The Great Divide

A Dialogue Between Faith and Truth

 Practitioner:

 Do we not seek to warm ourselves when we are cold?

To cool ourselves when we are hot?

It is but instinct. Natural.

Then why do we accept what we know are lies?

Faith is but belief without evidence.

Is it not instinctive or natural to seek the Truth?

 Believer:

You're comparing basic survival instincts to truth like they're the same thing. But they're not.

Warming yourself when you're cold? That's about the body. The Truth I live by—that's about the soul.

Do you think we accept lies? No. We reject your version of Truth because we already know The Truth. It's not instinct—it's revelation. It's faith. And just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't real.

You're trying to measure what's eternal with the tools of the temporary. That's your mistake.

I don't follow my faith because it's easy—I follow it because it's right. Because it's been tested, refined, and proven in my life.

If you want to believe, instinct leads to Truth. Fine. My instinct led me to God. And no amount of clever questions will pull me away from that.

Practitioner:

You say your faith is Truth because it's been "proven in your life."
But personal conviction isn't proof—it's belief. And belief, no matter how deep, doesn't make it the Truth.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law doesn't confuse belief with Truth.
It accepts what is.

There is no "your truth" or "my truth." There is only the Truth—objective, unchanging, and governing, regardless of whether we recognize it.

Yes, it's instinct to seek warmth when we are cold. That's survival.
And just as naturally, we seek the Truth.
But the Truth doesn't always comfort—it clarifies. It reveals. It requires us to let go of illusions, even cherished ones.

You say you've been led to God. But can you point to what led you—not what you believed, but what you could observe, test, and confirm within our shared reality?

If not, then what you're holding onto isn't Truth.
It's belief. And belief, by its nature, is speculation.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law does not reject God.
It rejects untruth.
It does not ask for faith—it asks for honesty.
Not comfort, but clarity.
Not salvation, but responsibility.

Because, in the end, we do not live by what we believe.
We live by the Truth.

Believer:

You say you live by the Truth—but who decides what that is? You say it's objective, observable, testable. But your instruments are limited. Your senses are flawed. Even your reason is bound by the assumptions you bring to it. You demand evidence for God as though God were a rock or a formula. But God is not an object in your lab. God is the source behind it all—the reason your world exists in the first place.

You call belief speculation. But you, too believe in things you cannot fully prove: justice, love, beauty. You trust your reason—why? Because it works? So does mine. Faith works. And not just for me—for billions of people across generations. Is all of that just a coincidence? Delusion?

You say the Philosophy of the Divine Law doesn't reject God, just untruth. But when it denies revelation, denies the soul, denies what cannot be tested—it closes the door on the very reality I know most deeply. Faith is a kind of seeing. It's not blindness—it's sight beyond sight.

You say we must let go of cherished illusions. But what if your refusal to believe is the illusion? What if your search for certainty has made you deaf to what speaks in silence?

I don't reject your search for Truth. I respect it. But don't presume mine is lesser because it doesn't fit your frame. You test for what you expect to find. I was found by what I wasn't looking for.

You live by the Truth, you say. So do I.

But my Truth has a name. And I live by it in faith.

Practitioner:

You say your Truth has a name. But Truth does not name itself. People do.
You speak of faith as "sight beyond sight." But when we cannot see, we imagine. And imagination—no matter how sacred it feels—is not confirmation.
You ask who decides what the Truth is. The answer is no one. That's what makes it Truth. It does not belong to me—or you. It is not what we believe or hope for. It simply is. Our role is not to shape it but to seek and accept it, no matter where it leads or how it feels.
Yes, I value reason. Not because I believe in it but because it works across all lives, not just my own. Belief can be inherited, shaped by culture, and reinforced by emotion. But Truth transcends all that. The sun does not rise differently depending on who's watching.

The number of people who believe something does not make it the Truth.
People once believed the Earth was the center of the solar system and flat.
That evil spirits caused illness.
That slavery was divinely justified. And so much more that we now know was false.
The Truth does not conform to belief, no matter how many believe it.
Yet, it governs us whether we acknowledge it or not.

You say I test only for what I expect to find. But that's the difference: I test. You trust. And while trust has its place, it is not a substitute for what can be shown, shared, and understood within our shared reality.
You call this world limited. I call it honest. And if something is beyond it, it will reveal itself in Truth—not through the veil of belief, but through what is.
You live by your named Truth. I live by the Truth: unnamed, unshaped, unowned.
And I live not in certainty—but in responsibility.

Believer:

You speak as if what can't be tested can't be true—as if the eternal must submit to the temporary to be real. But some truths don't arrive in a lab. They come in silence, in suffering, in surrender. You call that imagination. I call it grace.

You say Truth doesn't name itself. But how do you explain the voice that speaks when no one else is there? The change that comes not from logic but from love? The clarity that breaks through when the mind is quiet, not active?

You say belief is shaped by culture. So is reason. So is science. Everything we use to interpret the world is filtered through human limitations. But God isn't limited by that. Revelation isn't culture—it's interruption. It's disruption. It's the Truth arriving uninvited, undeniable.

You test because you think Truth must make itself provable. But the deepest things in life don't come with proof. You love. You hope. You grieve. Not because those things can be measured—but because they're real. That's how I know God.

You say you live by the unnamed. I live by the Name I was given. You call it ownership. I call it a relationship.

And responsibility? I carry that, too. But mine comes with meaning. Because I am not just part of reality—I am known by the One who made it.

Practitioner:

You say some truths don't arrive in a lab. That they come in silence, suffering, and surrender. But pain and vulnerability do not validate what we come to believe during them. Sincerity is not a measure of Truth. It is a measure of how much we want what we believe to be true.

You ask how I explain the voice that speaks when no one else is there.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law calls that voice God's Divine Essence—a distinct and instantly recognizable presence of thought, inherent within, that guides our actions toward the most favorable outcome for ourselves, other people, and our current environment.

Though inherent within all, God's Divine Essence is not apparent to all. And it cannot be proven from one to another. That's why I do not use it to make claims or demands. It is not authority. It is responsibility. You call it communion. I call it guidance that can lead to a clear conscience.

You speak of love, hope, grief—real things, you say, that cannot be measured. But their effects can be observed. They are not mysterious forces; they are human experiences. They belong to our shared reality—not to another realm.

You call revelation disruption. But what is disrupted is not the world—it's your view of it. Revelation is only as true as the lens through which it's interpreted. And lenses vary from person to person, religion to religion, generation to generation.

You say you live by the Name you were given. But names come from people. Cultures. Scriptures. The Truth does not change when the name does. Nor does it require belief to be what it is.

You say I test because I think Truth must make itself provable. Not provable—demonstrable. Shareable. That which governs us all must be accessible to all—not just felt by a few. Otherwise, we mistake the personal for the universal.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law does not seek to diminish meaning. It seeks to free it from illusion.

