The mindset of black-and-white dualism contrasts with a holistic point of view. What about you? Can you see the value in different colors, ideas, people, and cultures, or are you stuck in the good versus evil mindset?
Most people are unaware of the weaknesses of moral absolutism. They don’t see the disadvantages of mitigated dualism in Western religious tradition. (1) They take for granted that everyone understands reality in simplistic black-and-white, good and evil.
The Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are paradigms based on these concepts. So, they must find ways to explain the inherent contradictions and inconsistencies. They proudly promote the disadvantages of mitigated dualism to justify their worldview. This mindset closes their eyes to the values and rights of others outside their group.
Taoism and other perspectives perceive the world differently. So, there isn’t an absolute moral judgment of good and evil. The world isn’t as simple as good and evil. It is a kaleidoscope of colors and beliefs.
The pure form of dualism is a balance between two equal forces. Taoism’s yin and yang concept is a dualistic way of explaining opposing views. In Taoism, these forces are not good and evil but complementary forces. Everything in creation has both yin and yang aspects.
The Black-and-White Thinking of Dualism
Eastern and Western dualistic philosophies differ significantly. Many people live their entire lives unaware of how this difference impacts their thinking and values.
The concept of yin and yang in Eastern thought offers the purest form of dualism. Eastern dualism emphasizes balance and harmony between complementary opposites. The concept of yin and yang is an example. Here, these two forces interact to create a dynamic whole. It expresses the ideas of male and female, light and dark, day and night. These opposites are understood as connected, complementary, and necessary.
In contrast, Western dualism often focuses on the conflict between opposing forces. Here, we get the idea of good and evil, heaven, and hell. Black-and-white dualism in Western theology leaves no room for compromise. It means seeing things in extremes as either acceptable or unacceptable, with no room for shades of grey or middle ground.
The Weaknesses of Moral Absolutism
Moral idealism or absolutism is the idea that specific behaviors are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of context. This philosophy and mindset are a dominant theme in Western theology. However, this worldview has several weaknesses.
1. Rigid values do not consider the complexities and nuances of specific situations, leading to inflexible and sometimes harsh judgments.
2. Moral absolutism’s cultural insensitivity does not account for cultural differences. What is right in one culture may be wrong in another, leading to potential intolerance and a lack of respect for cultural diversity.
3. It ignores historical development and overlooks the evolutionary nature of human societies and moral theories. Absolutist views can seem outdated as they do not adapt to changes.
4. There is a lack of flexibility in assessing real-life ethical dilemmas. Strict adherence to absolute moral principles can create conflicts, especially when different moral rules clash or when the consequences of actions are significant.
The weaknesses of moral absolutism highlight the challenges of applying this ideology in a diverse and ever-changing world.
Exploring The Disadvantages of Mitigated Dualism
To mitigate means to make something less severe. It comes from the Latin word “mitigare,” which means to soften. For example, if someone is mitigating a problem, they are taking steps to correct or reduce its impact or seriousness.
Western theology adopted this mitigated form of dualism when assimilating the ancient mystery religions into its paradigm. The belief systems of these cults have some obvious inherent logical flaws, which we will discuss later. This philosophy gives people a simplified way of categorizing things as good or evil. Here, we are back to the black-and-white thinking of dualism.
Inherent Flaws of Myth and Superstition
The mitigated dualism philosophy in Western religion tradition uses a hierarchy where one divine being is superior to the other. This framework allows greater and lesser gods to coexist. Here, we get God and angels, who are agents of the good God, and the Devil and his demons, who are evil.
One problem is that it can create a hierarchy where the spiritual world is better than the physical world. This can make people think less of the material world and their everyday lives.
Many find that the disadvantages of mitigated dualism in Western religion complicate their understanding of spirituality. If there is one supreme being and a lesser god or evil force, it’s hard to understand why the supreme being allows the lesser one to exist. This can lead to questions about good and evil and why bad things happen.
These disadvantages make balancing and understanding the relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds challenging. This mitigated form of dualism, along with moral absolutism and monotheism, is the foundation of Western religion tradition.
The Mitigated Dualism Philosophy in Western Religion
One way to understand Western theology is through the lives of the lion and the deer. From the lion’s perspective, hunting the deer is (morally) good because it sustains pride. But from the deer’s perspective, the lion is an evil force.
When we understand nature, we see that both the deer and lion are necessary. These two different creatures are linked to the ecology. By existing together, they keep the ecology balanced. But to see this relationship, we must stand outside the perspective of the lion and deer.
When we perceive things holistically, we grasp the relationship nature has created. When you define your world in the black-and-white of dualism, you become like the lion or the deer.
