Religion, in its purest form, is an individual quest for the answers to life’s most elusive questions: How did we get here? What happens when we die? What is the purpose of life? Is there a higher being or greater power than ourselves? To what do we owe our existence? What do we owe each other? Man is a thinking creature, and it is in his nature to seek answers to all that he can know. But for those things that he cannot find conclusive proof, man ascribes the answer to a force bigger than himself, often called God. Over the course of humanity, different groups of people have found different answers to these questions, and through their interpretation of their world, have created their own version of God. The result is a smorgasbord of religious thought and theory, passed down through the millennia, ingrained in the culture and societies of our world. And as the cultures of the world began to engage each other, either through trade or through war or through serendipitous encounters, the constructs of religion were put to the test.
Because religion provides an answer to things that can’t be proven with tangible evidence, and because mankind has an insatiable appetite to understand why things are, once a culture has embraced its religious theories it is hesitant to accept the religious thoughts of other people as valid. And because the gods are assigned with such power and reverence, it is considered unwise to go against the common practices. Still, over time, religious concepts have changed as man himself has changed, and what was once the prevailing religion of the day is now relegated to mythology status or, even lower, superstition.
It is undeniable that religion has played a major role in the development of our cultures, and that it still does today. The desire to ascribe the miracle that is life to a higher power is as much a part of humanity as our need for oxygen or water or food. Our eagerness to please the gods helped shape behavioral actions into what we now know as morality. Religions seek to bestow favors on their gods in reverence for the gift of life and nature that the gods surely provide. Such rituals reinforce religious thought and become part of the standard practices of daily life. But religion is also used as a tool for controlling the people and for creating enemies where none need be. Religion is used to divide people from each other, in spite of their otherwise common ground. On one hand, religion offers peace and purpose. On the other, it invites only misery and disdain. How this dichotomy is even possible would be a mystery were it not for one thing: the ideals of religion are simple; it is man who screws it all up.
The simple fact that there are so many variations of religious thought should lead a rational mind to conclude that either all of them are completely wrong, or all of them are at least partially right. Indeed, a quick review of varying religions’ basic tenets offers a surprisingly common premise, that the purpose of life is to attain happiness and appreciation of the world and all that it has to offer, and that to live a purposeful life one should treat others well and strive to do more good than harm. If, in fact, all religious teaching focused on these basic ideas, there would be much less strife in the world today. If the end result is the same, at least in terms of the way people relate to each other, does it really matter the manner in which these ends are met? The reality should be that the method of belief is secondary to the desired goal, which is peace with oneself, one’s world, and one’s neighbors. Whether you get there by praying to a single god, through offerings to multiple, minor deities, through meditation and introspection, or by secular means should be irrelevant, provided that you cause no harm to others in the practice of your chosen religion.
Of the existing major religions in the world today, you could probably divide them into two major sub-groups: the one’s that believe in an actual God, and the one’s that ascribe supernatural traits to the natural world itself. (Interestingly enough, to an objective mind, even these distinctions are not really that different. Whether you believe in a single “God” or a natural “force,” the omniscience ascribed to it often yields the same consequences. The real difference is in the description.) Those that believe in a single God are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In fact, the “God” of all three is the same god, and all three groups trace their ancestry to a single man, Abraham, and his sons. Judaism is the oldest of the three, going back some 4,000 years. Christianity could be describes as Judaism 2.0 and Islam as Judaism 3.0 (or Christianity 2.0), both chronologically and ideologically. Those religions that take a more naturalistic view towards religion include Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Daoism, and Confucianism. Hinduism, the oldest of these, some 6,000 years old, confers multiple minor deities with various traits and powers that taken together become a kind of natural pantheon of completeness. Buddhism branches from Hinduism. Daoism and Shinto view connection with all things and nature as essential to reaching a state of perfection.
Each religion believes it has found answers to the questions that have no answers, at least none that can be proven. Each religion knows the way to eternal paradise. But just as there are many different doors to an opera house, so too may there be many different ways to human completeness. For some of society, no religion is necessary at all.
The promise of religion to the individual is one of knowledge and peace. Unfortunately, religion is not taught to us with that in mind. Rather, religion is ingrained into us from an early age, and whatever our particular religion may be, we are taught it to the exclusion of all others. And to a point, I suppose that’s fine. But eventually, it becomes important for us to learn a little bit about other people’s religions and ideas, if only to reaffirm our own teachings for ourselves. To learn another’s point of view does not have to jeopardize your own beliefs, nor does it need to lead to prejudice or hate. What difference does it make what I believe, so long as I am not harming you or anyone else? How is my choice of religion any more offensive than the color of my hair or the kind of car I drive? Why should someone’s religion cause them to be my enemy when I’ve never even met them?
