Getting things from different religions

[nuttynutskin]

A new philosophy I've recently started thinking as far as religion goes is getting things from different religions. By that I basically mean studying different religions and taking what messages or lessons make sense and disregarding the more man made restrictions. I sort of view it as what you could do culturally as well. I think all cultures have at least something to offer or learn from. Has anyone else here come to this conclusion? Also, if you don't subscribe to one religion but don't totally dismiss it either what would that make you? Personally I consider myself some type of agnostic, but technically I guess that could also make you a freethinker even tho it sounds slightly contradictory.

 

[cashfl0w_d0nkey]

Whenever stating what is my religion, I always say "blend" or something to that effect. I am absolutely spiritual and feel there are useful messages in every religion. Some Christians or Muslims or whatever may take issue with me calling myself a member of their religion without accepting all of its modern associations, but I have no problem telling them off if they say it to my face.

 

[jesoc]

Studying different religions is great! It gets to be a mess if you try studying everything at the same time, I tend to dedicate study and practice to one thing at a time based on what resonating with me. If something calls out to you from a particular religion, go after it!

 

[Foreigner]

My survey of religion over the years was initially useful to help me connect some dots of universalism that are common threads through all human spiritual systems. Eventually though I found all religions limiting because they are too caught up in semantic details that are linked to socioocultural, egoic factors. There's also the problem of people using religion to become the middle men between me and Divinity, often by requiring payment or some kind of penance, which I refuse to do.

In a nutshell... the major religions are old world. They represent eras where people believed suffering was the gateway to God, and I simply find that model outdated. You can find Divinity in anything, in any action, in any way of Being. It's all the same really. Religions are just the illusion of separation.

 

[-=SS=-]

A new philosophy I've recently started thinking as far as religion goes is getting things from different religions. By that I basically mean studying different religions and taking what messages or lessons make sense and disregarding the more man made restrictions. I sort of view it as what you could do culturally as well. I think all cultures have at least something to offer or learn from. Has anyone else here come to this conclusion? Also, if you don't subscribe to one religion but don't totally dismiss it either what would that make you? Personally I consider myself some type of agnostic, but technically I guess that could also make you a freethinker even tho it sounds slightly contradictory.

I see this is a being a bit facetious, in terms of just cherry picking bits which suit your own philosophy. I guess a lot of "spiritual" stuff is kind of wishy washy anyway, I mean not many people actually walk the walk in terms of what they believe. Culturally I think it's ok to pick things, customs and laws which fit the way you are, but when it comes to spiritual stuff I think either you're trying to find the answers or you're just dipping your toes in it all which is basically the same thing as not doing.

Rather than seeing the contradictions and hypocrisy in religions in relation to the modern era, I think it's a better approach to see the similarities and try and tease out the nuggets of wisdom that can be directly applied to life.

 

[nuttynutskin]

Rather than seeing the contradictions and hypocrisy in religions in relation to the modern era, I think it's a better approach to see the similarities and try and tease out the nuggets of wisdom that can be directly applied to life.

I thought that's what I basically said?

 

[-=SS=-]

I thought that's what I basically said?

Yeh you did. It's just I think there's a tangible difference in terms of results when one disregards things as opposed to teasing out the truths. I mean some of the 'rules' or restrictions might actually have a basis in psychology for example, but in terms of modern understandings it sounds like nonsense to us so it is disregarded. That's just an example, but I do think that principle holds true, that there are things in the religions that today we consider nonsense but actually when teased out have truth in them.

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

Nutty, I agree. I tend to self-describe as a spiritual vagabond. I think that if there's a greater cosmic plan to all this, or some higher power who's pulling all the strings, he/she/it is far too sophisticated for our humble minds to fully understand. However, I'm open to the possibility that some of us have grasped (different) little pieces of the puzzle, even if none of us have ever come close to grasping the whole thing.

