Words have always fascinated me, and the older I get the more I look at the dictionary, not just for spellings, but definitions and origins.

I was looking at an internet site yesterday and I saw some words which stood out to me. I realised that I had never questioned what certain words and phrases actually meant. The subject of the site is not that important, but the idea of words, used in communal prayer which children learn at their local religious building without the child ever questioning the meaning behind the words, was one that struck me most forcibly.

I was brought up as a Christian, so can only discuss that particular aspect, however, I feel sure there must be other similar words/phrases spoken by other religions that people say because they are taught to without truly understanding the depth of meaning behind the words.

For Christians, the Lord's Prayer is one that they must learn, and repeat every time they take part in a service and often other times too when they are feeling distraught, or contemplative. One part which has always been spoken by me as a child is now finally explained, but it took until yesterday, more than 50 years, for me to realise what I was saying.

It relates to the part, "Thy (God's) will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven". I have said the words many times, but never realised that this has the same meaning as another phrase I have learned over the years, "As above, so below".

Think about it. It is the same idea!

I have spoken both phrases at various times throughout my life, the Christian not very much recently as I have turned away from this religion, but when I have spoken the second phrase I have never registered in my mind that it means the same thing! Instead, I have been encouraged to compartmentalise this with other ideas related to New Age, Occult, etc. I have never tried to cross reference words, phrases, meanings, between two different spiritual ideas, and see if they actually are advocating the same thing.

I had already come to the conclusion that when Christians say, "Amen" at the end of a prayer, they are actually asking for the Egyptian God, Amun, to help them. They are calling on that God's name. Yes, there is one letter different and some people say, A-men encouraging a concept of All/Good Men. But that I believe is a later inference.

I'll admit I am more interested in the history of religion rather than the workings of a particular religion. I am not interested in learning another language unless I am going to use it every day, but I am interested in words and their history/origins. Clearly, I have adapted this attitude to religions as well.

I am not trying to belittle or diminish anyone's particular faith/belief in the orthodox religions. For many it is what is needed to help them survive in this world and I am not knocking that. But I do feel we should all be sure about what it is precisely we are saying/thinking/believing.

People don't like to cross reference/compare religions very much. Children are today expected to learn about other faiths, but not in a comparative or politicallly historical way.

Without true questioning of a faith/belief we are no better than automatons who only repeat by rote without meaning or understanding (wisdom) of what they are saying or doing. Some actions and thoughts will be understood but others if they are a bit obscure need to be researched in more depth and understood to a greater level before being pronounced publicly.

The above and below concept is clearly something that has been around a long time and in a few cases with alternative words has gained a slightly different definition, yet the reality is that they are united in on concept - what happens on Earth, around us and to us, will happen in the sky/space above us too.

Think carefully about this before decrying my interpretation. If you are still sure you understand exactly what you say then great, but if you are not sure, look into the matter further, and be prepared to cross reference and see if there have been other interpretations in the past or present.