~~~ RELIGIONS AND SPIRIT WORSHIP ~~~

Another BBC production that has inspired this topic.

Australasia  is across the waters from Indonesia. Southwest of  Indonesia there is an Island called Sulawesi. It is the third largest Island  of Indonesia. On this Island the indigenous people were and still are called "Bugis" and their history goes back 2500 B.C.E. Bugis is an exonym which represents an older form of the name (To) Ugi.~~which is the endonym.

The Bugis were converted from their indigenous animistic practices and beliefs to Islam in the 17th century. We can characterize their  original form of their belief system as "Spirit worshipers". What is Spirit worship you ask? After all, ~~  the concept  of spirit exists in all religions in one way or another.

Here is my opinion on the matter. ~~ you may have your own:

Spirit worship is widely understood as nature based. It is spirituality in it's rawest form. Humans in the beginning of mankind, long before structured religions existed, ~~  recognized  forces much greater than them. They viewed them as Gods or spirits,  much like Greek and Roman  Mythology.  They  believed they could communicate with them and  tried to gain their favor with various rituals. Certain humans were recognized as Mediums. Some of those rituals involved life sacrifices.

The Bugis who were willing to talk about their spirit worship and   claim to be devoted to Islam seemed to be very comfortable with this. Their spirit worship appears  to be very contradictory to the Islam faith which promotes monotheism and does not accept Spirit Worship. 

I Suspect that the traditions of the indigenous people of all counties are never forgotten and that they will always be part of their life. In some cultures, it would be disrespectful to their ancestors if certain rituals are not remembered and practiced. 

Take for instance, The Native Americans who live at Taos Pueblo in Arizona USA are 90% Catholic. Having said that, they still have their medicine wheel created by stones where they gather  which is otherwise known as "the sacred hoop" The Native Americans used this for astronomical rituals for healing and for teaching purposes. This does not seem to interfere with Catholicism or at least I am not aware of conflicts as  neither the government of the US nor the church interferes with Native American's traditions.

I know  Eastern Christianity believes that Spirit Worship is heresy and some corners of Christianity it would be considered Satan worship as the only spirit recognized is the Holy spirit from the Holy Trinity. 

The Catholic church in Spain was guilty of massacring  the indigenous Indians in South America in the 18th century when the indigenous did not agree to become Christian at the plea of the Jesuit Missionary efforts. In fact a movie was made of this event called "The Mission" with Liam Neeson, Robert De Niro, etc. Then again, Religions have a terrible history of wars in the name of their religion.  

 

I am not here to bash or judge any religion. I am here to share the heart beat of the ancient religions and how some have survived in the 21st. century. To be opened to the evolution of spirituality.

I believe that what is most important for the heart and soul of humans is not just to be good and respect mankind but more importantly be held accountable for the negative energy or what some religions characterize as Sins committed against all life on the planet. We will be judged more for the "Sins" then all the good we have done. Do not hide behind the Vail of the church to commit crimes on humanity . 

 

Peace, love and light to all!

~~~~THE TEMPLES OF HUMANKIND ~~~~

 Earth Hall image in the temple

I also want to give credit to one of our followers for  this post, Stella, from Australia for bringing this series to my attention.

I have been inspired to make this post by the BBC production  of  "80 Faiths around the world". I have viewed many of the videos and will post some of them  over time. They are fascinating. You may not believe what some humans have invested in their belief system. There are so many unconventional belief systems, you will be amazed.  The host is Peter Owen Jones, a Vicar from the English Church.

I have started this series with The Temples of Humankind, also called Damanhur Temples after the ancient Egyptian temple Damanhur  which is a huge subterranean structure. It has  a series of underground temples. Today it is surrounded by a sort of esoteric community of the Damanhurians, with vineyards, farms, and bakeries. The infrastructure includes organic supermarkets, schools, even an university. And many of the people live in award-winning Eco homes.This is a movement inspired by Oberto Airaudi who, claimed to have visions of ancient temples at age 10 from a previous life. He  began excavation and building in August 1978. By profession he was an Insurance broker.  

The Temples are located in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, 30 miles From Turin, in the valley of Valchiuella. They are as far underground as 100 feet. There are seven halls in the temple traditionally as follows:

Hall of Water – dedicated to the feminine principle, it is in the shape of a chalice and invites receptivity  

Blue Hall – for meditation on social matters and is used as a place of inspiration and reflection

Hall of Earth – dedicated to the masculine principle, to the earth as an element and planet and to past and future reincarnations  

Hall of Metals – represents the different ages and developmental stages of humankind and the shadow elements of the human psyche  

Labyrinth Hall – showing Interfaith worship through the centuries, uniting different cultures and peoples. 

 Hall of Spheres – positioned where 3 syn-chronic lines merge, inviting planetary contact and transmission of messages, ideas and dreams to create harmony between nations 

Hall of Mirrors – dedicated to the sky, air and light, solar energy, strength and life. There are 4 altars to earth, water, air and fire. These halls represent the inner space of the human being.

The basis of this spirituality that has been reported to be is Harmony with all living things on this planet. Having said that, ~~ there are those who believe that this community believes in Time Travel. Some say this is nothing more than a cult, practicing mind control, ~~ that their social behavior is questionable. 

What I appreciate from this faith is not just the concept of Harmony, but that all living things on this planet have a special energy. In this video you will see the plants create music and respond to human emotions. In the video you will be amazed to hear this music or at least be reminded that plants do make sounds.

Below is one of many videos on the subject of 80 faiths around the world. This is one is dedicated to the subject of Damanhurian Philosophy and Theology.

Learning and acknowledging other human's belief  system offers the opportunity to unite as one. We do not have to practice their system, just respect it and work towards oneness.

You can see other videos linked to this video on 80 faiths in around the world.This will give you more background on Peter Owen and his quest over the year of his research.

"We should believe what we want to believe ~~ As long as you do not hurt others".

~~Quote by Peter Owen Jones~~

 Be well in spirit and body! In Love and Light!