Are many people only focusing on the "negative" in religions?

[Milton Platt]

The reason for spiritual teaching is so we humans can end the reincarnation within the physical world, and go back to the original realm of consciousness. The realm is called heaven, Paradise, Nirvana and so on. And no they are not same "place" for everyone.

But since no human tool can measure those realms I guess you will never believe it, no matter how one explain it.

You are going to need empirical, testable evidence to support that.

 

[ppp]

The reason for spiritual teaching is so we humans can end the reincarnation within the physical world, and go back to the original realm of consciousness.

So you say.

The reason that we use a Heisenberg compensator is so that we can recalibrate the poydirbal crystalline matrix to function in the bilateral killiactiral chamber. But only if we use the reverse the polarity of the neutron flow as a vertical anti-attenuator.

 

[Spirit of Light]

So you say.

The reason that we use a Heisenberg compensator is so that we can recalibrate the poydirbal crystalline matrix to function in the bilateral killiactiral chamber. But only if we use the reverse the polarity of the neutron flow as a vertical anti-attenuator.

I have no idea what that means. I have no interest in science.

 

[Mock Turtle]

In discussion we often find people only focusing on what they feel or think is "negative" of any religion or spiritual teaching.
Why is it so? Why do this people see all the good spiritual teaching add to someones life?

Mostly all spiritual/religioues people focus on the good of the teaching they follow, and if there is something negative, they try to understand why the teaching say so. Instead of getting mad or angry at a God or Buddha like those who do not understand spiritual teaching can do.

Why the negativity?

I'm sure some do, especially where such negativity might affect them personally, for example if they are homosexual and the particular religion has some dogmatic teaching on this subject, or where their freedoms are restricted because (being female) they are seen to inhabit a particular role rather than being as equal as any male. Quite easy to focus on the negativity that comes from such, especially when it just isn't seen as being negative by the religion but as being a positive thing.

But perhaps many will not be focusing on anything positive about any religious belief because they have no need of such teachings - often finding they come naturally to them - as in treating all others with respect and expecting the same, but where some religious beliefs fail to do so - as in attitudes to non-believers, for example. Hence, why wouldn't they tend to focus on the negatives that are in many religions when they have nothing else to offer to many?

 

[HonestJoe]

Not sure I understand you?

Sorry, that sarcasm was a little abstract.

I was basically pointing out that you are focusing on the negative in this thread. It isn't only something people do in relation to religions, it's something we all do in relation to pretty much anything.

 

[Secret Chief]

If

It is not.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Yes they have a point in that we who practice a spiritual teaching would benefit from asking our self deep question about our way of practicing, and about our way of understanding the teaching.
It is the one who practice that is the one who should ask themselves the questions for gaining deeper wisdom.

In my understanding, when a non practitioner of a religion ask negative questions, it is not for learning but to get the practitioner to fail and "admit" that maybe e his or her spiritual belief is bad or wrong

But you don't have to see the other person in that way to learn from him or her and not just the answers from your (a spiritual person's) own questions. Unless your knowledge depends on other people's reactions and comments, unless the other person doesn't want to talk about it, there should (in my opinion) be some curiosity of how said religion is seen negatively and the points that other person is making "without needing" to go by their intentions (not all have the intent you mentioned).

If I asked you why did god tell people to murder women and children and how wrong that is of god to do, what can you learn from this-from me-that won't hinder your bias by what you think my intentions would be?

Enlightened people don't sit on a cushion asking themselves questions. Most religions have some sort of interaction with people who see their religion both negatively and/or positively. There's a consensus of something to learn and love within that other person (or enlightenment) that they can reach and the enlightened person can be there to one day trigger "their" experiences.

How do spiritual experiences excuse negativity from other people who belittle religion if not taking their intentions (if you were to guess without asking) as a decision factor?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

We can get the positive without the negative baggage. Religion has been providing it for a very lomg time. So much that contemporary religion has separated itself from much of its past ways to conform to todays understandings and knowledge. But bad thoughts that are having consequences for others still exist. Prejudice still lingers, while potentially dangerous medical treatments and pidgeon holing people are still widely practiced today. Just as prejudice and segregation was widely practiced and legally permitted yesterday (still today, but it has been dealt many blows).

@Amanaki Going by what Shadow says, in my opinion negativity needs to looked at from other people (not just answering our own questions) because when you're only in positivity and finding enlightenment in your faith, it makes you-and people who think similar-blind to other people's sufferings and dilemmas-and that's the point of most religions-help others.

 

[Spirit of Light]

@Amanaki Going by what Shadow says, in my opinion negativity needs to looked at from other people (not just answering our own questions) because when you're only in positivity and finding enlightenment in your faith, it makes you-and people who think similar-blind to other people's sufferings and dilemmas-and that's the point of most religions-help others.

I suffer every day so I do know very well what suffering is.

 

[Polymath257]

I have no idea what that means. I have no interest in science.

It was a bit of meaningless verbiage. It suggests that what you said was the same.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

The teaching is there to improve the person who cultivate it, meaning each person will gain different aspects from the teaching. If you cultivate same teaching as I do it's is big chance you realize the truth within the teaching differently than I do. It depends on what you need to improve. But we both would gain morality, truthfulness, compassion and forberance toward our self and others. You would want the best for everyone.

