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Epilogue from Lifting The Gnostic Veil:

A look at the past and the future

I began this book with the words “this world is an illusion”, and indeed I think that we have proven, from the information presented in this book and my other writings, that this assertion is verifiably true. Our world is not what it seems to be. The religious systems of the Ancients followed a two-tier pattern that ran in parallel; each tier or level of interpretation designed to mesh with and nurture the aspirations of the adherents in accordance with their diverse inclinations, desires and hopes. One tier, the exoteric, accepted religious doctrine literally, and the other path, the esoteric, looked upon religious doctrine as essentially symbolism. For those who sought comforting spiritual explanations for their existence beyond the mundane, and craved solace for their natural fears of death, there was the exoteric level of religion, garnished with utopian fantasies and exalted promises of rewards and life stretching far into boundless eternity – a heaven or paradise reserved for those religious devotees that were pure in heart and unquestioning in their faith. On the other hand, for those of more inquiring and skeptical minds, motivated more by a desire to overcome their doubts, and to verify the dictates of their creeds rationally - and additionally, exhorted by a passion to find the hidden truth, there was the avenue of Esotericism or The Mysteries as called by some. In reality, a matrix of answers that inevitably led to more questions, and quizzical solutions that engendered new puzzles; but nevertheless an intriguing system that gave sustenance and challenge to those individuals whose rational minds thirsted and craved for logic.

So we have the exoteric path that tends to test and lead us by faith, and the esoteric path that tends to test and lead us by intellect or science, although the science is veiled under layers or degrees of mystical symbolism. Whether we follow the path of faith or science, we all, one would think, are desirous of the truth - but this is not so! There are many that would rather avoid the truth because of the emotional burdens or pain associated with it. There are people who will never, ever submit to a truth that runs contrary to their traditional religious beliefs – no matter how many thousands of facts are presented in support of the verifiable truth. This is due, in great part, to the social programming that I alluded to in Chapter One. Another problem is fear, fear of loosing social direction or affiliation - because if one admits or acknowledges that his or her life’s cherished traditions are based on lies and/or misconceptions, hence an illusion – where does one go from that point forward – where then lies the meaning and purpose of life? Actually their fears, though understandable, are in fact unwarranted; because in most cases if one has the courage to abandon his or her illusions, one discovers that the illusion was, in fact, a blackened veil, a cloak of darkness that effectively obscured the bright and healing rays of intellectual enlightenment, which when attained, inevitably leads to emotional and spiritual comfort.  Be that as it may, historically, the majority, the masses have always favored illusion over truth – just as people generally favor flattery over criticism. Most people prefer being emotional comfortable, even if that comfort is bought by turning a blind eye to some uncomfortable realities.

Whether doctrinally truthful or not, religion forms a vital and necessary function in society, and has done so as far back as we can detect – in all its multifarious forms. Historically, all societies have produced some form of religious belief.  Personally, for what it’s worth, my opposition to monotheism is not based on it being false or misleading, which it is in terms of dogma. But - must religion be perfect or divine in order to positively serve and benefit its adherents? I think not - people should have the right to worship god as they see fit (I don’t believe that there is a correct or standard way to worship or serve god) since none of us truly know the identity of the Creator God – we only have our concepts, howbeit some concepts are patently absurd. Nevertheless, religion also provides society with moral and ethical guidelines that are in many ways beneficial and a vital part of our cultural glue. Many argue that we could get such ethical and moral guidance without religion – that may be true, but religion has proved itself to be very efficient in the arena of moral guidance, despite its many, many, many faults.

The problem with monotheism is that it is inherently divisive, as well as intellectually absurd, and incompatible with diverse societies living in peace and brotherhood - if and when the monotheists take their beliefs seriously.  The driving credo of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim monotheism is that its members are viewed as the chosen, special, and elevated in the eyes of god above all others that do not share their beliefs or birthrights. This is doctrinal within monotheism, and although some rank and file members may choose to de-emphasize this aspect of their doctrine – nevertheless it remains that for the fundamentalists and devotees that take their beliefs seriously and literally, this doctrine of religious exclusivity and/or religious elitism is the fuel that nurtures the flames of perpetual strife and contention between diverse cultures. Literal monotheistic doctrine asserts that all humanity must submit to their creeds or be destroyed at Judgment – this amounts to a declaration of war on all those that prefer the right to intellectually choose their faiths or follow the various creeds of their progenitors which may differ with monotheism.

I am sure that monotheism will die a natural death over the coming generations, as we march forth into the Age of Aquarius. A pathway to true international harmony and sincere goodwill will never be securely established so long as significant portions of the earth’s population embrace religious beliefs that negate the importance and benefits of reasonable tolerance toward opposing cultural views; and additionally, oppose even the concept of religious and cultural diversity, which (diversity) is irrepressible and inevitable, based on historical precedents.