Of all the things that can divide mankind, religion should be the last. It is not a limited resource like water or oil or food. It is not an environmental or biological concern, like pollution or disease. It does not concern itself with territory or power or fortune. Religion, at the individual level, seeks none of those things. Even at a local, congregational level the purpose of religion is for a community to share their similar religious beliefs and rejoice in their common bonds. Religion, at its heart, is about peace and purpose. To use it in any other way is to negate any good it has and to spit on the very gods it worships.
Religion fascinates me. As a child of the western world, my practical exposure to religion has been of various Christian denominations with a smattering of Judaism mixed in here and there. All I know of the other main religions (and some minor ones as well) has been learned through reading, or talking with practitioners of other faiths. I have never visited a mosque or shrine, and while I’ve been to many, I do not attend church. I often feel that organized religion tends to indulge the worst facets of humanity while only professing to strive for the best. But whether I follow a specific brand of religion, or none at all, is irrelevant to the bigger topic at hand. What’s more important is to understand why religion has become such a divisive force in our world and what we can do to change that. I hope you stay tuned, because this conversation isn’t over yet.
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 28th, 2005 at 7:12 am and is filed under Common Sense, Life, Religion, society.
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July 28th, 2005 at 6:55 am
whoa! you seem to put in a lot of thought into your posts…that’s really admirable although I must admit I’m not a fan of long entries and zoned off around the second paragraph…*blush*
July 28th, 2005 at 7:27 am
yeah..i respect your opinion..
July 28th, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Very well said, but (I wouldn’t be commenting if there wasn’t a “but”)I suspect you ascribe way too much innocence to the development and basic purposes of the various multitude of religons. It seems to me that at the core of all religon’s tenets , there is a built in intolerance to the beliefs of others.
Back in our tribal days, such intolerance probably went hand-in-hand with the general slaughter and warfare that seems to develop between any two different (real or imagined, what exactly is an American) groups of humans.
Years ago, I jokingly began ascribing religious belief to a mental defect. Now I’m not sure its a joke.
July 28th, 2005 at 4:50 pm
Another nice post, Ken!
I think the biggest challenge with religion is it’s inate intention to control. Whetherit be mind, body, spirit or all three, it’s the control either in the form of rules and prohibitions, descrimination or any of the other pedagogical constructs.
Also since those in power at the church level reap untold rewards and gain a multitude of benefits, there is no impetus whatsoever to go for tolerance and acceptance.
It amazes me that we can all kill each other over how right we are about a completely provable belief.
If two men were fighting and one killed the other and when asked what the fight was about he replied he said Gummi Bears were the best candy and I said Skittles, so it must be Skittles because I won, you couldn’t get him into a padded cell fast enough.
Now substitute Jesus and Allah, and suddenly it seems plausible – if not eually as crazy.
Plus you haven’t even added all the pagans and atheists who just end up complicating things even further.
Plus given that we are trending toward fundamentalism in all things, I doubt we will see any tolerance any time soon.
If you(or anyone else) wants to check out my theory on why people seem to forgo critical thinking when it comes to the big three religions check this out: http://rudicusreport.blogspot.com/2004/12/perfect-god.html
July 28th, 2005 at 7:02 pm
Religion is only a form of rituals. True religion is this: visiting widows and orphans and keeping from being defiled by the world. Actually “religion” revolves around relationship. Relationship with God is possible through Jesus, His Son. Once we are in right relationship, religion goes to develop a better relationship through prayer and reading God’s Word. He is a fascinating Being that no one can ever know fully. But it remains to be done.
July 28th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
But there is one religion which unites people of all faiths.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Confusionism
July 28th, 2005 at 8:43 pm
Confusionism rules.. I’m all for that.
Ken, also, what about exoteric vs esoteric religion? All the esoteric people agree. No matter what their religion. It’s the exoteric religionists that cause all the fights…
July 28th, 2005 at 9:46 pm
Confusionism is confusion.
Islam is slam.
Please, don’t confuse and fuse these religions with Christianity.
Only the ignorant say Christianity and Islam are similar. They are not. Islam is a heresy of Christianity to duplicate the truth.
God and Jeus Christ being duplicated by Allah and Mohammed.
Abraham was not the founder of Judaism.
Prophet Moses was the founder of Judaism.
Not knowing the truth, leads to Confusionism.