So yes, I live by the unnamed. Not because I deny relationship but because I refuse to confuse comfort with clarity. I do not claim to know—I seek to become aware.

You carry responsibility, you say. So do I. But mine is not granted by grace. It is accepted by choice—not in certainty, but in responsibility.

Believer:

You speak of illusion, but what you call illusion, I call the unseen. You say the Truth must be shareable to be real. But not everything true is transferable. Some things are known only in the living, not the proving.

You say the voice within is God's Divine Essence. I don't argue with that—not entirely. But I don't just feel guidance—I know presence. Not suggestion, but communion. That voice doesn't just direct—it speaks, not toward an outcome, but from a source.

You say you test. I trust. And you're right—we do differ. But trust isn't weakness. It's how relationships begin. It's how love works. And what I know of God, I didn't deduce—I encountered.

I hear you when you say your guidance doesn't demand authority. But Truth, if it governs us, isn't passive. It doesn't just exist—it calls. And I've answered that call not with comfort but with cost.

You want something observable, something demonstrable. But if all you ever seek is what can be proven, you'll only find what fits your tools. Some things require presence, not proof. Faith is not blindness—it is the willingness to walk where the light does not yet reach.

You live in responsibility. So do I. But mine includes reverence.

Because I believe the Truth is not just what is.

It is Who Is.

Practitioner:

Thank you for a civil discussion. I don't take it lightly. In a world where disagreement often breeds contempt, honest dialogue is rare—and valuable.

You speak of presence. I do not deny that what you've experienced feels real. But the Philosophy of the Divine Law doesn't rest on what feels true. It rests on Truth—regardless of how we feel.

You call faith willingness. I call it a wager. And while I respect the courage it takes to follow what you believe, I cannot accept it as Truth simply because it brings you reverence or comfort.

You say the Truth is not just what is—but Who Is.

But I have found that Truth, by its nature, is not someone. It is no one's possession, no one's voice, no one's name.

It is that which governs us all, whether we acknowledge it or not. It is what remains when belief dissolves, hope falters, and emotion clears. It is the structure within which love, trust, and reverence flourish—or fail.

The Truth does not change. We must be willing to change as we come to know it.

And so I walk not by faith but by awareness. Not because it is easier, but because it is honest and does not require belief.

The moment we stop demanding that the world conform to what we believe and accept the Truth that governs our shared reality, we will finally overcome our divisions. Our salvation is in our hands, not in belief, faith, or revelation, but in the Truth.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

The Boogeyman

When I was a child, my mother used to tell me that if I didn't come into the house before dark, the boogeyman would catch me, put me in his sack, and take me away. I didn't know what the boogeyman was or what he looked like, but in my mind, he was creepy, mean, and grotesque.

What my mother told me frightened me. I didn't want the boogeyman to catch me, so I did what she wanted and came in before dark. For the first few years of my childhood, my fear of the boogeyman kept me in line.

When my mother first told me about the boogeyman, I accepted what she said. I didn't question her. Nor did I doubt her. She told me there was a boogeyman—so there was a boogeyman!

But around the age of six, my fear began to fade. Not because I was older or wiser, but because most of my friends had stopped believing in the boogeyman. The word on the street was that parents had made up the boogeyman to frighten their children into doing what they wanted them to do.

I started pestering my mother daily with questions. Who is this boogeyman? Where does he live? When he puts children in his sack, where does he take them? What does he do with them?

After much relentless questioning, my mother finally admitted that the boogeyman wasn't real. Parents had invented him to frighten their children into obedience. And just like that, I learned a valuable lesson: question… everything!

Now, I'm not saying that at six years old, I went around interrogating everyone. I didn't. But over time, I stopped believing whatever people said just because they said it. When I had doubts, I asked questions. Lots of them! When I wasn't satisfied with the answers, I searched for them myself.

As adults, we have a responsibility to ask questions. We shouldn't continue to follow a path simply because it's the one our parents showed us or because someone frightened us into believing it's the only way. We are supposed to examine the road for ourselves—by questioning whether the information we've been given is the Truth.

Our fears keep us silent. And much like the fears we had as children, they sanction our belief in the boogeyman.

Whether the boogeyman is the fear planted in our minds by the lies and innuendo spread by unethical news commentators and politicians—or the boogeyman that religious leaders perpetuate to keep us in fear of the gods and demons that represent their doctrines—the result is the same: they keep us afraid.

But we are adults. Believing in the boogeyman keeps us childlike and fearful. Adults grow up and overcome their fears.

The entire time I believed in the boogeyman, my fear controlled me. It convinced me that if I didn't do what my mother said, the boogeyman would catch me, throw me in his sack, and take me somewhere no one would ever find me. That was scary!

To control someone's fear is to hold power. It allows parents to manage their children, religions to intimidate their followers, and governments to subdue entire nations. When we allow others to govern what makes us afraid, we hand them control over our lives.

But fear is not all-powerful. It is not all-encompassing. Fear has a nemesis—a very formidable one: Truth.

When we seek, accept, and apply the Truth, we can confront and subdue our fears.

We no longer run from fear—we overcome it. We stop allowing mythological gods, angels, devils, demons, superstitions, and mystical mumbo-jumbo to frighten us. Instead, we pull them from the darkness of our ignorance and expose them to the light of knowledge and understanding.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law teaches that by accepting the Truth, we free ourselves from fear. A person who knows the Truth but does not accept or apply it consigns themselves to the control of others.

Living in alignment with the Truth, we no longer wait to be told what is right—we search for it ourselves. We do not tremble at the unknown or obey out of fear of punishment; we act because we understand. Our choices are no longer shaped by threats or myths but by knowledge, compassion, and responsibility.

In this light, we are no longer children frightened by imaginary monsters but the conscious stewards of our reality—living not beneath the weight of fear but within the clarity of Truth.

Fear is our greatest enemy. But acceptance of the Truth will always be its most powerful foe.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

The Courage To Be

In a world shaped by longstanding religious traditions and anthropocentric worldviews, the notion of "God" has often been defined in human terms, projected as a paternal figure, a sovereign ruler, or a divine overseer. Yet such conceptions, rooted in cultural narratives and historical constructs, may obscure a deeper, more universal understanding. To move beyond inherited images and embrace an unflinching confrontation with reality requires what philosopher Paul Tillich described as "the courage to be." Within this framework, courage is not merely a form of resistance or resilience but the willingness to risk and endure ostracization to accept and live by the Truth when it dismantles comforting illusions. In this sense, one might have to display such courage to posit that God is not a personified or paternal figure but a metaphor for that which is innate and integral within the composition of our shared reality: Objective Truth.

