Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Science, Religion and Sacred Space
by Mike Van Dam
Religion is a social organization and scientific organizations are the same. The struggle between the two is between social organizations. Spirituality on the other hand is the science of consciousness. The legitimate struggle of science is for truth and facts. The struggle for the thoughts of others may be politics, business, entertainment, religion, or any social enterprize. Pure science weather it is physical, mental or spiritual, is the process of understanding, critical analysis, verification of data, and observation. This may involve communication for the sake of fellow truth seekers. The transition to persuasion, however, takes us out of the realm of science and into the social. Social activity while indispensible, need not confuse itself with science. Leave to Ceasar what is Ceasar's. When these distinctions are clear, the various sciences whether physical or spiritual and the social organizations whether religious or secular will have more respect for one another and can be mutually supportive. The blurring of these bounderies leads to struggle for control. With respect for the activities and needs of both social and scientific endeavors we can foster an environment of understanding and opportunity for the benifit of all. The seeking of truth needs to have a sacred space in our culture that is seperate from the social organizations that surround it. In this way the sacred space becomes a source of inspiration and harmony in the culture. Indeed is indespensable to the flowering of any vibrate culture. Here again it must be remembered that the sacred space of seeking truth must not be confussed with any culture, however wonderful it may appear. When this identification takes place the social rigidities begin and soon the deterioration. Maintaining the sacred space as seperate from whatever social or cultural forms may take shape around it, provides the source of vitality, opportunity, understanding, toleration, respect, law, order, ethics, and a fluid and evolving educational environment. The sacred space of seekers for truth and freedom of it's endeavor along with an active and respectful culture, and common sense social organiztions will give us the best of both worlds.
Religion is a social organization and scientific organizations are the same. The struggle between the two is between social organizations. Spirituality on the other hand is the science of consciousness. The legitimate struggle of science is for truth and facts. The struggle for the thoughts of others may be politics, business, entertainment, religion, or any social enterprize. Pure science weather it is physical, mental or spiritual, is the process of understanding, critical analysis, verification of data, and observation. This may involve communication for the sake of fellow truth seekers. The transition to persuasion, however, takes us out of the realm of science and into the social. Social activity while indispensible, need not confuse itself with science. Leave to Ceasar what is Ceasar's. When these distinctions are clear, the various sciences whether physical or spiritual and the social organizations whether religious or secular will have more respect for one another and can be mutually supportive. The blurring of these bounderies leads to struggle for control. With respect for the activities and needs of both social and scientific endeavors we can foster an environment of understanding and opportunity for the benifit of all. The seeking of truth needs to have a sacred space in our culture that is seperate from the social organizations that surround it. In this way the sacred space becomes a source of inspiration and harmony in the culture. Indeed is indespensable to the flowering of any vibrate culture. Here again it must be remembered that the sacred space of seeking truth must not be confussed with any culture, however wonderful it may appear. When this identification takes place the social rigidities begin and soon the deterioration. Maintaining the sacred space as seperate from whatever social or cultural forms may take shape around it, provides the source of vitality, opportunity, understanding, toleration, respect, law, order, ethics, and a fluid and evolving educational environment. The sacred space of seekers for truth and freedom of it's endeavor along with an active and respectful culture, and common sense social organiztions will give us the best of both worlds.
