The religious world is comprised of many different views and beliefs.
From Christianity to Buddhism, Wiccan to Hinduism, religions have been a
part of the human race since its birth.
Religion
has served to unite people as well as prove to be a catalyst for
debate, argument, and war. How could something intended for such good
become such a place of turmoil and hurt for so many? Often, the
differences held by religions are more emphasized than the common
threads that are shared. This unfortunate focus on the points that cause
rifts between views is something that has held back followers from
being truly unified with their fellow man. Although religious beliefs,
like Christianity, are rooted in spiritual faith, technological advances
and scientific discovery may prove the actuality of reality to be a
conglomeration of many belief systems.
The Basics
The mysticism of God is portrayed differently in each religion, whether
minutely or profoundly. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are founded
within in the same text of the Old Testament, yet differ greatly in not
only their worship but in the catalyst of their origins (Fisher, 2005).
These differences are as plain as black and white, yet when the beliefs
are looked on a whole; the similarities are hard to miss. These three
religions believe in a divine creator who spawned man in his own image,
giving each man a spark of his divinity. Judaism is based on a promise
made from God to make a great people from the son of Abraham, a people
who would spread the teachings and love of God (Fisher, 2005).
Similarly,
Christianity, although without any claim to a special promise, holds
many of the same views in regard to acceptance and love of their fellow
man. Christianity also recognizes the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as being
the savior of man who died divinely so that salvation can be found
merely in the acceptance of this sacrificial lamb (Fisher, 2005). This
man, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the prophecies laid out by the Old
Testament, is not honored in Islam but rather has become a point of
difference between the two religions. It is differences like these that
separate religions of common origin.
The Actions of Man
Similar differences and arguments are sometimes responsible for the
spawning of new belief systems. Buddhism and Confucianism, while
different, teach a similar practice that reaches outside of the belief
of salvation given through worship of the divine (Fisher, 2005). Like
Islam, these religions believe that the actions with which a man lives
his life is responsible for is salvation.
Although Confucianism is more about creating a heavenly state of being
on earth, the teachings of proper conduct and treatment of others is
reminiscent of those who follow the Bible and how God relayed his desire
and instructions for interactions within mankind.
Daishonin Buddhism and practitioners of the Lotus Sutra, also believe
in seeking harmony within mankind in order to achieve the goal of
heavenly being (Gakkai, 1999). In this religious belief, the state of
Buddha is achievable within each person and living the way of the Buddha
is the path to enlightenment and release from earthly suffering
(Patrick Lockwood, personal communication, May 12, 2010).
This concept of spreading love and interacting with people according to
the Golden Rule, whether instructed to do so by God or because of the
concept of a Karma debt cycle, is a strong common thread between many
religions. These similarities may mean when compared to their
differences, yet a closer look at the variances in these religions may
reveal an entirely different, unifying aspect to their beliefs.
A Closer Look
One path to finding commonalities between religions is to view their
core beliefs separately. In Christianity and religions that draw upon
the Old Testament for religious teachings, the origin of man is found in
the divine creation at which time the first man was created in the
image of God (Fisher, 2005). This makes all of man a family of brothers
and sisters who share the common thread of divine origin, regardless of
current religion.
This idea of a common spark, thread, or vibration shared by every
member of mankind is also found in religions outside of Christianity. In
religions like Buddhism, this idea is represented as a vibration that
is shared, not only with members of the human race, but also shared with
all of creation (Patrick Lockwood, personal communication, May 12,
2010). While the Buddhist view may be slightly different from the view
of Christianity in regard to the relationship between man and earth,
advances in scientific studies of
quantum physics may prove that reality is somewhere in-between.
Christianity’s view of man being made in the image of God implies a
difference between the divinity and awareness of man and other life
forms. Buddhism practices the idea that all things are connected in the
flow of life. The existence of self is continuous in some sects of
belief while, in others, the awareness that would distinguish a man from
a turnip is a result of the karmic debt cycle (Fisher, 2005). Either
way it is looked at, something connects life on this planet. This is an
idea that is shared by many religions. As scientist delve farther into
the study of quantum physics, the relationship between man, as the
observer, and the environment of this earthly home becomes apparent in
its intricate tapestry.
Quantum Relations
Studies regarding the behavior of photons indicate a surprising
relationship between reality and perception. In a study involving
protons, a single photon would be shot towards multiple slots in order
to identify and track the behavior of the photon. This study produced a
surprising and interesting result when the single proton produced a
pattern that was caused by the photon passing through non-intended or
multiple slots. When scientists tried to watch the photon to understand
this odd behavior, the photon then passed through only one slot. This
discovery gave credit to the theory of “the observer.” This theory
states that the relationship between the consciousness of man and his
environment is a product of his observations and intentions (Arntz,
Chasse, and Hoffman, 2004). Could this be the distinction between man
and beast as indicated by Christianity? What does this mean for
religions that emphasize a common vibration or relationship between all
of existence?
Science may also hold the answer to this question of commonality. All
of existence is made of the same fundamental elements, atoms (Carpy,
2003). The difference between a table and a cat is the programmed
purpose of the cells and atoms that make up their existence. The
electromagnetic relationship of these components is a piece of the
harmonious system that makes them hold their shape and form.
If the difference between the difference substances in existence is
based on this relationship on an atomic level, the similarities could
also be found on this level. String theory proposes that the minute
parts of the atom vibrate at a levels that share common bonds and are
capable of being effected (CosmoNet, 1999). This vibration would then
exist in every piece of life or object in existence. The similarities
between this hypothesis and religions, like Buddhism, that believe in a
universal connection and vibration are strikingly apparent.