This perspective challenges conventional theology by severing the link between divinity and personhood. The anthropomorphic God, fashioned in the likeness of human beings and imbued with desires, emotions, and judgments, represents an externalization of human traits onto the cosmos. The paternal God, often viewed as a protector, disciplinarian, or moral authority, reinforces structures of hierarchy and dependence. To reject these depictions is not to abandon the concept of God altogether but to free our understanding from human-centered limitations.

However, going forward, it is necessary to distinguish objective Truth from personal belief or cultural tradition to facilitate a more concise understanding. In this context, objective Truth refers to what exists independently of our perceptions—what is observable, consistent, and verifiable within the structure of reality. It does not shift with opinion or vary by faith. Rather than reflecting human desire or doctrine, it is the underlying order to which all are subject, whether acknowledged or not. To speak of God as Objective Truth is not to reduce the divine to an idea but to detect the sacred within the very fabric of our shared reality.

To reframe God as a metaphor for Objective Truth is to ground divinity in the empirical rather than the speculative. It acknowledges that what governs existence is not belief, doctrine, or divine fiat but the immutable laws inherent within the structure of our reality. Gravity does not require faith. The laws of thermodynamics are not subject to personal interpretation. The biological interdependence of ecosystems functions independently of myth or tradition. They are the Truth. They do not ask for worship; they demand recognition. They are not hidden or esoteric but evident to all who look—whether through the lens of science, reason, or direct experience. In this view, God is not above or outside of us but inherent within everything indigenous to our shared reality.

To adopt such a perspective requires epistemic humility and existential courage. Rather than clinging to inherited certainties, one must choose intellectual honesty. It means acknowledging that all beliefs about God, including the Philosophy of the Divine Law's conceptualization, are shaped by human thought and limited by human understanding. Yet this does not reduce their value; rather, it places responsibility on the individual to discern meaning not through tradition or authority but through a commitment to the Truth as it reveals itself, not as one wishes.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law confirms this understanding, asserting that all beliefs about God are purely conceptual and speculative. It emphasizes that Truth, rather than faith or doctrine, is the foundation of a fulfilling life. Our purpose, therefore, is not to control or flee the world but to live in harmony with the reality we all share. We achieve fulfillment not by awaiting salvation but by nurturing stewardship, practicing integrity, and recognizing that our collective well-being lies within our own hands.

The courage to be is more than a philosophical posture; it is a call to live authentically within the bounds of what can be known, tested, and shared. It is to abandon the comforting fiction of a paternal God and instead embrace the Truth: objective, universal, and inherent in the very fabric of existence. This is not the end of meaning but the beginning of understanding. It is not the rejection of the divine but its rightful repositioning—not as an external judge but as the ever-present Truth of our shared reality that governs and unites us all.

Be well.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

We Already Live the Truth

After telling me the “Good news” about their religion, I often find that people are reluctant to listen to what I say about the Philosophy of the Divine Law. It’s not that they’re rude. It’s more like they become fearful. Afraid to open their minds to what I have to say. Even when what I’m telling them is what they’re doing anyway.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law is not a distant ideal, a new religion, or a system that requires conversion. It articulates something most of us already know—and, often unknowingly, already doing.

Whether religious, secular, spiritual, agnostic, or indifferent, we all live within the boundaries of a shared reality. Within that reality, outcomes are not determined by what we believe but by what we do. This is not philosophy—it is how life actually works.

So, to illustrate, I’m going to talk about three of the Philosophy of the Divine Law’s core principles:

·        The choices we make determine the quality of our lives

·        We must do the labor our goals require to achieve them

·        and success is not determined by what we believe but by what we do. 

1.     The choices we make determine the quality of our lives.

Every human being makes choices every day—some conscious, some unconscious. These choices shape the direction and quality of our lives. Not because a deity rewards us and not because of fate—but because decisions carry consequences.

This principle is not unique to any one worldview. It’s universal. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, religion, or what we believe about the nature of the universe, the fact remains: our lives are shaped by the decisions we make. And they determine its quality.

2.     We must do the labor our goals require to achieve them.

Formal education, economic success, yard work, and any other goal we seek to achieve are not gained through prayer or belief. They are earned through action, effort, and responsibility. This is the truth whether one is profoundly religious or entirely secular. No one reaches their goals by hoping, praying, and performing rituals unless hoping, praying, and performing rituals is their goal. Prayers might change things, but not flat tires. You must do the labor your goals require before you can achieve them! So, nothing new here. The Philosophy of the Divine Law reflects reality as reality functions: results follow effort!

3.     Success is not determined by what we believe but by what we do.

Beliefs may offer comfort, identity, or community, but belief alone does not yield results. People of all faiths and of none succeed and fail alike. The rain falls on the pious, the atheist, and the indifferent farmer’s crops. What makes the difference is not their beliefs—but their actions!

Therefore, the Philosophy of the Divine Law does not ask us to change our beliefs but to observe our shared reality, do what it requires, and take full responsibility for how we live within it.

The Truth is not hidden. It is always present.

• We experience joy when we live with purpose.

• Most regret when we harm others, or our intentions and actions go awry.

• We witness how kindness, responsibility, and effort produce tangible change.

• And we recognize that what helps or harms us also helps or harms others.

• We are all equal as human beings.

The path forward is not through belief but through conscious, ethical, courageous living and acceptance of the Truth.

So, the Philosophy of the Divine Law does not impose a new rulebook. It reveals the way things have been all along:

That truth is supported by the physical laws that govern our reality. That Good and Evil begin as thoughts. Sin and Malevolent Acts are actions we take. And that meaning is what we create.

We already live the Truth. What makes the difference is whether we live it... knowingly.

Be well.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

A Mind Unafraid - A Deep Dive

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A Mind Unafraid

For Future Minds

If you are reading this, and the world as you know it has changed—if old beliefs have failed you, if the myths no longer comfort, if the rituals feel hollow, and if truth feels like the only thing left—you are not alone.

What you hold here is not a religion. It is not a prophecy. It is not another set of rules to memorize or authorities to obey. It is a compass: the Philosophy of the Divine Law. A path for those who no longer seek to be saved, but to understand. For those who have discovered that reality, no matter how painful, is more sacred than illusion.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law was not created to convert the world of its time. It was created because someone hoped that one day you might be ready.

Ready to trade belief for evidence. Ready to choose responsibility over comfort. Ready to love—not because a book told you to, but because the truth awakened it in you.

You might be surrounded by ruins. Or maybe you are standing at the beginning of something new. Either way, if you embrace this philosophy, the truth still matters to you. And that means the world still has hope.

Let the Philosophy of the Divine Law guide you—not as a master, but as a mirror, not as a scripture, but as a shared understanding. Not to tell you who you are, but to remind you that you can decide—through conscious thought, constructive action, and unwavering honesty.

