POISON part I

What you are about to read is my own particular view and experience of life. It is neither a scientific, theological or anthropological thesis. It might sound silly, maybe shocking. Either way, this discussion does not intent to convince anyone to agree with it. The only outcome hoped for from the audience reading is, reflection and maybe analysis or constructive criticism of the content. You may or may not identify yourself with the context and may or may not, gather some insights from it. Any response is a positive response, if only laughter.

POISON

Part I

Substance

Planet Earth, throughout its 4.5-billion-year history has gone through major changes that have completely transformed it from one continent into many others. Volcanism has created landforms and has changed the atmosphere from methane and carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. Cold interglacial´ climate has become warm interglacial climate and many other changes have led to what we know now as a habitable Planet Earth. It is a blessing given to us from God, a Superior Power, The Universe or perhaps just by chance. Once the habitants of Planet earth realised that they could not only exploit their own living environment to its end, but also their own people, what once a blessing, became a curse.

The Human Race has clearly spectacularly failed to look after each other and the environment. It feels like many people are suffered from amnesia and have forgotten all we have endured throughout our history. The way some societies treat their members is literally inhumane and immoral. It feels like most people see themselves as impotent to turn around all that is wrong or that they simply don’t care. Relatively small opportunistic and authoritarian controlling groups calling themselves rulers, have therefore taken over much of the planet. Some of us however still see our rulers as honourable members who are looking after our best interests. Some of us will tolerate death and destruction of others as part of the plan if they feel it is in their best interests.

There are major international organisations which focus on the wellbeing of huge populations and the environment such as: G7, G20, COP, EU, BRICS, Mercosur, Commonwealth, NATO and UN. Their collaborative work and duties are supposed bring together the world's advanced economies and influence global trends. Seemingly, they tackle pervasive and crosscutting issues, as well as emergent global crises, address international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development. Many of these organisations attempt to build inclusive institutions, promote justice and human rights and fight inequality. They attempt to maintain international peace and security and promote the well-being of all people in the world. How ironic this seems when we look at our planet today.

Year after year, what we have seen on news about those organisations and their annual gatherings is what we have seen previously over and over again. But where are the positive outcomes? They disagree and agree with same old agendas with no changes or improvements whatsoever. That leaves all of us with the social, political and environmental issues unsolved and increasing exponentially. Most of us pay tax our taxes, recycle, respect the laws, vote, work or volunteer and still there are no real positive outcomes. The masses are becoming increasingly oblivious to everything and everyone around them, as if they are not affected.

As well as these secular global influential organisations that directly or indirectly affect our daily lives, there is another much more powerful set of forces: religion. The influence of world religions on these secular organisations is stronger than ever and effects people´s lives in catastrophic ways that are sometimes undetected. Whether you actively practise a religion or not, you will be affected by the influence of one or more religion. When I was younger, I used to think of religion as a spiritual guidance for those who are interested in achieving something more profound and meaningful; something that could be enlightening and guide us to find a better understanding of life. Sadly, I no longer think the same. Despite my scepticism, I still believe if a creed has its foundation on unbiased and kind guidance, with thoughtful, inclusive and respectful commandments that may lead to enlightenment. We can but hope.

Currently, there are five major religions and thousands of creeds spread across Planet Earth. Most focus on a God figure or multiple gods, others on the natural energies of Planet Earth. According to many of them, there is only one path to follow in life to be fully blessed and reach the ultimate final reward: life after death or spiritual evolution. But to achieve this, you must rigidly follow their laws and commandments and share their same principles and values. This way of thinking is in my view autocratic, arrogant and judgmental and a retaliation against those who experience their spirituality differently. To me, spirituality is a personal experience and is about our relationship with The Universe. How has the “ultimate” knowledge fallen into the hands of the few and given them the power to determine only one way to experience and develop a spiritual connection with a Superior Power?

Many people struggle to embrace the presence of God, a Superior Power, The Universe or even a random set of forces. All we have to do is embrace each sunrise and sunset, clear blue skies or fresh and cooling rain and the rivers that nurture us. Many people question the existence of some kind of positive force, particularly when they face misery and suffering on a daily basis. The primates and indigenous people in old times worshipped nature in all its forms and small tribes and collectives continue to do this. Nature is their God, and they have connected and still connect instinctively and intimately with a Superior Power. Some of them have never connected with the teachings of what we call the “civilised world”. To me, they not only know much more about spirituality than those in the “civilised world” that preach that there is only one way to heaven but also fully experience it. 

Many things that “civilised” people have unashamedly done in name of their “God” are abominations that serve no purpose other than to justify insanity. Some fight and kill for what they call The Holy Land, flooding it with blood of the innocents. Many judge, diminish and ignore others who have different beliefs, seeing themselves as the chosen ones. Others, create social and political conflict borne of their egos, because the consequences are beneficial to them. Some have forbidden all forms of contraception yet abuse children with impunity. Some have diminished women´s rights and values and see their sole purpose as procreation. Others use brainwashing techniques for financial gain and steal from their followers to build their own personal empires. It seems beyond belief to me that their flock is unable to see their true colours as they toast a glass of whisky with their opponents and widen the net of their threats.

I do recognise that following a religion may be comforting to some people, particularly as they reach the end of their lives. Following a religion may bring hope, understanding and assurance to us during traumatic times and when we face adversity. Over the centuries, many religious leaders and influencers have abused the trust of their followers unscrupulously. They assure their flocks that they are the chosen ones and that they must worship their interpretations of the divine whilst not doing this in their own private lives. It makes me wonder how real and powerful these “gods, prophets and messiahs” are, considering they preach punishment and redemption for their devotees’ actions, but not for themselves.

To an enlightened observer, it appears absurd that anyone could fall for such a one-sided soapbox approach. Not only do many fall but they also help to create a space for them to grow and influence our societies. Most people are not able to read the subliminal messages that permeate such nonsense, hatred and deceit. Those who do not follow them show no concern. This is not necessarily because they are atheists or non-believers, but because they have become so self-centred that they do not see past their own belly buttons! Some people believe that must share other people suffering in order to feel real empathy. Many people never recognise the correlation and connection that all humans have to each other.

I see religion working on many people´s lives like a silent ghost, subtly and quietly carrying out its work from a distance. If you look closer with open eyes and an open heart, you will experience the cacophony of nightmares that cause real damage: anxiety, insanity, depression, rejection, resentment, separation, division, guilt, self-destruction, self-harm, epidemics, starvation, poverty and ultimately death. It is indeed an irony in my view that many religions have predicted all these tragic events at the end of times. These events have already happened, are happening today and will continue to happen, in part because of the fear and guilt sown by religions. The apocalypse they have been so afraid of, is in fact being created by them and we are all affected by it.

This phenomenon is no longer isolated far away from us but is now on or very near to our doorsteps, every doorstep on Planet Earth. There is an argument saying that people should be allowed to self-determine and take responsibility for their own acts, no matter how hard this may be. Also, it could be said that following a religion is a choice. This is debatable, as in some cultures, following a religion is not a matter of choice, but is imposed. There is no escape for many, it is a matter of survival. Surely a true and pure religion will only promote unconditional love, kindness, acceptancy, empathy, equality and inclusivity to all and to love our planet regardless our differences. Any alternative in my view is a deluded and perverse approach to living your best life.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Leandro Bernardes, 2025.