The Worldly Differences and their Compromise
Posted on Monday, 31 October 2016
THE WORLDLY DIFFERENCES AND THEIR COMPROMISE
By Apolinario Villalobos
In this world, there are only differences
that may not be right or wrong, as there is no “ultimate judge” who can decide,
not even the respective Supreme Courts of nations, and not even the guiding
book of whatever religion. For those who believe in God, to them I may come out
blasphemous if I say based on my observation, that not even He is the ultimate
judge as being preached by religions that cling to Him, for how can they say
that He is the One when others do not believe in Him?
Islamic rules are different from those of
Christian religions’ that sprouted even later than others, and which also have
their own norms. There is a popular belief that traditional religions have been
deceiving people in their effort to expand their respective following. In this
regard, those who have been enlightened came up with their own Ministries that
eventually attracted hordes of adherents that, fortunately, did not totally
turn their back on the teachings of their former churches, such that, there are
Catholics who trek to the temple of El Shaddai in Paraἧaque, as well as,
there are New Christians who still attend Catholic service. The mushrooming,
however, all over the world of these new Ministries is proof that something is
wrong with the Catholic Church from which newly-enlightened Christians came
from. But then, nobody has the right to condemn Catholicism because of the
erring few priests…as again, in this world, nothing is perfect. On the other
hand, the “Balik-Islam” in the Philippines is, likewise, gaining ground. In its
totality, the movement of modern-day conversions should be viewed with fairness
on the part of the converts. What is important is the change in their
spirituality that made them better persons, and most especially, they worship
the same God, anyway. We should worry about former God-fearing brothers who
became heretics, instead!
What is happening to the fate of religions
is happening among nations with differences that lie in their ideologies
polarized by democracy and socialism. The same competitive expansion brought
forth hideous annihilation of races which is the essence of the effort in such
desire. And, to top it all, to date, many nations are subtly disregarding the
authority of the United Nations. In the case of the West Philippine Sea for
instance, it made pronouncements that favored the Philippines but it cannot
enforce what it has “summarized” based on proofs…while China consistently and
loudly shows her defiance.
Somehow, the innate compromising
characteristic of man came into the picture, resulting to the “ironing out of
differences” among conflicting nations which does not necessarily declare which
is right or wrong. In other words, there is no clear decision, just a compromise
for some kind of a conditional understanding to avoid further conflicts between
the victor and the vanquished.
Along this compromise, what each one can do
to maintain relative peace is, perhaps, to be good based on the Golden Rule
which is the essence of all religions, an adage that says, “Do Not Hurt Others
if You Do Not Want Them to Hurt You”. It is a simple give and take principle
that can apply to all peoples and nations.
Finally and most importantly, one should cling
more tightly to whatever congregation he has chosen, be the spiritual bonding
is done in cavernous basilicas or cathedrals, or a humble space that used to
see good old days as an air-conditioner repair shop.
My humble belief is that, spirituality is
not measured by an impressive concrete structure, but by sincerity that throbs
in one’s heart! One can even venerate manifestations of God under a tree!...and,
who can stop somebody from praying for the smooth expurgation of his guts while
seated on a toilet bowl?
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