Jesus Christ said, “You shall the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
God bless you always.
July 28th, 2005 at 10:16 pm
Confusionismis a religion for all people, a pseudo-spiritual-top-up religion I like to call it. Anyone, from any religion, along with atheists, agnostics, and intelligent animals, can join.
Why? Because certainty kills. Religious zealots who believe they – and only they – have found the true religion, have a habit of causing more deaths and leading to more and more division in society. So we’ve formulated a way, albeit a slightly satirical way, for all people to come under one banner.
Because apparently being human isn’t enough.
July 28th, 2005 at 10:39 pm
I’m a Christian. I do not attend any organized church. I do read my bible regularly. I think the biggest problem with organized religion is that there are simply too many people now. Think about it. When the towns were small and the spaces between them wide, coming together with others for the purpose of belief was far more meaningful. The stretches of time between gathering together was spent in personal study of your faith. People spent a great deal more time pondering God. When I walk in a church and see plasma TV’s and state of the art kitchens, I see barriers to faith. That’s just me, but it is the reason I read and ponder, and do not seek what used to be called fellowship.
July 28th, 2005 at 11:15 pm
Nice post Ken.
In my view, and the view of some theosophists, religions are only different in their exoteric manifestations. Esotericly, however, the religions are singular and unified.
I also believe that, in their exoteric forms, the religions are each false. I run away from organized religions, but I relish and admire those schools of religiously minded folk who are able to reach the kernel of each religion and actually act in accordance therwith.
I always think of religion as a street. You use it to get to God’s door, but once you get there, you must leave the street to enter through the door. Once inside, the street is meaningless. And oh how there are so many streets leading to his door.
The funny (maybe not so funny) thing is how people use religion merely as a means purely to identify who they think they are. I am from Jewish street. He is from Christian street. She is from muslim street. Who cares once your inside God’s house?
The Gospel of Thomas states: “If those who lead you say unto you: Behold, the Kingdom is in heaven, then the birds of the heaven will be before you. If they say unto you: It is in the sea, then the fish will be before you. But the Kingdom is within you, and it is outside of you. When you know yourselves, then shall you be known, and you shall know that you are the sons of the living Father. But if ye do not know yourselves, then you are in poverty, and you are poverty.”
Or as Ibn Arabi (a great Sufi) said: ” I follow the religion of Love: whatever way Love’s camels take, that is my religion and my faith”
July 28th, 2005 at 11:17 pm
One more great line from Ibn Arabi:
O Marvel! a garden amidst the flames.
My heart has become capable of every form: it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks,
and a temple for idols and the pilgrim’s Kaa’ba, and the tables of the Torah and the book of the Quran.
July 29th, 2005 at 1:07 am
From your description of religion it seems to me as if you are actually referring to both religion and philosophy. This is not a problem in itself, I believe it’s obvious that the subject matter of both religion and philosophy arises from similar questions as you noted.
However if this is the case, and you are actually referring to both, I think it might be a stretch to say that there is a pervading common premise. In addition, you then seem to take for granted throughout much of the rest of the post that there is a common end to be pursued in accordance with the basic tenets you mention. Surely this is not the case with many philosophies (both that there is a common end and that it may be reached without violating the tenets), Nietzsche comes immediately to mind but perhaps Hegel’s work is a better example.
Now if you were talking strictly about religion, namely the big 3, ignore what I just said.
July 29th, 2005 at 3:40 am
re: your observation, “Our eagerness to please the gods helped shape behavioral actions into what we now know as morality.” – Is it our desire to please the gods or is it something built into every man by our creator? The conscience is a great tool that, unbent by our wrong desires, can lead and guide our actions so that we do the right thing. – To Quote Byron, “Man’s conscience is the oracle of God.”
July 29th, 2005 at 6:27 am
(responses)
Before I get into the individual responses, a point of edification (for myself and for everyone else also.)
Esoteric: understood by only a select few; intended for an inner circle of disciples. Also, private, secret, confidential.
Exoteric: that can be understood by the general public; not belonging or restricted to an inner circle of disciples, scholars, etc. Also, popular, well known, commonplace.
Now, to the responses…
Drizzlenightsky- The average post takes about 5 minutes to read. Just a small amount of time really. Perhaps if I made it into a tv short for you… thanks for giving it a shot though. Better luck next time.
FlirtinFelicity- Thanks. Keep on flirtin’ !
And drop by again sometime.
