Originally posted by Haknow
reply to post by fairguy
I think we must distinguish religion from spirituality here. Religion is a series of codified beliefs, rites and institutions led by men, and yes it
can lead to atrocities.
Spirituality, on the other hand, is human beings' ability to have faith in something greater than themselves. It is, in my view, a force for good.
Destroying this ability, in my understanding, would be to destroy a defining part of what it means to be a human being. Whether or not one is
religious is, I think, another matter.
If religion had never been forced on us all, from birth, for generations, we may understand having more faith in other humans. As it is now however, I
don't see many religions falling due to some new machine.
Religion is indoctrined in us (I hate using that word
) and we have been more or less programmed (another one I don't like using) to shut down and
belittle anyone who decides one day to start questioning the status quo.
I think you're correct when you say it shouldn't matter whether someone is religious or not, what should matter though, is that when someone tells
me they're a christian, or hindu, or whatever religion, I don't start telling them they're wrong, but when I respond with "I'm not really
religious" or words to that effect that I'm instantly dismissed as a lunatic!
"What? You don't believe in god?"
No I don't, but I won't put you down if you do.
"HEY EVERYBODY. THIS GUY DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD!"
...
