One of the things that makes the world go round is the different perspectives we see to most of life’s topics.
We all come from different contexts where we were brought up by parents who believed they were doing the right thing, giving us perspectives they saw as important to get us through life.
Many of us were brought up in religious households where our parents taught us what their religious leaders taught them was the way to go. For me it was Roman Catholicism, we were taught it was the one true faith and that the priests and those above them were to be believed and obeyed. And so, our perspectives of life and others were shaped by those who believed they had all the answers.
But as we grew and became exposed to other belief systems, our cultural values so often our own perspectives were challenged, and we found ourselves changing.
Not everyone can do that, let go of where they came from and embrace a different philosophy on life or in my case feel I have broadened my spiritual base.
As I’ve aged, I’ve found myself looking deeper into the faith I have, and I have found people who extent my belief systems and challenge me to think more deeply and not accept what I once thought was the only way to view things.
There seems a certain logic in life. For some, it is a simple fact that life is what it is and we have to make the best of what we have been given, and that is a fair way to look at it.
Others see life as more than that, there are opportunities if they come your way to change what you think and do, though realistically not everyone gets those opportunities.
The other day I heard a discussion in which a Franciscan priest suggested that ‘religion was the best place to hide from God.’ My first thought was this man three or more hundred years ago would have been burnt at the stake for heresy. But his logic made sense to me that so many of us get caught up in what someone wrote long ago and adhere blindly to that philosophy.
Our perspectives vary, it would be a dull world if we all held the same views on things. The magic of life is about being open to new perspectives and evaluating whether or not they can sit comfortably with us.
It’s exciting in so many ways to take on the views of others when you know they are new and not as you imagined life to be. You don’t have to accept them, you are free to reject, but occasionally there are issues that sit well with you.
I’m grateful I have been given sufficient intelligence to see beyond a blind adherence to dogma which for the most part is man-made and never the intention of the people/person who originally espoused it.
Written for: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/reenas-exploration-challenge-83/
Morpethroad 
A beautiful write, Michael. I totally agree with what you are saying.
Thanks Helene.
Very well written ! We do indeed have our own perspectives on most things in life.
Religion is the best place to hide from God ………. gives me a lot to think about. Thank you, Michael, for adding your perspective.
It gave me something to think about too.
Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
Perspective …………… by Michael
Michael, since I’ve been reading your writings I can see you are open-minded and not one to blindly adhere to dogma. Very good essay.
Thanks so much Jade
You are very welcome.
I read that with increasing interest. 🙂
I’ll take that as a positive 😃
I, yea, most definitely. I
I began with a tad of resistence, as with many who were brought up in a religion later to change their way. But you didn;t trowel the ‘good words’ on me. Instead, you lead me down a pleasant lane, and into a sunlit meadow. Though I still hold to me non-Biblical views, as you doubtless retain an element of yours.
Excellent read, Michael. Your post stirred my mind in a good way and I enjoyed and agree with your perspective.
Thanks so much Eugenia.
My pleasure, Michael.
Excellent writing. ‘The magic of life is about being open to new perspectives and evaluating whether or not they can sit comfortably with us.’ so true. One has to be intelligent and open-minded to appreciate others perspective.
Yes and not always easy Indira. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
You are welcome, dear.