Mike Gaither- I don’t think intolerance in inherent as you say, but definitely taught and ingrained. Not all religions are intolerant of each other. Some view alternate beliefs with amusement or complete disinterest. Others seem to need to demonize differences for whatever reasons.
Original violence may have been religious based, or again it could have been resource based. Or simple misunderstanding. Certainly, as humanity developed, religion has been used as a rallying cry for war and discrimination, but again, these are learned characteristics rather than innate ones.
As for the mental defect theory, you might want to create some kind of pill for that, mass advertise and retire early. Pills are all the rage you know!
Glad you shared your thoughts.
Rudicus- It’s true that religions are one basis for behavioral control, and it is often used to stifle original thinking or punish our innate questioning nature.
The greatest irony of religion, to me, has been it’s ability to twist its own promise of peace, knowledge, and love into a way to subjugate mankind and instigate devisiveness.
Church leaders are much like politicians in that regard. They often lack integrity and trade truth for power. Human involvement by organizing religion has only lead to its corruption.
By the way, paganism is a form of religion too. And athiests still have those same questions floating around in their heads. They just find answers in science and concrete proof. (Even though in some cases, science is an act of faith as well, so perhaps it is also religion, but in a different guise…)
I look forward to reading your post.
Brenda- I am glad that you have found an answer that works for you, but hope that you recognize that others may be exploring God without having Jesus for a guide. Could it be, that while Christianity works for you, achieving nirvana leads to the exact same “heaven” as the one you aspire to? If, as many religions assert, God is everywhere, why could God not also be the same God to all, only presented differently to different people.
Unless you assume that this God just likes to create strife among his creatures, wouldn’t all forms of religious interpretation and worship be acceptable?
Something to think about there, if you dare.
Pope Ben XVI- Confusionism sounds a lot like Kenfusionism, something I coined years ago, in the time before blogs. It certainly does offer a big tent for all belief systems, doesn’t it.
Glad to have you drop in.
Jet- Glad you’re weighing in on the post. Your adaptation of religion in your life seems to me the model that more should approach, regardless of the denominational preferences. If religion is at its core a relationship between an individual and their god or higher power, then organized religion becomes an unnecessary activity. It exists, I think, to keep hold the binds that the church has tied on society and the rivalries that it has created, needlessly.
Key to your practices, of course, is that other people respect your path as you will theirs. We must each find our answers in our own ways, and though often we will hold the same views as others, this does not mean we must all march in unison at all times.
Chandira- Esoterics are those that keep the secrets to themselves, so I would agree that they agree with each other within the confines of their specific beliefs. But the very nature of their secrecy establishes a form of power over those who don’t have the secrets (read church heirarchy vs. congregation) and this power can be directed to create all sorts of feelings and assumptions. Including misguided hatred of other religious viewpoints.
Exoterics, on the other hand, feel that if the answers exist and can be understood, then everyone should be able to learn them. It sounds more like a free and generous frame of mind, but again the reality may sometimes be different.
In truth, both kinds of religious thought can be manipulated to cause unrest.
Thanks for the question.
Orikinla- First, I never claim Abraham as the founder of Judaism, only that the three religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) trace their common ancestry to Abraham, in effect alluding to the fact that historically they are all of the same seed. Brothers fighting brothers, if you will.
A simple study of the timeline and early writings easily establishes an linear progression between the three, with Christianity building off Judaism, and Islam incorporating aspect of both religions, albeit with a more rigorous social component.
Further, God and Allah refer to the same supreme being. It’s a language thing…
I am happy for you in that Christianity seems to be working for you, but a bit worried that you know only the surface information of your proclaimed faith. I am curious if this is something chosen by you or chosen for you, and if the latter whether you’ve explored other religious theories out of curiosoties sake.
I understand that the essence of religious faith implies absolute conviction that your religion is the right one, bar none. It’s that bar none part that gets me.
Glad to have you in the discussion.
Bulldog- Apparently, I agree with your opening statement, since I proposed that the basic tenets of most religions are compatible, if not identical. As you say, it is the exoteric manifestations that distinguish them from each other.
I also have a greater respect for those who truly take their religion to heart in an attempt to find personal solace and comfort, solutions and strength for whatever they need. It is those who wear their religion on the sleeve, or worse, at the end of a gun or piece of legislation, who I believe have been using religion as a convenient tool of control and division.
It seems curious that the well known and respected prophets of any religion seem to say the same things about the meaning of religion. Thanks for the quotes.
Matt- I was only talking about religion, purposely not touching on philosophy per se. And though philosophy is just another path to seeking the unknowable answers to the big questions, it doesn’t have the power that religion has over humanity.
