chuck, At the time of my realization of the depth of my life, I was a thought I was a believer in the salvation of some sort of super power. That may still be true, but feel that leading a life as mentioned in the "golden rule", is the most important thing for one to do, in order to be a productive, and decent, person.
I don't know it is was a rebirth, or more of an awakening of the depth of my degradation, and misery, in the way I was leading my life. I was told, by others, that it had to be an act of God, and was in no shape to argue the point.
To me, tolerance, and comprehension, are integral parts of the sentiment of the golden rule. I have not checked the dates, but I think that Confucius lived prior to the time of Jesus, and he taught the same principle of the golden rule. It is not that I consider confucius some sort of god, but it indicates to me, that men were aware of the need to live a life as represented in the concept of the golden rule.
If every one on earth, had followed the tenet of the golden rule, such things as war would never have happened. The world will not know peace until all realize that principle.
To me, the holy men you mentioned are just mere humans, that take a stand for one belief, or the other, and in many cases, shape it into a form that coincides with their own human thoughts. I do not believe that any of them are closer to the truth than anyone else that delves into his mind, and heart, to find a solution for the woes of life among men.
I cannot bring myself to think that I was responsible for my own "rebirth". IMO, there must have been other influences that forced me to leave the path to perdition, and seek a better way to live, but that is not the important point to me. I am changed for the better, in comparison to what I was, and that is good enough for me. |
