Belief

All current religions believe in a Supreme Being.  A God that controls this planet, and probably the Universe.  I have often wondered why each religion believes this, so I have done some thinking.  What I am going to explain I cannot prove.  It is all probable and logical, but not provable.

Anthropologists who study early history of mankind, and archaeologist who dig up ancient cities and areas to discover how mankind used to live, seem to agree that religion or the worshipping of Gods, didn’t start until humans stopped being hunter-gathering nomads.  Then, there were family groups who moved from one area to another to find water and grassy areas where their domesticated animals could feed.  The domesticated animals provided milk, meat, as well as skins and yarn for clothing.  Many of the skins were sewn together to make tents for shelter. 

Around twelve thousand years ago, many of the nomadic groups realised the seeds they found in various areas, if looked after, could produce larger amounts of food, which would not only sustain each family but could be used to barter for different kinds of food from other tribes.   This was a revelation, and from this grew not only villages but large towns.

If you are a farmer, you will know that you cannot rely on Mother Nature to provide the rains, warmth and similar growth of the crops each year.  Now this is where I propose a reason that many religious people, will say is stupid.  But I ask, if it is stupid, put up a good reason as to why!  And it can’t be quoting the Bible, Quran or any similar religious book.  Because that is what you have been taught to say.

Why do we call it Mother Nature?  Because the weather controlled by Mother Nature is the provider of agricultural success.  And, because no one knows from year to year what the weather would be like each season, a desire for good rains, and perfect weather was voiced out loud and when others joined in, Mother Nature was established as a God.  Merely because people found themselves praying for good weather so there would be a successful year with their crops.

But let’s not stop there.  Put yourself back in that time, and remember, you have worked out such a thing as seasons, and which crops are the best food for your family, but other knowledge is limited.  If you found when you prayed hard the season was a good one, wouldn’t you believe in Mother Nature and that your prayers were answered? 

Then of course there is the Sun.  Every day it shines.  Provides warmth and gives light.  Without the sun life would not exist.  The Sun must be very important, even more so than Mother Nature, so the Sun needs to be worshiped so it will never stop shining.  It was discovered that some crops grew better during different phases of the moon.  So, the Moon became a Goddess, not as important as the Sun, but now we have three Gods

For those people who lived near the ocean and caught fish, they knew how dangerous the seas could be.  There had to be a God that controlled the seas, so that God was worshipped. 

Slowly or maybe quickly, prayers to different Gods grew.  But if there were so many Gods, surely there had to be a Big Daddy of them all.  The Father of the Family was in charge, so, somewhere, there was a Big Daddy, that kept an eye on the other Gods.

When I was a child, around eight, I could never understand why people prayed to Jesus.  He was only the son.  The Father was the kingpin.  Even at that age I realised if you wanted something you went to the person at the top.  So, although my Sunday School teacher told me to prayer to Jesus, I didn’t bother, I prayed to the man at the top.  Did it help?  Maybe, I am still alive writing down my thoughts.

Hopefully this explanation can let you see how all our religions probably began.  It amuses me that the instigators in what our current religious people believe, have been given the title of Pagens.  They were not Pagens.  They were people, just like ourselves who wanted a smooth life, where they had a roof over their heads, enough food to eat and children who would help with their jobs and look after the tribe.  Not much to ask, and if that meant praying to a God who controlled the area you wanted looked after, then so be it.  And the big man at the top?  Well, it goes without saying that he needs to be given the most praise. 

By now you are wondering what the reason was behind this explanation?  I mentioned it before.  If we all worship a Supreme Being, there can only be one.  So why aren’t we all one religious group working together to assist the planet?  I guess until those people ruling each religion are happy to give up their power and take on another belief it will remain the same, and each religion will keep saying theirs is the only one, and True God.

Would it be a good thing if all our religions were joined as one?  Well, just think. There would be more power in the one religion than all those smaller ones competing against the others. Also, there wouldn’t be so many arguments as to which religious teachings were right and better than others. 

With one religion everyone would believe in the same thing. Or would they?  I think there would still be people who did not believe in the existence of a God.  But in times of need, people will always pray.  They always have, and generally it doesn’t matter which faith they are attached to.  As long as it makes them feel better, they hope things will improve: and when they do, those people are grateful that their prayers were answered. 

Personally, I believe in something assisting us, and one Supreme Being and one religion could be the answer.  What do you think?

Julie Finch-Scally ©