Sheep Syndrome

What is it about man that we refuse to use our God - given ability to reason? Oftentimes I find myself analyzing people whether religious or not, political or otherwise, and it pains me to see how "sheepish" we can be.

Oftentimes, I'm critical of religion and politics, I don't mean to harp on them so much(or maybe I do) but sometimes you just have to step out the box and just see how crazy we can be.

Ever asked a "religious" person why do they believe? Its almost like pulling teeth on occasion. Most people tend to believe whatever their parents believed and their parents before them. Never once questioning if there might be potential something flawed in their "beliefs". The real question is not only why do they believe, but are they truly believers?

Think about it, if your raised under a certain religious affiliation, how much of your belief is your discernment and how much is your family's? The sad truth about us humans is that we tend to do what is most convenient and/or comfortable, therefore most likely we believe whatever we are taught or raised as, because doing contrary would be a little too uncomfortable.

Case in point, religious "holidays" in America. We become adults, realize how foolish our childhood beliefs and fairytales are and in most cases even realize that oftentimes they are contrary to our religious beliefs, but instead of breaking the cycle with our children, what do we do? We put up a tree, talk about tooth fairies, and bunnies laying eggs, mainly because everybody else is doing it, and we don't want our children to "miss out".

What are we really doing to ourselves spiritually and physically when we decide to go against our core to appease others?

Then there's politics. Personally, I love politics and hope to be a Senator or maybe President someday, but I can't get with this whole political party thing. Maybe in theory, but have you ever noticed that some people are so loyal to a party that they will vote in that party's favor no matter what?

That's the most dangerous behavior that is being played out daily in our so-called democracy. We have a bunch of sheep in office who don't have the backbone to do what's right and better for our country.

I think its about time that we look at the man/woman in the mirror and consider our status. Are we sheep or shepherds? There's nothing necessarily wrong with being a sheep, but don't be a blind sheep. The difference is that a sheep with sight will follow the right shepherd to the greener grasses, whereas the blind sheep just follows any ole shepherd. Now what if that shepherd just happens to be as blind as you are?

Then as Jesus(PBUH) said "if the blind lead the blind, both fall in the ditch". That ditch can represent hell in all its many forms whether physical or spiritual.

We have to learn to break the mold and do something contrary. Believe it or not, oftentimes contrary is the right way. We have to have the courage to stand up and do what's right no matter what.

For you religious folk, that's what made Abraham(PBUH) and all the Prophets(PBUT) for that matter so important... They heard the word of God and obeyed Him. It didn't matter if they had to leave their parents, wealth, or status behind, it didn't matter if they faced certain death, they did what had to be done.

The same goes for the political folk, where would we be if the founding fathers didn't make that choice to break from England? Or if Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, MLK, etc. Didn't decide enough was enough.

Many of us talk a good game, but how many of us are truly willing to deny themselves, comfort, stability, status, wealth, etc. Die daily, and pick up his or her cross?