Thus, the Talmud of the Jews concerns itself the correct path, often just how to conduct oneself from day to day. During the sixties, like many other Westerners, I discovered the wonderful myth of Siddhartha, the Buddha. The mysticism underlying his life fit quite well with the wonders of perception being opened at the time in our minds by psychedelic drugs. His quest for enlightenment seemed unquestionably noble. The powers that be, twist and pervert teachings meant to uplift, in order to better control the lives of their subjects.
Inspiration takes second place to control.
And, so it has gone with Christianity. Christian doctrine is arguably among the most politically revolutionary thought of all time. Jesus continually preached of the honoring the least among us, of charity and humility. When one reads of the five pillars of Islam, when one contemplates the essential rightness of bowing in humility five times daily to remind oneself of one's insignificance in the total scheme of things, it is difficult not to be elevated in spirit, transfixed with joy that people can construct such marvelous melodies to civilized human behavior. Then one reads of bombs detonated, killing the innocent along with the guilty, all in the name of the Glory of Allah.