Live by truth. Love with honesty and clarity. And leave something even better for those who will come after you.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law is for you, future mind. Live it! Use it to build or rebuild the world you have inherited. It exists, as it always has, because someone in the past knew that someday, you would arrive.

Be well.

© 2025 Beyond Ther Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

Can the Philosophy of the Divine Law Unite the World?

Can the Philosophy of the Divine Law Unite the World?

The short answer? Yes, it can—but only if humanity is willing to trade belief for truth, comfort for clarity, and illusion for responsibility.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law is A Framework for Unity

It offers something rare: a universal foundation not built on dogma, tradition, or identity—but on a shared reality. It doesn’t ask for belief. It asks for awareness. And doesn’t command obedience. It invites conscious action.

• It acknowledges no chosen people—only people.

• And places no intermediaries between humankind and truth.

• It requires no rituals, creeds, or conversions—only that we seek and accept the truth of the reality we share.

A philosophy that could unite the world would not elevate a people, a book, or a prophet. It would elevate the present moment, shared responsibility, and truth discernible to all.

The Philosophy of the Divine Law Could Work To Unite The World Because…

1. It is inclusive, not exclusive.
There is no club to join, no chosen few. All human beings are equal participants in a shared reality. Its metaphorical church? The entire world. Its membership: humanity!

2. It is rooted in what we can observe.
Unlike beliefs that vary across cultures, truth grounded in reality transcends borders.

3. It encourages unity through accountability.
If everyone lives by conscious thought and constructive intent, cooperation becomes natural.

4. It dismantles the myths that divide us.
It challenges the fear-based control systems—religious, political, or economic—that keep us fragmented.

5. It offers no saviors—only solutions.
The work is ours. And the reward is a world that makes sense because we made it that way. 

So, Why Hasn’t It Happened?

Why haven’t people taken to the Philosophy of the Divine Law?

Most people aren’t ready.
It’s easier to outsource our thinking than to take responsibility for it. Most cling to belief for comfort, tradition, or identity—even if it’s untrue.

Systems of power profit from our division.
The Philosophy of the Divine Law empowers the individual. But those in power prefer compliant groups, not free minds. And…

Truth is difficult.
It challenges what we’ve been told. It exposes what we’ve allowed. It asks more of us than belief ever will.

So, What’s The Path Forward?

The Philosophy of the Divine Law cannot be preached. It must be practiced. It must be chosen. It must be lived.

• It teaches by example, not coercion.

• It invites reflection, not argument.

• It fosters community through shared understanding, not shared identity.

When the illusions crack—and they will—people will seek a truth that does not demand worship, but welcomes reason. A way of life not promised by heaven, but proven by reality.

The truth is already here. That way of life is already within us.

Yes, the Philosophy of the Divine Law can unite the world.

But it cannot do so by force. It can only do so by truth. And truth is a path each of us must walk for ourselves.

Be well.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

The Benefits of the Philosophy of the Divine Law

The Philosophy of the Divine Law is a rational, truth-based approach to understanding life, morality, and human responsibility. Unlike religious systems that rely on revelation, tradition, or belief in the supernatural, the Philosophy of the Divine Law is rooted in the shared reality we all experience. It begins with the understanding that while a guiding force—referred to as “God” or “the Divine”—may exist, its true nature is unknown and unknowable. Therefore, any claims about what this force desires, commands, or is like are speculative. Instead of speculating, the Philosophy of the Divine Law encourages individuals to observe the world as it is, seek the truth within our shared reality, and live in alignment with it. This commitment to truth forms the basis of a meaningful, responsible, and morally sound life.

At the heart of the philosophy is the idea that reality—specifically the present moment—is the only realm in which truth exists and action can be taken. The past has already occurred and cannot be changed. The future has not yet happened and is merely a projection of thought. Only the present exists as a real and observable truth. Because of this, the Philosophy of the Divine Law urges individuals to live fully in the present, where their thoughts, decisions, and actions truly matter. This focus is not just about mindfulness but about responsibility: the present moment is where we have the power to act, and through our actions, we contribute to the reality we all share.

The philosophy also emphasizes that morality is not handed down by a deity or discovered through sacred texts, but created and refined through human experience. As societies have grown more complex, humans have had to develop rules, ethics, and social contracts to promote peace, fairness, and mutual benefit. These moral standards are not absolute or fixed; they evolve based on what people learn about themselves and one another. The Philosophy of the Divine Law acknowledges this and encourages individuals to continually seek the truth about what is good or harmful within the context of our shared reality. It defines evil not as a mystical force or a list of forbidden behaviors, but as a malicious decision made from malevolent thought with the intent to cause harm. Good, by contrast, is a conscious and positive decision made from responsible and constructive thoughts to conduct acts of altruism, intending to create, cause, or influence a positive outcome or to prevent harm. 

This clear and grounded definition of good and evil shifts the focus from appearances and traditions to the underlying intent behind actions. For example, an action that looks kind on the surface may be driven by manipulation or deceit, while an unpopular truth may arise from genuine concern for others. The Philosophy of the Divine Law teaches that what matters most is not the ritual, the label, or the belief system, but the truth of what a person intends and how that intention affects our shared reality.

One of the most significant benefits of practicing the Philosophy of the Divine Law is freedom—from blind belief, inherited dogma, and moral confusion. Because the philosophy is grounded in reason and observable truth, individuals are not required to submit to traditions they do not understand or follow commandments they cannot verify. They are free to question everything, to seek understanding, and to revise their views when presented with new evidence or insight. This freedom does not lead to chaos or selfishness; instead, it promotes accountability. When people are no longer bound by religious laws or cultural codes but are instead guided by a commitment to truth and compassion, they become responsible for their morality. They no longer act out of fear of punishment or hope for reward but from an inner understanding of right and wrong based on the reality they share with others.

This sense of responsibility also creates deeper connections among people. The Philosophy of the Divine Law sees all human beings as equals—equally capable of seeking truth, making moral decisions, and living meaningful lives. There is no hierarchy of believers, no “chosen” group, and no requirement to belong to a particular religion or tradition. All are equally part of a shared reality, and all are called to live by the same standard: truth! This egalitarian view promotes respect, cooperation, and unity across different backgrounds and cultures.

Another powerful benefit of practicing the Philosophy of the Divine Law is peace of mind. When people live by truth, they no longer need to wrestle with the contradictions and uncertainties that often accompany religious belief systems. They are not forced to justify the unjustifiable or believe in things that cannot be proven. Instead, they can rest in the clarity of what is real and present. They understand that suffering is not always the result of sin, and that bad things can happen to good people without divine cause or cosmic judgment. This understanding brings emotional maturity and resilience. People can better face life’s challenges because they are not looking for supernatural explanations or interventions—they are focused on what they can do, here and now, to respond wisely and compassionately.