We observe how the lion hunts the deer injured or has a disease. Then, the lion keeps the deer herd healthy by thinning the herd. In this way, the deer population doesn’t multiply beyond the land’s capability to sustain them. Thus, the lion helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
The Inability to Move Beyond Dualistic Thinking
Neither the lion nor the deer understands their unique places in this yin-yang relationship. The paradigm for the deer and lion is the simplistic black-and-white thinking of dualism. One is the predator, and the other is the prey. Moving beyond dualistic thinking is impossible for them. Their thinking and behavior are part of their survival instinct. Can you relate this situation to people you know?
The lion is not good or evil; it’s merely behaving as its instincts tell it to hunt or die of hunger. The deer is doing what it needs to do to avoid being eaten by the lion. Neither can see the larger perspective. They are captive in their roles.
How does one get the ability to step outside of this paradigm to employ other techniques for expanding consciousness? Is it possible to break free from the perspective of the lion or deer?
A dualistic ideology shapes your thinking based on mythology and superstition. Myths take precedence over facts. In this way, you can gloss over the weaknesses of moral absolutism.
Dualistic thinking is the paradigm for the lion and deer. However, this mindset can quickly become a hindrance for people. Dualistic thinking, which sees things in black and white, can have several negative consequences. It can make people see the world in very simple terms, missing the complexity and details of real life. This narrow mindset can lead to poor decision-making because it ignores the gray areas and different perspectives important for understanding situations fully.
It can also cause emotional distress, as people might feel intense negative emotions when things don’t fit neatly into good or bad categories. It can create conflicts in relationships, making it hard to understand and accept differences in opinions and behaviors. Dualistic thinking can limit our ability to see the complete picture and connect with others.
Once you buy into this perspective, you cannot see the value in the other colors. You are intentionally blind to the different colors of the rainbow. No other perspectives, philosophies, or points of view are considered. So, if we are like the lion or deer, we become locked into a system of thinking that makes us even more prone to groupthink manipulation. This is how so many people mistake mythology for facts.
These paradigms need their followers to adhere to dualistic philosophy. They don’t want people to think for themselves. Instead of believing t black-and-white, they question things. This is bad news for Western organized religion.
The Good God and the Bad God?
Western religion teaches that there is only one Supreme Being, the concept of absolute monism. However, it contradicts this principle by allowing a lesser god or an evil being, like the Devil, to exist. This raises the question: Why would the more powerful supreme being allow the lesser God to exist?
One reason is free will. god gave humans and angels the freedom to choose between good and evil. Satan rebelled, showing the importance of free will. Another reason is that facing evil helps people grow morally. By resisting Satan, people can develop virtues like courage and faith. Understanding good and evil also requires contrast.
Seeing the difference between God’s goodness and Satan’s evil helps people appreciate what is good. This idea also addresses the problem of why a good God allows evil. Seeing Satan as a separate being explains evil without blaming God. Finally, the Bible’s stories show Satan as God’s enemy, which helps explain the ongoing struggle between good and evil in the world.
The superior God accomplishes evil by proxy through the inferior God. These actions occur through natural disasters or by causing (possessing) people to perpetrate evil. The superior God can place blame for evil on the lesser God.
However, this circular explanation creates the problem of evil. How can God allow evil to exist? Let’s examine God’s characteristics.
The Characteristics of God
One of the key characteristics is that God is infinite. This means He has no beginning or end and exists beyond time and space. God is also immutable, which means He never changes. His nature and promises remain constant forever.
Another key characteristic is that God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful and can do anything that aligns with His nature. He is also omniscient, knowing everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. This complete knowledge allows Him to understand all things perfectly.
God is omnipresent, which means He is present everywhere. There is no place where God is not. God is self-sufficient; He does not need anything from anyone or anything else to exist or to be complete.
God is also holy, perfect, and pure, without sin or imperfection. His righteousness ensures that He always does what is right and just. God is loving, showing unconditional love and care for His creation. His goodness means He is kind and generous, always seeking the best for His people.
Does God Exist?
Epicurus helps us understand the disadvantages of mitigated dualism philosophy and the weaknesses of moral absolutism in Western theology.
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? ― Epicurus (2)
Epicurus shows us why seeing the world in color is so essential. The fundamental error of reasoning is when belief is substituted for common sense, logic, and facts.
This type of circular logic is the bedrock of Persian and Assyrian mythology. Western organized religion elected to keep it, along with other contradictory superstitions. It’s all part of the black-and-white storytelling. Western religion is the re-branding of Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, and Babylonian mystery religions. They copied them without considering the implications of a skewed philosophy.
