The Rise and Fall in Religion

Religion can either build up or it can tear down.  I have seen religious leaders come and go based on how well they can maneuver within the pitfalls of religious groups.  Some groups build while others can tear down.  As Brother Ralphie, I have chosen NOT to associate myself with any group, organization, or religious preferences.  I am not sure this is the best thing for me to do, however.  Sometimes I feel the need for support from like-minded people, but the problem is that in many respects, I am a religion of one person.  And sometimes I am not sure what to do about that.

I have thought at times that I might be best belonging to a group, but if I were to ask myself as to what existing group to which I COULD belong, I am baffled by the answer.  In some respects, I could align myself with Unitarians, based on my understanding of salvation.  I am saying we are all born saved.  Now, this smacks against the need for salvation, which is basically Unitarianism, but that unlike Unitarianism, I say there ARE sins for which a person can’t be forgiven.  Those sins are murder and suicide.  Now, it’s not up to me to judge anyone, but really, I wouldn’t be able to forgive a woman for having had an abortion, for example, unless she had been raped.  Then I say if she has had an abortion because of rape, that would make her rapist a murderer.  So, I put the onus on the rapist.  This is just one example of my dilemma.  Another dilemma that I have is that I define murder by the INTENTIONAL taking of ANY Human Life for ANY reason.  So, because my definition of murder is so incredibly broad, most any Unitarian would reject such a definition.  And because Pope Francis is telling the Church to forgiven ALL women who have had abortions, he would be asking me to do something which I don’t feel I can do.  And this is the problem I have of submitting myself to the authority of someone like the Pope if I WERE to become a Catholic.

But on all issues related to life, I am very Catholic in my beliefs about the sanctity of Human Life.  Which brings me to what I have been saying here about Jesus.  I believe Jesus was raised by a group who aligned themselves with Buddhism, because of His emphasis on NOT taking ANY Human Life for ANY reason, which is why He had a confrontation with the Pharisees.  He could’n't have been Jewish then, because the Law of Moses demands life for certain sins.  The Pharisees then were charged by the Temple and the synagogues to carry out the Law of Moses to every jot and tittle of the Law.  So, like Jesus, I too couldn’t be Jewish and I certainly coulnd’t be a Muslim.  There are sins in some religions that demand death if a person commits those sins.  So, does this mean I am a Buddhist?

I have wondered about this question, often thinking that only a Buddhist has respect for ALL life, especially ALL Human Life.  So, in that sense I am very much a Buddhist.  But then I am one who worships Jesus recognizing He died for EVERY single sin known to ALL humanity, except for the sins of murder and suicide.  There might be Buddhists who would see Jesus as a savior, but maybe not in the same context in which I see Jesus as the Savior of the world.  So, in this sense, Jesus died for the world.  And as I have quoted the Apostle Paul, we all have sinned sins that are worthy of death.  But because of the death of Jesus we don’t have to die for our sins.  Now, this brings me back to the beginning where I stated that everyone is born saved.  We are NOT saved by what we do, but only by what we do NOT do.  We simply do NOT intentionally take a Human Life including that of our own lives.  And for all practical purposes, I am pretty much alone in my beliefs.  BUT that does NOT mean I can’t or won’t be able to convert others to my way of thinking, however, it DOES mean there are people that cannot be saved, for these people have lost their salvation already.  So, my Message is NOT a Message of salvation, but is a Message that simply warns the innocent to remain as I am.  Do NOT intentionally take a Human Life.  And if you don’t you will remain saved.  And if you do, then all I have to say is woe to those who intentionally take a Human  Life, including that of one’s own.  Woe!  Woe!  Woe!  Peace.  I am Brother Ralphie writing for my Angels from The Angels of Life Institute.  Brother Ralphie works from his study for the promotion of Peaceful living and inner Peace with God. He calls this the “Sanctity of Human Life Movement.”