Finally, practicing the Philosophy of the Divine Law brings meaning. Many people search for meaning through religion, tradition, or belief in an afterlife. While those paths may offer temporary comfort, they often rely on unverifiable claims. The Philosophy of the Divine Law offers a different meaning—one rooted in truth, awareness, and contribution. Life becomes meaningful not because of a promised heaven or divine plan, but because each person’s actions in the present moment have real effects on the world around them. No matter how small, every decision has the power to reflect truth or distort it, uplift others, or harm them. Living with that awareness brings purpose, direction, and dignity.

In conclusion, the Philosophy of the Divine Law provides a powerful, practical, and liberating framework for life. It calls for individuals to seek truth, live by it, and take responsibility for their impact on their shared reality. It rejects superstition and speculation in favor of observation and evidence. It defines morality based on intention and outcome, not tradition or commandment. And it treats all people as equals—each capable of living a life guided by truth, compassion, and clarity. For those who adopt its tenets, the benefits are profound: freedom from dogma, clarity of purpose, peace of mind, deeper human connection, and a life rooted in reality rather than illusion. In a world full of confusion, division, and pretense, the Philosophy of the Divine Law offers a path to genuine understanding, unity, and meaning.

Be well.

© 2025 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

What’s In It For You?

There are no divine secrets. No miracles. Nothing supernatural. There is only that which we understand, that which we are yet to understand, and that which we will never understand.

~The Philosophy of the Divine Law

Did a woman called Eve and a man named Adam eat an apple that gave humans forbidden knowledge and ushered evil into the world? Was a man who sat under a tree and meditated for forty-nine days straight, without food or drink, the first to become enlightened? Did the spirit of a god impregnate a woman who remained a virgin yet still gave birth to a child?

Built on myth and legend, many religions, philosophies, and belief systems, to strengthen their credibility, require their followers to have faith. Belief in the absence of evidence. The faith of their followers gives them power and control. Power, in the size of their following, and control in their ability to direct their follower’s actions.

However, where legend and myth are scripture, and faith is paramount, the truth is irrelevant!

The Divine Law does not require faith. It has no mythology. It is not knowledge given in secret to one person but not to another. The gods did not give it to solemn priests to keep in temples built on sacred mountain tops. Or only to people who believe they are the chosen of a deity that has placed them above all other people. Angels did not give it to prophets. A god did not sacrifice its son so it could save humankind.

From the outset, I want you to understand that what we teach is neither mystical nor a spiritual connection to the universe. It will not give you the power to speak your desires into being, reveal your past lives, or put you in contact with your ancient ancestors. And unfortunately, it will not help you to discern tomorrow’s winning lottery numbers!

So, why should you be interested? What’s in it for you?

Our purpose is to empower you, using the tenets of the Philosophy of the Divine Law, with the courage to overcome the bondage of indoctrination and return you to the knowledge of self that is inherent within. To enhance your ability to hear, recognize, and receive God’s guidance through God’s Divine Essence. And in conjunction with the principles of the Divine Law, help you to seek and accept the truth of our shared reality and use the knowledge you obtain to make positive and informed decisions.

What’s in it for you is increased awareness, reduced anxiety and fear, enhanced focus, and a return to your true self and the truth of our shared reality. 

We will not, however, endeavor to convince you of anything! Ours is to provide you information. You can decide its value… yourself.

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

The Problem of Evil

Hi. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's topic: The Problem of Evil

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

For over two millennia, practitioners of Christianity have struggled to find an answer to what those who challenge their beliefs call the Problem of Evil: How to reconcile an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God with the existence of Evil.

Perhaps the answer has been elusive to Christians because of Christianity's concept of God: an all-powerful, anthropomorphic Father figure ruling from a heavenly realm. Expanded to other beliefs, specifically those that do not claim to know God's attributes, neither the question nor the problem seems as profound.

For many, it is only logical that a god that created "everything" also created Evil. And to accept, at the very least, that an all-knowing god would have to know Evil would be an aspect of its creation's design.

So, how does the Philosophy of the Divine Law address the question? The philosophy acknowledges the reality we share is dualistic. That every aspect of its nature has an opposing opposite. To define darkness, we must first define its opposite: light. Therefore, to define Evil, we must first define its opposite: Good.

The philosophy holds that Good is a conscious and positive decision made from responsible and constructive thoughts to conduct acts of altruism intending to create, cause, or influence a positive outcome or to prevent harm.

It asserts the Good we do is expected of us. That we are to do it without expectation of reward. And defines Altruism as a conscious and affirmative action intending to create, cause, or influence a positive outcome, or to prevent harm to oneself, another person, society, or the environment.

So, Good is when we make a positive decision that leads to a benevolent action. When we decide to do the right thing!

In contrast, the philosophy defines Evil as a conscious and malicious decision made from malignant thoughts to commit Sin or Malevolent Acts intending to cause or allow harm. And defines Sin as a deliberate and malicious action intending to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm or injury to oneself, another person, society, or the environment.

Evil, then, is an opposing aspect of Good. When we make a malicious decision that leads to sin or malevolent acts. When we decide to do the wrong thing!

It is essential to understand that neither Good nor Evil are actions. They are the decisions we make that lead to either Altruism, Sin, or Malevolent Acts. Which are the actions we take based on the decisions we've made.

Good and Evil are not separate entities but opposing aspects of a single identity. Duality! Like the two sides of a coin, one does not exist without the presence of the other.

Nothing exists we can decide to use for good that we cannot choose to use for Evil or vice versa. The hand that caresses can also kill. That which, in moderation, might nourish, done in abundance, might cause harm. Someone else can co-opt our acts of altruism and use them to sin. And though the philosophy asserts that God, through Divine Essence, is natural to creation, it holds that God is not accessible for personal use. However, governments, religions, and ordinary people have invoked the name of God to justify the atrocities they have committed throughout history. 

The effect of Evil is harm and suffering. However, we must distinguish the harm and suffering caused by an evil decision from the harm and suffering caused by natural phenomena. As I stated earlier, Evil is a conscious and malicious decision made from malignant thoughts to commit sin or malevolent acts intending to cause or allow harm.

Hurricanes, tornados, droughts, avalanches, and other weather events are natural phenomena, and do not make conscious and malicious decisions. Consequently, they are not evil. While they certainly cause harm and suffering, they are natural occurrences in the world and the reality in which we live.

Meteorologists and other scientists have conducted many studies of the planet that illustrate how the Earth's weather works. We no longer have to accept ancient mythologies and superstitions as plausible explanations for naturally occurring events. And though many stories in the Bible and other religious texts claim God uses natural phenomena to punish people for their sins, the Philosophy of the Divine Law does not share their beliefs.

