unbeliever Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I don't doubt, but my comments were about Delayed. I understand. I do rather struggle to let these things go. I'm aware of the possible traps which might be laid to get the thread closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janie48 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I understand. I do rather struggle to let these things go. I'm aware of the possible traps which might be laid to get the thread closed. If this thread gets closed, you can always always start another to continue all your raving and ranting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingdom Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Yes I'm deeply disturbed and feel the thread should be closed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unbeliever Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 If this thread gets closed, you can always always start another to continue all your raving and ranting. Can't think of much better to rant about than religious genocide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squiggs Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Can we do it after Christmas? Yule be OK without Christianity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Can't think of much better to rant about than religious genocide. Religious AND ethnic genocide combined? Thats always a good one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiecass Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Yes I'm deeply disturbed and feel the thread should be closed Why not pray for it to close,a waste of time, but may help your deeply disturbed feelings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 (edited) Hi Pete, thank you for taking the time to respond and share your insights. I have quoted you below, and made comments where I felt appropriate. First of all. My apology to Obelix. I had no intention of portraying him or believe him to be a “religion basher”. My use of the term was meant as a generalisation for the type of atheism exemplified by militant atheism / aggressive secularism. I really dislike that kind of thing. People are first and foremost human beings. I feel on balance, religion is probably a blight on those people, and on society as a whole. Being critical of religion, is not being critical of individuals who claim to practice religion. In fairness though, and for the sake of being constructive and clear, I think it probably more helpful to address the specific aspects of religion (that I feel are unhelpful or harmful) one by one. The notion of spiritual refers to a reality beyond the physical. Pursuing a spiritual life usually involves certain practices such as prayer, meditation and contemplation. Some Eastern religions encourage meditation. The basic object of meditation (Hindu,T.M,Buddhist, Islam) is to acquire a state of complete rest in your, body and spirit. Thereby eliminating stress and facilitating contact with deeper, more creative levels of your consciousness. Rational thinking is intentionally suppressed. Yes yes, of course. There is nothing wrong with being at peace with yourself, and disengaging from rational thinking, and resting in awareness. In fact, doing so is very healthy and balanced. The problem is, that isn't what religion (in practical terms) is about. It takes you in the opposite direction, and fills your mind with all kinds of speculation and religious concepts. If these are mean't to be metaphors for truth; people tend to not see them as such, they think they are truth direct, and jealously guard their version of truth (though, no doubt they do not think of it as a version of truth, but see it as truth itself - that only they and their kind are chosen to see). All this only serves to create disharmony and friction between people. It is precisely this taking your resting state of awareness; and spinning it out in to a story (when the individual does not see it as such), that I am likening to an illness. Though, I'll admit it, I was being somewhat inflammatory with my choice of language. It's perhaps fairer to liken it to 'voluntary self delusion'? So, on to my critiques... I would think spirituality, is entirely experiential; and does not involve spinning out stories in the mind; which for example, relate to how we got here, or where we go when we die. It only deals with the here and now. All the positives you mention, concerning religion; I would think are available through meditation, contemplation, introspection, mindfulness, etc. All without the baggage of religious thinking. Religion betrays self trust. It requires you disregard your own judgement and subjugate yourself to some external authority (person or ancient ideology). This seems to me to be the antithesis of 'spiritual', and inhibits an individuals ability to respond appropriately to situations. Religion creates artificial distinctions and conflict between people. Some religions (though, perhaps this is also a cultural thing) encourage men to think of women as lesser beings or property of men. Then there's the whole thing of separating 'physical reality' from 'spiritual reality', including the notion that sex is bad wrong evil sinful. I could go on and on and on; while I wish for all people to see with clarity, to be happy, well, and to live fulfilling natural lives; I strongly feel that religious thinking inhibits such, and does more harm than good for people, for societies, for humanity as a whole. Hopefully we'll collectively grow out of it! ---------- Post added 18-12-2016 at 00:57 ---------- EDIT: I notice there's some talk of this thread closing. I hope it doesn't. We have to be capable of having a constructive debate here! I certainly hope so at least. Edited December 18, 2016 by Waldo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Religion is still being practiced The numbers are in a steady decline though. ---------- Post added 18-12-2016 at 09:39 ---------- Whatever it takes to stop this pointless debate You can stop 'contributing' at any time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingdom Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 The numbers are in a steady decline though. ---------- Post added 18-12-2016 at 09:39 ---------- You can stop 'contributing' at any time... I think you will find the numbers are vastly increasing if you count all religions , spirituality etc aethiests are in the vast minority Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now