[Lypepuddyu]

Feeling the presence of nature does seem to indicate the concept of God/the Divine is a much bigger concept than something that can be contained in only one belief system. The presence and voice of the Divine is indeed all around us, but we must allow ourselves (and one another) to hear its voice.

Yes! In fact, 'the Divine' couldn't fit into all of the belief systems known combined.
By it's very definition, 'God' cannot be contained in ANYTHING.

[dosyrotsbop]

You're not buying the idea it's about angst?

Maybe people with more anxiety have better survival skills.

I remember reading that the great Viking explorers thought that everything they encountered could be a demon or monster in disguise. So you could walk up to them smiling and offering a welcome wagon gift basket and they'd whack your head off. Could be that over-reacting is a genetic trait of tribes with a better survival rate.

Somewhat.

The point is not in understanding, but in trying to understand. We try to 'find the answer' so hard, that most of the time we overlook it.

Doing something, and trying to do something, are completely different things.


Where are the Vikings?

[Carfanate]

~ 'INSTEAD OF RELIGION'
That's the topic title, right? Don't know if it's been yapped before.
Just wondering, does anyone use something else instead of religion?
Exercise, shopping, dieting, sex, hobbies, whatever.
& how many do you know that need a 'replacement' for religion?
I can imagine that in some families or cultures an excuse would be wanted.

'Instead of Religion' of course is referring to spirituality
& those that are not confined by religious doctrin. I realise that.

... Just thought I might mix it up a bit
Hey, if nothing else ya can post about what a pain I am!

[Hinigyday]

Hi Qryos,

I hold to no religion. Nature is at the center of my philosophy of life. That is the reason I have acquired an interest in North American Indian spirituality. Most NA's had no formal religion but they held to a spirituality that is deeply rooted in Nature.

Instead of practicing a religion I try to stay connected with Nature as much as possible (when I am not in my house enjoying my air conditioning, music & TV).

Peace & Love!

[Amirmsheesk]

Actually its kind of timely since today is the 60th anniversary of India's partition.

I wonder how many lives might have been saved there if religion had not really been an issue. Imagine having to move from your home of generations because your religion didn't fit well with the new country that you now found yourself in. I think I read 10-14 million people were displaced either to India or Pakistan because of religious reasons. Not to mention the 1 million or so that were killed or suffered some type of violence during that time.

[Aozenee]

Instead of religion, I have Discordianism.

[borasolit]

If you think about the social and psychological benefits, there are a wide variety of options.

Civic and social organizations of many types can serve the social needs, although there is generally less of a mutual aid committment in those organizations. There's generally less expectation to help a friend in need than there is to help a member of a religious community. Government programs can provide many social programsl to help those in need, and can serve a large and diverse population. There are some who would like to see those government programs replaced by "faith-based organizations."

Social order can be established by rule of law as an alternative to religious law. Although fear of God can be a powerful incentive, and an omniscient God could be more effective at detecting wrong-doing than a thousand video cameras, punishment by physical means seems to be more effective than the promise that, "God is going to get you."

The psychological benefits of believing that divine intervention is available and working on your behalf can be a great confidence booster and provide hope and a sense of optimism that might otherwise be difficult to achieve. An alternative is to use affirmations to reinforce positive thoughts. The absence of religious belief might encourage people to take more responsibility for their own well-being. There are those who would rather sit and pray, than work hard to better their situation.

In times of relative prosperity and security, people feel less need for religion. Wealth is an excellent substitute for religion because it can solve so many problems.

Absolution of guilt can be remedied by religious confession and penance. Alternatively, you can make reparations to the injured party, which is generally the solution prefered by the injured party.

Fear of death is something religion can help with. Both for the person dying, and perhaps more importantly, for the grieving survivors. It's a matter of having helpful thoughts. Non-religious helpful thoughts would include, "They had a good life," "I'm grateful for the time we had," and "It's better they are no longer in pain."

[Paul Bunyan]

Instead of religion why no try LOVE in all its manifestations? One does not need doctrines to practice LOVE.

[Kayacterype]

Instead of religion why no try LOVE in all its manifestations? One does not need doctrines to practice LOVE.

Valid point. We don't even need language to practice love.

Peace & Love!

[Emapymosy]

The most concise and eloquent moral code is expressed in The Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Religions add so much commentary and pile on other rules to the point where this simple rule is lost in the confusion.

