The Present Landscape of Religion and Spirituality: An Oneness Movement (OM) Critique

For thousands of years, religion has played a central role in shaping human societies, offering guidance, moral frameworks, and pathways to spiritual fulfillment. At its best, religion has inspired profound personal transformation, fostered community, and offered a sense of purpose. Yet despite millennia of preaching love, compassion, and unity, humanity as a whole remains mired in division, confusion, conflict, and violence. From the perspective of the Oneness Movement (OM), this raises an important question: why hasn’t religion, with its immense influence, led to the elevation of human consciousness?

In this article, we examine the present state of religion and spirituality through the lens of OM, exploring both the strengths and shortcomings of religious institutions. We will analyze how many religions continue to operate within a framework of lower consciousness (LC)—one that perpetuates division, fear, and control—while failing to elevate humanity to a higher state of consciousness (HC), where compassion, unity, and justice are paramount. We will also explore how religious beliefs can demonize non-believers, marginalize minorities and women, ignore the sentience of animals, and ostracize the LGBTQ+ community.

Religion and Lower Consciousness: Division and Conflict

Despite espousing ideals of love and peace, many religious systems have not transcended LC, which is characterized by attachment to the ego, rigid belief systems, and hierarchical power structures. These dynamics create division, fuel conflict, and perpetuate harm, rather than fostering the expansive growth that comes with HC, which OM promotes.

1. Division Among Belief Systems

• Incompatibility and Superiority: One of the most pervasive sources of division in religion is the belief that one path is the only true path to salvation or enlightenment. This belief fosters a sense of exclusivity, where adherents of a particular religion see themselves as the chosen or enlightened ones while others are deemed lost, immoral, or misguided. This has led to centuries of wars, persecution, and societal fragmentation.

• OM Perspective: From an OM perspective, this kind of division reflects LC thinking. Attachment to a single belief system as the “only truth” stems from the ego’s desire for certainty and control. In HC, all paths are recognized as potentially valid avenues toward spiritual growth. OM teaches that diversity in spiritual experience should be celebrated, not condemned, as each individual holds a unique fragment of the greater truth of Oneness.

2. Conflict and Violence in the Name of Religion

• Justifying Violence: Throughout history, religious institutions have often justified acts of violence—whether through wars, persecution, or punitive measures against those who dissent. Even today, violence is carried out in the name of religion, fueled by fear-based ideologies and interpretations of sacred texts.

• OM Perspective: Conflict and violence are direct manifestations of LC, where fear and the need for control dominate. In HC, there is no place for violence, as the recognition of Oneness leads to an understanding that harm to others is harm to oneself. Compassion, justice, and cooperation are the natural expressions of HC, where differences are resolved through dialogue and mutual respect, not violence or coercion.

3. Demonization of Non-Believers

• Exclusion and Fear: Many religious traditions demonize those who do not share their beliefs, portraying non-believers as immoral, misguided, or even evil. This creates a sense of separation and superiority, which fosters fear and hostility toward those outside the religious community.

• OM Perspective: Demonizing non-believers is rooted in LC’s attachment to identity and fear of the “other.” OM encourages openness and inclusivity, where no one is considered inferior based on their beliefs. In HC, all beings are seen as interconnected expressions of the same consciousness, each on their own journey toward Oneness. There is no need for division or fear, as all paths ultimately lead to the same source.

The Treatment of Minorities and Women in Religious Systems

Religious belief systems have often reinforced societal hierarchies that treat women and minorities as second-class citizens, reflecting the broader issues of control, dominance, and exclusion inherent in LC. While religion may preach compassion, it has frequently been complicit in maintaining oppressive power dynamics, justifying discrimination against those who do not fit the dominant mold.

1. Subordination of Women

• Patriarchal Structures: In many religious traditions, women are relegated to secondary roles, both within the household and in religious institutions. Scriptural interpretations often place men in positions of authority, while women are expected to be submissive and obedient. This has led to the exclusion of women from leadership roles, the denial of their autonomy, and the justification of practices that oppress or control them.

• OM Perspective: This treatment of women reflects LC’s attachment to power and control, where hierarchical thinking dominates. In HC, all beings—regardless of gender—are seen as equal manifestations of consciousness. OM promotes gender equality, recognizing that spiritual growth and societal evolution require the full participation and empowerment of all individuals. Subordination of any group prevents humanity from achieving collective Oneness.

