The first thirty-four chapters of this book have established
loving service to God as the common denominator of all religious faiths.
That common denominator represents the conclusion of the theistic philosophy
of the Vedic culture. The Vedic society was so structured that every living
being had full opportunity to gradually realize God. At the same time, the
Vedic social system was so well organized that it could provide all the
necessities of life for its citizens. This was accomplished much more efficiently
than today's materialistic society, because of the prevailing international
drive for over consumption. Conversely the Vedic society's success was based
on a theistic philosophical structure.
When individually applied, our religious practice will become effective,
and thus favorable to help solve our problems, when it is backed by philosophy,
logic and reason. In the same way, our society will succeed in solving its
problems when we are governed by laws based on a theistic philosophical
system, that is, directed toward God consciousness rather than materialism.
An intelligent person will naturally ask, "What are effective religious
practices?" "What are the real problems of life?" "Why
must religion be backed by philosophy?" "Through which institution
can that combination best help our society?"
Our religious practices are considered effective when they result in love
of God. Anyone can say that he loves God, but love of God is not cheap.
The symptom of love is service to the beloved, God. To the degree that we
increase our love for God, we will naturally lose our attachment for material
life. If there is no detachment from material life, how can there be love
and intimate reciprocation with God and with each other?
We all want to solve the problems of life, but they are endless. A thoughtful
person will naturally try to solve them, but the greatest dilemma is that
we are entangled in material existence. That is, we are caught in the cycle
of birth, disease, old age and death. If we can learn and teach others how
to become free from this cycle and return to the kingdom of God, the Jewish
Garden of Eden, all our other problems will be automatically solved.
All religious scriptures share a common philosophical root, without which
they could not culminate in love of God, as the path and goal. The difficulty
is, the essence of religion, love of God and all of His creation, has been
gradually de-emphasized in many faiths, so the philosophy that has supported
this essential principle, has been minimized. Our faith has been replaced
by attachment to customs, language, and other cultural artifacts.
The Jewish Torah is supported by many literatures such as the Zohar, the
Bahir, the Talmud, and Sefer Yetzirah. They are full of esoteric philosophical
principles, but this literature is not taught to common Jews, and Rabbis
approach these subjects only after many years of study. Additionally, many
of those books have been written in codes and parables that are very difficult,
if not impossible to understand. The written language of Hebrew has also
changed considerably over the centuries. Perhaps more than anything, the
influence of time has drawn the world and religion toward materialism. As
we mentioned in the Introduction to Equality Based on the Soul, "Unfortunately,
due to our deep attachment to materialism, we are conditioned to appreciate
religion in the same manner as we perceive ordinary social activity. That
is, we become attached to identifying with the external or social side of
religion, while we forget its essence - loving service to God." For
Jews, the misdirected philosophy has resulted in the splitting of an original
tradition, which was formerly graced by persons such as Moses, Abraham and
Jacob, who were all dedicated to the mission of God. Judaism is now sometimes
known as "bankers and business" communities. Although one can
be God conscious and still economically well to do, this is generally not
the way people perceive the Jewish community. This is the result of having
lost sight of the philosophical basis of the religious tradition.
A similar fate has distracted the Hindu religion from its original roots.
Although the Hindus accept the Vedas, the scriptures of the Vedic culture;
much of the original purpose of the Vedas has been lost to the world. Since
Çrépäda Çaëkaräcärya appeared to
propagate his philosophy of impersonalism, all of India and the rest of
the world have been adversely affected. According to the impersonalist philosophy,
there is ultimately no eternal loving relationship with God. That is the
ultimate materialistic philosophy because it teaches that we are all God
and therefore we are not accountable to anyone. The ultimate materialistic
dream is to have unrestricted sense enjoyment without accountability. Materialism
always results in frustration and unhappiness, and this is the result of
having separated religious sentiment from the theistic philosophy that supports
it.
Ultimately, every religious tradition in the world is supported by a theistic
philosophy, which is nondifferent from the philosophy found in the Vedas
such as the Bhagavad-gétä and the Çrémad-Bhägavatam.
The words may differ, but the principles are the same. These principles
must be taught to everyone - Equality based on the soul!
The problems among students in the public school system have become acute,
especially where all teachings of God have been removed. Leaders in the
field of education should not expect that a student's religious cultivation
will only take place in the home. They must be taught religion in school,
but not in a sectarian way. At the present moment, most governments of the
world are opposed to teaching about God in the public school system because
they do not know how to teach one student about God without infringing upon
another student's beliefs. They should be taught the basic philosophical
principles, the eternal truths, which are found in every religious tradition.
Even the atheists should be taught those truths, based on logic and reason,
no one can ultimately deny the existence of God. Each person has the free
will to follow the religious tradition he desires, but if he does not properly
understand the philosophical principles that support his religion, he will
not derive much benefit from its practice.
Who will be are our leaders? Religiously qualified or not, they will act
according to their own nature, many will take roles in society as government
leaders, school teachers, scientists, philosophers, and most important,
as parents. In effect everyone will have others under their guidance to
lead or mislead according to their leadership ability, integrity and knowledge
of the absolute truth. Their most important qualification, as our leaders,
will be their knowledge and realization of the science and philosophy of
God, and how to practically apply that science for the benefit of all.
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