False Gods

I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of "false gods," "false prophets," and "false light." It's relatively obvious (I hope) that we live in a world that is inundated with false gods (if you're unconvinced, look no further than social media and "influencer culture"). As humans, we worship, aspire to, and look for guidance from all kinds of people and things that are not "holy," not "divine." By that I mean they are not pure, good, or even well intentioned a lot of the time. I do not wish to be perceived as someone who is an "extremist" but truthfully (at least the truth I have come to): there is only one true source. One real God, who created everything. And before we go any further let me say this: I do not believe in any ~one~ religion. Religion is man-made, and is many cases veryyyyy fucking tainted. Meaning: dirty, bloody, evil. A veil of "good" hiding much so much "bad." God is obviously divine. Pure love. Radiant oneness. Religion has, in my opinion, been a very good smokescreen to indoctrinate many, many people into not thinking clearly for themselves, and instead listening to and blindly following the Pastor, Priest, Imam, Rabbi, etc. On the flip, and perhaps even more insidious side, religion has often been a tool to turn people away from God completely. People who see the injustice, see the hypocrisy, and see the veil, leave not only "the church" but also faith entirely. It really kind of doesn't matter who or what God is. Anything outside of that one, true, pure, source (creator of everything) is false. This is coming from someone who at one point in life called herself an atheist, and used "agnostic" as a self-discripter for a long time (Religion, and churches, for me had a lot to do with this).

"God" has been a nearly lifelong search for me, and trust me I don't think I have all the answers. But, I do think I'm removing tons and tons of layers of programming and conditioning that had led me to give "god-like devotion" to things which were and are certainly not, God. Here is a short list of things that are not god, yet are often given devotion, honor, and praise to, as if they are:

Money

Celebrities (or "affluent" people/places, perhaps even neighbors or friends)

Religion

Politics (and politicians)

Houses

Cars

Art

Identity (any facet of your "being" that you cling to, examples: your work "title," religion, sexual orientation, race, gender, political party, etc.)

Like I said, it's a short list, but I think we can agree it encompasses a lot. And I would like to elaborate on a few of them. Let's start with identity. I want to acknowledge why many pieces of our identity are something we attach to (race for example is something we're immediately "percievable" by - therefore we may feel strongly about challenging how we're perceived). Identity can feel like something we should be "proud" of, or something we have to "defend" (especially if a piece, or pieces, of our identity is or has been marginalized). But, I want to challenge this, because I think, in divine understanding, none of our "external" or "perceived" identity is really all that important. To me, it feels like if we were able to strip ourselves of all labels, and each just live freely without the need to explain, and without the need to judge others, that would be real paradise. That would be "heaven." We are not there yet, and I know that. I know some would say that our "identity" has to be shouted about, because it is otherwise being erased, and I do understand. And also, we are all multifaceted, complex beings. When we over-annunciate one aspect of ourself, and our identity, we unintentionally dull or block other parts of ourselves. So, simply do not make your identity your God.

Most of us have, or have had, people we look up to and admire (perhaps to a point of obsession, or unhealthy comparison). We idolize them. We idolize a type of house we'd like to own, or place we live. We idolize our beliefs (politics, religion, other opinions). We idolize a certain job or career path, or how much money can be made. Any idolization, of nearly anything, is false. It is an "idol" because it is not already in your current experience, so therefore, you do not actually know if it will or would bring you the joy you suspect it could. There are always two sides. What you see as good and desirable is misery and evil to someone else. Nothing, except true source (God), and I suppose children (who I believe are innocent, perfect, and deserve to be protected at all costs) is pure and divine. This is the yin and yang of the world. Polaritiy.

These 'false idols" that are again, SO present in this matrix we live in, are meant to be polarizing. They are divisive in nature..."Easier" to define in black and whites, instead of shades of understanding greys. I think unity and divinity can and will arrive if and only when we remove our attachments to false idols, false lights, and false gods. The reason this is becoming so clear to me is perhaps from removing some of my attachments to them (I haven't and don't know if I can or will remove them all). For example, and this is a small thing: I've unfollowed all "celebrities" and most "influencers" on social media. And now, I only see Kylie Jenner's ass and Kourtney and Travis's weird vampire relationship, when other people (who I personally know) repost their stuff. I won't lie and say I don't click on them, and go down some rabbit holes sometimes either. So, I do still consume some of this content, but I swear, when I do, it's very concerning to me. Are you not seeing all the creepy shit? ALL the alien abduction references and visuals in pop music right now (Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, etc)? ALL the demonic, satanic shit in "high fashion" and "art." We are being inundated with the normalization of evil. It's sick, and doing more damage than many even realize. The billionaires who are going to space, for what? Some would maybe call me out here and say, "But Malana, you used to love the idea of aliens! You even have one tattooed on you." And that's true, but my eyes have been opened to the truth. Alien abduction isn't cute, or cool. It's distortion. Distraction from the real world, our Earth (mother) who needs to be taken care of and honored.

Another example of something I used to honor but now cringe at, is Poseidon (and many other ancient gods/goddesses). I have a tattoo of Poseidon's Trident on my wrist (he was the "God of the Sea" and my sorority in college used him as a symbol and example in many regards). I used to think of him as powerful, and mighty. The connection to the sea felt super beautiful to me. I have only recently learned that Medusa's (the "villian" with snakes for hair) origin story is quite debated and controversial, and deeply involves Poseidon. TW: He raped her. She was a virgin in Athena's temple and Poseidon stole her virginity. She was then punished by Athena and given the snakes for hair, to drive her crazy. Now please tell me, why is an organization of young women being taught to idolize a man ("God") who was a rapist? I know that was "common" back then in god/goddess lore, but that does not make it OK, in my opinion. This is distortion. He is a false god. False idol.

But let's jump back to the modern, real world idols. The Jeff Bezos and Kylie Jenners of the world...When everything that these "idols" produce (beauty products, "merch," clothing, carcinogenic fragrances, etc. etc. etc.) is doing nothing but lining their pockets, harming the world, and effecting your health, it's time to say NO. It's time to stop buying their products, stop liking their postings, and stop listening to their shit. They may be wealthy and hot, but is your soul really to be satisfied with only those two things? When what exudes from their soul is earthly destruction, and egotistical greed, does wealth and "beauty" even matter? That is a decision we all get to make, and that decision is yours. There is no shame meant to come from these words of mine. Sometimes I still listen to music that I know isn't in divine alignment with my highest self, sometimes I still buy from Amazon (though I really do hate that, and try not to). I give myself grace for these things because I am human. The systems that reinforce idolizing things we "shouldn't" run very deep. We are all human, and we deserve grace, but we cannot continue to consume SO irresponsibly. No one is coming to regulate or "save us" from the false idols. We have to remember our connection to God and self-regulate. Only you are your own savior.

~Your growth and peace are within reach~