An answer to the original question? I found this today.
All human beings should try to learn before they die
What they are running from, and to, and why.
James Thurber
Why choose religion?
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: An answer to the original question? I found this today.
All human beings should try to learn before they die
What they are running from, and to, and why.
James Thurber
Blind in one eye. He created people and stories about America in the New Yorker magazine. His comics were given to being matisse-esque. Brilliant man. Made the people of the world that he lived in look at themselves.
All human beings should try to learn before they die
What they are running from, and to, and why.
James Thurber
Blind in one eye. He created people and stories about America in the New Yorker magazine. His comics were given to being matisse-esque. Brilliant man. Made the people of the world that he lived in look at themselves.
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: Why do people feel compelled to be religious. In your opinion.
There are the generic answers such as a need to search or to feel safe and secure.
Why are some people not religious?
Do they feel no need to search they feel more safe and secure without religious belief?
I am not religious because I am also not superstitious. I really think the two go together. So much of religion absolutely defies logic. Of course there was a Jesus, a Moses and all of the begats, that makes sense and is logical. The Virgin Birth, walking on water, resurection, burning bushes etc. is not logical in the world in which I live and know, nor is the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
There are the generic answers such as a need to search or to feel safe and secure.
Why are some people not religious?
Do they feel no need to search they feel more safe and secure without religious belief?
I am not religious because I am also not superstitious. I really think the two go together. So much of religion absolutely defies logic. Of course there was a Jesus, a Moses and all of the begats, that makes sense and is logical. The Virgin Birth, walking on water, resurection, burning bushes etc. is not logical in the world in which I live and know, nor is the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
Why choose religion?
I believe that to achieve ultimate inner contentment I need to live my life guided by what's right. I am a Roman Catholic and while there is much I disagree with I like the general guidance I have been given by the Christian faith or specifically by Jesus Christ. In fact I have used that guidance to fight against what I do not agree with in the Roman Catholic Church which I am still a proud member of. I suppose I would actually say I follow the Christian religion because it has given me the necessary guidance I need and satisfactorily filled my spiritual dimension within.
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: [All human beings should try to learn before they die
What they are running from, and to, and why.
That reminds me of that cool book from the 70's, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"
Learn all you can in this life and your next will be that much closer to God. I each life you'll strive for perfection.
What they are running from, and to, and why.
That reminds me of that cool book from the 70's, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"
Learn all you can in this life and your next will be that much closer to God. I each life you'll strive for perfection.
All the world's a stage and the men and women merely players...Shakespeare
Why choose religion?
jackie wrote: Some people need some form of organized religion, and some do not. Religion can provide many beneficial things for the follower. Religion is also used to discriminate. Spirituality can be reached by attending services or not. Depending on how each individual needs to acheive spirituality is the method they will use. Being a "ggod person" is far more important than organized religion. If someone needs organized religion for direction, so be it but some do not. I am tired of people being self-righteous and believing that they have higher morals because religion is an active part of their lives.
Organized religion is a very powerful force and has been the reason more people have been killed in history than any other.
Jackie
www.hoppy.bravehost.com
Welcome to the garden jackie. Plenty of good things to do and see here.
Went out today and ran into a Christian of today. The one thing that I noticed about his one way conversation was that he would start out a conversation with some fallacious statement, accuse everybody else exept his christian (note the lower case) belief as being doomed to hell and then try and hide behind his pronouncements while people were trying to figure out what he had said. As someone would clue in he would then start the whole excercise all over again. Talk about boring!
Talk aboout pretensions. He didn't listen to anything but his own fantasy about what he thought that he had heard. Talk about slow time.
Have fun posting.
Organized religion is a very powerful force and has been the reason more people have been killed in history than any other.
Jackie
www.hoppy.bravehost.com
Welcome to the garden jackie. Plenty of good things to do and see here.
Went out today and ran into a Christian of today. The one thing that I noticed about his one way conversation was that he would start out a conversation with some fallacious statement, accuse everybody else exept his christian (note the lower case) belief as being doomed to hell and then try and hide behind his pronouncements while people were trying to figure out what he had said. As someone would clue in he would then start the whole excercise all over again. Talk about boring!