The philosophy holds there is only God. And rejects the existence of angels, fairies, ghosts, devils, demons, and other such non-entities. It asserts that unseen or unknown forces do not compel us to be charitable, to sin, or encourage our malevolent acts. But contends that the decisions we make, and the actions we commit based on them, are individual and personal choices we make of our own volition. Even when we are acting within a group!

Although other group members might influence our judgment and subsequent actions, we are not sheep overseen by shepherds. Our minds are our own. The decision to commit the acts is still an individual and personal choice!

Why we exist and where we come from are yet unanswered questions that have led humankind to mysticism and the bondage of religion. That we exist, and are here, are concrete facts that allow us to awaken ourselves to the truth of the reality we share.

Though many want us to believe they do, no one speaks for God or knows God's reason or method of creation.

However, throughout human history, observation, scientific discovery, and sometimes mere curiosity have helped us to accumulate vast amounts of information about how our shared reality functions.

Every increase in our knowledge has led to more intelligent questions—and we continue to learn how much we do not know. 

What we may be sure of today, new information may cause us to be skeptical of tomorrow. Therefore, we must continue to seek and accept the truth.  

Although there is much more we have yet to learn, our current comprehension of the laws that govern this reality and how it functions is more than adequate to help us determine its truth and constancy. This knowledge gives us the insight and confidence to predict what these laws will support and reject what they will not, such as talking animals, magical spells, and people returning from the dead.

Those who promote or hold such beliefs have divorced themselves from reality or have embraced viewpoints unsupported by facts.

Not that everything in this reality operates within a predictable norm. There are anomalies we are yet to understand. However, though abnormality and unpredictability exist—they are not commonplace—and we do not live in a reality where they are the norm and the truth is unknown.  

Except for some primates and animals such as elephants, big cats, wolves, foxes, and high-functioning mammals such as dolphins, whales, seals, and other creatures that display a consciousness beyond basic instinct, Homo sapiens is the only species we know that has developed an awareness to our level of knowledge and understanding. This means Evil, as we practice it, might only exist within the domain of humankind.

However, after all I've said, the question remains: why does God allow Evil?

Everything God has created within our shared reality is dual in its use or nature, including Evil.

The question, then, is not why God allows Evil, a natural aspect of reality's creation, but what has God provided to enable us to counter Evil?

The Philosophy of the Divine Law asserts God is innate to creation. An integral aspect of creation's composition. Inherent, through Divine Essence, within all that exists. Thereby, God and God's creation are never separate!

To counteract Evil, God has provided humankind God's Divine Essence. A distinct and instantly recognizable presence of thought, inherent within, that guides our actions toward the most favorable outcome for ourselves, other people, and our current environment.

Though inherent within all, God's Divine Essence is not apparent to all.

Millennia of fear-induced indoctrination, false teachings, mythology, and superstition have curtailed our awareness of its presence. Though we all hear its guidance, most dismiss it. And do not receive its benefits.

God's Divine Essence guides us toward, but not directly to, the most favorable outcome of a particular situation. However, the choice to comply with its guidance is our own.

We can choose not to follow its guidance. There is no punishment for not doing so. The consequence, however, is that we become susceptible to the outcomes God's Divine Essence guides us towards preventing.

Many Christians would regard God's Divine Essence as their concept of the Holy Spirit. And its actions as God's Grace or blessings. However, it is neither of those.

Unlike the concept of the Holy Spirit, God's Divine Essence is not a mediator and does not intercede in our lives. But offers guidance toward the most favorable action necessary to help ourselves.

God has already provided us with everything we will ever need, and God's Divine Essence to guide us. In contrast to the concepts of grace and blessings, the quality of our lives is determined by whether we live within the parameters of the Divine Law and meet the requirements to attain what God has provided.

God neither rewards nor punishes. Reward and punishment are human constructs. And our actions, in this here and this now, determine which we will receive. Therefore, humankind is the only entity that sits in judgment of human behavior.

God's Divine Essence will not directly tell us what we should do, nor will it speak for us, pay our bills, or find us a significant other. It will neither suspend the laws of physics to help us, magically remove us from danger, nor protect us from the hardships caused by the choices we make. Nor will it prevent the actions of malicious people from affecting our lives. And most importantly, it will not punish us if we do not follow its guidance.

It will, however, guide our thoughts toward making choices that will lead us to the most favorable outcome for our current situation. Ours is but to learn to recognize its voice and follow its guidance.

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

Sunset

There is dust on my dreams.

In the room where I store them,

The air is musty, and the light is dim 

The shelves along the walls sag under the weight of unfulfilled goals

Every nook and cranny, stuffed with unpublished poems and songs.

Lamentations of love lost and life’s longings. 

The winged horse I rode as a child

has grown fat and lazy and doesn’t want to fly anymore

His coat is unkempt, and his once glorious mane is almost bare 

The mountains I used to climb seem taller

Their snowcaps, more massive, extend farther down their slopes.

The forest at their base seems thicker, darker, and more forbidding. 

They no longer seduce me. Instead, they frighten me and warn me away. 

And my Superman suit

Wrinkled, and tossed across the back of my easy chair,

is missing its cape!

Derek Crockett

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

Mass Hypnosis

Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's Title: Mass Hypnosis.

But first, let me credit today's featured music. Hypnotized by Fleetwood Mac.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

In his forty-five-page indictment of Donald Trump, Special Counsel Jack Smith outlines with expanded detail the actions the former president and six co-conspirators took in their attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election to ensure Trump would remain president. It should be, required reading. If not for all Americans, at least for those of voting age.

That a lie can grow to such a proportion that it erodes the public trust in our electoral system and threatens the fundamental values and stability of our Republic, until now, was unthinkable!

But, here we are. Divided, our constitution endangered. While Donald Trump's election lie and the myriad other lies it has spawned, obliterate commonsense and transcend that which is in America's best interest.

Most won't read Smith's indictment. Some, because it's forty-five pages long. Some because they think things will work themselves out. They won't. Not without our participation. And others, because they are not paying attention!

Many of the Republican party's politicians and most Trump supporters won't read the indictment because the truth would just get in their way. Regardless of his lies, abhorrent behavior, disregard for the Constitution, and America's tradition of the peaceful transfer of power, these patriots, as they call themselves, still want to return Donald Trump to the presidency!

But why? One would think that after four years of Trump waging personal vendettas, making poor foreign policy decisions, nepotism, and creating abject turmoil in the White House, most Americans would be thankful that, though battered and bruised, America and its constitution are still intact. But, for many GOP politicians and most of Trump's supporters, oh no, it's, again! Into the breach!

One more chance for Christian nationalists, dominionists, and their white evangelical Christian allies to use a constitutionally uninformed, lying, narcissist con man to help them replace America's Republic and its ideals and values with the racist inequality of an American pseudo-theocracy.

