Religion

[JOEBIALEK]

With the passing of Pope John Paul ll, perhaps some reflection on religious beliefs is appropriate.   Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerned with explaining the origins and purposes of the universe, usually involving belief in a supernatural creator and offering guidance in ethics and morals.  It also consists of any of several institutions with their own beliefs, rituals, and teachings.  Throughout history and even still today, most religions claim to be the one true religion and all others are considered either phony imitations or some sort of heretical sacrilege.   It is a sad reality that most people do not recognize the benefit of what can be learned from other religions along the way of their spiritual journey.   If one studies the major religions of today such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism etcetera they will find more similarities than differences.   They are guides for how to live and grow spiritually.  Some would argue that religion has been one of the biggest causes of humanity's problems but others counter that it is the misinterpretation of religious tenets that causes strife.  Still further, many people see religion as a form of control over the masses whereas others see it as a necessary shield against evil influences.
 
I had the opportunity to read a book recently concerning near death experiences {NDE}.  The book was a compilation of individual testimonies by those who left their bodies temporarily and returned to tell about their experience.  The author characterized their stories and then pointed out the large similarities and small differences in each of the NDE's.  Two personal friends of mine have had an NDE and shared their experience with me.  I've also communicated with a deceased friend by way of a psychic medium.   All three sources agreed that upon death of the body, we travel through a tunnel toward a bright, warm and loving light.  Upon entering the light, we are given a life review.   During the life review, we re-experience all the thoughts, words and actions that came from us.   Anything negative is re-experienced as though we are the person on the receiving end of our negativity.  For example, one of the contributors to the book re-experienced the event where he had severely beaten another man although this time, he felt the blows he had administered.   The whole premise for experiencing the light appears to be an opportunity to examine what we have learned along our spiritual journey.   In conclusion, it appears that Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Confucius, and Buddha were all very wise men who made a significant impact on humanity teaching spirituality as it applied to a specific civilization.   Perhaps if humanity could somehow integrate all these religious belief systems toward the goal of one spirituality with God, we could finally begin to see the emergence of world peace.
 

[dazzleman]

I like your ideas.

Many of the most religious people miss the point of religion, but I think you have captured it quite well.

My definition of religion would be a little more expansive.  I think religion is not just about explaining the origins of the universe, but really a philosophy on how to live your life, and what values are deemed important.  Under that definition, everybody has a religion, even those who are not religious in the sense of following Christian, Jewish, Islamic, etc. teachings.

Because everybody de facto has a "religion," even those who claim to disdain religion, I find the constant attacks on the religious by those who claim to oppose religion disingenuous.  Those who say they oppose religion really want to impose their own version on society, and are at least as controlling and dictatorial as the religious they despise.

[phk]

Because everybody de facto has a "religion," even those who claim to disdain religion, I find the constant attacks on the religious by those who claim to oppose religion disingenuous.  Those who say they oppose religion really want to impose their own version on society, and are at least as controlling and dictatorial as the religious they despise.

Religion is attributed to people who favor faith over reason and logic. The whole zealous faith over reason promotes such behavior.

It is a small step from putting faith over science (such as believing it's even remotely feasible to have 2 of each species of animal on a wooden boat) to believing you are justified in murdering someone you believe to be a witch ("Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live") and so on.

Religion promotes self-justification over external science/reason and so many evil deeds begin with self-righteousness.

I do not say Religion makes good people evil; I simply say that it is a wonderful garden for growing evil.

[Gabu]

No they don't, its quite the reverse.

Er, what capitalist has killed a communist for opposing capitalism?

[phk]

No they don't, its quite the reverse.

Er, what capitalist has killed a communist for opposing capitalism?

Many of the proletariat starve to death, it just happens indirectly.

[JOEBIALEK]

some interesting points...perhaps someday religion will evolve into spirituality...