Talk aboout pretensions. He didn't listen to anything but his own fantasy about what he thought that he had heard. Talk about slow time.
Have fun posting.
Why choose religion?
Being religious does not have to mean belonging to an organized religion.
I wonder if a big part of the lure to organized religion is a sense of belonging.
I wonder if a big part of the lure to organized religion is a sense of belonging.
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: Being religious does not have to mean belonging to an organized religion.
I wonder if a big part of the lure to organized religion is a sense of belonging.
Alone: you are at the mercy of the mob. Together: you are the mob.
I wonder if a big part of the lure to organized religion is a sense of belonging.
Alone: you are at the mercy of the mob. Together: you are the mob.
Why choose religion?
kensloft wrote: Alone: you are at the mercy of the mob. Together: you are the mob.
I'd like to find a place where you can be alone without a mob. Do you think there is such a thing? I'd even settle for together without a mob. That's probably even better.
I'd like to find a place where you can be alone without a mob. Do you think there is such a thing? I'd even settle for together without a mob. That's probably even better.
Why choose religion?
A man's walk with god is a persoal one.
All religions are flawed, because they are lead be man, and man is flawed. To think that any one religion is better or the right one or perfect is to think like a fool. The only thing that is not flawed is God himself.
Religion is a bussiness. God does not need my money. If you don't believe me, send me $5.00 and I'll pray for you.
All religions are flawed, because they are lead be man, and man is flawed. To think that any one religion is better or the right one or perfect is to think like a fool. The only thing that is not flawed is God himself.
Religion is a bussiness. God does not need my money. If you don't believe me, send me $5.00 and I'll pray for you.
Death is more universal than life. For although everyone dies, not everyone truly lives.
Why choose religion?
Bullet wrote: A man's walk with god is a persoal one.
All religions are flawed, because they are lead be man, and man is flawed. To think that any one religion is better or the right one or perfect is to think like a fool. The only thing that is not flawed is God himself.
Religion is a bussiness. God does not need my money. If you don't believe me, send me $5.00 and I'll pray for you.
You forgot to give us the address. Will cheques do?
All religions are flawed, because they are lead be man, and man is flawed. To think that any one religion is better or the right one or perfect is to think like a fool. The only thing that is not flawed is God himself.
Religion is a bussiness. God does not need my money. If you don't believe me, send me $5.00 and I'll pray for you.
You forgot to give us the address. Will cheques do?
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: I'd like to find a place where you can be alone without a mob. Do you think there is such a thing? I'd even settle for together without a mob. That's probably even better.
Sounds good to me!
Sounds good to me!
Why choose religion?
timgd wrote: Are religion's flawed? Do they achieve thier primary purpose? Is the primary purpose to teach, to guide, and to serve, or is it to control and instill fear?. Whichever it is in your belief, does it achieve its goal?
A religious community is made up of people. The community or religion is therefore dependant on it's people. Their strengths and weaknesses are reflected in how the community grows and how it is then judged. Of-course there are flaws and yes through it's teachings and mistakes, lessons are learnt.
People do try to politicise, control or even destroy to achieve their ambitions in the community. Human beings are adapt at using systems to serve or control.
I as a person decide the kind of member I want to be of any community. What I gain from a religious teaching or a community custom is entirely up to me. In this new world of choice, I do have the choice of how I develop my spiritual, emotional or physical well being - I do not have total control but I am able to choose. This then decides whether I achieve my goals.
A religious community is made up of people. The community or religion is therefore dependant on it's people. Their strengths and weaknesses are reflected in how the community grows and how it is then judged. Of-course there are flaws and yes through it's teachings and mistakes, lessons are learnt.
People do try to politicise, control or even destroy to achieve their ambitions in the community. Human beings are adapt at using systems to serve or control.
I as a person decide the kind of member I want to be of any community. What I gain from a religious teaching or a community custom is entirely up to me. In this new world of choice, I do have the choice of how I develop my spiritual, emotional or physical well being - I do not have total control but I am able to choose. This then decides whether I achieve my goals.
Why choose religion?
nev :-6
There are some 22 000 Christian denominations around the world. Many but not all seem to claim that they have the only true interpretation.
