The relation between Home Religion and established religions
- This page is part of an ERW course: ERW:Home Church.
- By User:John Eagles, May 28, 2007.
Each religion has had its origin in time and place. Many religions started with one individual who lived an outstanding spiritual life and who passed on what he discovered of truth and religious or spiritual practice to a group of followers. Some religions have expanded worldwide, other religions were more bound to a certain time in history and a specific culture.
Religions also have had a spiritual origin. Usually certain spirits or angels have worked to set up religions. In some cases this origin is rather clear, like it is believed that the Quran was a revelation from the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammed. In Hinduism devas or celestial entities (angels or also other spiritual entities) are believed to have been at the origin of the Hindu scriptures. Judaism sees itself as a religion directly connected to God or JHWH, but also here angels are believed to have worked in their religion. Christianity started with Jesus, but angels have been active with the start of this religion.
Some religions are centered on God the Creator. Other religions have their own deities and sometimes one of these deities has the position of creator.
Where does Home Religion stand in this context? One fundamental idea in Home Religion is that truth is not confined to one religion. Each religion has acquired truth about spiritual life and teaches practices that can elevate a person's spirituality and love and inner awareness. Though the language used in distinguished religions is different and appears contradictory to some groups of adherents, many people realize that on a deeper level there is much resemblance between the teachings of diverse religions.
In Home Religion we attempt to discover truth and to practice this truth in love. Truth can be found in many ways. Primarily truth comes from the Creator, but truth is expressed in many ways. We can learn about love and truth by studying and practicing the deeper teachings of many religions. There is often no contradiction between the teachings of one religion and another, when these both are understood on a deeper level. Differences and contradictions usually only appear on the more external level of typical language used and rituals and ceremonies practiced in organized religions.
You can practice Home Religion and be a member of an established religion, and you can also pursue it while not adhering to a specific religion. Truth and love are universal and not confined to privileged members and groups of organized religions.
Home Religion is not meant to just be a synergy of existing religions. Each person can have a direct connection to the Creator and also to truth and love. When you have discovered certain truth for yourself and you practice love in your life and you meet someone else who does the same, then you can establish a fruitful relation with such a person.
There are many differences between religions and sometimes such differences may appear to be insuperable. In Home Religion we attempt to overcome these differences, not by an intellectual comparison of teachings, but by focusing on deeper levels of understanding and sharing truth and love.
Does this imply that all religions only teach truth? Not necessarily. People are people and not all people love God or try to find universal truth. When you meet such people, conflicts may be in the making, but the solution can only be in approaching such people with the power of love and truth, focusing on what unites on a higher level rather than emphasizing the differences.
