When you think about it, virtually all formal, organized religions claim that, through their organizations, they promote a sense of community and INTER-community togetherness. We often see "inter-faith" events that are staged to bring people of different faiths together to foster new levels of understanding between the various religions within this country. I'm for virtually anything that promotes peace, love, and understanding.
However, when you think about it, if we didn't have so many damned ways to get to the same place, i.e. FORMAL, ORGANIZED RELIGIONS we wouldn't have the NEED to promote inter-faith understanding!!!
As the most social of animals, I understand our need to find a shared sense of existence. Certainly, no man is truly an island. And, because of our nature, we have a strong urge to belong to something greater then ourselves. Most people find this in organized religion. And I think that it's worth noting that this need to "belong" is the same desire that makes inner-city gangs so effective; it allows the individual to gain strength in numbers by belonging to something larger than himself. It is a very ancient and very human connection.
On this blog, I've also shared some thoughts on mortality. For beings with such strong self-identities, the thought of a finite existence can be too much to bare. So, religion provides some comfort with promises of a heavenly after-life. I envy those who believe it. I am, at least at this point in my life, not one of them.
I am not without a moral compass and work at living a righteous life, as my life's experiences have taught me. I think that I believe in the basic, root goodness that all religions attempt to promote. However, it's the trappings that surround the core philosophy - the greed, the close mindedness, the hypocrisy - that I cannot abide by.
When you think about it, I'd rather go it alone.
Woodstock had peace, love and understanding too...
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of people being slaughtered in the name of agnosticism?
ReplyDeleteI live by a higher set of morals than any organized religion. Raised catholic, I never understood why there were so many contradictions; worship anywhere but if you didn't go to church on Sunday, you were a sinner, we were given free will but only if we followed a set of rules, we should prosper and multiply but not if we chose to be a nun or a priest just to cite a few. God gave man curiosity and at the 'start' of humanity punished us for utilizing that gift. No...I'm with Frank on this...I'd rather go it alone. My thought is if there is a god he should only be concerned with whether or not we are good people. Sadly, that is not his only request and more sadly that is not followed by his followers.
ReplyDeleteWhat disturbs me most about organized religion is that it takes the simplist of concepts; treat others as you would be treated and LOVE above all else and pollutes it with ritual and dogma. We were taught the power of love by one of the greatest teachers of all time; Jesus Christ. God or man, we'll not debate that now, he showed us the way to peace through love. All the ritual and dogma thrown our way is just waisted breath. This is how the clerics use religion to control the masses. Do it by the book - whatever book they're peddling - or you will be denied your everlasting rest. This is rule by fear and intimidation and is certainly not my idea of a higher, spiritual eixtance. No, Liz, you and I are just fine going it alone. We love and are loved. Need more?!
ReplyDeleteI've been an agnostic since I was fourteen (an agnostic admits he just doesn't KNOW.)But I do sometimes have very spiritual feelings when I encounter the highest forms of human art (a Bach fuge, one of the great, soaring cathedrals of Europe,a gorgeous mosque sending its minaret skyward.)For me it will possibly be the closest I come to konowing the great mystery of existance.
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly something "noble" inside of us, Ed. This enables us to not only create, but enjoy, great art. Perhaps, this inner vision is what some people call "God" or "inspired by god". It's certainly something I prefer over the image of an old, bearded, white guy! But we can never KNOW for sure. I have always tried to deal with things that I know, rather than dwell on things that I don't. So, I will always focus on this single doctrine: love above all else.
ReplyDeleteNo Frank, no need for more than that. I have always thought that those who cling to religion so tightly have a lack of many things in their life. The saddest of those things is lack of belief in themselves. If more folks could turn inward honestly, they could answer all their questions.
ReplyDeleteI too, like Ed am an agnostic and I do find beauty in churchs for example, but I just like arcitecture, forgive my spelling.
I find god fearing people to be the most judgemental, insecure and lost individuals on the planet. I can't even feel sorry for them because they look to the intangable to solve their problems.