SCIENCE has determined that religion is wired into our brain. We have tended to relate, from as far back as our genetic memory takes us, to the recognition of forces that explain what we cannot.And all indications from the more rational of us compel us to recognise that meditation, serenity and prayer does something that we can’t easily define, but places us in a better place to interact with our human and natural environment.
Something is out there or within us that insists that we are more complicated than the mundane cloak that has enveloped us, and that we need to enhance its potential. The mundane world relegates us to the three-dimensional impulses of ‘Weight, Measurement and Time’, which have managed to build the physical world we live in.
But humans are also gifted with symbolic thought, the fourth dimension that leads to other potential. It’s the symbolic thought process that enables us to manifest art, music and writing, hieroglyphs, cuneiform and other scripts and alphabets, mathematics etc. and religion. And religion is a tremendous impetus. Look at the pyramids, cathedrals and temple architecture across the human timeline.
Symbolic awakening took us to Astronomy and, of course, the sometimes ambiguous language of Astrology. Without the universe of symbolic thought and reasoning, we, the masses, become locked within the 3-Dimensional aspect of our makeup.

THE OTHER SELF

Though, for many, the ‘other within’ longs for esoteric expression and guidance. And that’s where the ‘con men’, with just enough information and loads of ritual propaganda, come in; to tickle the imagination. And when the imagination becomes active, they provide no relative substance, but proceed to concoct the religious/superstitious shackles that ‘street talk’ define as Salawala.
I could remember while living in West Ruimveldt, we would gaze in wonderment from the back windows of the ‘range apartment’ that gave us full view of the happenings in a church bordered by the parallel street. There, the head of a church, the headquarters of which was stationed in East La Penitence, would beat members of his church with a sword. One church member told us that he was beating out spirits; there was no religious or other logic to that, but church members believed it.
The heroes of our youthful reading, from the Tales of Aesop, The Greek myths to Kwaku Anancy, were mainly, principled intelligent men and creatures who applied logic and wit to triumph over overwhelming obstacles. We drew examples from those characters, and compared them to our environment.
End-of-term and school graduations were celebrated, with dramatic renditions of Biblical and popular plays, before audiences of parents and wellwishers, and concluded with some popular ‘Juke Box’music under the watchful eyes of teachers.

A POSITIVE MOVE
It’s a positive move by the Minister of Education to once more include the Performing Arts into the school system, for the wholesome wellbeing of young minds.
When Religious Studies were discontinued in Guyana, we should have transformed that area into the study of Philosophy, which would have included necessary aspects of Geography and History, with sprinkles of Archaeology.
The exploration of applied religious philosophy across the human spheres would have equipped students with a better understanding during adulthood to confront the various impositions of religious charlatans and ‘con-men’ that now have ingrained themselves in our humanity.
The problem, however, would be the teachers to deliver these classes. Guyana has led before; it can lead again, through addressing such a secondary study-base. Students would be intrigued by the origins of the sciences through our ancient Astronomers and Alchemists; and they were rooted in the ancient religious philosophies we now term Mythology.
Politicians in Guyana have always found themselves hemmed in by bold religious movements, though quietly agreeing that these people are ridiculous charlatans. But as a now opposition activist remarked to me once, “Stupidy people does vote, yuh know.”
The trend of ignoring things in the hope that it will eventually fade away does not work. Freedom of religion should also have checks and balances. Public mischief comes with the inducement of religious coercion to accept gifts of land transports, and make ‘Pope-like’ videos.
There must be some mechanism to protect the stupid. Guyana is not exclusive when it comes to the management and exploitation of the masses through religion; and there’s a nexus between religion with the ‘Wuk-Man’; they at times overlap.
Because this is part of our mental and psychological makeup, we all have creeds, customs and beliefs. I know that there is some reality out there and within that we don’t quite understand; and I have put to rest the ‘Big Bang’ theory for now.
Neither did we evolve from any existing primates or reptiles; we’re younger than almost all the species we call ‘wild’ animals. We are not sure what we evolved from, or what or who conducted our very deliberate intelligent design, though every aspect of the human world were bound to the concept that “We were created by our God”. That debate now comprises volumes.
We are going to continue to gaze towards the universe for answers, as did the followers of the ‘Heaven’s Gate Cult’, who were conned by a leader with a terminal disease and dressed in Nike sneakers to commit suicide to ascend to a mother ship.
I’m unaware of the connection, but NIKE [Victory] was, after all, a titan in Greek mythology. We should look at philosophy at some level in our education system; don’t leave them to the whims and fantasies of the con-craft of self-proclaimed Prophets, Popes, Bishops, Swamis and ‘See-far’ folk. They’re not going anywhere.