On Ethnocentricity and The Owning of God
I received an email from a young lady yesterday who is clearly searching for her own spiritual path. She is looking to main-stream religions, new age philosophies, family of origin beliefs and the Catholic Church in her attempts to make sense of her spiritual search. She is searching for the truth.
While communicating with this sweet soul it was clear to me that most religions suffer from ethnocentricity. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's culture, religion, etc, as all-encompassing and correct. In religions, ethnocentrism supports the tendency to believe that one has knowledge of the only truth regarding God. Our desire to be aligned with the only truth promotes is us an intolerance to other religious and spiritual points of view.
This young lady I was communicating with is a victim of ethnocentristic confusion. She is searching for one right path. She is seeking one right truth. But in each direction she encounters absolute truth claims. Somewhere in her soul she knows this cannot be true, but she is blinded by the ethnocentricity of those to whom she is looking for guidance.
America is becoming more and more racially and culturally diverse. This challenges ethnocentricity. Many Americans do not like this and find hateful ways to promote the belief that they alone own the truth. But, do they really believe they can own God?
It is ironic, when you think about it, that this country was built upon the right to practice the freedom of religion. The separation of Church and State was guaranteed in our founding documents. We came from many countries to settle in this country. We brought with us many cultures, religious beliefs and identities. And, we brought with us our own ethnocentrism regarding the rightness of our belief system and the wrongness of another's. This was evident immediately as we annihilated the Native American Indians.
It is no secret that our lack of respect for each other's religious beliefs leads to war and the killing of the innocent in the name of God. This has happened throughout history. Unless we learn tolerance, compassion and understanding of our diversity, the pattern will continue.
Dr. Charles Kimball has written a book entitled "When Religion Becomes Evil." I believe it is a must read for every Christian and non-Christian alike. Kimball outlines the warning signs that indicate when a religion is turning evil. These signs include absolute truth claims, blind obedience, establishing the "ideal" time, the end justifies the means, and declaring Holy War.
The signs as outlined by Kimball all stem from the inability to see outside of one's self. They are compassionless and self-righteous attempts to limit the manifestation of God's love and grace to one culture, belief or religion. However, I am grateful to know that this simply cannot happen. No one owns God. God's love is there for all to partake in no matter what religion or spiritual orientation.
When I was a little girl, the nuns gave me a small box for lent. The box was to be used to go to the neighbor's homes to collect dimes for the pagan children in other countries. It was to be used to save their souls. I use to stay awake at night and worry about all of these babies who did not have the chance to know Jesus. What was going to happen to them and how could I help save them??
I didn't collect very many dimes. I was only five. I was sad when I turned my little box in to the nun who told me I was a disgrace and didn't live up to Jesus' expectations. What was going to happen to all these babies' souls? Now, when I reflect back on this experience, I realize that this was simply ethnocentric confusion. I now know that God loves all the little children. The nun was blinded by her own belief system and believed in a God that was selective regarding the innocence of these babies. How could a God of love punish the innocent in the way she believed?
I now believe in a God who loves all children. I believe in a God who doesn't care what language they speak, where they live, or how they pray. I believe in a God who sees the innocence in these children and does not punish them because of it.
I believe in an all-powerful God. In my mind, limiting God's magnificence to the confines of one belief or religion is not possible. I believe in a God that is everywhere and in everyone. I believe in a God that can lead all to Grace. I believe in a God that speaks all languages, loves all cultures, shares all joys and hears all prayers. I believe in a God that provides numerous pathways to grow in spirit, joy and love.
Let me know what you think.
Posted by Rev. Barbara S. Eberle at 3/12/2010 11:07 AM 
Categories: Spiritual Contemplations
Tags: Online Ordinations Spiritual Counseling Get Ordained Online Minister Seminary A Course in Miracles Spiritual Contemplations Perform a wedding
Categories: Spiritual Contemplations
Tags: Online Ordinations Spiritual Counseling Get Ordained Online Minister Seminary A Course in Miracles Spiritual Contemplations Perform a wedding
I also believe that any religion teaching that they are the only beings that are correct about how God judges people. I feel they are only using the "word" god to project their way of judging people on some small piece of God's true word. We as humans are in most instances quick to judge on someones appearance. We are all guilty of that, including me. I pray every morning that God will direct me in HIS way not the way I think. The word of God no matter what man God chose to write for him, we have to have faith and listen to the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us on a daily unseen battlefield with Satan. We should also remember that God chooses a different path for each of us, and who are we to tell another fellow human, created in GOD's image that they are wrong to follow what God has told them to do? If at anytime we should feel that there is a mote in our brother's, or sister's eye we should first examine ourselves for the mote we allowed the devil to place in our own eye. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of GOD! But thankfully GOD has allowed us free will to come to him on our own, and ask forgiveness! As I write this I am only reminded that as children we always wanted that A+ on our papers to have our parents be proud of us. Remember that first F you brought home and the way you felt so bad and just knew your parents were going to be upset, well if it wasn't for failures in life we would never as humans really appreciate the graciousness and forgiveness of our loving GOD. There are so many "religions" that teach ethnocentrism, and why we will never know, but for some reason they do. However,, GOD has a reason for this. The Bible states that we should never know everything. That tells me that I have to trust that GOD has everything worked out and it is in his plan. Just read Job. The whole book. Trials and tribulations are a part of life and they are created by GOD to make us more understanding and compassionate of our fellow humans. I have to admit I have run from this calling for some years now. I have had my eyes opened over the last week that teaching the word of GOD as he teaches me is what I am supposed to do with my life. I now must prepare for the devils traps that he will set forth for me. I know that after speaking with Rev. Barbara today I will have her support and guidance as GOD works through many people, and in many ways. I look forward to the journey with my fellow servant's of GOD by my side. Thank you all for reading what GOD has directed me to say and I hope maybe it has helped someone. In GOD's blessings, Robert
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Hi Robert,
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trying to read your blog. Your theme isn't working right using IE5 browser.
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Good Day!
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