Adopting Middle Eastern Faiths as the end all to be all

[Epic Beard Man]

I have to credit @Audie for the comment she made regarding the adoption of the “middle eastern sky god cult as if it’s their story.”


In regarding some Judaic/Islamic eschatology I often read that the language of heaven is often related to the people that narrates the story, in this case the “Heavenly Torah” is written in the language of Jews while the spoken language of Jannah, is the language of Arabs.

Even in my experiences I noticed a superiority attitude among some of the adherents. I find I have no cultural ties to Judaism because one, I speak English not Hebrew nor are the stories of the prophets have a cultural relationship with my ancestors. Similar with Islam. Often times reverts to Islam must pray in Arabic (although other prayers may be done in your own language). Some even understanding the Sunnah of the prophet emulate him by eating dates.

I’ve never ate dates except once and it was nasty. I often see members wearing middle eastern clothing, adopting mannerisms, etc. Christianity, was a forced faith upon the enslaved Africans therefore I find Christianity today in the states an illegitimate faith for African-Americans. I can’t imagine telling slaves to adopt “white Jesus” to save you while being on the boat during the middle passage in the bellows sleeping in human excrement and vomit for months, then you still die despite this spiritual reprieve.

What is my story?

I find none of the popular religions that exist today have a personal relationship with me culturally. None speaks to me culturally. This perplexed me this morning so I say thank you @Audie for actually putting things in perspective. Because it does seem that we tend to adopt each other’s faiths as the end all l. So it really does beg the question, what is truth if this truth only speaks to the outgroup instead of your group?

If we look deeply in the popular faiths you find, the first humans the location of the garden, the final battle etcetera are all in the Middle East not Africa, not Compton California but in the Middle East, truly peculiar.

 

[Milton Platt]

I have to credit @Audie for the comment she made regarding the adoption of the “middle eastern sky god cult as if it’s their story.”


In regarding some Judaic/Islamic eschatology I often read that the language of heaven is often related to the people that narrates the story, in this case the “Heavenly Torah” is written in the language of Jews while the spoken language of Jannah, is the language of Arabs.

Even in my experiences I noticed a superiority attitude among some of the adherents. I find I have no cultural ties to Judaism because one, I speak English not Hebrew nor are the stories of the prophets have a cultural relationship with my ancestors. Similar with Islam. Often times reverts to Islam must pray in Arabic (although other prayers may be done in your own language). Some even understanding the Sunnah of the prophet emulate him by eating dates.

I’ve never ate dates except once and it was nasty. I often see members wearing middle eastern clothing, adopting mannerisms, etc. Christianity, was a forced faith upon the enslaved Africans therefore I find Christianity today in the states an illegitimate faith for African-Americans. I can’t imagine telling slaves to adopt “white Jesus” to save you while being on the boat during the middle passage in the bellows sleeping in human excrement and vomit for months, then you still die despite this spiritual reprieve.

What is my story?

I find none of the popular religions that exist today have a personal relationship with me culturally. None speaks to me culturally. This perplexed me this morning so I say thank you @Audie for actually putting things in perspective. Because it does seem that we tend to adopt each other’s faiths as the end all l. So it really does beg the question, what is truth if this truth only speaks to the outgroup instead of your group?

If we look deeply in the popular faiths you find, the first humans the location of the garden, the final battle etcetera are all in the Middle East not Africa, not Compton California but in the Middle East, truly peculiar.

Perhaps all this points to the fact that faith is not a reliable pathway to truth?

 

[Looncall]

I have to credit @Audie for the comment she made regarding the adoption of the “middle eastern sky god cult as if it’s their story.”


In regarding some Judaic/Islamic eschatology I often read that the language of heaven is often related to the people that narrates the story, in this case the “Heavenly Torah” is written in the language of Jews while the spoken language of Jannah, is the language of Arabs.

Even in my experiences I noticed a superiority attitude among some of the adherents. I find I have no cultural ties to Judaism because one, I speak English not Hebrew nor are the stories of the prophets have a cultural relationship with my ancestors. Similar with Islam. Often times reverts to Islam must pray in Arabic (although other prayers may be done in your own language). Some even understanding the Sunnah of the prophet emulate him by eating dates.

I’ve never ate dates except once and it was nasty. I often see members wearing middle eastern clothing, adopting mannerisms, etc. Christianity, was a forced faith upon the enslaved Africans therefore I find Christianity today in the states an illegitimate faith for African-Americans. I can’t imagine telling slaves to adopt “white Jesus” to save you while being on the boat during the middle passage in the bellows sleeping in human excrement and vomit for months, then you still die despite this spiritual reprieve.

What is my story?