Well, I guess that's the part I don't understand. I find that truthfulness, compassion and forbearance come quite naturally. I don't need somebody to teach me how to want the best for everyone -- I already do.

I learned for myself, from quite a young age, that I don't like being hurt, and I don't like being cheated, and that I do like being treated kindly and with honesty -- so I just assumed everybody else would feel the same way, and I proceeded accordingly. I honestly do not believe that humans need teachers for that.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I suffer every day so I do know very well what suffering is.

When you look at the negativity of others people's view of religion, regardless their intent, maybe there is something to learn or have a point that can be from them and not just answers to one's own questions.

Blind to people's sufferings is more like if a former christian said he isn't christian because god is a mean person and christianity is a bad religion, instead of looking at what you perceive his intent would be, maybe look more into "his" suffering (not yours) in order to derive messages or lessons you can use for yourself, if not to help him (as many enlightened people do) as a means to use those messages or lessons.

People's negativity intentions don't need to be perceived that way if one notices the pain and such behind the words and intentions they express sit. Of course not everyone is a psychologist, but that's the point I had in mind.

 

[Polymath257]

The teaching is there to improve the person who cultivate it, meaning each person will gain different aspects from the teaching. If you cultivate same teaching as I do it's is big chance you realize the truth within the teaching differently than I do. It depends on what you need to improve. But we both would gain morality, truthfulness, compassion and forberance toward our self and others. You would want the best for everyone.

Why would you need a spiritual teaching to do this? Why not simply cultivate being a better person? In the vast majority of cases, it is easy to see what that would mean. In those cases where it is not, thinking deeply and having discussions is a good method for elucidating the issues.

Why adhere to one practice when there is so much wisdom in others?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

@Amanaki Going by what Shadow says, in my opinion negativity needs to looked at from other people (not just answering our own questions) because when you're only in positivity and finding enlightenment in your faith, it makes you-and people who think similar-blind to other people's sufferings and dilemmas-and that's the point of most religions-help others.

To clarify, when I mean negative baggage I mean the general prejudice, bigotry, oppression, and violence that religion has long been a source of justification. The history of religion is so repressive and bloodthirsty that trying to salvage most of them is really like trying to salvage the good parts of the Nazi party while downplaying all the crap to the point it gets debated on what a word like "kill" really means.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In discussion we often find people only focusing on what they feel or think is "negative" of any religion or spiritual teaching.
Why is it so? Why do this people see all the good spiritual teaching add to someones life?

Mostly all spiritual/religioues people focus on the good of the teaching they follow, and if there is something negative, they try to understand why the teaching say so. Instead of getting mad or angry at a God or Buddha like those who do not understand spiritual teaching can do.

Why the negativity?

The positive generally doesn't need explanation.

Say a church runs a food bank and hates LGBTQ people. I already understand why someone would run a food bank, so I don't need to ask why they do that.

OTOH, I don't understand why someone would hate LGBTQ people, so that's the thing I would focus on.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In discussion we often find people only focusing on what they feel or think is "negative" of any religion or spiritual teaching.
Why is it so? Why do this people see all the good spiritual teaching add to someones life?

Mostly all spiritual/religioues people focus on the good of the teaching they follow, and if there is something negative, they try to understand why the teaching say so. Instead of getting mad or angry at a God or Buddha like those who do not understand spiritual teaching can do.

Why the negativity?

BTW: seeing how you so often focus on the negative when it comes to non-religious people, I struggle to see why you would have such a problem understanding why someone would do it in the opposite direction.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

To clarify, when I mean negative baggage I mean the general prejudice, bigotry, oppression, and violence that religion has long been a source of justification. The history of religion is so repressive and bloodthirsty that trying to salvage most of them is really like trying to salvage the good parts of the Nazi party while downplaying all the crap to the point it gets debated on what a word like "kill" really means.

Ironic, but thanks for the clarification.

 

[Polymath257]

The positive generally doesn't need explanation.

Say a church runs a food bank and hates LGBTQ people. I already understand why someone would run a food bank, so I don't need to ask why they do that.

Although, too often, it seems it is to get more converts.

OTOH, I don't understand why someone would hate LGBTQ people, so that's the thing I would focus on.

People are human. Every human institution has positives and negatives. In order to change for the better, the positives have to be emphasized and the negatives minimized. Usually, that involves looking at the negatives (even in the positives) and discussing them.

 

[viole]

In discussion we often find people only focusing on what they feel or think is "negative" of any religion or spiritual teaching.
Why is it so? Why do this people see all the good spiritual teaching add to someones life?

Mostly all spiritual/religioues people focus on the good of the teaching they follow, and if there is something negative, they try to understand why the teaching say so. Instead of getting mad or angry at a God or Buddha like those who do not understand spiritual teaching can do.

Why the negativity?

i think religion has some positive aspects.

For instance, masterworks like Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian” would not have existed without inspiration from religion.

ciao

- ciole

 

[stvdv]

Why the negativity?

Are many people only focusing on the "negative" in religions?

Not me, I usually focus on the "positive" in religions.