There's No Place for Darkness in Light

Driving out the hate

I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it.

Religion being weaponized for the sake of politics. The ridiculous notion of “my God is better than your God.” And ancient texts used to justify an attack on another person’s lifestyle. Of course, this rhetoric is only used when it conveniently suits the person’s argument.

This article is not meant to criticize anyone’s belief system. I do realize that many of us come from a religious upbringing. Some hold onto the teachings they were raised to believe. Others jump headfirst into New Age topics and now identify as spiritual but not religious. And some folks fuse them together, creating a gumbo of thoughts and principles.

I suppose there’s no “right” way to pursue one’s faith. But there is a wrong way. Bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, and fear tactics do not belong in church (or anywhere, for that matter.) Incorporating such vile aspects into a “holy” agenda is not only despicable, it’s hypocritical. After all, such people aspire to be Christ-like, yet their behaviors are quite the opposite.

The aforementioned might be the exception rather than the norm. Not all churches are bad. And not all church-goers act in such a manner. But I’m seeing an awful lot of people promoting a conflicting message nowadays. For example, I recently saw a pickup truck with a window decal. It was a Christian cross made of assault rifles (big one vertical, and smaller one horizonal.) The truck was sporting plenty of political stickers as well. And the exhaust had been modified to give off copious amounts of tar-black smoke when the driver stomped on the gas. I was speechless.

I say all of that just to say this. Light and dark cannot occupy the same space at the same time. There is no blackness to be found inside the flame of a candle. Likewise, there is no room for hate in a place of love. Fear will never be more powerful than peace. And corruption will never thrive in the face of justice and morality.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

They say we are the company we keep. I believe this to be true, which is why I surround myself with friends and family who inspire me to be the best version of myself. They promote inclusion and kindness. My friends are emotionally intelligent and demonstrate empathy. They’re funny. They’re approachable. They’re open-minded. They’re creative, wise, intelligent, and level-headed. And they’re all experiencing tremendous anxiety at the moment while the fate of our nation (and the world) balances on a knife’s edge.

Rest assured, this is not a political blog. Lord knows there are plenty of those already. My reason for writing this is to remind everyone that positive change first happens internally. Much like a house rests on a foundation, our beliefs rest on the bedrock of our faith. If the foundation is flawed from the beginning, it’s just a matter of time before everything comes tumbling down. So, if you’ve outgrown your church or no longer vibe with the message they’re pushing, perhaps it’s time for a change. Doing so certainly takes courage. But so does walking through the wilderness of spirituality… where there are no guideposts to remain on track or rules to follow.

Maybe you’ve already found your “tribe.” Maybe you’re still looking. A person’s spiritual journey shouldn’t be a lonely one. So if you feel a little lonesome in your pursuit of answers and enlightenment, just know that one person is cheering you on from a distance while hoping you find what you’re looking for. That person is me.

Join countless others on my Facebook page for interesting dialog on spiritual subjects.

So, carry on, you spiritual warriors. Whatever path you’re walking, I hope it fills you with joy and illuminates your soul to the point where you can share your light with others. As for my belief system, it can be summed up perfectly by the 14th Dalai Lama.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is love.”

Thanks for reading,

Andy

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