Beliefs to be Human by: my Religious Philosophy

We are here on the third planet to find our way back to the One. Stated thus baldly, this is much too simple, you say. But this simplicity does not even hint at the complexity by which “our way” is treaded. For in this way back, is the anguish and the tumult that rivals the fall of the angels.

The way back to God demands nothing less than the perfection of the soul. How perfect? Well, just as perfect as God. And that, connotes all the anguish of life, all pain and of course, all endurance, all patience it entails to go this path to perfection. I don't know, but think and feel certain that this project of going back to God is not achievable in one short life. Unless we can ask someone to be perfect in our stead, which to me defeats the whole desideratum of perfection.

In the first place, and this is important to emphasize because it is rarely stressed by sages through the ages that the way to perfection is not solitary, but social. Although ultimately perfection is of the self, the way to perfection is always attended by other souls, who are helpmates and seen relatively, obstructions.

That is why I feel blessed to have studied the social sciences. What Zelsnick calls the “recalcitrance of the social modes of action” is an important factor to consider in our evolution. In this planet, nobody is an island; we all exist, progress or receive disappointing lessons through others. And continued growth of the soul really means finding a workable relationship with other souls.

AGENCY AND STRUCTURE

It should be obvious from the above that we are essentially free agents. That is also referenced by the term free will. But as any sociologist will tell you, voluntaristic agents operate through structural relations. And prevailing in existence, with our ideals intact means the successful navigation of structural processes, which is actually the will of other agents, with differentials in power and potentiality to help or hurt us.

CONCLUSION: THE PHILOSOPHY

Regardless, we are not here to master the intricacies of structure, but to use our skill in its navigation to pursue our ideals, and the main goal of our existence, which is perfection and unity with God. In other words we may put it thus: skill in the navigation of structure is a short term, even ad hoc goal, and perfection is the long term goal.

In the above paragraphs may be derived the most important lessons in all moral and philosophical systems. They delineate the ultimate goal of existence, and also points our attention to ad hoc goals while we are pursuing the ultimate goal. Thus it has an ultimate “religious” goal, and also temporal and utilitarian goals. This works also hierarchically, as in Maslow's psychology. Biological or physiological needs are fulfilled preeminently, then social needs, and finally “spiritual” needs are pursued and attempted fulfillment.

As with any (as yet) imperfect being/s, errors are prevalent. As anyone can attest, life is indeed painful, even to death sometimes, and it is thoroughly understandable why most of us, seek pleasure and avoid pain. I only want to emphasize that the ad hoc project of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain should be placed in the context of the ultimate goal. Else the path to pleasure become in fact the path to pain. There is one goal, but many paths are allowed. This is the only excuse for variety: that the goal is clearly pursued.

“An you strive to come back to me, do what you will”