Now to your question. Some Christian communities do indeed dwell on fear of hell and satan. Other stress the unconditional love and grace of God.
Personally I go for the second group and yes I am quite satisfied with my choice.
Shalom
Ted :-6
There are some 22 000 Christian denominations around the world. Many but not all seem to claim that they have the only true interpretation.
Now to your question. Some Christian communities do indeed dwell on fear of hell and satan. Other stress the unconditional love and grace of God.
Personally I go for the second group and yes I am quite satisfied with my choice.
Shalom
Ted :-6
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capt_buzzard
- Posts: 5557
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:00 pm
Why choose religion?
I don't adhere to the institutional religions. But I do believe in God.
Why choose religion?
TW2005 :-6
I'm not really sure where you got your information from but from my perspective, in general, you are wrong about religious faith.
Of course there are a few cults that act in the manner you mention but by and large that is simply not true.
Like anything we can look at it with negative eyes-What can we find wrong? or What can we find that is right.
I will list some of the positives. I am well aware of the negatives past and present.
Positives: the church is there when you need it for births, marriages and the final end of the human life cycle, death: soup kitchens, clothing shops for the oppressed and down trodden, need for counselling, need for both moral and physical support; feeding the hungry; visiting those in hospital; mission projects that are non-religious such as the "Technical African Survey", a group of church related people who teach those in Africa how to get and build fresh water systems and supply the equipment; help for the families in need; assistance for the disabled; support for recycling organizations; donating money to charitable organizations;(churches must disburse 80% of their income to charitable works or organizations and must offer proof to the government on a yearly basis)
In fact the "church" is the people who form a community together. A church isn't built unless they desire one. Christian clergy are among the best educated peoplein the world. They are their to help and assist.
Do some folks misuse the church? At times some try.
I could go on but I think you should get the message by now.
Shalom
Ted :-6
I'm not really sure where you got your information from but from my perspective, in general, you are wrong about religious faith.
Of course there are a few cults that act in the manner you mention but by and large that is simply not true.
Like anything we can look at it with negative eyes-What can we find wrong? or What can we find that is right.
I will list some of the positives. I am well aware of the negatives past and present.
Positives: the church is there when you need it for births, marriages and the final end of the human life cycle, death: soup kitchens, clothing shops for the oppressed and down trodden, need for counselling, need for both moral and physical support; feeding the hungry; visiting those in hospital; mission projects that are non-religious such as the "Technical African Survey", a group of church related people who teach those in Africa how to get and build fresh water systems and supply the equipment; help for the families in need; assistance for the disabled; support for recycling organizations; donating money to charitable organizations;(churches must disburse 80% of their income to charitable works or organizations and must offer proof to the government on a yearly basis)
In fact the "church" is the people who form a community together. A church isn't built unless they desire one. Christian clergy are among the best educated peoplein the world. They are their to help and assist.
Do some folks misuse the church? At times some try.
I could go on but I think you should get the message by now.
Shalom
Ted :-6
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capt_buzzard
- Posts: 5557
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:00 pm
Why choose religion?
As to my final end, depart this life. I chose the humanist way.
Why choose religion?
capt :-6
That is probably as good as any.
Shalom
Ted :-6
That is probably as good as any.
Shalom
Ted :-6
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capt_buzzard
- Posts: 5557
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:00 pm
Why choose religion?
Ted wrote: capt :-6
That is probably as good as any.
Shalom
Ted :-6 Thank you.
And while I'm here, May God as you understand Him today, Grant you Peace in your inner self:-6 and all those that you come in contact with today. May you pass it on...............:-6
That is probably as good as any.
Shalom
Ted :-6 Thank you.
And while I'm here, May God as you understand Him today, Grant you Peace in your inner self:-6 and all those that you come in contact with today. May you pass it on...............:-6
Why choose religion?
capt :-6
May I pass on to you and all whom you love the same wishes.
Shalom
Ted :-6
May I pass on to you and all whom you love the same wishes.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Why choose religion?
