To lay the foundation for the conceptual epiphanies
and spiritual notions which will be emphasised in later
threads, the first necessary topic of relevance is religion in general. All religions explored here in further detail at later points, will receive
the same objective treatment.
The intention is not to convince anyone that a particular religion is a “wrong” way of living, but merely to offer an overview of the potential
pros and cons of each from the unbiased perception of a non religious and inquisitive mind.
This is to entail that it is not intended to be a guide for those seeking to find the “right” religion. Nor is it judging those of any given faith
by pointing out objectively perceived flaws or contradictions in the writings of their faith.
Whether the perceived pros or cons of any faith via the opinion of the author are entirely accurate or not is beside the point, where compassion is
concerned the challenging nature of these notions will serve to test any follower of a mentioned faith of their level of compassion for others.
Generally speaking people have flaws and they are loved regardless of their flaws. So bear in mind if one does not agree with every story,
spiritual/moral value or historical event regarding a particular faith they are not necessarily condemning those who believe totally in that faith (or
version of that faith when different sects are concerned).
At the end of the day it is what was written and that which
was written came from the hands of a person. It is up to each individual to decide for themselves whether or not they trust that all of the words of a
given scripture were written by one in alignment with the divine, and that the interpretation has been preserved through generation upon generation of
translation, as well as the evolution of contextual meanings that the given languages have undergone as the ages progressed.
As stated this is simply the objectionable opinion of
the author's take on the subject for the sake of laying forth reference regarding the notions of spirituality that are to proceed, highlighting the
necessary facets of religion relevant
to the spiritual proponents that will be unveiled later.
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Analysis:
Religion is based primarily on received "knowledge"
which is why religions have acquired the collective label of "Belief Systems", for if you did not receive the information directly yourself, you can
never from a rational standpoint be absolutely sure that it is 100% true. Hence it is a belief.
Of coarse this applies to a wide range of received information not just religion. This brings one to the question... "what exactly is a belief?" It
could be said that a belief is strong resonance with a concept that cannot or has not yet been proven.
It would seem reasonable to say that if one has a belief,
they are automatically accepting that it is not something
that can be known for a fact... is true.
Having said this however, there are many sub beliefs within religions. That is to say, it is being implied here that If there
was already evidence that what is claimed in any religious text in its entirety, is true, then faith would not be a result of its effect.
Faith is a feeling, it pertains to
the heart and the intuitive right brain.
When one knows something is true the left brain labels and categorises it, even if it is something outside the conventional realm of reasoning, if a
person thinks they know something that is absolute and pertaining to spirituality then
the left brain is at work.
The left brain seeks conclusiveness it yearns for a point of arrival, such is the result of the act of thinking one knows something absolute. Every
religion has in some way an
element of mystery, something that inhibits an evident
certainty of knowing it is 100% true. This is why
religion is a method of inducing faith.
Considering that the primary nature of religion is based on a transaction of speculative digestion , and reception via faith, then it is a
particularly tedious task to decide which religion is the truth or 100% correct where moral values are concerned.
Given that any religious text is something that is written by a human being and not literally manifested by the one true Creator. Then it isn't hard
to see that the fact that all religions claim that what their disciples have channelled from the God the source etc. is the be all and end all of
absolute truth to be reckoned with, therefore renders religion in general as a fallible system of disseminating wisdom.
The evidence is clear in the conflict that disagreements between various faiths have caused, when it leads people to set aside the very core moral
values that all religions unite on, being,
"Love thy neighbour" & "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
edit on 17-10-2011 by Spiratio because: title
edit on 17-10-2011 by Spiratio because: (no reason given)