The Compass: A Guide to Autonomy

 Autonomy

Humans have no need to quarrel over speculations on religion, in which is true or better.

For many years, I have stumbled upon, and encountered, a number of internal/external debates regarding one religion verses another. 

 

I believe, none of it matters. Except for one definitive purpose that precedes all. 

In this article, I will detail my experiences, dive into how this has guided me to expand my mindset, and how it has aided me along my spiritual journey. 

What I hope to achieve, is to encourage you to question reality and what it means to you, in order to grow one's pallet in the use of free, well guided discretion, as I so wished was done for me. 

Religion Is Not the Problem, It Is People. 

I was raised in a Christian household. I was fortunate to have a woman who was grounded and not easily swayed by the blind faith, opinions, and commitments of others. 

There were three flaws, a pattern, to weaponize shame, degradation, and judgement. 

Alot of these behaviors, and more, were revealed by the people who claimed righteous immunity. I witnessed hypocrites and snakes with smiling faces. 

 As a child, innocent and inexperienced, you trust, accept, and push on. Indeed, not all are such, there are good, decent people. There are good and bad entities in all sectors.

A choice to participate should never be on the account of someone else's will or influence. Only yours when you will it as so. That is the real meaning of freewill, how that has been lost among people is beyond me. 

Lesson one, people are not always who they say they are or who they are feigning to be. What one claims to believe does not matter. It is what happens behind closed doors, body, and mind, that do. 

How one handles life, is how they handle everything, in turn, who they choose to be. That is a person's true nature. 

Changing One's Belief

Deciding to choose what I wanted to believe in was less daunting and dramatic than realized. All it took was to put down a book and move on to another with a sprinkle of hesitation and uncertainty.

Prior to one's engagement, I chewed on my thoughts. Running over reasons to prove myself out of line. I was crazy to think that I had no justifiable reason to align myself with anything other than the bible.

My setback was shame. The undefinable swing that drove home every time. Shame to be emotionally expressive, to speak on my truths, and of what I was not.  I couldn't question.  An unspoken threshold that dared not be crossed. 

I will always admit, there is good wisdom that the religion has to offer. Parts have aided me to get to where I am now. I have grown my mental capacity outside the bounds of just following faith. 

Realize the Old, Regain the New

Challenges force you to grow. They expose your limits, can be a tool to prove yourself as more, and reveal how much you are truly capable to handle. 

Without them, we will never know our power and realize our potential. In all areas such as, work, school, church, discipline, faith, and love. We need to question and investigate unacceptable and immoral "normalized" behaviors and ideals.  

Have you noticed a deed claimed as right, and the result is more damaging or demeaning? Or rather a person exposed as one thing, but their behavior is not conducive within the environment?

These types of contradictions do not need more people to stay silent. 

The world needs people who are strong and willing to change their perspectives. When their current belief systems are confronted by facts and moral standing. It is a responsibility to us and those we love. 

 Otherwise, it is intentional ignorance. No matter what the case maybe, leading with the right intentions and behaviors, for any given situation, matters. 

I think we should be more evolved. In truth, people do fail. 

What Is The Point? 

No matter who you are, what you do or don't believe in, becoming a better person is valued and important in this world. It is more than proving and debating religious beliefs, etc.  

Had I not challenged my beliefs, and behaviors of those in kind, I would not have understood that nothing in this world matters more, than the capacity to live with yourself. 

As long as you find a way to create a solid foundation to build your moral integrity, to stay true and be grounded in who you are, there is no opposition to counter.

In a simplified objective, most are striving for the betterment of one's soul. 

We are all worth weight in gold until one decides not to respect lives in kind. Then becomes darkness, tainted minds, and malice. The evil that festers and prevails. 

No one can influence another human being. You can simply drop notes to guide them, and the choice is always up to that individual, until there is a forced ultimatum, to have no choice at all.

Final Thoughts? 

I believe anyone willing to debate one's choice to betterment is simply screaming for the opportunity to be right. It is an unfortunate waste of time to weigh onto such things when there are more dire topics that need attending to. 

 

We have no right, no need to force, nor enforce, our ideals and "advice" onto others unless that is what they seek on their own and are willing to endure. 

We cannot control what others believe. What we can do is lead with respect for their space and vice versa. 

 It is simply not condemning others and how they live, as long as they too, are in respect of the versatile natures around them. If not, the same standards apply, no matter the title(s) or claim(s). 

  Otherwise, what else is there to debate? Behaviors, intentions, and motives should be at the core of discussions whenever unacceptable immoral practices are performed against another life.   

The only real disagreement is how decisions should be made. Everyone has their way of executing decisions. What is important and must be aligned, are the intentions and behaviors at heart, body, and mind. 

Take the chance to challenge practices outlined through moral standing that you may not agree with, unless realized otherwise. 

Think for yourself, investigate, and you have the potential to come out winning and as a more grounded person because of it.