In an interview with Patrick Lockwood, a practitioner of Daishonin
Buddhism, this vibration was the topic most readily discussed. The Lotus
Sutra, a chant meant to align the self with the vibration of the
universe, is a staple in the practice of this religious belief (Patrick
Lockwood, personal communication, May 12, 2010). Used in conjunction
with a visual representation, the Gohonzon, chanting the title of the
Lotus Sutra, Nam-myho-renge-kyo, is said to realign the physical sense
with the divine relationship with existence (Gakkai, 1999). Whether this
method is the correct approach or not, this recognition of a universal
tie is important when looking at how Quantum Physics views the
relationship between man and the world.
The Quantum theory of the Observer serves as a middle ground between
Christianity and Buddhism. According to this controversial science,
everything is connected on a fundamental level, yet the human race
controls the flux of matter and existence through observation (Arntz,
Chasse, and Hoffman, 2004). This influence over existence that is the
capability of man coincides with the Christian notion of a divine spark
give by God. Being created in the image of a Divine Creator implies the
ability of the off spring to create.
The Observer theory believes that because of the many different views
that are in existence at the same time, an interference pattern occurs
that is the conglomeration of multiple intents that result in a shared
reality (Arntz, Chasse, and Hoffman, 2004). This thought is enormously
controversial because, according to this theory, a corroborative effort
of thought and intent would result in manifestation of the desired
effect. Some would say that this choosing of reality and existence goes
against the belief of fate and a predetermined destiny. In some
instances, this would seem true yet life is mysterious in its intricacy
and it is hard to ignore the possibility of a grand design.
Predetermined Randomness
A growing number of spiritual practitioners believe that, although
there are determined stages, goals, and lessons in life, menial
existence is a myriad of pathways. This theory is in line with the
photon studies, where existence without the observer is a multitude of
possibilities. Another scientific parallel is the cell. Though
programmed to perform a particular function, cells first begin with the
possibilities of programming and stem cells are capable of being
programmed for a multitude of functions (University of Massachusetts,
2010). Consider this cell as a decision not yet presented or taken. It
is sometimes startling and frightening to think of how much influence an
individual can have over reality. Religions that compartmentalize
different energies and attributes into various deities could be seen as a
way to narrow and focus that creative influence into certain patterns
and directions.
Divine Direction and the Power of Prayer
Guan Yin, the mother goddess also represented in Christianity as the
Virgin Mary, is the embodiment of compassion and love. Calling upon the
presence and help of this deity, according to a Fung Shui workshop in El
Paso, Texas, will invoke the vibration and sense of her representative
qualities (The Fung Shui Institute of El Paso, personal communication,
May 29, 2010). This is true for many other deities within these
religious views. Ganesha, for instance, is called upon to remove
obstacles and provide protection, (Lady D, personal communication, May
30, 2010). Could the different deities and representations of tone and
intent be an avenue to concentrate and embellish their respective
thoughts?
Regardless of religious beliefs, when a group of individuals is
worshiping in mass, the power and vibration of prayer is almost
palatable. This collaborative direction of thought can be powerful on an
individual’s perception of reality. Some religious practitioners even
become so overwhelmed that they will speak in tongues as an expression
of the divine spirit felt within (Lady D, personal communication, May
30, 2010). Considering the illustrated relationship between reality and
the human consciousness as presented by Quantum Physics, powerful
concentration of intent and thought has the possibility to alter reality
according the group’s intent (Arntz, Chasse, and Hoffman, 2004). This
theory collaborates the practices of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism and
their belief that the interconnectivity of the universe and the intent
for the betterment of man could change the world as we know it and
create a nirvana on earth as well as a release from the cycle of
rebirth.
While religious beliefs can contain many differences, like the thought
of rebirth or the Messiah Jesus Christ as the savior of man, there are
elements of the human condition that are backed by an ever-evolving
science. The exploration of existence and the nature of the planetary
relationship could prove impactful to those willing to listen to the
discoveries of man and change the face of religious beliefs as they are
known today. Perhaps new religious and spiritual groups will form to
adopt views from a mix of science and traditional religion.
Compared to views like those of Orthodox Christianity, who support
mystic views as explained by the Bible as having divine origin, this new
religious standpoint and possible rising group can combine both faith
and reality as religious mysteries become fact and plausible theory.
Knowing the complexity of a scientifically-explained event that is
presented in texts, like the Bible, as divine could help reinforce the
idea of a grand design, perpetuated by a divine creator. A particular
example of this type of support faith could be found in the events of
the Ten Plagues. According to data accumulated by scientists and
archeologists, the Ten Plagues were a series of natural events caused by
a volcanic eruption (Gray, 2010).
Although the Bible has described this series of events as an
intervention from God, a look at the science illustrating the
relationship between the events and the time period leaves the
interpretation of divinity up to the individual. It is the intricacy
design and the complexity of the interactions of these natural forces
and incidences that lend credit to the claim of God and divinity. As the
discoveries of man produce more insight into the world, the past
mysteries and unexplained phenomenons are threatened with the light of
scientific scrutiny.
It is possible that existing religions will find credit and
illumination in these discoveries; finding the why and how to many
questions and mysteries within the holy texts. Other aspects of the
mystic faith base may crumble under the weight of the eye of science and
technological exploration. The future of religion is difficult to
predict, particularly considering that the existence of the state of
religion is dependent on the will of man. Either way, science and
technology promise an interesting future of discoveries that will change
the way man perceives, not only himself and his religious beliefs, but
the universe as well.
References
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