Where Heaven Lies

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies.
Be brave and upright that God may love thee.
Speak the truth always even if it leads to your death.
Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.

That is your oath."

Just got back from watching Kingdom of Heaven, quite a movie I have to say. It is a bit draggy in some parts, and seems a bit decapitated at certain portions, but overall the package comes across largely as a success. And I guess part of the success comes from the fact that is has only a simple message to bring across, the danger of religious fervour but more importantly, where heaven lies.

It's so blindingly obvious I guess people tend to miss it nowadays. The whole movie revolves around the Christians and Muslims fighting over stones and walls in the desert, their "Kingdom of Heaven", Jerusalem. But I guess we forget, that heaven lies within us, and as pointed out in the movie, "What God desires" is but our mind and heart. Nothing depicted this endless war between religions than the scene where both armies clash in a narrow breach in the walls of Jerusalem, both sides unable to gain any ground but still losing men by the hundreds. Do we love God by hating each other? Do we find peace and solace by waging war? Do we get our own "Kingdom of Heaven", only by wracking hell on Earth?

Everyone who loves God should take the time to consider, do we need religion to tell us how to love God?

"Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves."

One of the quotes from the movie which I find thought-provoking. Perhaps if we opened ourselves more, and let in the light, we will truly find where heaven lies. Within each and everyone of us.

Don