How many truly believe in God?

Sad is the day when we become confused and believe that God needs us to defend His name. He needs no defender. He is almighty, all powerful and no human can be His equivalent. If He wants Ai Wei to return to him, then that's that! Never can prevent or stop His power to do so.

At this point, there may be some who wonder which God I am talking about. Well, God is god. If you hear 'God', and you are a Christian, certainly you think of your Christian god; if a Muslim, you will think of your Muslim god; the Taoist, taoist dieties; the Hindus, Hindu dieties and other religions, their gods or dieties. Of course, there are people who are atheist. Atheist may think of whichever god the speaker professes to. As for me, God is just God as I am a monotheist. Yes, I do believe in the existence of God but I do not belong to any religion. I only belong to God.

Some may be curious enough to enquire the reason for my not joining one of the religions. In my previous postings, I have written on this. It is all due to my search for truth. When i was young I was interested enough to visit and witness any religious function that I came to know of. I have been to church, temples, shrines and mosques. However, that does not mean that I have seen them all. I believe there is much that I have yet to see or know. However, even to this I continue to see and hear much of what turned me away from religions. The trouble with me is that I am too observant and notice the many human failings that happen in religions. It is humans who organise things, sometimes according to their wishes and need to control others, and it is unfortunate for me that I realise the power held by these humans veered them away from the path of God.

Of course, there are many good people too in religions. I was for some years happily following Brother Love (a most suitable name for him as he really shows that to everyone he meets) around in his church in Alor Star, Kedah, attending his sermons, taking part in the church activities. He was one pastor who showed me what the church could do for people. In Malaysia, there is the ex-Perlis Mufti who has often reveal to us the true teaching of the holy book, Koran. There was also my own uncle in Penang who agreed to have his body used by the Elephant God to help heal the sick, sacrificing his family, his own future and eventually his own strength in order that others be healed. In healing others, he was not allowed by the Elephant God to collect payment or ask for donations. From him, I was told Ganeshan, the Elephant God, told him that only a donation box can be placed on his table and that money will be available whenever there is a real need for it. His temple was left unattended by anyone as nobody was interested in looking after a temple which brings no economical benefits. Well, there are many who sees the truth and do their part in their own way.  

In my knowledge on religion, I understand that Muslim and Christians pray to the same god. I was told that Prophet Muhammad was the last of the prophets while Jesus was the first. Of course, in Christianity, Jesus was known as the son of God. Nevertheless, if it is true that Islam recognises the Jews and the Christians as People of the Book, then it should be accepted that the God they pray to is the same God. Yet, go through history and we find religious wars between them with hatred still fermenting among the Muslims and the Jews to this day. Is that what religion teaches us, to have hatred among us, His creations? Even in my own country, some of the Muslims are at loggerheads with the Christians over the use of the Arabic word "Allah', which is a word that originated from the Middle-Eastern countries meaning in English 'God' and in the Malaysian Language 'Tuhan'.  And it is because the word for god in the Malaysian Language is 'Tuhan' that we find the use of the word 'Tuhan' in our Malaysian National Anthem.

See, problems arise due to the people who wrongly manage the religions. Since, 'to err is human' do occur from time to time, I find it easier to just believe in Him. After all, He hears me wherever I may be. He sees me no matter where I go. He knows I know my Creator. And He understands that I am answerable to Him. No, I do not wish to be answerable to just any human who can 'err because he is human'.

Furthermore, when we see the wrongs being done, do we ever wonder if those religious followers who commit those wrongs ever believe that their wrongs are always seen, heard and known by Him? Do those wrong-doers who are followers of one religion or another ever think of God watching every move they make whenever they wanted to murder, steal or curse someone? Do they really believe in God or is religion merely a tool for their own advancement?

Of course, that does not mean that a God-believing individual can do no wrong. After all, we are humans. We do make mistakes. But knowing that God is watching, we make less wrongs, possibly when we forget ourselves and the presence of God while experiencing strong emotions. Still, it is not an excuse to commit sin. However, the belief in God will lead us away from temptations to veer away from the right path. Talking to God helps us to be strong in ways more than one. I believe it has helped me attain more than twenty years of freedom from illness. When I tell God I will be strong, I begin to think of ways to be so. A healthy life-style, healthy food, exercise and sufficient sleep can be easier to achieve to strive for excellent health. With health comes greater happiness.

So, no matter which religion we belong to, God is always with us. It is time that we use religion to be closer to God and not to be more powerful than others. Imagine how beautiful this world can be if everyone truly believes in Him and practices what all religions teach. There will be no immoral deeds, no stealing or killing, no quarrels amongst nations, no extremism, no terrorists and better understanding among humans.