Lovism, Essay Example

My World Religion is Lovism. It is a theistic religion based on the Christian theme of love. In context of the current racial, ethnic, sectarian, religious, regional, class, status and power divide mankind all over the world is threatened because man has forgotten the essence of humanity, that is, love. New forms of hatred based threats like strife in sub-Saharan Africa, insurgency and militancy all over the world and especially the threat of terror is the biggest and the immediate threat mankind is faced with. If mankind follows the tenets of MWR (Lovism), they will no longer need to hate fellow beings and kill or persecute them.

Lovism is an alternative religion sharing features with major world religions like Chritianity, Buddhism, and Jainism and Islam that profess God’s infinite love towards His creatures on one hand and brotherly love of human beings among them. This religion professes (i) compassion, non-violence and peace along with love, and (ii) Lovism is not based on the narrow understanding of love as sexual attraction between opposite sexes. However, this religion is viewed with suspicion by many because it is an alternative religion that is new and also because the simplicity and honesty of the religion makes them feel it is too good to be true. This religion professes to heal the ongoing strife in human society. The problem of strife is caused by mutual hate. This religion promises to heal by replacing hate with love by making people aware that their basic essence is love at the three levels of (i) man and God (ii) among human beings (iii) human beings and all other creatures.

The two traits of ultimate reality, according to this religion is (i) the Divinity is based on the principle of love, and (ii) His creatures are made in his image, so their essence too like the Divinity is love. The two religious traits of humanity, according to this religion are (i) Mankind has the infinite capacity for love (ii) Mankind has negative traits like hatred, jealousy, selfishness because they have not discovered their true potential. In other words, people like Hitler and Osama bin Laden too have the capacity for love as shown by their affiliation to their spouses and children. However, once they realize that humanity is an extension of their being just like their family members, they might discover the true fountain of love within them. The two practices recommended by this religion to lead a virtuous life are (i) constant meditation and thoughts over the nature of God as one, infinite Being who has created this universe and all beings in His own image, and (ii) Preach and practice love every day in day to day life. In other words, the focus of this religion is the practical affirmation of their belief in love. In order to successfully accomplish this goal, people must cogitate on the image of Jesus as the Son of God who had immense love and compassion towards His persecutors.

The Religious Wisdom of Lovism can be summed up in its Mission Statement: “It is possible to rediscover love in individual, family, society, nation and the world if an individual learns to love himself”. The root of the problem is at the level of the individual. A person who doesn’t love himself cannot love other human beings. Therefore, every individual must begin by loving himself and everything else will follow for good.

One of the most fundamental benefit of MWR mission in the 21^st century is the distinct possibility to bring about the end of all sectarian strife because the love gone missing in the life of individual is primarily responsible for causing strife in all forms – from the level of individual to the global level. If the missing love is restored in its right place – the hearts of men – it is possible to create the Kingdom of God.

Reference

“Experiencing the World’s Religions: tradition, Challenge, and Change.” Fifth Edition by Michael Molloy