I find none of the popular religions that exist today have a personal relationship with me culturally. None speaks to me culturally. This perplexed me this morning so I say thank you @Audie for actually putting things in perspective. Because it does seem that we tend to adopt each other’s faiths as the end all l. So it really does beg the question, what is truth if this truth only speaks to the outgroup instead of your group?

If we look deeply in the popular faiths you find, the first humans the location of the garden, the final battle etcetera are all in the Middle East not Africa, not Compton California but in the Middle East, truly peculiar.

Interesting, but I suppose to be expected, since that is where those scams started.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Perhaps all this points to the fact that faith is not a reliable pathway to truth?

Perhaps or as a friend of mine used to say religions are rivers that lead to the same ocean. I guess my problem is am I swimming in the same river as the other fish like me?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Interesting, but I suppose to be expected, since that is where those scams started.

Lol

 

[LuisDantas]

It seems to me that doctrines with an intention of being universally applicable have a self-imposed duty to overcome their own chauvinistic tendencies, including any original tribalism.

Does not look like a big deal to me, but I suppose that some traditionalists might sincerely disagree.

 

[Spiderman]

African Shamanism sounds better to me than Abrahamic faiths.

However, regarding Christianity being unacceptable. That could be, but I have also read about many Christians doing a lot to feed the starving and care for the sick in Africa.

I have also read about unceasing wars and bloodbaths that never seem to end in Africa. And at least in this century, don't see Christians as being the main cause of the violence, terrorism, kidnapping, rapes, wars, and atrocities against Africans.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conflicts_in_Africa

 

[Epic Beard Man]

African Shamanism sounds better to me than Abrahamic faiths.

However, regarding Christianity being unacceptable. That could be, but I have also read about many Christians doing a lot to feed the starving and care for the sick in Africa.

I have also read about unceasing wars and bloodbaths that never seem to end in Africa. And at least in this century, don't see Christians as being the main cause of the violence, terrorism, kidnapping, rapes, wars, and atrocities against Africans.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conflicts_in_Africa

European Imperialism under the guise of Christianity is the main reason why tribes fight, and the reason Africa has the stereotype of people living in mud huts and people having flies on their face which is because Christian missionaries and those commercials that project false imagery.

 

[Kirran]

What really works for you? In what tradition do you feel most access to love and bliss? Which helps your soul grow?

That's probably a good one to be getting on with at least.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

What really works for you? In what tradition do you feel most access to love and bliss? Which helps your soul grow?

That's probably a good one to be getting on with at least.

Secularism works for me but secularism has a small community and unfortunately traditional theism has made it seem that secularism is an outsider tradition that is empty.

 

[Kirran]

Secularism works for me but secularism has a small community and unfortunately traditional theism has made it seem that secularism is an outsider tradition that is empty.

Secularism here meaning?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Secularism here meaning?

Well secularism free thinking, non-religious

 

[Kirran]

Well secularism free thinking, non-religious

Including atheism, in this case?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Including atheism, in this case?

Correct

 

[LuisDantas]

I may easily be mistaken, @Epic Beard Man , but you sure give me the impression that you are firmly monotheistic. From this thread I also get the idea that you do not much trust religious traditions in a general sense. Would that be accurate?

 

[sun rise]

Perhaps or as a friend of mine used to say religions are rivers that lead to the same ocean. I guess my problem is am I swimming in the same river as the other fish like me?

To me, the better question is: Is the river I'm swimming in resonating with the deepest invitation of my heart?

 

[David1967]

Well secularism free thinking, non-religious

In your opinion, can a person be both religious and free thinking? For example; a 'Liberal' Christian, Muslim, or Jew.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Perhaps or as a friend of mine used to say religions are rivers that lead to the same ocean. I guess my problem is am I swimming in the same river as the other fish like me?

Evolve legs?

That could be, but I have also read about many Christians doing a lot to feed the starving and care for the sick in Africa.

It's arguable that certain religions are the reason they're starving in the first place.

Africans: Hey, thanks for the bag of Doritos, priest. It sure does make up for the systemic destruction of our environment because we weren't considered human enough to run our own lands.

 

[LuisDantas]

More than that, it is at least arguable that proper religion ought to raise itself above promoting such destructive behavior.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I may easily be mistaken, @Epic Beard Man , but you sure give me the impression that you are firmly monotheistic. From this thread I also get the idea that you do not much trust religious traditions in a general sense. Would that be accurate?

I am monotheistic. Agnostic-theism falls under this and yes although I respect religious traditions and their philosophies that have enriched my life, I am also a critic of certain religious tradition. This is not localized to those of the Abrahamic faiths.

I don’t trust Hindus, Sikhs, or any of the Dharmic faiths. I find people who believe in benevolent gods are not benevolent themselves and often are adherents to religion for cultural instead of spiritual reasons. But my beliefs are based on direct experiences. Now, I’m willing to have open dialogue but often times people disappoint.