Stairway of Human Affairs:

The stairway of human affairs either ascends into the
Heaven of wisdom or descends into the hell of
Arrogance and ignorance.

Those who descend the stairway into the abyss of ignorance
and arrogance are characterized by symptoms the blight
of which erodes their human attributes and deprives them
of the potential for moral, ethical, and spiritual excellence

If, however, they ascend the stairway the steps
they trod will lead them to the threshold
Of that which is their most beloved.

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The first step on the stairway to wisdom
Is the recognition that there is more to learn
than is already known.

The second step is acceptance that what has
Long been believed to be true may not be.

The third step is the knowledge that truth is in the mind
of the interpreter and that the true translation of truth has only
been bestowed upon the Founders of the Great religions
and not on the self-appointed prophets who profess
to speak on Their behalf and with Their approval.

The fourth step is the recognition that science
Is one of the greatest Gifts of the Creator to His creation
And that through it the truths revealed by his Prophets
are tried, tested, and immersed in the cleansing crucible
of rigorous examination and reason.

The fifth step is respect and courtesy toward even the lowliest
of God’s creatures each of whom derives its existence
from His behest and that disrespect to that which
He has created is an affront to Him also.

The sixth step is the realization that forgiveness is
greater than revenge, kindness is more powerful than cruelty,
compassion is more productive than callousness, generosity is
more rewarding than greed, love is more fulfilling than hatred
and courtesy is more bountiful than rudeness.

The seventh step is the recognition that there is only
one God though He may be known through various Messengers
each of whom is a credit to and a legitimate Spokesperson
on His behalf and Each of whom appears at a different time
and with a different Message suited to the needs of the
age in which They appear.

The eighth step is the recognition that superficial differences
such as color, language, race, or culture are simply ecological
adaptations by the species and do not reflect any inherent
weakness or deficiency thereby and that there is only one
human family and one country to which all equally belong

The ninth step is the recognition that it is the virtues
not the vices that distinguish us as human and that
it is the degree to which we aspire to the one and
diligently avoid the other that will lead us to the destiny
for which we were created and into the beckoning
arms of the inmates of heaven.