The biggest problem in the world, today, is religion – monotheistic religion specifically. This belief system (monotheism) is the root cause of most of the world’s international problems. The pervasive internecine, and international strife that besets us at every turn is basically being fueled by those religious devotees who are attempting to integrate their irrational religious concepts into the politics of a rational world – the two (religion and politics) will never mesh successfully and productively, anymore. The marriage of religion and government represents the Old World, which is on its Death Bed, believe it or not – and has been on its Death Bed for centuries, since the dawning of the Age of Reason, The Enlightenment of the 17th century and thereabouts. The mixing of mythologically based religious notions with politics is anathema to intelligent, logical resolutions of social and/or international problems – because religious doctrine is basically irrational. Monotheism is of the Old World Order, when Monarchs and Priests pulled the strings of government, and it (monotheism) must eventually terminate, along with the other errors and injustices of the times when Kings and Priests ruled our world. We need, must have, and will have a New Order Of The Ages, illumined under the Stars of Aquarius, the new Age of Enlightenment, according to some.

We, I believe, are at the brink of a New World System or Age, an Age of Enlightenment, the Age of Aquarius – an Age wherein Reason shall justifiably reign supreme. The signs of Cultural Death are all around us though most of us refuse to acknowledge the signs, be they spiritual or practical. Monotheism has certainly run its course, and will continually diminish, in direct proportion to the elevated intelligence of ensuing generations, who, I suspect, will most certainly not accept being shackled by old superstitions and fallacies. The Age of Enlightenment has been evolving and developing for centuries now, since the intellectual revolts of the 18th century and before when the advancements in science and education ushered some into awareness of the pervasive wiles and deceits of the clergy, and the illegitimacy of the Royalty and Nobility. This enlightenment was witnessed in the American Constitution.

The Founders of this country, and others of that revolutionary era, declared in writing and in deed that America was the birth of a new world (Governmental) system. But what, one may ask, laid at the core of this new system – that the right to govern must be accompanied by the consent of the governed for sure; but beyond that, the prime ingredient of the policy of the new world system was the Separation of Church and State, the nullification of the so-called divine rights of the church (or any religious creed) to interfere religiously in the affairs of government. This was a monumental departure with the policies of the Old World Order. Under the New World System, as proclaimed by those revolutionaries, the influence of the Royalty and their cohorts, along with the Priests and their cohorts over the reins of government was substantially and definitively dismantled; that is to say, the New World System was the successful and decisive realization of the Constitutional Separation of Church and State, and the commencement of a New Order of the Ages (Novus Ordo Seclorum), as evidenced on the Governmental Seal of the United States.

And indeed the founding of this nation was the beginning of a New World System, wherein the powers of the Royalty and the Clergy over governmental policy was broken legislatively, even though the policy or law has not been effectively implemented or enforced as well as one might like to this point in time.    

Under the coming Age, society shall be brought to a higher state of spiritual and scientific awareness, I believe, and we shall see the dawning of a New Faith; underpinned by concepts based on science and reason, I would suspect following patterns similar to Deism, with belief in God as the Great Unknown, and claming no special affiliation with our Creator beyond the gifted spirit of intelligence. I do not believe, as some do, that this New Age will come about by the conversion of the masses to a new doctrine – I believe that the Old Concepts shall wither away as the older generations pass away. The effects of culturally based Social Programming are too deep and psychologically binding for most people to effectively counteract. Only a small minority, historically, have shown the wherewithal to radically alter their societal programming under normal political and social environments. In some cases political or economic upheavals may jumpstart the process, when people are forced to look for other answers – but true fundamental, and intellectually laced social evolution takes time and generations to confirm. But if the coming generations are properly shielded from the brainwashing tactics of the clergy, and allowed to make informed decisions over time as they come of age, between mythologically based religion and Reason, I have no doubt that they will make the intelligent choice, and in consequence confirm the New Order of the Ages.

History is the window to the future – it is the Crystal Ball through which we can envision things to come. It is a verifiable fact that history repeats itself, that is to say patterns of history repeat throughout the ages.  On this basis, we can confidently predict the looming death of monotheism, because such is in accord with the recorded patterns of history. Religions come and go; they sprout up, mature, and eventually wither away – lasting only as long as their formulated doctrines exceed or satisfy the intellect of the general populace, and/or their dogmas are supported and advocated by their political and financial cohorts.

The religions of yesteryear are the historical mythologies of our present era. Most certainly, we study the religions of the ancient Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Romans, and others – and call those religions of yore myths, without a moments regard to how sincerely the Ancients revered their cherished faiths. Our religions of this era will most certainly be the historical mythologies of the coming ages, succumbing to the same fate as our predecessors. There’s absolutely no godly or ungodly reason for history to change its patterns.

History shows further that the religious systems of the Ancients were always dualistic, that is to say, they offered a literal interpretation for the general public, the exoteric version; and a more cerebral interpretation for the intellectuals, scholars, priests, the nobility, and others of more discerning intellects, the esoteric version. The one version (the exoteric) was designed to bring spiritual comfort to the many; and the higher version (the esoteric) was fashioned to bring intellectual enlightenment to the few. This ancient theological system has been tested and proven over thousands of years, and shall endure into the indefinite future, in my opinion. Humanity shall, most certainly, over time be brought into higher spiritual awareness, but not necessarily into one accord, or one version of the truth. – with all humanity at the same level, or even of the same basic opinion.  God is one, but the paths to god are many, according to an old adage.

Truth Verses Illusion