When I first joined this list it was evident to me that most people here follow the
idea that religion is something we need to get beyond. Like it limits us. Well, I
(being somewhat older than most of the members of the list here) disagree. I have
studied comparative religious thought since college and when you get through to the
essense of most religious traditions you come up with a potent psychology of human
interaction.
Yes, I agree with you that religon is like music. That is a good analogy. I think
that all people do not know how to play various instruments. But most know music when
they hear it.
Marie
Kristee wrote:
> To Marie,
>
> I enjoy your perspective as well, but inevitably, I disagree with you on
> this point. To me, religion is a practice, as is playing music. Not
> everyone in this world plays the guitar, correct? It is also a *belief*,
> as is
> "I love the Spice Girls, they rock, and I am right." However, not everyone
> listens to them, in fact some hate them. (atheists, figuratively)
> I don't think it's good to mix up the terms of religion and reality, as if
> relgion is an innate form of conciousness; it isn't. It may be somewhat
> instinctive, as in all cultures create it. But there are always those who
> go against so-called "nature". (a word implying it's inescapable)
> So are you saying then, that religion is *not* a choice?
> I just want to be clear on that. Wait, I thought God supposedly gave us
> 'free will', so that we could choose, and therefore that is the only way we
> can truly Love Him.
> Also, skin is physical, and spirituality, well, is a concept and
> definately not physical, heck, we don't even know if "spirits" exist.
> (my patented super-spirit-detector broke on me) =)
>
> >What you will find here on this list are people who believe they are human
> and
> >have 0 religion. If that is not deluded then I do not know what is.
> >
> >Religion to me is just the way we frame our existence. I have skin that
> divides
> >me from what is "not me". Religion is what connects me to what is not me.
> I am
> >interested in what connects you to me. I know what connects me to you.
> >
> >For people to come here and quibble about the meaning of words (oh my I
> have done
> >that too) and not get the bigger picture... well I still enjoy seeing the
> >process. And I am not so deluded to not see my own progress as being
> measured by
> >all of you and the others I choose to associate with.
> >
> >So keep on whacking on me! I have more living to do and more learning and
> lovin.
> >
> >Marie
> >
> >ECheung76 wrote:
> >
> >> In a message dated 98-03-27 11:34:55 EST, you write:
> >>
> >> << It is quite a good conversation. If what you are asking is this really
> >> GOD... well I have no idea. The thought came to me after being
> involved in
> >> some earlier discussions on this list with a born again who chose to
> leave us
> >> because she did not feel that anyone really wanted to listen to her
> side of
> >> things.
> >>
> >> We square up our vision of life and how we relate to it based on lots of
> >> ideas from others on what is ok and what is not ok. And talking to
> oneself
> >> is one of those not so ok things to do. Well, I feel that the hardest
> thing
> >> to do is to really be aware of our own lack of true skepticism about
> our own
> >> blindness.
> >>
> >> It is easy to view religion for example as all negative. Well, life is
> not
> >> that simple. All things in life are choices. Some people here seem to
> >> cherish athiesm with the same fervor of religious fanatics.
> >>
> >> Someone said for example that athiesm has not produced bad things for
> >> people. Sigh... this is a time of post communism. How quickly one
> forgets
> >> that oppression in the name of any "ideal" still hurts as much.
> >>
> >> To Marie,
> >>
> >> You said:
> >>
> >> So back to that conversation. I like a course in miracles. The reason I
> >> like it is that it squares up with my idea of what Jesus Christ was all
> >> about... And yes, I was raised as a Christian just not the born again
> type.
> >> So, I have always kind of liked the picture of this man who just seemed to
> >> understand what people are really all about.
> >>
> >> And in the quiet times when all about is still, a voice calls to me.
> It is
> >> my own personal experience. Sharing it here is difficult. Perhaps
> when you
> >> are all my age, you will have your own voice. I have had life without
> it. I
> >> do not want to go back.
> >> >>
> >> First communism isn't equal to atheism, atheism doesn't prosecute people
> >> because of what they belief. To me, although religion is the opium of
> the mass
> >> but it is better let it fade out rather than suppressing it. Believe in the
> >> power of people's intelligence, don't guide them.
> >> Beside, by now you know the voice is from yourself rather than from
> without,
> >> why shall you afraid of it? To attribute it as god and follow it like a dog
> >> "love his/her master" is a choice, to discard it as merely voice is another
> >> choice. As what I study in psychology I know our so called personality
> >> actually is quite fragmentary, it is not surprising to found out a voice
> out
> >> of some sub-formed personality comment on your behaviors or it is your
> >> instinct (i.e. the six-sense, whatever you call it.) The biggest sin of
> >> christianity is claiming something within yourself as from without. It
> is like
> >> compartmentalize yourself.
> >>
> >> I hope this would help,
> >> Born-again Atheist,
> >> Euler
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >Marie
> >
> >Who in real life exists as
> >
> >The Noble Lady Casey, Serpent's Hold, Sonoma Shard, Britannia
> >
> >
> >
-- MarieWho in real life exists as
The Noble Lady Casey, Serpent's Hold, Sonoma Shard, Britannia