I wrote to Paul and said:
You say:
>This is what I was noticing when I visited Jerusalem. People praying to an
>idea. In other words most people’s God are filled by psycho-emotional
>conditioning. 

>And I think you have said all this somewhere.
>No room for presence which is so different than any concept of the mind.
>If you deny someone’s God you are not insulting the universe at all.
>Actually if you affirm someone’s idea of God you are insulting the mystery of
>the universe, because these are concepts that separates each of us.

>This conditioning has nothing to do with who we are in a “the natural
>universe.”  Yet it is forced upon as if it is natural.
>Right there is the seal that starts to unravel the mind.

>Does this make sense?
AS

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Paul responds:

"To me, all religious, and most 'spiritual' people are underdeveloped.
Primitive.
A less friendly way of putting it is that they are stupid.

We are supposed to respect someone's right to their religion. Of course.
But we are not 'allowed' to offer our opinion if it does not agree with the
hearer? That is a universal trick.

One of the major cons is if we say we do not agree with the Jewish rituals -
we are labelled Anti-Semitic.

Arabs are the same - only they are a little more hands-on about it.
Some Christians will also kill if they can get away with it, but they
usually use a more slimy approach - 'I will pray/prey for you.'
And, even if we have proof, in some countries we can be put into prison if
we deny that the holocaust only was done to the Jews.
What a bunch of ignorant idiots we are!

Please let us get this very clear - I respect everyone, everyone - even if
their behaviour is stupid. In my opinion they have a right to be who they
are. But that does not mean that I respect what I see as there their stupid
behaviour. I respect who they really are.
To me, the serial killer is also to be respected.
I think we have a lot of them in the armed forces.

Religion, and most spiritual practices are about fear.
May I suggest that you let that in? Fear.
Underdeveloped people feel they need a security blanket.
So they created God. God is not the creator, they are.
(And god is created in their own image.)

And he/she/it is very convenient. You can pray/prey for what you want.
You can blame if things are 'not going your way.'
And just a few pennies donated, and a last minute confession - and there are
in everlasting heaven. Isn't that naive/primitive?

Someone on IMLtalk was writing about hearing an inner voice suggesting they
'bow their heads.' How disgusting! The programmed mind spinning out trash -
in order not to offend, and thus be 'safe.'

Instead, try this: Hold up your head. Take your place in your life/on the
planet/in the universe.
Be brave - let yourself feel filled with the blessing of being alive.
"Thou art That." "The Kingdom of God is within."
Actually be: The Toa, The Hidden Harmony.
"Rejoice, rejoice, again I say, rejoice"

That does not mean arrogance - just the opposite. "Blessed are the meek."
But surely, that does not mean submissive. And to what/whom.
It does not make you better than anyone else, for surely, we are all That.

Go on - try it for a day. Dare. Drop all that old conditioning that tells
you you are not worthy. If you are alive, you must be doing something right
- and getting approval of somebody/something.
Dare to be your non-serious unique self.

And have fun...