Of course, philosophy also addresses non-religious curiosoties as well, and thus becomes its own topic for a post or two. Thanks for the comments.
Prying One- Your question becomes a theological question if you pose it as one, just as it can be an anthropological one if you frame it that way. And the truth is…who knows for sure. One could argue that early superstition (religion then, now regarded as wrong) and lack of knowledge of the natural world created a kind of God fear, and to appease an angry God was worth a behavioral modification or two. Perhaps it was an extension of the primal nature of pre-humanity to appease the strongest leaders by agreeing with their course of action. Eventually, such behaviors became standard practice for the group and was expected from all. Codifying it through eventual religion only ensured that it would endure.
On the other hand, a strong faith can also argue that man was created to please God and thus adopts behavior that has been proscribed by god
through messengers or direct inspiration. Any other explanations can also be attributed to God as part of the “plan” which we can never really know. But only by adopting this view of God (whatever particular lesson is taught)can a person truly reach the ultimate goal of heaven.
Who is right? Both? Neither? Does it really matter?
Morality alters too though, but certain specific behaviors, like murder, rape, and theft, are almost universally abhorred,and have been throughout much of our history. These are those moralities that I alluded to in that reference. And even these ideal moralities are ignored by many, if not all, religions at some time or another.
Athiests also have consciences too. They just don’t tie it to a “soul.”
July 29th, 2005 at 12:41 pm
Yes atheists behave just because they’re good people. People being arrested for the most heinous crimes believe in god. Obviously the atheists are just going about their lives not worried about eternal damnation but behaving anyway. That deserves MORE credit in my book than people who behave because they fear a punishing god.
July 29th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
I’m really late getting here, so I just want to add a quick bit about my religion: On an episode of “The Beverly Hillbillies” the subject came up of what religion or denomination the Clampetts were. Jed Clampett replied, “Why, we’s Golden Rulers!” I always liked that – it’s been my religion ever since 8^)
July 29th, 2005 at 2:58 pm
I agree with your assessments. You sound like a religious humanist. Care to join an Alliance of like-minded: http://religioushumanism.blogspot.com/
July 29th, 2005 at 4:26 pm
The way i see it, most religions have some common theme to some extent. Most religions at some point promote monotheistic worship. If you took away all the traditions, names and ideologies added over time, you will find that most started with monotheistic worship to an unseen god. The problem is that with the majority of religions, we now do not know what is added and what is not.
July 29th, 2005 at 10:19 pm
Your are right but is this a post or your thesis for your Phd
July 30th, 2005 at 12:58 am
Ken, don’t worry about those who say your posts are too long… it’s a unique niche to occupy the blogger ecosystem 8^)
PS: How about doing a post on the diminshing attention spans of modern… um… ooh, look over there!
July 30th, 2005 at 10:00 pm
Ken, sorry to be late in the comment area but my internet connection has been on the fritz. A while back (before I found your blog, I think) I posted my views on organized religion. Here’s the link and the five tenets I came up with. Wondering what others think. (Link: http://educationalwhisper.blogspot.com/2005/04/fundamental-purposes-of-organized.html)
Windspike’s Five Fundamental Purposes of Organized Religion. They are:
1) Organized religion provides one with a sense of belonging and a ready made community of likeminded friends to which not everyone has access.
2) Organized religion provides a vehicle by which one can, either alone or in concert with some advisors/friends, work to solve her/his own riddles and problems. This is accomplished via prayer, prayer groups, counseling by a priest and the like.
3) Organized religion offers members a sense of security and serenity with the idea of Death, as in comfort with the notion of an afterlife. This assuages one’s fears about death and dying.
4) Organized religion proveds a rubric or set of beliefs and values to which one can adhear or deviate, but mainly sets the ethical tone by which high quality behavior is evaluated. That is, what is right or wrong to do has clear boundaries and members should behave accordingly.
5) Lastly, organized religion offers absolution of, or the forgiving of one’s sins/bad behavior.
July 31st, 2005 at 2:22 pm
(responses)
Anonymous- I think I agree with you here. In a world seemingly dependent upon religious belief, those who choose to live life without the benefit of a “God in the pocket” so to speak, are the ones who show how humanity can exist and act peacefully without needing to seek wisdom from a god. Thanks for dropping by.
ShaeNC- Oh that crazy golden rule, which has variations in most religions. FOr those who may not know it, it goes something like this: Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
Simple concept, eh? And one theoretically espoused by many western religions, until the find someone different that is.