2. Marginalization of Minorities

• Cultural and Racial Discrimination: In some religious systems, ethnic or cultural minorities are treated as inferior or “less chosen,” based on interpretations that prioritize the dominant group’s identity. This has led to systemic racism, segregation, and even justification of slavery. Religious texts have often been used to maintain social hierarchies that perpetuate inequality.

• OM Perspective: Discrimination based on race or ethnicity is a manifestation of LC’s tendency to divide and control. HC, by contrast, embraces diversity as a reflection of the infinite expressions of Oneness. OM teaches that all beings are interconnected, and that true spiritual growth arises when we embrace compassion, equality, and justice for all.

Religious Blind Spots: The Sentience of Animals and LGBTQ+ Communities

While many religions emphasize compassion, they often exclude significant groups from this compassion—particularly animals and the LGBTQ+ community. These blind spots illustrate how religion, when mired in LC, can fail to live up to its highest ideals.

1. Ignoring the Sentience of Animals

• Exploitation of Animals: Many religious traditions view animals as resources for human use, whether for food, labor, or ritual sacrifice. This stems from a belief in human superiority over other life forms, with little regard for the sentience and suffering of animals.

• OM Perspective: In HC, all sentient beings—human and non-human—are recognized as fragments of Oneness, deserving of compassion and respect. OM teaches that the exploitation of animals is out of alignment with higher spiritual values, as it perpetuates harm and disregards the interconnectedness of all life. An evolved consciousness treats animals with care and compassion, recognizing their intrinsic worth.

2. Ostracization of the LGBTQ+ Community

• Discrimination and Exclusion: In many religious systems, LGBTQ+ individuals are marginalized or condemned, with their identities framed as immoral or unnatural. This exclusion is often based on rigid interpretations of scripture that reinforce heteronormative standards and stigmatize those who do not conform.

• OM Perspective: In HC, love and acceptance extend to all beings, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. OM embraces diversity in all its forms, recognizing that each individual is a unique expression of consciousness. Discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals reflects LC’s fear-based attachment to outdated norms and hierarchical thinking. A truly evolved spiritual path embraces inclusivity and celebrates the diversity of human experience.

The Potential for Religion in Higher Consciousness

Despite its shortcomings, religion remains a vital part of human life, providing individuals with purpose, community, and a framework for spiritual exploration. However, for religion to fulfill its potential in guiding humanity toward HC, it must evolve beyond its current limitations.

1. A Shift Toward Inclusivity and Compassion

• Embracing Diversity: To align with HC, religion must embrace inclusivity rather than exclusivity. This means recognizing the validity of multiple spiritual paths and extending compassion to all beings—human and non-human alike. It also requires actively dismantling systems of discrimination, whether based on gender, race, or sexuality.

• OM Vision: In OM, spirituality is open to all. No single belief system holds a monopoly on truth, and all individuals are seen as equal participants in the journey toward Oneness. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, religion can become a force for collective awakening, rather than a source of division and conflict.

2. Religion as a Tool for Collective Awakening

• Promoting Higher Consciousness: Religion has the potential to elevate human consciousness, but this requires a shift away from dogma and control toward personal spiritual exploration and collective growth. Spiritual leaders should encourage individuals to cultivate virtues like compassion, wisdom, and justice while promoting practices that foster a direct experience of Oneness.

• OM Integration: OM encourages individuals to use spiritual tools—such as meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living—to expand their consciousness. When aligned with these principles, religion can become a powerful catalyst for individual and collective transformation, guiding humanity toward a future grounded in unity and compassion.

Conclusion: Religion at a Crossroads

Humanity stands at a critical juncture where religion can either continue to perpetuate LC through division, exclusion, and control, or it can evolve into a force for HC, fostering inclusivity, compassion, and collective awakening. The Oneness Movement calls for a transformation in how spirituality is understood and practiced, urging a shift toward HC where all beings are recognized as interconnected, and where love, compassion, and justice guide human behavior.

For religion to truly fulfill its promise, it must move beyond its attachment to rigid dogma and embrace the values of Oneness. This includes dismantling systems of oppression, extending compassion to all beings, and recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. Only then can religion become a vehicle for the elevation of human consciousness, leading humanity toward a more harmonious, just, and compassionate future.