Ultimate Reality Research Paper

Has your perception / understanding of Ultimate Reality (or absence thereof) changed over the course of your life?

My simple answer to this question would be, “Yes”. Just as with other things that transpire in our lives, we change our views, reactions, etc based on these circumstances that arise in our lives. I would have to say that what I was taught about God was that he existed, that you don’t play with him, and that we HAD to pray every night before bed. As far as any extensive explanation, it didn’t happen. My beliefs are truly based on being introduced to church and the bible, but mostly on my eagerness to question things that just didn’t seem right to me around the religion I was being taught in comparison to the actions of my fellow Christians.
I became a member and was baptized at my current church in 1976 when I was a young child. Looking back, I realize that I joined the church because I saw my mother doing it. After attending church for many years, my membership afforded me a great support system and some lifelong friendships were formed.

Now, moving ahead to my adult years; I strayed from the church because of politics and business as usual attitudes. It appeared to
me that people were not open to change or new ideas. Members were judgmental of the youth because of their attire or if someone came to church drunk you would see the stares. It was my understanding (taught by these same people who looked down their noses at these people) that GOD is a merciful GOD and a forgiving GOD. I also didn’t or couldn’t understand why no one was reaching out to these people. So many people today are turned off by the church or so called Christians because of these prejudices; so, if a person only has one pair of pants or maybe a little hung-over, they should miss out on an opportunity to possibly hear an Iife changing message? These are questions that each us claiming to serve GOD or a higher being needs to ask ourselves. If everyone’s lives were perfect and in order according to the gospel then we wouldn’t need a place to worship. Do we go to the doctor when we are healthy? As I look back now, I realize that some members of the church saw the people that came to church drunk or “Dressed wrong for church” it was simply a reflection of what they used to be and the sight to them is one of shame and disgust. But, I would say, GOD showed mercy to you, why can’t you extend that same mercy and grace onto your brother or sister? Often time’s people have the attitude of, I made it and he/she has to make it on their own. If everyone subscribed to this notion, this world would be worse off that we are now. I gained understanding of the bible, but I also had a lot of questions regarding scriptures in the bible (after all, it was written by man) some members would adamantly say, “You don’t question GOD”! These typical responses simply clarify my point on Christians going about business/practice as usual and having no desire to learn something different.
Experiences in my life have taught me that it is ok to question GOD; and by doing so, he will give you answers and discernment. As a result of questioning GOD, things have been revealed to me through what I know now as divine intervention and have helped me make better choices regarding my life.
The attitudes of the so called Christians changed me, but in a positive way. I began creating programs in my community and have been working with people who are or were formerly homeless, addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and have been doing so for fifteen years. I believe that we have to serve and help and be kind to one another; it isn’t just for two hours on Sunday morning and when you leave the building (I say building, because I believe that we the people are the church and that everyone has a story or a message.) you are not kind to your fellow brother or sister. I further believe that it is up to us to promote this message by living as we believe we should. Not just talking about it but doing something about it.
These experiences could have jaded me if I allowed it to, but I chose to have an effect on change by helping fellow mankind. I have received flack from “Christians” who have said to me, “He/she is a drunk or they use drugs, why are you giving them a ride, or why do you give them money when they ask for it; they are not going to use it on food, they are just telling you that so they can use the money to get high”! As long as I am giving with a clean heart and my intentions are for the greater good, then I have done what I am supposed to do. All people want in life is for someone to believe in them and to feel that they have a purpose; so if I can make someone feel good by giving them a ride when they are the stinkiest, then I am treating my fellow brother as I would want to be treated. Jesus hung with the least of them, so why can’t we.

I can’t say that I am keen on “religion” because I saw and still see it as a manmade, tradition oriented, and oppressive when used wrong. When I was younger, I really thought that anything good or bad that happened in my life, was because of something I did. I knew nothing about blessings, and forgiveness! You stepped on my toe and I was ready to fight and maybe never speak to you again!
As I’m older I KNOW that there is a creator, no matter what sh/e may be called. There is something bigger than me, and I don’t have the need to have all the answers. I don’t debate my spiritually anymore, it’s ok if you don’t believe what I believe, but I hope that my interactions with humanity shows some kind of God light in me!.

Also as a result of being older and spiritually connected in addition to unexplainable events in my life, I no longer believe in coincidences- EVERYTHING happens for a reason- if I forget something in the morning, and have to go back, I feel that there is a reason for the delay.
Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be at that “intersection” at that time I would have normally been there. I believe now, that it’s not what I SAY I am when it comes to saying I’m a Christian, it’s how I represent him! I realize now that God has kept me from hunger, homelessness, etc….and NOT myself. Although that’s what I thought when a check would unexpectedly appear in my mailbox from a former job saying I was due this. I thought it was the job and never thought about God. I now know it was always
God!