Yes, I know we have had similar topics, but the concept remains intriguing.
I do believe that more people have been killed over the issue of religion (and the accompanying power over others) than for anything else.
There is a retired San Francisco radio talk-show host whose oft-repeated prayer was, “God, please save me from your followers.”
I think most of us believe in some sort of Higher Power. But none of us can possibly know the nature of that Power, or Its purposes. Anyone who says he does is quite delusional.
I think it is the ultimate fallacy to profess any real knowledge of the nature of that Power, to speak for It, or to push one’s perceptions of It onto others.
Dan, alone possessing all the anwers; if you do not think so, just ask me.
The true answer to all this is in the film Dogma. Quoth the Apostle Rufus;
“His only real beef with mankind is the shit that gets carried out in His name. Wars. Bigotry. Televangelism”
Not to mention Rufus’ wonderufl observation that it doesn’t matter what you have faith in, as ling as you have faith. A good idea is better than belief
The true answer to all this is in the film Dogma. Quoth the Apostle Rufus;
“His only real beef with mankind is the shit that gets carried out in His name. Wars. Bigotry. Televangelism”
Not to mention Rufus’ wonderufl observation that it doesn’t matter what you have faith in, as ling as you have faith. A good idea is better than belief
Touche!
Well Tah, that particular thread was about who or what the ‘Higher Power’ is.
This thread is about ‘human organized religion’ (as opposed to that of the critters-because I believe THEY believe we’re the Higher Power - which is pretty upsetting because when they hurt or are dying, we’re unable to give them the comfort they need. Surely our mode of intent is frequently misunderstood no matter how hard we try to help them understand. )
Anyway, to thoughts of organized religions:
1. Manipulative, political platforms that coerce people to ‘pick a side’
Religion and faith (or spirituality) are two VERY different things
Well, the interestsing factor in these discussions is that no one will ever be swayed to change their mind, so I guess from that perspective this is all pointless.
But it is fun, and enlightening, and Bible Dude is quite a nice fellow and fun to read, and David has incredible depth of knowledge, as does Accipeter and many others.
So it is kind of fun, like watching Survivor, the same old stuff, but yet fascinating, at least to me.
By the way, Dan, it’s good to see you back. I’ve been wondering where you disappeared to and if you were going to be back. I’m glad you are.
And, yes, religious discussions can be interesting. Enlightening even. But they can also turn rather nasty. We’ll hope that none of these head that way.
Well, the interestsing factor in these discussions is that no one will ever be swayed to change their mind, so I guess from that perspective this is all pointless.
But it is fun, and enlightening, and Bible Dude is quite a nice fellow and fun to read, and David has incredible depth of knowledge, as does Accipeter and many others.
So it is kind of fun, like watching Survivor, the same old stuff, but yet fascinating, at least to me.
People seem to have a real need to believe in something other than themselves. I guess religion fills the void.
Personally I find the idea of someone telling me what god wants me to do rather revolting as I’m pretty sure that if god (if he exists which I doubt anyway) really wanted me to do something he would let me know in a rather more personal way.
