An ancient wisdom
is desperately needed right now
Minnesotans are insisting that their neighbors are their neighbors whether they were born in Minneapolis or Mogadishu. That is, arguably, a deeply Christian philosophy, one apparently loathed by some of the most powerful Christians in America.
For too long, Western religion has been used as a tool for control — relying on oppression, fear, hatred, and greed to accomplish this purpose. It frames both people and the natural world as objects to be managed rather than relationships to be honored. In recent years, I have stepped away from white evangelical xtianity (they don’t adhere to his teachings so why should his name be in their title?) which promotes this worldview. I have become opposed to the ego-driven model of domination it promotes. I no longer believe the world is something to control or conquer, nor that order should be imposed from above. Power does not flow through force, hierarchy, or coercion, and obedience is not superior to understanding. Moral clarity emerges through self-examination, not blind certainty.
This way of seeing and relating to the world aligns closely with Taoist philosophy — an ethic of attunement (not atonement) rather than control — harmony rather than domination.
In a similar departure from what Western religion has largely become over the past eighteen centuries, is an ethic of nonviolence. So is a focus on inner purity over external law, intention over ritual, and radical compassion over judgment. This, one could argue, is the heart of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Furthermore I’ve come to understand that there is no personal, intervening God — not because divinity is non-existent, but primarily because it is not separate from us. Jesus was not claiming personal superiority (I am the son of god) rather he was pointing to a shared reality: this is what you are too (god), but you don’t know it. What he expressed was a unity of consciousness, not an elevated ego.
In Taoist terms, the Tao cannot know itself as an object, because it precedes all distinction. It comes to know itself through expression and relationship — through the living world. All life is the Tao (or God, if you prefer) experiencing and recognizing itself.
What Jesus was teaching was hijacked and weaponized into an instrument of empire — a theology of domination used to justify colonization, conquest, and control by those claiming “God is with us.” The harm is written across our planet and its people: women, queer communities, Native Americans, non-white populations, and countless others. This violence was not accidental; it flowed from an ego-driven worldview rooted in force, coercion, and power imposed from above.
We are seeing this playing out in real time, on our streets right now as a fascist regime claiming “God is with us” is authorizing deadly force against anyone deemed an enemy of the empire.
For a long time now, the gun rights movement has been animated by the promise of a violent reckoning, a sentiment nurtured by the groups that represent it and Republican politicians, who seek to channel a wild, truculent energy into votes and profits.
“The Violent Reckoning the Gun Rights Movement Long Wanted Is Playing Out in Minneapolis”
How can so many xtians have lost their way? Blinded by fear they buy guns and ammo in bulk. Blinded by hate, they cheer as ICE terrorizes their neighbors. Blinded by greed they demand cheaper eggs in exchange for the peace, happiness, and joy of their neighbors. Don’t they remember that whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will find it?
So, when you blend these universal truths across a wide spectrum of faith traditions what do you get?
Theosophy.
Theosophy is perspective, or theology if you will, which posits a belief in universal spiritual truths. In other words all religions are an expression of an ancient wisdom. Each of these traditions is a partial lenses of the truth.
Humanity is progressing through stages of consciousness over many lifetimes. Reincarnation and karma are core ideas.
Truth is not handed down by authority. It is achieved through ethical living, study, meditation, and self discipline.
It strongly rejects blind faith.
Theosophy is bound up heavily in Buddhism and Hinduism, philosophy, early science. as well as the teachings of Jesus (namely Sermon on the Mount) and is influenced by Taoism as well.
All reality flows from a single, ultimate source, and that the purpose of human life is to return to that source through contemplation and inner transformation (typically achieved through enlightenment, reincarnation, and karma).
Worship and obedience is not required. Instead a direct knowing that the universe is ordered, interconnected and intelligible is pursued through patience, self-love, and self-mastery.'
We all need to turn away from this ego-driven view of power over OUR world and its inhabitants.
In the end - the only thing that will matter is love. Deep down we all know that. For some it’s just buried, hidden, deeper than for others.
Namaste.