Breath of Life

The "ethereal force underlying the universe that Christian mystics refer to when they speak of the Holy Spirit" (Reza Aslan) is that which animates all living things. Called ruh or rah ("breath" روه Muslims 15:29) and ruach ("breath" רוח Hebrew 51:11), that which breathed life into Adam is also identified in religions not originating with Abraham, such as prana (Hindus), ch'i (Taoists), nge (Maori) woniya waken (Lakota Native Americans).

This is just one of several core beliefs shared among otherwise divergent groups composing the human family. Despite being able to find such similarities within belief and value systems, it is too often difficult to forge and strengthen lasting peace and mutual respect with groups different from oneself. Instead, the earth is filled with examples of overabundance and famine, healthy and deathly conditions, the marginalized illiterate masses and the well-educated powerful few, those living in relative peace and prosperity and those trying to survive the depravity of their war-torn country.

Where is the justice?

Are humankind's scales inherently non-equitable? Most religions agree, revealing various narratives describing the cause of mankind's deplorable moral condition (How the scale was dropped- sometimes referred to as original sin). The broken scale of the human soul needs recalibration to function properly. Whether this re-calibration work is said to be done through the power of the Holy Spirit, or ah-RAHman ah-RAHeem~ the Breath and Restorer of Life,  for the believer, the Divine Creator is the well-spring of Love from which springs mercy and justice in perfect measure.

What do you believe?

Seriously. I would like to hear what people living this Western American civilization believe about God intention for the future of humankind. For instance, many religions practiced in our Western civilization speak, not only of a heavenly paradise, but of the restoration of the Earth to it's originally paradisaical condition.

There are so many books which describe historical and prevailing religious beliefs about what God expects from and has planned for humankind. I recently read a (good) book that does a decent job of describing the differences (not just similarities) of eight of the major world religions. I recommend it. It is called God Is Not One, by Stephen Prothero. He does a nice job of showing the differences between religion-- but then going on to show how differences can create complementary relationships with each other! Cooperation and mutual respect for differences can help us find peace amidst our imperfections.