I really never understood those types who say things like I decided a long time ago that all religions are wrong and religion in general is bullshit, because they all contradict each other. This kind of a statement carries the implicit assumption that the Ultimate Reality that religion and spirituality reach for is something that can be clearly understood by any human mind, and whose properties can be encapsulated well in precise human language (and/or mathematical symbols), just like the familiar phenomena of our material world. In other words, this statement carries the assumption that anything supernatural must necessarily abide by the same physical laws as everything else we've encountered and come to understand. I find people who draw conclusions like this are pretty staunchly concrete thinkers, who have trouble even imagining whole segments of reality, hidden from us but affecting us profoundly, where very basic things we take for granted don't hold true. I never really related to folks who consider such exercises of imagination complete wastes of time. If you're a person who only has truck with what's known, provable, and demonstrably germane to your life in the here and now, that's fine. But don't expect the same from me, because that's a matter of taste.

I agree with what you're saying with regards to cultural values as well. I think there's much of value in making forays into cultures with values and practices very different from the one you were raised in. I've done that myself, and what I've come away with is this: All people really do yearn for the same things in life. Our differences in how we end up living and relating to other people merely represent differences in what yearnings take priority over what others, since none of us have the resources to pursue them all with equal passion.

 

[rickolasnice]

Has anyone actually made a change to their life because of a piece of religion?

By that I mean; surely you all already know how you'd like to better yourself as a person, and by associating it to a piece of a religion kinda dulls the whole thing.. taking credit from where it's due (you) and placing projecting it on whatever religion you find most appealing at the time.

A) I want to be kinder to others and put more effort into those in need
B) I want to be kinder to others and put more effort into those in need because I read that some guy preached it thousands of years ago

If people truly believe a piece of religion (while not being religious) helped them become more like the person they wanted to be.. care to tell a few details?

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

Has anyone actually made a change to their life because of a piece of religion?

If people truly believe a piece of religion (while not being religious) helped them become more like the person they wanted to be.. care to tell a few details?

No, but on an unrelated note, rutabaga helped me become a better cook. I've never bought, handled, or even tasted rutabaga, and have really no interest in trying it after smelling it. Nevertheless, my cooking bears the indelible influence or rutabaga ever since that fateful day I first became aware of it.

Your question is patently absurd. People who aren't religious by definition don't look to religion for inspiration, and don't compare their struggles and triumphs to those seen in the lore and history of a belief system. Besides, becoming a better person is not nearly the main reason people are religious. People are religious because pain and injustice are a lot more bearable when they're all part of a greater plan.

 

[rickolasnice]

But if you are not religious, how can you accept that you are part of the bigger plan of another while holding your faith in the original?

Even if you would consider yourself religious my questions still stand when looking at a religion you aren't a part of..

Becoming a better person was an example.. not a be all and end all.

Excuse me for being sleep deprived and dumb but what other reasons are there? Ways of becoming enlightened? (Don't sin / the eightfold path) Belief in the "between the lines"? (Reincarnation / Karma / Heaven) or Ways to act on earth? Which would surely be to better yourself. (Treat others as you would like to be treated / turn the other cheek / the origin of suffering is attachment)

I accept I'm probably being dense as fuck but what else is there apart from reading literature as literature?

 

[Gloop]

Thats a great thought, actually. I dont personally have too much experience in learning about religion beyond history and a religious history course I took, but Ive tended to feel the particular nuances of truth of certain religions that I simply disregarded because they took it too far in other concepts. Ill keep your thread and mind as I think it will help me when I learn new things about religion.

 

[nuttynutskin]

All people really do yearn for the same things in life. Our differences in how we end up living and relating to other people merely represent differences in what yearnings take priority over what others, since none of us have the resources to pursue them all with equal passion.

Yeah, and I think that pretty much ties in with religion too. Religion has been around for pretty much as long as we have (think Sumeria) and it's basically because of the need to explain the unexplainable. That's pretty universal I think.

Has anyone actually made a change to their life because of a piece of religion?

By that I mean; surely you all already know how you'd like to better yourself as a person, and by associating it to a piece of a religion kinda dulls the whole thing.. taking credit from where it's due (you) and placing projecting it on whatever religion you find most appealing at the time.

