Atheistic Religions

[The Sum of Awe]

You believe...or you don't.
Then we discuss what you believe...or not.

So, you're saying believe in all of it or none of it?

So a Christian would have to also believe in Zeus, Dragons, Leprechauns?

If not, why can't atheists have belief in something without having a god?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

There can be a god without God as well.

That is true

 

[The Sum of Awe]

So you think religion can be aimed at something...your equal...or less?
Really?

Yes, some religions, even some theistic religions, aren't really focused on a god, but some other stuff like:

How to rid suffering. (Most Dharmic Religions)
Spirits and witchcraft (Voodoo)

And others... (Wiccanism, Satanism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, etc)

 

[LuisDantas]

So you think religion can be aimed at something...your equal...or less?
Really?

No, not really. Why would you think so?

 

[Thief]

Yes, some religions, even some theistic religions, aren't really focused on a god, but some other stuff like:

How to rid suffering. (Most Dharmic Religions)
Spirits and witchcraft (Voodoo)

And others... (Wiccanism, Satanism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, etc)

And the spells call upon your equal or something less?

Can't wrap your head around Something greater than you?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

And the spells call upon your equal or something less?

They could.

Can't wrap your head around Something greater than you?

It's quite possible that I can, but sometimes not.

 

[Thief]

So could we then proceed while saying?....
religion is interaction with a spiritual existence.

Even if that interaction is no more than one sided communication...prayer.

 

[Orias]

So could we then proceed while saying?....
religion is interaction with a spiritual existence.

Even if that interaction is no more than one sided communication...prayer.

I would change that to religion can be an interaction with a spiritual existence.

Since there are many roads, other than religion, that can lead to the Spirit.

 

[Thief]

I would change that to religion can be an interaction with a spiritual existence.

Since there are many roads, other than religion, that can lead to the Spirit.

Are you redefining religion?
If 'other roads' lead to the spirit plane....are not those roads religious?

So is religion belief and practice to draw the attention of a greater Being?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Are you redefining religion?
If 'other roads' lead to the spirit plane....are not those roads religious?

So is religion belief and practice to draw the attention of a greater Being?

Religion is simply belief and practice

 

[Thief]

Religion is simply belief and practice

Belief and practice are broad reaching nouns.

We're trying to narrow this down and you're going the other way.

Back to #71.

 

[Orias]

Are you redefining religion?

If 'other roads' lead to the spirit plane....are not those roads religious?

So is religion belief and practice to draw the attention of a greater Being?

By my definition of religion...no.

And no, religions are something that are taught.

Not all people need "spiritual teachers", though many many people do have a kick starter, a lot of people are capable of walking their own path with their own mind. Of course, the functional and practical people realize that their paths are walked because of the people around them to walk paths separate of their own.

I would say religion belief and practice is done to draw the attention of others who practice the same thing and say..."Hey, I wear the goodguy badge too".

 

[Thief]

By my definition of religion...no.

And no, religions are something that are taught.

Not all people need "spiritual teachers", though many many people do have a kick starter, a lot of people are capable of walking their own path with their own mind. Of course, the functional and practical people realize that their paths are walked because of the people around them to walk paths separate of their own.

I would say religion belief and practice is done to draw the attention of others who practice the same thing and say..."Hey, I wear the goodguy badge too".

Your perspective reduces religion to a social practice...like fraternity.

Religion, specifically, is aimed at something....Greater.

 

[Orias]

Your perspective reduces religion to a social practice...like fraternity.

Religion, specifically, is aimed at something....Greater.

Not at all.

Religion is a cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Religion isn't aimed at anything, the psychological motive and end is.

 

[Thief]

Not at all.

Religion is a cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Religion isn't aimed at anything, the psychological motive and end is.

Not a cause.
Not a principle.
Activity ...yes.

And as an activity...it is aimed at 'something'.

The motive is typically...wanting to go to heaven.

The end is inevitable.... with or without belief.

 

[Orias]

Well Theif, no activity is pursued without cause, because the principle behind it motivates the activity.

 

[Thief]

Well Theif, no activity is pursued without cause, because the principle behind it motivates the activity.

You're backing up in the wrong direction.

The activity of religion has a cause.
Interaction with a greater power.

'Religion' that does less, would be a social event or social practice.
At that point it is not a religion.

 

[Badran]

***Mod post***

Thread moved to Comparative Religion forum.​

 

[Orias]

You're backing up in the wrong direction.

What?

The activity of religion has a cause.
Interaction with a greater power.

My statement still stands for this.

As for your last sentence, well that obviously speaks for the burden of bias it possesses

'Religion' that does less, would be a social event or social practice.
At that point it is not a religion.

It is though, a person who goes to such gatherings must have at least an ounce of devotion pertaining to a certain Aspect of the custom.

 

[Thief]

What?




My statement still stands for this.

As for your last sentence, well that obviously speaks for the burden of bias it possesses



It is though, a person who goes to such gatherings must have at least an ounce of devotion pertaining to a certain Aspect of the custom.

You're just trying too hard now.

If it is aimed at your fellowman....it's social.
If it's aimed at the next life and God...it's religion.

I suppose if makes it easier for you......

I aim my handiwork at my fellow man.....however....

I am not religious.
I follow no congregation.
I have no following.

When I turn my thoughts toward God....I call that spiritual.
I have no practice to make....
I have no prayers to recite.
I have no creed beyond....
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

An atheist could perform likewise....
but his aim is here in this life....
and he will proceed no further.