Religions.

Mescalito · 08-23-2011, 03:04 AM

What do you think!?

Quote:

Some psychologists suggest that many religious people are more content with their lives than non-believers. However, instead of directing love, devotion and faith towards never to be known deity, most people would benefit society and themselves more if they had the same devotion directed towards other individuals and other forms of life here on earth. An intelligent mind with a sense of purpose and a compassion for all life may have a better feeling of well-being than a mind that was conditioned by a belief system.

M

The Rev · 08-23-2011, 07:36 AM

Seems to work for the Dalai Lama.

The Rev

deadhead94 · 08-23-2011, 07:44 AM

I am all for any idea that would lead to religion becoming one of Humanity's historical follies.

**SageTree** · 08-23-2011, 07:51 AM

I think directing all that devotion to a deity or set of ideals, that doesn't incorporate "other individuals and other forms of life" and/or to also think that doesn't mean to aim to "benefit society and themselves" are missing something in their understanding, or at least what I render a 'point/reason' for engagement.

In my opinion, we're all interconnected and don't get into the idea of being separate from 'God' and all this I believe it is.

All that ritual and philosophy, which ever your path, imo, is to still the mind and embrace our connectedness.
From there, the 'merit' of the practicing arises and deepens.

Kompressor · 08-23-2011, 08:18 AM

Deep down, i feel like they are/were coping mechanisms.

**SageTree** · 08-23-2011, 08:21 AM

Isn't to be alive, pretty much entail some form of coping though?

I mean... you didn't say if it was 'good or bad', so I'm just asking.

Kompressor · 08-23-2011, 08:29 AM

It isn't good or bad. It can be, but it isn't inherently so. I just think people need a filter to understand reality.

I for instance find my clarity in physics, mathematics, and the laws of nature. Others find it in Christ, Allah, or the teachings of the Buddha. Are we connected in some six degrees of karma?

I don't know.

**SageTree** · 08-23-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kompressor

It isn't good or bad. It can be, but it isn't inherently so. I just think people need a filter to understand reality.

I for instance find my clarity in physics, mathematics, and the laws of nature. Others find it in Christ, Allah, or the teachings of the Buddha. Are we connected in some six degrees of karma?

I don't know.

Thanks for indulging Komp. I agree about the 'good or bad' being in how it's used. I always think of fire as a metaphor for that difference.
And think of soap in terms of practice.
For it to work you need to use it

And by use.... I mean, not like that Bible shaped paper weight on some folks coffee table

What you said about finding 'clarity' resonates with me.
I know I've had plenty of conversations with more 'science minded' folks where we've ended up exchanging some pretty interesting summations and understanding of the other thoughts, in our own language of reverence and connection.

Cheers to finding clarity!

**SageTree** · 10-20-2011, 11:44 AM

Bump

Terry · 10-20-2011, 12:18 PM

I have no interest in being religious, but am constantly trying to become spiritual, an aspect of myself that I have neglected most my life.

**SageTree** · 10-20-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry

I have no interest in being religious, but am constantly trying to become spiritual, an aspect of myself that I have neglected most my life.

I'm going to bump a thread by a dude you might enjoy here in a second,

You started a thread a while ago about your new exploration and am wondering how that is going for you or what you've been looking into?

Hope it's been more rewarding or enriching than frustrating or confusing.

Cheers

EDIT: Here is the thread- The Future of Christianity: Rev John Shelby Spong

Terry · 10-20-2011, 12:34 PM

It hasn't really gone anywhere honestly, I think like my political views my spirituality will be an amalgamation of different views and beliefs and doctrines.

**SageTree** · 10-20-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry

It hasn't really gone anywhere honestly, I think like my political views my spirituality will be an amalgamation of different views and beliefs and doctrines.

Right on, I get it. Life isn't compartmentalized so easily and one effects the other for sure. I think that 'go to church, fulfill duty, clock out and go home' is a huge problem with with organized religion and many of it's practitioners.

If only people could leave their work at their jobs so easily and instead drag the lessons ,from their place of worship, home with them!

My how different the world would be

I suggested those videos Terry because I very much get the sense that Spong is a man trying to reconcile what he hopes for and what he sees happening.

Cheers on your journey. I'm very inclusive in my spiritual practice and you can bounce anything off of me judgment free

Sir-Ex · 10-20-2011, 01:06 PM

Ideas, imagination, virtues, open mindedness, vulnerability, fearlessness, selflessness, passion. FTW

beliefs. rigidity. dogma. religion. FTL

That's my gut feeling, and the only thing I trust.

And I don't fully trust in "I".

**SageTree** · 10-20-2011, 01:59 PM

Amen to that shit chief!

08-23-2011, 07:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,865 Thanks: 5,018 Thanked 5,420 Times in 2,865 Posts	Seems to work for the Dalai Lama. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

08-23-2011, 07:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,768 Times in 4,664 Posts	I think directing all that devotion to a deity or set of ideals, that doesn't incorporate "other individuals and other forms of life" and/or to also think that doesn't mean to aim to "benefit society and themselves" are missing something in their understanding, or at least what I render a 'point/reason' for engagement. In my opinion, we're all interconnected and don't get into the idea of being separate from 'God' and all this I believe it is. All that ritual and philosophy, which ever your path, imo, is to still the mind and embrace our connectedness. From there, the 'merit' of the practicing arises and deepens. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance. Last edited by SageTree; 08-23-2011 at 07:57 AM.

08-23-2011, 08:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kompressor Voice of Reason Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 8,361 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3,069 Times in 1,634 Posts	Deep down, i feel like they are/were coping mechanisms. __________________ Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

08-23-2011, 08:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,768 Times in 4,664 Posts	Isn't to be alive, pretty much entail some form of coping though? I mean... you didn't say if it was 'good or bad', so I'm just asking. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

08-23-2011, 08:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kompressor Voice of Reason Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 8,361 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3,069 Times in 1,634 Posts	It isn't good or bad. It can be, but it isn't inherently so. I just think people need a filter to understand reality. I for instance find my clarity in physics, mathematics, and the laws of nature. Others find it in Christ, Allah, or the teachings of the Buddha. Are we connected in some six degrees of karma? I don't know. __________________ Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

10-20-2011, 11:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,768 Times in 4,664 Posts	Bump __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

10-20-2011, 12:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
Terry Militant Pacifist Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Moscow, Idaho Posts: 8,535 Thanks: 2,128 Thanked 2,392 Times in 1,189 Posts	I have no interest in being religious, but am constantly trying to become spiritual, an aspect of myself that I have neglected most my life. __________________ There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. -Sylvia Plath

10-20-2011, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Terry Militant Pacifist Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Moscow, Idaho Posts: 8,535 Thanks: 2,128 Thanked 2,392 Times in 1,189 Posts	It hasn't really gone anywhere honestly, I think like my political views my spirituality will be an amalgamation of different views and beliefs and doctrines. __________________ There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. -Sylvia Plath

10-20-2011, 01:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sir-Ex Learner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 11,416 Thanks: 1,726 Thanked 3,820 Times in 2,258 Posts	Ideas, imagination, virtues, open mindedness, vulnerability, fearlessness, selflessness, passion. FTW beliefs. rigidity. dogma. religion. FTL That's my gut feeling, and the only thing I trust. And I don't fully trust in "I". __________________ Smile Ditch the cigs!!!!!!

10-20-2011, 01:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,768 Times in 4,664 Posts	Amen to that shit chief! __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

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