TW2005 wrote: Humans fear death. With a concious mind this fear is deeper than any other known being in the universe. Man had centuries to brood on his eventual death in every culture until in various forms he founded religion. Deities that were superhuman, gods and spirits that determined our fate and cherished our souls. Upon death the believer will ride on the wings of angels to the glorious gates of Heaven and live happily ever after for eternity. Different religions have mild variations of this self loving arrogant and ignorant fantasy but it all leads to one conclusion: Man will be enslaved by the frauds in robes, theives that rob the poor of the world, liars that shield the masses from science, logic and knowledge and rule great nations by the rules of ancient drunks in the Mideast. To trap even more millions all but a few religions promise evil awaits those that refuse to be brainwashed by the church; THE DEVIL!!!! He rules Hell where filthy non-believers bleed and scream for eternity for not buying the story told by drunks in the Mideast. With fear feeding fear there is only one route to follow; PROFIT!! Money can be made! Soldiers will conquer and steal from other religions! Most of the world falls under the spell of one god or another. Europe is most free from religion having suffered under it's poison for hundreds of years. Now the sole Superpower is ruled by god. And our blood will be shed in his name. The current rulers here do not believe either! Their religion is MONEY. But the ignorant masses have been fooled yet again by the liars waving bibles. They deserve the lessons they are about to learn.
I already have a profound respect for you TW!! I could not agree more. I wish more people like you voted! Raised as a Baptist and taught to fear instead of learn I hope someday religions of all brands are aborted in favor of communal well being and science. I sense a backlash coming though regarding the wacko factor that is in power now. If I HAD to be a member of a religion I would have to select the least destructive: Buddhism.
I already have a profound respect for you TW!! I could not agree more. I wish more people like you voted! Raised as a Baptist and taught to fear instead of learn I hope someday religions of all brands are aborted in favor of communal well being and science. I sense a backlash coming though regarding the wacko factor that is in power now. If I HAD to be a member of a religion I would have to select the least destructive: Buddhism.
"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group that believes you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas millionaires, or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." [font=Arial Narrow][/font]
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
Why choose religion?
David813 :-6
Obviously I don't agree with you but your choice of Buddhism would be a good one. I do agree with your concerns about the wacko in the US though.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Obviously I don't agree with you but your choice of Buddhism would be a good one. I do agree with your concerns about the wacko in the US though.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Why choose religion?
David813 :-6
Extremism is a problem in every faith not just the Christian faith.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Extremism is a problem in every faith not just the Christian faith.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Why choose religion?
I thought the Reagan 80's were the furthest right we would fall. Who could have imagined it would be as it is today. My main problem with religion is it's reliance and reinforcement of ignorance and fear.
"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group that believes you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas millionaires, or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." [font=Arial Narrow][/font]
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
Why choose religion?
Ted wrote: David813 :-6
Extremism is a problem in every faith not just the Christian faith.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Very true. There are peaceful intelligent people of all faiths but Jewish settlers, Christian and Islamic fundamentalists and extremist Hindus have gained the upper hand and have come into power all over the world. I hope our next President doesn't wear his faith on his forehead like W.
Extremism is a problem in every faith not just the Christian faith.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Very true. There are peaceful intelligent people of all faiths but Jewish settlers, Christian and Islamic fundamentalists and extremist Hindus have gained the upper hand and have come into power all over the world. I hope our next President doesn't wear his faith on his forehead like W.
"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group that believes you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas millionaires, or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." [font=Arial Narrow][/font]
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Nov. 08, 1954
Why choose religion?
Ted wrote: TW2005 :-6
I'm not really sure where you got your information from but from my perspective, in general, you are wrong about religious faith...
Shalom
Ted :-6
Ted I have read both your direct response to me and this posting with great interest and I fully agree with all that you have said.
I used to be one of those who "belonged" to the only right religion, "knew" all the right answers, and lived by rules dictated by guilt and fear (admittedly still do in some ways!).
But in the last 20 years I have been blessed to meet various denominations and communities of peoples, and learnt a lot of hard lessons. It has slowly made me realise that humilty to accept my strenths and weaknesses, honesty to accept what's right in others, and using the gift of choice in picking the good of all I come across is not such a bad thing.
I realised today when I attended the Good Friday services that my development in life continues...