Thanks Shae!
Shawn- Humanism is another choice for people to take, and while I hesitate to ally myself with a particular religious movement, I think humanism has a lot going for it. I’ll be sure to check out your site. Thanks for dropping by.
Jamal- Not all religions worship a god, as you say. many eastern religions worship the properties of nature and transcend into multitheism if a label must be applied. Though I only touch on the world’s largest religions here, ther are thousands that differ in their premise. If there is a common theme ( and I agree that there is) it revolves around human behavior and the basis for those actions, whether ascribed to a god and reward or not. Glad you dropped in.
Trudging- A PhD dissertation would be significantly longer and be filled with subtext messages and a bibliography.
All posts on Common Sense require more than 30 seconds to read, but if you agree with my thoughts, than a few minutes out of life shouldn’t be too troubling.
Hope to hear from you again.
Shae- Funny!
Windspike- Never too late to comment. You know that! Organized religion is itself a barrier to a more pure form of individual religousity, but also somewhat necessary for religious proliferation. Your 5 tenets seem to be accurate, but I’m not sure if tey are enough to reform my views on organized religion.
1- Exclusionary tactics create a wall of separation between congregants and the rest of the world.
2- Dependence on a spiritual leader for interaction with ones god or higher power establishes a wall of separation between the people and the god, opening up a path of corruption for unscrupulous priests, et. al.
3- Death and dying are a large part of any religious belief, especially western religions. But security? For those with “hell” concepts, the prospect of death, especially for those who have led a less than righteous life, can also bring trepidation.
4- Moral behavior is not the exclusive realm of religion. As noted earlier in the comments, athiests can acquire moral behavior too. I think morality is not as tied to religion as it once was, but instead has become a cultural expectation in today’s world.
5- True enough. At least in the western religions.
Always good to hear from you!
August 1st, 2005 at 2:10 am
I once heard someone say that religion and belief in God is simply a human being’s inability to grasp the concept that this life is all it is and all it ever will be (ie, all there ever will be of YOU). That human beings simply cannot and will not grasp the fact that there is no afterlife and you don’t “continue on.” This person really believed that people’s complete unwillingness to believe that is what creates God, religion and all the trouble in the world.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:47 am
Wowie Zowie! This is an interesting site. Mystic Housewife here, life-long interest in theology, life-long feeling of connectedness – always wondered why humanity has this discomfort with the Mystery and came to the conclusion-of-the-moment: religious dogma is about power, not spirituality (one of your commenters touched on this). For those who can tolerate answers that come with more questions – quantum physics is still rising up in the collective unconscious and a good thing, too!
August 1st, 2005 at 4:08 pm
Western thinking often tends to dichotomize phenomena into either/or categories, whereas, a both/and perspective might prove to be more fruitful in anaysis.
August 2nd, 2005 at 3:26 pm
Your detailed analysis of the various theological thought processes and of the reasoning behind the seemingly inexplicable inability on the part of the various religions to accept the validity of religions other than themselves is very cogent and thought provoking. Religion in its purest form must serve to enlighten mankind, by answering its questions about its purpose of existence, the path that it must take to achieve this goal, and the risks that it may encounter. Somewhere, leaders have manipulated this powerful force to their advantage and to the general detriment of mankind. I pray and hope that many more realise the higher truth as you have.
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:34 pm
(responses)
Blah- Concepts of God are not the cause of trouble in the world, organized religion for the sake of power is. Whether an individual needs a God concept to get through life or not should be irrelevant to the way we behave towards each other.
Glad you dropped by.
Sidhe-Quantum physics, eh? Yes, science has been able to explain much about our unseen world, but it too has gaps in its theories. Whether through religion or science, the individual choice and belief should be what is important, and what should be protected as a basic element of freedom. Thanks for the comment.
Dave- I agree completely, at least with regards to many things. Glad you left us a bit of Common Sense to ponder.
Vivek- Thanks for the compliment! In the latest post, I discuss some thoughts on organized religion that hopefully are as cogent as this post. Hope to hear from you again!
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:41 am
Well, I have given my thoughts on this matter over at http://the-hip.blogspot.com/2005/08/my-take-on-my-religion-can-beat-up.html. See if it interests you 😀
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:25 am
(response)
eko- I left a response to your analysis of my essay over at oyur blog. For now, let me just say thank you for such a rousing discussion of this subject.
I’d like to encourage everyone to paste eko’s link in your browser bar for more on this essay. (Both his responses to my essay and my responses to his comments.)
Hope to hear from you again eko!