Gaining my religion

Don't worry. And give me a bit of latitude here. Needs much more research-- possibly a lifetime's worth

A smart lady once told me -- "Don't think too much about religion or politics -- you'll go insane." And I hold that as true. Well, at the very least, you'll offend somebody.

And yet here I go...

I've been thinking about religion (small 'r'), and I have a few theories. First, I feel a 'resonance' with certain eastern beliefs such as the intellectual prowess, and questioning mind of Buddhism, and spirit entities in nature (Kami spirit -- often mis-translated as 'gods') from Japanese Shintoism. The 64 characters of Taoist I Ching, also ring true with me. However, I think it's important to remain true to the beliefs of your ancestors. Therefore, I'm Christian.

I think many belief systems overlap, so holding true and learning more about Christian dogma, I will also explore other religions relating them back to Christianity as a base.

I believe changing one's religion endangers a person, or me, to lose track of what I already know. I was raised in a western culture. While I went to a Jewish school and respect their faith, I'm not Jewish. If I were to become Jewish, Buddhist or Shinto -- I would be entering a territory and tradition I know nothing about. Wearing it like a fad.

Recently, I decided to wear a white string around my wrist because some people I admire do so. I quickly stopped, because I realised I was throwing signals and symbols I know nothing about.

In the same way, to suddenly convert to Buddhism would be to make huge presumptions about myself -- that I could possibly learn the ways of someone who has been born and lived in that culture all his or her life.

So instead, I will be a Christian explorer of other belief systems...

or maybe I'm just listening to too much of Elliot Smith's Christian Brothers

-- Second theory --

I think the societies (western at least) have evolved to become monotheistic because a single god is a strong point of focus. And yet, it maintains polytheism through patron saints, etc. 'God' remains nameless, faceless, because -- here comes the certificate 18 -- 'He' is simply not there. He is a human point of focus on a higher ideal.

Some cultures can disseminate this focus into nature and with many gods, ultimately make Nature the single point of focus, or God principle.

My point is: 1 is easier to keep in mind than 3. 3 is easier than 5. 5 is easier than 7, etc.

One love.