I'm not really sure where you got your information from but from my perspective, in general, you are wrong about religious faith...
Shalom
Ted :-6
Ted I have read both your direct response to me and this posting with great interest and I fully agree with all that you have said.
I used to be one of those who "belonged" to the only right religion, "knew" all the right answers, and lived by rules dictated by guilt and fear (admittedly still do in some ways!).
But in the last 20 years I have been blessed to meet various denominations and communities of peoples, and learnt a lot of hard lessons. It has slowly made me realise that humilty to accept my strenths and weaknesses, honesty to accept what's right in others, and using the gift of choice in picking the good of all I come across is not such a bad thing.
I realised today when I attended the Good Friday services that my development in life continues...
Why choose religion?
nev
What can I say? Wonderful post. Please be advised that I too was raised in a fundamentalist church and had some hard lessons to learn.
But God is faithful to those who truly seek him. I didn't get to Good Friday services but was there on Maundy Thursday and will be there on Sunday next.
Shalom
Ted :-6
What can I say? Wonderful post. Please be advised that I too was raised in a fundamentalist church and had some hard lessons to learn.
But God is faithful to those who truly seek him. I didn't get to Good Friday services but was there on Maundy Thursday and will be there on Sunday next.
Shalom
Ted :-6
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lime-sterman
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:16 am
Why choose religion?
Why do people feel compelled to be religious. In your opinion.
Maybe people really want to feel that their is someone or some super entity that is really going to love them unconditionally wart's and all! also people do not want to die!............the security of knowing or believing your not going to die is a pretty powerful reason for believing what they do! especially if the life that is promised is better than the one they are living now!
Why are some people not religious?
Maybe they are enjoying life to much to notice, or are to miserable to notice! or maybe they understand the limitation's of knowledge they can have of God!
Do they feel no need to search they feel more safe and secure without religious belief?
Once they have shed the skin's or imposition's of faith that there family or society has imposed on them, all they have to deal with then is the life they have here and now! the threats of eternal damnation no longer disturb them, as they are no longer held back by this belief!
When religeous people say to me jesus or God will transform your life! what is it that's transformed? your soul?.............what is my soul? is my soul different from my memorie's, my experience of life?...........or is it seperate apart from these?.............and if they are different, what is it that's different about them?
when people think they are going to heaven, do they think they are going to bring the instinct's and value's they have used here on earth, and somehow function there, the way they functioned here?
Religeon eventually boil's down to making a leap of faith! which does not cut it for me!..........religeon tap's into a very deep vein in most of us! as it addresses or promises to address our deepest fear's! but I think it add's to the problem's we already have! people who have very strong belief's can be very aggressive if your view is different than their's, especially if there is a group of them getting on your case! Questions?
Maybe people really want to feel that their is someone or some super entity that is really going to love them unconditionally wart's and all! also people do not want to die!............the security of knowing or believing your not going to die is a pretty powerful reason for believing what they do! especially if the life that is promised is better than the one they are living now!
Why are some people not religious?
Maybe they are enjoying life to much to notice, or are to miserable to notice! or maybe they understand the limitation's of knowledge they can have of God!
Do they feel no need to search they feel more safe and secure without religious belief?
Once they have shed the skin's or imposition's of faith that there family or society has imposed on them, all they have to deal with then is the life they have here and now! the threats of eternal damnation no longer disturb them, as they are no longer held back by this belief!
When religeous people say to me jesus or God will transform your life! what is it that's transformed? your soul?.............what is my soul? is my soul different from my memorie's, my experience of life?...........or is it seperate apart from these?.............and if they are different, what is it that's different about them?
when people think they are going to heaven, do they think they are going to bring the instinct's and value's they have used here on earth, and somehow function there, the way they functioned here?
Religeon eventually boil's down to making a leap of faith! which does not cut it for me!..........religeon tap's into a very deep vein in most of us! as it addresses or promises to address our deepest fear's! but I think it add's to the problem's we already have! people who have very strong belief's can be very aggressive if your view is different than their's, especially if there is a group of them getting on your case! Questions?
Why choose religion?