So, even if you aren’t a follower of one of these religions, you still feel the influence of their colossal social reach. As of 2005, 54% (3.6 billion people) of the world’s population ascribes to one sect of the Abrahamic religions (2). About 32% follow other religions, and 16% have no organized religion. Their level of influence in your life depends upon how integrated you are into their paradigm. They use powerful brainwashing tools to attract and integrate people into these paradigms.
Unfortunately, these dogmas infiltrate our society and governments. Religious traditions take precedence over the fair treatment of people and the environment. This battle isn’t new. Earlier forms of Gnostic Christianity aligned with pure dualistic philosophy. They held the Devil was an equal and separate independent deity.
The dominant system of Christian dualism is the creation of Constantine-Silvanus. He argued God created the universe through evil means. So, that means the Earth, including humanity, is an error.
Is Moving Beyond Dualistic Thinking Possible?
Yes, moving beyond dualistic thinking is possible. Here are some ways to do it:
1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you become aware of your thoughts and recognize when you are thinking in black-and-white terms. Observing your thoughts without judgment allows you to see the gray areas and complexities in situations.
2. Engage in Meditation
Meditation can help quiet the mind and reduce the tendency to categorize everything into opposites. It encourages a more holistic view of reality, where you can appreciate the interconnectedness of all things.
3. Study Non-dual Philosophies
Learning about non-dual traditions, such as Advaita Vedanta or Taoism, can provide new perspectives on how to see the world as a unified whole rather than divided into opposing parts. We recommend Comparative Analysis, which is a structured form of comparative religious study.
4. Practice Empathy
Try to understand others’ perspectives and experiences. This can help you see beyond your own limited viewpoint and appreciate the diversity of human experience.
5. Embrace Uncertainty
Accept that not everything fits into categories of right and wrong, good and bad. Life is full of complexities and uncertainties, and embracing this can help you move beyond dualistic thinking.
6. Use The Repeating Question Exercise
The first five points of this strategy prepare you to undertake this powerful inner work exercise. The repetitive questioning exercise is a tool to expose our values and thought scripts. This process works best with a partner, but you can do it alone. First, they ask and pause, waiting for your response. Next, you write a few words to help you remember your answer. Then, they ask the same question again.
The person who asks needs to remain non-judgmental and keep everything confidential. They keep asking the same question, repeating it for about 10 minutes. It will give you a good list and get below the canned or easy answers.
If you do this exercise alone, ask out loud. Then, use a timer and keep going for at least 10 minutes. In either case, you must be honest with your responses.
The Questions
Here are some questions to help you determine whether you are the lion or the deer. We recommend a process we call the repeating question to do this. It will help you ferret out the emotional, spiritual, and physical ties to these roles.
— What is your definition of evil?
— Does evil exist within you, or is it an external force or entity?
— Do you believe evil exists outside of you?
— Do you trust that goodness lives within you?
— Does good exist in others outside your belief system?
Analysis of the Process
Review your answers to these four questions. Do your answers contain statements that evoke emotions of fear, anger, or even sadness? Are your responses ambivalent or neutral? Are you seeing the world from a black-and-white dualism perspective?
Whatever emotional attachment you have to your answers is a massive clue about your mindset. If you can’t answer without emotional attachment, you know you have some work to do. You know you need to expand your awareness to see past the boundaries of your paradigm. If this is the case, take your list to the library. Research the topics using sources OUTSIDE of your current worldview.
You don’t have to be a lion or a deer. There is a third perspective on where peace is available. It is the perspective of the Observer.
The Eastern mindset gives you a different perspective. It allows you to perceive the colors of the rainbow of values without negative bias and prejudice. This is a holistic mindset instead of one confined to a specific role. You can find examples of these roles in nature.
The first step is to identify your emotional attachment to specific value-laden concepts. Next, you’ll need to see the value judgments that trap you in either the lion or deer perspective. It’s possible to break free from this mindset. First, you must understand the roles you play and your sacred ground. Realize that defining your world in black-and-white dualism is a problem.
During a crisis like a pandemic, the worst thing you can do is fixate either positively or negatively. If you want to find solutions, you’ll need to be both a realist and an optimist.
In Conclusion
What happens if you complete the exercise above and only have two lists? What happens if you can think of nothing that would allow you to see the third perspective? Well, you have some work to do. Once you see the world in color, you’ll see the error of the dualistic worldview.
If you live the life of the lion or the deer, we hope you find your way out. Most people locked into a dualistic mindset don’t want to find their way out. If you are one of those who are having second thoughts about your beliefs, you are in the right place. This website has several articles that give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your spiritual path.
We recommend conducting research using sources from outside your paradigm. If your belief system has a “banned” book or subject list, then that’s the place to start. You’ll need to challenge your current boundaries of thinking.
References
(1) Abrahamic Religions. Wikipedia.
(2) World Religions by Population. Wikipedia.
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