[fissasste]

The most concise and eloquent moral code is expressed in The Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Governments and Religions add so much commentary and pile on other rules to the point where this simple rule is lost in the confusion.

Fixed that for ya.

[Reftsheette]

Fixed that for ya.

Thanks! Nice add! Those fat law books don't give people good judgement.

I think the scientific method is a better to understand the world than anything religion has to offer. Is that too rigid and formal for a discordian, or do the results speak for themselves?

[adultcomicssitedessaa]

Not at all. You have to remember, the worst group of religious people on this planet are the "Serious Discordians"...lol

In most circumstances, the results do speak for themselves.

On the other hand, why do we have to try so hard to understand everything. There are many much more 'important' things to worry about.

[ViaplyVuple]

...why do we have to try so hard to understand everything.

I think a lot of it is an attempt to solve a problem.

Sure, a lot of the desire for understanding is just angst and the best solution is to just get over it, but for a lot of people that isn't satisfying and they don't consider it a solution.

That's not what I'm talking about though. What I'm talking about is problem solving as a pleasurable activity.

Some people love science like you love music. Lots of people who are good at music are also good at math. I've got a friend who is a serious math geek. He gets all excited over the Fibonacci numbers. He's also composing a cantata.

The physics geeks are pretty amazing. Especially the ones into stuff like quantum, astrophysics, or theoretical. Their workday world is like an acid trip.

Then there are those people who are addicted to sudoku...

[uMG6uOSo]

~ 'INSTEAD OF RELIGION'
That's the topic title, right? Don't know if it's been yapped before.
Just wondering, does anyone use something else instead of religion?
Exercise, shopping, dieting, sex, hobbies, whatever.
& how many do you know that need a 'replacement' for religion?
I can imagine that in some families or cultures an excuse would be wanted.

'Instead of Religion' of course is referring to spirituality
& those that are not confined by religious doctrin. I realise that.

... Just thought I might mix it up a bit
Hey, if nothing else ya can post about what a pain I am!

You're not really a pain Qryos.

I don't think though that a lack of religion for someone necessarily means that they've replaced it with a sense of spirituality. See the self-belief forum for one. But just as much as it might be hard for the religious adherent or the spirit-quester to not be able to comprehend someone having a lack of deity, or belief in things like an afterlife, etc., the flow goes both ways. I had neither a belief in any type of Deity nor an awareness of what my spiritual nature was until a relatively short time ago.

[Abofedrorobox]

I think a lot of it is an attempt to solve a problem.

Sure, a lot of the desire for understanding is just angst and the best solution is to just get over it, but for a lot of people that isn't satisfying and they don't consider it a solution.

That's not what I'm talking about though. What I'm talking about is problem solving as a pleasurable activity.

Some people love science like you love music. Lots of people who are good at music are also good at math. I've got a friend who is a serious math geek. He gets all excited over the Fibonacci numbers. He's also composing a cantata.

The physics geeks are pretty amazing. Especially the ones into stuff like quantum, astrophysics, or theoretical. Their workday world is like an acid trip.

Then there are those people who are addicted to sudoku...

I totally understand what you're saying.
What I meant though was: Why do we try so hard to understand everything.
There's a big difference.

[teergoBissono]

Why do we try so hard to understand everything.
There's a big difference.

My penny's worth. I used to be that way. I wanted to understand everything around me. I am no longer that way. I think it is enough to just enjoy the beauty. I think I can honestly say that I am doing a good job at forgetting most of the crap that has been fed me over the years and I am almost at the point where I really don't want to learn anything new. I am honestly trying to live in the moment and let the rest of the universe take care of itself.

Peace & Love!

[TiepayWrary]

"If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone.
Our bible IS the wind."

I don't know who said that, but it sure says it all for me.
Nature is so beautiful and terrible---it provides everything a soul could ever need.

[escolubtessen]

Instead of religion. I try responsiblity ,,,,for my thoughts, actions, the health of Mother Earth and all things created....including our fellow man.

[chuecafresss]

I totally understand what you're saying.
What I meant though was: Why do we try so hard to understand everything.
There's a big difference.

You're not buying the idea it's about angst?

Maybe people with more anxiety have better survival skills.

I remember reading that the great Viking explorers thought that everything they encountered could be a demon or monster in disguise. So you could walk up to them smiling and offering a welcome wagon gift basket and they'd wack your head off. Could be that over-reacting is a genetic trait of tribes with a better survival rate.