A) I want to be kinder to others and put more effort into those in need
B) I want to be kinder to others and put more effort into those in need because I read that some guy preached it thousands of years ago

If people truly believe a piece of religion (while not being religious) helped them become more like the person they wanted to be.. care to tell a few details?

I think without a doubt people have changed their lives with religion. Whether they would've anyways is another question and a pretty hard one to answer. If nothing else tho I think religious people sometimes seem to be more focused on the bigger picture. I think when used right it's just like any other sort of a tool. When used wrong it's leads to wars, oppression, killing etc., which is pretty easy to see in these times. But that's not really religion anyways, that's the extremists using religion.

I accept I'm probably being dense as fuck but what else is there apart from reading literature as literature?

Can people not gain insight or knowledge from reading literature as literature?

 

[nuttynutskin]

I dont personally have too much experience in learning about religion beyond history and a religious history course I took, but Ive tended to feel the particular nuances of truth of certain religions that I simply disregarded because they took it too far in other concepts.

Yeah that is one thing that irks me about certain things in religion. A lot of the messages are good but then it goes to stoning homosexuals. But you also have to take into context that a lot of religious scripture was rewritten by multiple people all putting their own twist.

 

[Foreigner]

Yeah that is one thing that irks me about certain things in religion. A lot of the messages are good but then it goes to stoning homosexuals. But you also have to take into context that a lot of religious scripture was rewritten by multiple people all putting their own twist.

I think a lot of what they condemned was of practical value thousands of years ago. Homosexuality was probably originally looked down upon because reproduction, lineage, and inter-family relationships were a big deal back then. Having sex outside of marriage was like... the worst thing ever. But then as time went on that original intent got distorted and it became an arcane law to punish people, regardless of any practical value.

Then there's also the Abrahamic faiths becoming a counter-culture to Roman Paganism, which was very liberal. Christianity had to counter all things Pagan in order to gain any kind of foothold, and one of those things was clamping down on sexual libations. If sex becomes only about reproduction then it guarantees that people don't stray too far from being controlled, and that any offspring can be readily groomed as followers.

It's been my observation that the most controlling religions in history have a sick bent against people experiencing any kind of euphoria (i.e. sex, drugs, partying, the arts, etc.) because they genuinely believed those restrictions were saving people's souls. Not that that makes it okay.

 

[phosphene_glow]

The demand religions make that one is exclusive has many purposes, few of which are religious in scope. Religions are not merely about spirituality. True questing for knowledge demands a mind free of delimiting prejudices.

 

[BenzosBudOrBooty]

Christianity has good principles but have I barely ever had a christian treat me how they would like to be treated? HELL NO. Buddhism and taoism are my favorite religions. Meanwhile a religion like Islam, what I get out of Islam is how INSANE people can be. Someone please enlighten me on a greater meaning. Its the 21st century now I believe.

 

[infectedmushroom]

When the bible was written - it was done so to be taken literally. IMO, it should be viewed as piece of philosophy - and quite frankly it doesn't measure up, at all, with other works in history (think Plato etc.)

Let's discard it at move on.

 

[phosphene_glow]

At the time of the Bible people didn't read. To own a book would have been a status symbol. Nicaea gathered the pertinent scriptures of the time for them what lived in the Middle East compiling them into a tome for complete development (to their minds). It contained history, culture, medicinal wisdom, parables and iconographical ideals, poetry, and so on. The Bible was the Barbazon of the day (though for the common person). People couldn't read but they worshipped the book itself as a symbol of all that was good and holy. The contemporary idea of the whole book being the literal word of God stems from that ignorance. And many people still can't read and so worship the book. They also still hold it as a talisman and use it as a status symbol. In these and other ways are what I meant about religion not being merely about spirituality. For most it has little to do with spirituality and more to do with the urge to belong and find rapport amongst one's peers.

 

[-=SS=-]

When the bible was written - it was done so to be taken literally. IMO, it should be viewed as piece of philosophy - and quite frankly it doesn't measure up, at all, with other works in history (think Plato etc.)

Let's discard it at move on.

There are esoteric gems and psychological understandings contained in the bible, almost identical to those found in other religious texts from other religions.