Societies worse off 'when they have God on their side'

[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']I can buy that, though it's still the work of man and not religion. Although, history has taught us that corruption and destruction by humans seeking power doesn't always require the involvement religion. Perhaps it is the gullible nature of society those who don't seek to enlighten themselves and further their knowledge will never achieve it and those in power are happy to keep it that way becuase it means more for them. The position of the reasearch that started this thread (or at least as I read it) is that religion or religious practice causes problems for scoeities. Personally I believe the problems stem more from how that society views and uses religion, not from the religion itself.[/QUOTE]

Religion/spirituality is a human invention. The concept of spirituality isn't bad. Its when man decides to place restrictions and quantifies what constitutes the proper spirituality that makes things bad.

Every religion has a set of guildlines that states more or less what makes it the 'right' religion. I think the very premiss of them saying whats right or wrong makes them wrong. Not neccisarily bad, but wrong none the less.
 
[quote name='Kayden']Religion/spirituality is a human invention. The concept of spirituality isn't bad. Its when man decides to place restrictions and quantifies what constitutes the proper spirituality that makes things bad.

Every religion has a set of guildlines that states more or less what makes it the 'right' religion. I think the very premiss of them saying whats right or wrong makes them wrong. Not neccisarily bad, but wrong none the less.[/QUOTE]

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
- Buddha
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There are other religions that appeal to the individual's ability to independently reason or spiritually grow, but I can't think of another "mainstream" one.
 
[quote name='camoor']I also think that the article really needs to differentiate between different religions. Not all religions repudiate the findings of science, attempt to force all children to be taught their creation myths, and work the litigation system to take away women's rights.[/QUOTE]

Thats another thing. Mythology. Mythologies are just as preposterous as the tales of Christianity, however, they are just view as quaint tales whereas Christianity is 'the God's (Gods') honest truth' so to speak.

I love how quickly people dismiss a belief structure that was inplace for almost 3 times the duration of Christianity is today. Hell, the Greeks had indoor pluming over 5000 years ago. Thats something that really didn't resurface until 100-150ish years ago, so you cant really claim that their beliefs were wrong because they were unintelligent. However, its that very audacity that makes Christians Christian.

I enjoy reading mythology very much; even some of the stories of the bible are entertaining. Yet, that doesn't mean I think its the truth.
 
[quote name='camoor']

There are other religions that appeal to the individual's ability to independently reason or spiritually grow, but I can't think of another "mainstream" one.[/QUOTE]

Buddhism really wasn't meant to be a religion though. Atleast, not in the western minded sense. It wasn't a place you went on holidays or and idea you clung to with things were bleak. It was your life in its entirity. You didn't buy what you didn't need. Infact, you didn't buy anything because a job is an earthly entanglement that your sould was better off without. It was all about how to spend your life attuning your mind/spirit/soul/essence to the nature of the universe. Modern Buddhism is a perversion of its original form. The temples and statues are the exact opposite of what Siddharta struggled for. He would sleep outside meditating for days on end. It was rumored he persisted on a single grain of rice a day. Probably an embelishment, but not by much as it was also said he could scratch an itch on his back by rubbing his stomach due to his insanely thin body.

However, Buddhism is still a very respectable religion with a 'just be cool' attitude. "Do not treat others as you do not want to be treated" as opposed to Jesus' "treat others the way you wish to be treated". In other words, you don't have to be super nice, just don't be a total dick.
 
"Do not treat others as you do not want to be treated" as opposed to Jesus' "treat others the way you wish to be treated". In other words, you don't have to be super nice, just don't be a total dick.
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I like this one better:

"An' it harm none, do what ye will."

A Wiccan crede, probably my favorite religion. A refined version of gerald gardners statement (founder of wicca), likely influenced by crowley (his version lacked the harm none part).
 
[quote name='Kayden']Thats another thing. Mythology. Mythologies are just as preposterous as the tales of Christianity, however, they are just view as quaint tales whereas Christianity is 'the God's (Gods') honest truth' so to speak.

...

I enjoy reading mythology very much; even some of the stories of the bible are entertaining. Yet, that doesn't mean I think its the truth.[/QUOTE]

I think that people also need to read into mythology with a historical and metaphysical perspective. If people understand the Old Testament myth of Genesis from a gnostic point of view, the entire myth as a spritual allegory makes complete sense (not saying I agree, but it is a beautiful tapestry). However a fundementalist interpretation of Genesis can easily be dismissed as Barnum & Bailey type hokum (using science, pointing out logical contridictions, etc).
 
[quote name='Kayden']Buddhism really wasn't meant to be a religion though. Atleast, not in the western minded sense. It wasn't a place you went on holidays or and idea you clung to with things were bleak. It was your life in its entirity. You didn't buy what you didn't need. Infact, you didn't buy anything because a job is an earthly entanglement that your sould was better off without. It was all about how to spend your life attuning your mind/spirit/soul/essence to the nature of the universe. Modern Buddhism is a perversion of its original form. The temples and statues are the exact opposite of what Siddharta struggled for. He would sleep outside meditating for days on end. It was rumored he persisted on a single grain of rice a day. Probably an embelishment, but not by much as it was also said he could scratch an itch on his back by rubbing his stomach due to his insanely thin body.[/QUOTE]

I would say something similar about Christianity however - you know, ol' Nietzschie wasn't far off the mark when he said that the only true Christian died on the cross. There's no way Jesus would be cool with the bigots and war-mongerers who to this day use his name as a rallying cry.

Barring some unfortunate quotes (which of course are filtered through his apostle's ears and history), it is tough to completely blame Jesus for the political hack job that St. Paul did on him and his teachings.
 
[quote name='PittsburghAfterDark']I know all about mythology. I read it every time the DNC puts forth "big ideas".

Oh wait, they put out no ideas. Nevermind, I got way off topic.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you did. You couldn't win on points, so you went off topic.
 
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