However, don't despair; all is not lost! Those who Trump hasn't conned with his delusion and are not suffering from mass hypnosis or psychosis can prevent Donald Trump's return to the presidency.

The key is to recognize that no matter how much media coverage Trump and his supporters receive or how large the media makes their numbers seem, all across America, rational and ethically minded people from all backgrounds outnumber them! Especially in many so-called red states where Republicans use voter elimination, voter suppression, and other repressive tactics to disenfranchise opposition voters as critical components of their election strategy.

Motivate yourself. Get involved in the future of America. Do not allow yourself to be dissuaded by the GOP's tactics. If you are of voting age and not currently eligible to vote, get yourself qualified. Then vote!

Encourage others!

But, before you can understand what's going on, you've got to wake up!

Contrary to the current Republican narrative, being woke is not a bad thing. Let no one convince you otherwise. The GOP, Christian Nationalists, and Trump's other core supporters want you asleep. Why? Because sleeping people don't go to the polls!

Thanks for listening.

 © 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

A New Day!

Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today’s Title: A New Day!

But first, let me credit today’s featured music. Feeling Good by Nina Simone.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

Every day presents us with another opportunity to grow and develop. To improve or add to what we accomplished the day before. Yesterday, where we fell short, having rested; today, we can try again. It brings a big Kool-Aid smile to my face to know that I might meet a new friend, clear up a misunderstanding with an old one, and make new positive memories with those I currently have.

It fills me with joy to know I have a renewed opportunity to approach everything more positively than I did the days before.

I can be more understanding. And not write my narrative about why someone did not do what I expected and accept theirs.

I can spend more time with my significant other, children, extended family, and friends. And bring positive energy to every interaction.

Today is a new day. A unique opportunity to create yet another scene on an unused portion of the canvas we call life!

Another day to recognize we are all equal as human beings. Codependent. All to be loved and respected, all owners of this reality. This house we share.

A new day! A renewed possibility to overcome our divisions. To work toward preventing our social destruction and the human-caused ecological devastation of our planet. A new day! To breathe, to enjoy the sunshine, the rain. Another day to live!

So, what are you going to do with it?

Thanks for listening.                                   

 © 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

The Reality of Living

Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today’s Title: The Reality of Living.

But first, let me credit today’s featured music. That’s The Way of the World by Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

The Philosophy of the Divine Law holds that God has already provided everything we will ever need to build a quality life in this reality, including a clear path to obtaining it. Ours is only to put forth the labor to meet what it requires to get what we want. Sounds simple enough. But is it?

Many would say it’s not. That, for some, every day is a struggle. And they would highlight how political, socio-economic, and other inequalities, such as totalitarian governments, war, and civil strife, keep many poor; and far from being able to meet their basic needs.

And there is truth in what they say. However, the tenets of the philosophy still apply.

Today, I’m directing my commentary to those living in countries that allow their citizenry the freedom to thrive. People whose circumstances leave them unencumbered to determine their own destinies. People like me. And most of you.

Still, even those of us who are fortunate enough to live in relative freedom, have, at some point, been unable to get what we want or have fallen short of achieving a particular goal. And then rationalized why we didn’t reach it. Lack of time, finances, family or job issues… and many others. However, under an honest reexamination, we would mostly find we didn’t get what we wanted or achieve a particular goal because we didn’t do what it required and quit!

No matter the scenario, dropping out of school, quitting a job, giving up on business ownership… And no matter the reason, I had to care for my ailing mother. The people at my job were racists. I haven’t lost faith; I’m waiting on God… It all involves quitting! And when we quit, we do not achieve our goals.

So, don’t quit! Determine what you want, and don’t stop working towards it until you’ve achieved it!

We don’t live in a vacuum. And the Philosophy of the Divine Law recognizes that building a quality life is not all life is about. Life is also about living. In fact, life is primarily about living. Intimately sharing our lives with another. Interacting with others. Going to parties, weddings, funerals. Doing our part to prevent humanity’s social destruction and the human-caused ecological devastation of the Earth. And so much more!

It’s about successful and failed marriages. Having children and being fearful of what might happen to them. It’s about trying and failing and trying again!

Living is a tall order. And we don’t do some of it, well! But, to thrive in this reality, to do it… we must!

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

We Are One!

Hi. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's topic: a brief reminder that no matter our differences, we are all equal as human beings!

But first, let me credit today's featured music: We Are One, by Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

Male, female, race, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, we are all equal as human beings. We all have the right to live and breathe free from oppression, tyranny, and the threat to life and limb. Whether the threat to freedom is local or across miles of ocean, it concerns us all.

To ignore or debate whether to aid another in their fight against oppression and tyranny is to ally ourselves with it. Though we are ultimately responsible for ourselves, we are our brother's keeper. And also responsible for each other. Our survival as a species depends on our cooperation with each other. Divided, we will not endure.

That which measures and divides us by our differences is unnatural. One group of people chosen by God over another; slavery; indentured servitude; wives submissive to their husbands or vice versa; and other manners of division are all human-created concepts. And to accept such, under any pretense, is to hasten humanity's social demise.

The Divine Law's first tenet is to love God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your being. And the Foundation of Understanding further explains that to do so, we must first, love ourselves, the humanness of other people, and the inherent divinity within all God has created in the same manner we are to love God. Unconditionally!

We cannot meet this requirement divided!

We are one. Our differences do not make us enemies. And it is long past the time to recognize that we have outgrown whatever teaches us otherwise!

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

Know Yourself

Hi. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's Topic: Knowing yourself. Knowing what you want!

But first, let me credit today's featured music: Let's Stay Together, by Al Green.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

Relationships, even exceptional ones, are sometimes difficult. They go through good times and bad. Sometimes, almost effortlessly, things go so well between you and your significant other that it seems you're one person. And you think, jackpot, I've found my soulmate! This is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. And then, over time, things change. And you wonder what you ever saw in this person. What made you think you could make a life with them?

It's at this point relationships with weak communication break down. When neither of you can find a bridge across whatever divides you. And the fragile foundation you've built cannot support your remaining together. However, relationships with effective communication and a sound foundation can weather moments of miscommunication, doubts, and minor arguments. And they usually do.

So, how do we build a strong relationship? Or, assuming we want to; strengthen a relationship that is weak?

Well, first, they're not the same thing. Building a strong relationship is like building a new house. When carefully thought out, it will be precisely what you want. However, strengthening a weak relationship is like renovating an established house. Changing things. Making major adjustments. Difficult, but not impossible.