Your leap of faith is the opposite of theirs but it is a leap of faith nonetheless.
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Wild Weasil
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:23 am
Why choose religion?
I think the question says it all, WHY choose religion?
If there is a God of whatever stripe, then he must have a weird sense of humour and sense of right from wrong (the arguement that he gave us all free will to do as we please doesnt cut very much ice with me I'm affraid. Tell that to the starving children of Africa and elsewhere, those born with HIV or other diseases/disabilities - what harm did they do, what chance to exercise choice did they get?)
Sorry if this ruffles any feathers, but you did ask.
If there is a God of whatever stripe, then he must have a weird sense of humour and sense of right from wrong (the arguement that he gave us all free will to do as we please doesnt cut very much ice with me I'm affraid. Tell that to the starving children of Africa and elsewhere, those born with HIV or other diseases/disabilities - what harm did they do, what chance to exercise choice did they get?)
Sorry if this ruffles any feathers, but you did ask.
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lime-sterman
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:16 am
Why choose religion?
kensloft Your leap of faith is the opposite of theirs but it is a leap of faith nonetheless.
I know I make leaps of faith everyday, that's life!...........when you say it is the opposite of their's, how so? curious!
I know I make leaps of faith everyday, that's life!...........when you say it is the opposite of their's, how so? curious!
Why choose religion?
TW2005 :-6
No malice intended or implied.
If you want to list the bad things you can but I've already heard them and in many cases I am making an effort to address them.
I was simply pointing out the good so that we could have a balance. There are good church communities all over the world in many different faiths just as there are some that are evil.
Shalom
Ted :-6
No malice intended or implied.
If you want to list the bad things you can but I've already heard them and in many cases I am making an effort to address them.
I was simply pointing out the good so that we could have a balance. There are good church communities all over the world in many different faiths just as there are some that are evil.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Why choose religion?
lime-sterman :-6
You asked what is transformed. It is the whole being. The individual switches from being self-centered to being other centered. One becomes concerned about the oppressed, the downtrodden the evil dominations systems, those in poverty etc. Then the actively try to do something about it. Every little bit helps if one can only manage to help one or two folks one has been successful.
Shalom
Ted :-6
You asked what is transformed. It is the whole being. The individual switches from being self-centered to being other centered. One becomes concerned about the oppressed, the downtrodden the evil dominations systems, those in poverty etc. Then the actively try to do something about it. Every little bit helps if one can only manage to help one or two folks one has been successful.
Shalom
Ted :-6
Why choose religion?
lime-sterman wrote: kensloft Your leap of faith is the opposite of theirs but it is a leap of faith nonetheless.
I know I make leaps of faith everyday, that's life!...........when you say it is the opposite of their's, how so? curious!
There are two sides to the equation. Those who believe in God and those who don't. Those who don't imply that God likers are taking a leap of faith to guide them in their lives, whereas they on the godless side don't think that they are making any leap of faith. SORRY IF I DON'T LISTEN TO THE FANTASIES.
I know I make leaps of faith everyday, that's life!...........when you say it is the opposite of their's, how so? curious!
There are two sides to the equation. Those who believe in God and those who don't. Those who don't imply that God likers are taking a leap of faith to guide them in their lives, whereas they on the godless side don't think that they are making any leap of faith. SORRY IF I DON'T LISTEN TO THE FANTASIES.
Why choose religion?
The original expectation that I had when I created this thread was that people would mention leaps of faith. Why does someone make a leap of faith? Need. When all available information fails to meet the needs or answer the question the question must either disappear or a leap of faith be made. Then if an answer is perceived a new question must be formed.
Why choose religion? Lonliness, hope, for some it is logic, for others desperation, no one would continue unless their leap of faith was met with some sort of validation after a certain amount of time.
That's what I think.
Why choose religion? Lonliness, hope, for some it is logic, for others desperation, no one would continue unless their leap of faith was met with some sort of validation after a certain amount of time.
That's what I think.
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lime-sterman
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:16 am
Why choose religion?
