For many, belonging to a religion is part of a quest for happiness and greater meaning in life, while for others religion is a powerful means of exercising power, control and the acquisition of wealth.

Our ancestors over the past millennia celebrated and praised that which supported life, the seasons and the foods which sustained us. This resulted in a harmonious relationship between man and environment, and God by any name generally referred to the great unknown that we still contemplate today.

There is modern evidence of mankind's search for self knowledge from around 6-7000bc , but there is archaeological evidence of alters and religious artefacts dating back to 720,000 years or even longer. This not only undermines all historical theories on human evolution, but the actual ideas about all concepts of God and the nature of existence.

"To the philosophical student of humanity the most significant and important feature of the present remarkable epoch is, unquestionably, the revival of Occult Science and Mystical, or Esoteric, Philosophy. The significance is due no less to the character of the period of its occurrence, than to that of the subject itself. For the moment chosen has been one wherein the human mind, as represented by the recognised intellect of the age, had become, to all appearance, irrevocably set in the opposite direction--that of materialism. Happily, however, for humanity, such appearance has proved deceptive, as had already been foreseen would be the case by those "watchers for the day," who, recognising the unity of nature, and vitalised on the higher planes of the consciousness, are able to forecast the processes of the mental world by those of the physical. That it is always when the sun is at its lowest point that the day and the year are reborn, is no less true in the world spiritual than in the world material. And while the prevalence of materialism meant the extinction of man's spiritual consciousness, the revival of occult and mystical science means the restoration of that consciousness." Anna Kingsford

The Evolution of Gods
The ideal of the creator held the imagination of some community members, typically the shaman who contemplated and observed the nature of man and their relationships, the earth, the seasons, movements of game and they often help positions of authority in community life.

However in response to human nature; perhaps to find some reassurance and even place in the universe, there have always been lesser gods and deities like god of sun or rain, a god of the harvest or fertility and the gods representing the character archetypes and aspirations of mankind, like the god of love and the god of war.

These gods were contemplated, prayed to and perhaps in desperation, even sacrificed to. Based on the premise that human nature is generally benevolent, I suggest that once a god or deity is established as a belief within a culture, and providing that food and fortune are favourable, that communities would as we do today, offer thanks and token offerings from the fruits of the crops. But, when the seasons were bad and suffering increased, then in fear and desperation or greed, the idea of live animal and more rarely human sacrifice would have developed.

As civilizations developed, the priests interpretation of religions changed as a response to social and environmental pressures, and we know for instance that great wealth was generated for the Catholic Church in its early history from the selling of absolutions from sin and today it is one of the worlds wealthiest organisations. Constantine must have been a true capitalist at heart.

But all religions have their shortcomings as they all operate through our human nature and unfortunately we find in many faiths, that too often followers view their faith as an absolute authority that those of all other faiths must acquiesce* or even convert to and competition between faiths has been going on for centuries and continues to create disunity and violence and the imposed morality seeks to control population to create a stable platform for political control.

Do we need religions?
Religions serve to unite and divide communities, they can make peace or war. The worlds major religions provide systems of belief, to an extent that if followers can avoid immersion and corruption in the politics and trappings of their religion, they should find a framework to assist aspirants to find solace and meaning in life however abstract and corrupt the religious politics may be.

Of course I don't believe Jesus said "make a religion in my name". As with Buddha, he said "Take my teachings and practise them, and by doing so, you will find peace, understanding and freedom from suffering".

Religions are many; with Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Bahai and countless other sects and systems of belief; but all religions and religious systems at their most fundamental level teach that we should all love one another and be honest with ourselves and each other. Note Buddhism is considered a way of life, not a religion.

The revered Indian Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa proved the validity of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity as a means of liberation and that the essence of religion is the sharing the loving message of God that the people are sustained and nourished by love.

The common theme in all religions is reflected in the ten commandments which represent the formula for the peaceful co-existence of all life on planet earth. So do we need religions? It is clear we need a framework in order to live our lives, we need stories of inspiration, to lift our hearts and provide understanding. We need honest people to keep the records and teachings pure. 

Religious leaders:
Make known the truth.
Encourage your associates and communities to be peaceful and help them find peaceful resolution to problems.
Encourage political leaders to be honest and fair.
Work first to meet human needs before economic needs.
Be leaders in peace and humane justice.
Remember, Truth itself is unutterable, save by God to God

* acquiesce; to assent, agree with, submit or comply or consent to without protest or dissent.

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