Building a strong relationship starts long before a relationship begins. It starts when you know who you are. What you stand for. And have established principles. Solid principles that you live by no matter what! Strong relationships result from empowering yourself and taking control of your life. And recognizing that no matter the stimuli, the final decision to do or not do is yours. And that regardless of the consequences, you never relinquish the power to say yes or no.

When you haven't established who you are, what you stand for, and live in the moment without established principles to live by, like a bottle floating in a river, you're doing whatever the river decides.

When you don't know who you are, it's difficult to determine the type of people you want to allow to share your life. You enter a relationship not because you've vetted the person based on the principles you live by and determined that they hold many of the same values. That they complement and positively add to your life and will act in your best interest and help strengthen you.

Instead, your criteria might be based on their appearance. Their job. What they seem to have. Or simply that they've taken an interest in you!

Weak relationships don't just happen. We create them!

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

An American Theocracy

Hi. And good, whatever it might be, wherever you are. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's Topic: An American Theocracy

But first, let me credit today's featured music: Cruel World, by Active Child.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

Have you given thought to what a Christian theocracy in America would be like? The laws of the Bible governing our lives? Why would anyone want our country to be ruled by such cruelty? By laws that subjugate and punish non-believers and use division as a control device?

Consider the following verses:

"When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall do forced labor for you and shall serve you. But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. And when the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword, but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you."

Deuteronomy 20:10-14 ESV   

However, under the same edict, the cities of inheritance fare far worst.

"But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded, that may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 ESV

Without hesitation, most Christians will tell you that Jesus loves you. That, when challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus proclaimed, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," is the second great commandment. And illustrated his point with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Unfortunately, however, the love displayed by today's Christians does not extend to all. Transgender persons, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, other religions, and many others don't receive their love. But aren't they people too? And if it is, as Christians claim, weren't they also created by God?

What will happen to these people if America becomes a theocracy? What will Christians then decide will be the final solution to their question?

Will we have a repeat of the genocides committed during World War II? 

What do you think?

Thanks for listening.

 © 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

Time For An Awakening

Hi. And good, whatever it might be, wherever you are. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's Topic: Time for an Awakening

But first, let me credit today's featured music: Living In America, by James Brown.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day!

I find it hard to believe, as some news outlets report, that Donald Trump is thriving, politically. Yes, Trump's supporters saturate the news with their antics and outrageous comments almost daily. But are there enough of them to vote him back into the White House?

Personally, I don't think so.

Many, if not most Americans, have tired of Trump's and the GOP's disruptive tactics and want a government that will get things done to ensure America's future viability. Homophobia, denying women the right to abortion, attacking and sabotaging social programs, and trying to return the country to a time that never was, has impeded America's progress for five decades!

We cannot continue as we have. And returning Donald Trump to the presidency ensures the divisive governing that has, for so long, held us hostage while keeping us stagnant as a nation will continue.

Every day, the news media, social influencers, conspiracy theorists, and anyone who wants to do so feed misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies to the inter-verse. Attacking just about anything or anyone. Lately, the target du jour is wokeness. A term most of those attacking it can't even define!

When popular TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender, posted a video on her Instagram page to promote a Bud Light contest, many on the right seemingly lost their minds. How dare they! How dare Bud Light normalize a transgender!

The definition of wokeness, at least in Bud Light's case, seemed to mean approval: as in Bud Light, signaling approval of a transgender person.

Wow, that can't be right. Oh my God, she's transgender! Why is she doing that? Why is Bud Light letting her do it?

However, the Right's attack on the College Board, a billion-dollar nonprofit that administers the SAT and A.P. courses, gave Woke another definition. Stemming from the Right's opposition to the board's initial offering of its Advanced Placement African American Studies course. Woke, in its case, appears to mean ignoring history. Keeping people ignorant.

Yes, ignorant! As in not knowing. Being uninformed. As in wanting to be uninformed!

If being woke: being considerate and aware of the equality of other people is a bad thing. What is it like not being woke?

Governor Abbott, the Governor of Texas, might have given us a clue.

Last Friday, a man killed five people in Cleveland, Texas, including an eight-year-old boy. In his condolences to their families, while offering a reward for information about the killer, Abbott, a person apparently not woke, saw fit to point out that all involved were illegal immigrants. Hmmm…

It is long past the time for an awakening in America. For America's citizens to accept that this country does not belong to only one race, but to us all! And time to ensure America's laws are fair. That they don't give extra rights based on one's race, religion, culture, or whatever! But apply equally to all its citizens. But we can't just wish it were so. To make it happen, we have work to do!

And we can start by addressing what Donald Trump has shown us is an illusion of checks and balances; by creating an impeachment process for unethical congressional representatives and Supreme Court judges. And for the betterment of our republic, we can stop electing and reelecting representatives whose true loyalty is only to their political party.

We, the people, have the power to change how our government works. To make it work for us. For all of us!

However, as long as we continue to pay attention to the hand distracting us with nonsense, the hand we are not watching will continue to erode our rights and freedoms.

Aren't you tired of the way things are? The way they have been for quite some time? I know I am.

Thanks for listening.

© 2023 Beyond The Rituals. All Rights Reserved.

A Past That Never Was

Hi. And good, whatever it might be, wherever you are. Welcome to Practicing Truth.

Today's Topic: Speaking The Truth

But first, let me credit today's featured music: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you take what I say as food for thought.

Have a fabulous day! 

On April 9, 1865, after allowing the General-in-Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States, Robert E. Lee, to surrender with honor, Ulysses S. Grant, General of the Army of the United States, left Appomattox courthouse under the mistaken belief that the War Between the States was over. Lee, however, knew better. Although he would not participate further, Lee knew the Southern states would never quit. And they haven't!

From the lie of the "Lost Cause" to the oppression of "Jim Crow" laws, to attempting to revise history, to impeding social progress, the Southern states, their right-wing nationalists and evangelical Christian allies, mired in a past that never was, have continued to fight the Civil War. And, unfortunately, have been winning it!

Offering nothing to future generations, their only tender is the past. A time when, according to them, all was well in America. All was in order. When white people were in charge. However, they don't mention that. And truth be told, all wasn't well for everyone. For example, until the 1828 presidential election, only property-holding white males could vote. White males without property, white women, and slaves, could not!

Consumed by the fear of losing control of what they no longer control. And their longing for a time in an idyllic past that never was, right-wing conservative Republicans would rather destroy America than share it with all its citizens. Yet, they claim to love America. And call themselves… patriots!

But even now, after four years of lies, political corruption, increased racial violence, and an attempted coup based on his lies about the election, they want to return Donald Trump, the most divisive president in modern history, to office. Why? Because he promised to make America great again. Which is nothing more than a euphemism for returning America to White control. Patriots? Not likely!

From the present, we build toward the future. And we remember the past as it really was. Lest we repeat it. Forward, America. Not backward. Forward!

Thanks for listening.

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