in Religion
DEBATE and argue with each other.
How sound,
That people who are growing in Religion
DISCIPLINE themselves instead of judging others.
How supreme, That people who fully live Religion
DELIGHT in the ever-new joy of Spirit.
Ralph Calabria, Flowing Fragrance, © 1982.
This poem describes stages which I am personally familiar with, having transitioned through them.
Most Christians, the “babes” have misinterpreted the timing of the message of Jesus’ “kingdom of heaven is at hand” for a future apocalyptic time instead of striving now to gain this internal “kingdom of heaven.”
Most Muslims, the “babes” have misplaced and externalized the message of Mohammed’s jihad, “holy war” to be against other religions, instead of our inner “holy war” against selfishness, hatred, and exclusiveness.
Most Jews, the “babes” have misunderstood the message of Moses’ having “no other gods before me” for a theological system instead of realizing the “other gods” is our ego’s arrogant superiority.