I was brought up a catholic and had no choice in the matter,......until I got older that is, then swiftly opted out!........some people move from one religeon to another, maybe because they think it can more directly address there particular problem or need's! I have heard some devout sceptic's who have said that if they had to choose a particular religeon it would be Buddhism! ''that's just an example'' why? I could take a few guesses, but I don't know. Me personally! I think their is a stream of life above and beyond this everyday existence, but that then put's me in the same frame of having my own personal religeon! my own belief! but I don't think so, it's knowing I can not access this stream of life without letting go of what I already think I know God! some of what Ted say's about the risen Christ and this ''other centred'' statement interest's me though, because maybe it tap's into what I said earlier about a stream of life over and above this everyday existence! but no religeon own's the exclusive right's to this stream of life, that's why I mentioned in post 86 about bringing the value's that we live by here into whatever heaven they think they are going to, and Ted I am not saying you said any of these thing's!..........why choose religeon? Koan, you mentioned some! I mentioned some in post 86.
Why choose religion?
koan wrote: The original expectation that I had when I created this thread was that people would mention leaps of faith. Why does someone make a leap of faith? Need. When all available information fails to meet the needs or answer the question the question must either disappear or a leap of faith be made. Then if an answer is perceived a new question must be formed.
Why choose religion? Lonliness, hope, for some it is logic, for others desperation, no one would continue unless their leap of faith was met with some sort of validation after a certain amount of time.
That's what I think.
Hi Koan,
Yes that makes sense.
In my case I was born a Roman Catholic and I just blindly accepted everything. Then all of a sudden I began asking questions of myself and have never stopped. I promised myself that I will always face these questions as honestly as I can, and so far I have.
At one point I even thought I do not need religion to guide my life. But then whenever I asked myself in any situation - what's the right thing to do here? - I found the answer in the teachings of Jesus Christ and found that it suited me well. The Catholic/Christian way of life suddenly had meaning for me - big faults within yes but acceptable in the wide sense. This has developed over the years and is even stronger now. So perhaps that moment was my unconscious leap of faith, where from a position of grave doubt I found my answer which worked for me. And that was how and why I chose religion.
Why choose religion? Lonliness, hope, for some it is logic, for others desperation, no one would continue unless their leap of faith was met with some sort of validation after a certain amount of time.
That's what I think.
Hi Koan,
Yes that makes sense.
In my case I was born a Roman Catholic and I just blindly accepted everything. Then all of a sudden I began asking questions of myself and have never stopped. I promised myself that I will always face these questions as honestly as I can, and so far I have.
At one point I even thought I do not need religion to guide my life. But then whenever I asked myself in any situation - what's the right thing to do here? - I found the answer in the teachings of Jesus Christ and found that it suited me well. The Catholic/Christian way of life suddenly had meaning for me - big faults within yes but acceptable in the wide sense. This has developed over the years and is even stronger now. So perhaps that moment was my unconscious leap of faith, where from a position of grave doubt I found my answer which worked for me. And that was how and why I chose religion.
Why choose religion?
I was raised in a very fundamentalist church. When I could no longer accept what I was being told because it did not seem to jive with what I read in the Bible I left and went to another church.
I did not give up on church for a couple of reasons: I experienced the Risen Christs, and have done so several times throughout my life, and secondly I believed that a book like the Bible having been around for some 2000 years in one form or another must have something of value to offer.
At that point I went to university and studied both Hebrew and Greek translation and interpretation and Biblical history. This only increased my appetite and so I've continued to study modern theology and Biblical scholars. I feel that, for me, with what I had learned and experienced throughout my life that I am indeed on the right track.
However, let me add to that. I consider myself a Christian Pluralist as I accept the validity of all the great faiths of the world.
Shalom
Ted
I did not give up on church for a couple of reasons: I experienced the Risen Christs, and have done so several times throughout my life, and secondly I believed that a book like the Bible having been around for some 2000 years in one form or another must have something of value to offer.
At that point I went to university and studied both Hebrew and Greek translation and interpretation and Biblical history. This only increased my appetite and so I've continued to study modern theology and Biblical scholars. I feel that, for me, with what I had learned and experienced throughout my life that I am indeed on the right track.
However, let me add to that. I consider myself a Christian Pluralist as I accept the validity of all the great faiths of the world.
Shalom
Ted