Genetically?
No, more like physically determined, or perhaps biologically and even ecologically and economically. There is only so much ability for various aspects of the environment to deal with aggressions and stress.
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Right or wrong religion?
- Thread starter Spirit of Light
- Start date
No, more like physically determined, or perhaps biologically and even ecologically and economically. There is only so much ability for various aspects of the environment to deal with aggressions and stress.
Shantanu
Well-Known Member
Does it require the whole population of a nation state to agree on what is moral?
Hardly. I don't think that it even benefits from the very existence of nation-states.
And in any case, to a considerable extent moral expression is a necessarily personal matter. What is moral for one to do depends mainly on that person's mental faculties, and specifically on the abilities to predict the likely consequences of our actions and to weight in the degrees of uncertainty applicable.
Actual agreement is not even achieveable, and may well be in fact undesirable except perhaps in the most general strokes.
I don't believe in moral perfection and am skeptical of narratives of progress. At the end of the day, humans are just animals, no matter how much various religions and worldviews try to delude us into believing otherwise. Science and reality is clear on that point. My eating a steak has no more moral consequence than my cat eating meat does. It just doesn't matter and there's no reason to feel bad over it. Humans just make up moral codes based on their personal values and ideals but those moral codes can't be said to exist beyond an individual's wishes. They're not a reflection of reality. The cosmos is amoral, as far as we know.
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Trailblazer
Veteran Member
Out of the top of my mind, there is legal faith, which is a very down-to-earth thing.
There is faith as an alternate word for religion or doctrine.
And also in the sense of emotional commitment - of which a key feature is the implicit decision (which should be present) of accepting the risks of being wrong about the merits of the object of that faith.
A fourth meaning, which you seem to favor but I do not, is roughly equivalent to theism or even monotheism, perhaps even specifically faith in the God of Abraham.
When it arises spontaneously out of personal inclination it can be good to "ride with it", if at all possible with appropriate supervision.
I don't think it should ever be actively pursued, though.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
Thanks, those are good definitions. Faith not only applies to religion. We have to have faith in other things because we cannot predict the future and what people will do.
I have faith in the God of Abraham because it makes the most sense to me. It makes sense because of how I think about the Abrahamic religions. But certain aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism also make sense to me, and I do not see a contradiction between eastern and western religions. No doubt that is because I am a Baha'i and I can see the good in all religions.
I agree, faith in God is good when it arises spontaneously out of personal inclination. I never pursued faith. I was not searching for God or a religion. It just came to me one day.
In some cases I think faith can also be good when it is actively pursued, it all depends upon the motivation.
What do you mean by appropriate supervision?
Mainly, that someone with proper attention and qualification will be at hand to watch for signs of fanaticism and gently nudge people out of that danger.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
So do you think it is the responsibility of adults to nudge other adults?
If those adults are meddling with theism, particularly monotheism, to the point of visibly affecting their behavior and motivations?
I do indeed.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
If they are hurting other people I can agree they need to be meddled with, but otherwise I think it is their own business what they believe.
Killing any sentient being who can experience life or suffer when such a killing can be avoided is morally wrong. Cow, goat, chicken, fish...does not matter. This is not connected with Hinduism per se.
The moral consequence is the suffering of the cow who is getting killed for that steak. That suffering objectively exists as a phenomena arising in the cosmos, whether you take cognizance of it or not. Last I heard, brains and minds emerging from these brains are parts of the cosmos as well.
I actually agree with that.
Mainly because there is no practical distinction from what I just said.
Shantanu
Well-Known Member
People make many Gods, and even more religions. If there is only one true God, …
Question:
Should you select/choose a religion going by how you feel, or by what God expects of you or mankind?
Would you agree that the God we worship has rules, standards, and laws ?
Example: If anyone wants to move to a different country and become a citizen, wouldn’t
the individual have to agree to live by the laws, standards, rules and regulations
of that country before being accepted?
We have to be in compliance! Murderers, thieves, trouble makers, … are not
accepted.
To move and live in another country, do you make your decision based on facts, research, … or do you go by your feelings?
In like manner, anyone who desires to be a subject of God’s Kingdom
has to get to know God, his name (not only his titles), what it means and stands for. We would have to be in compliance with his standards.
Jesus himself taught that only one way was used by God to direct people to the truth and to life.
To illustrate that important truth, Jesus compared the way to everlasting life to a road.
Matthew 7:13, 14
“Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.
In addition:
John 14:6
Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:11, 12
This is ‘the stone that was treated by you builders as of no account that has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”
God gives everyone free will to make decisions, including religion.
If someone is truly searching for the true religion he/she may ask some questions such as:
1) Does the one true God have a name? What is it? (Isaiah 42:8)
2) What is God’s purpose?
3) Why is he permitting the world’s situation? (disunity, crime, violence, immorality, … )
4) What will the future be like? (Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 35:5,6; Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 65:21; Psalm
72:16)
5) What kind of worship does God approve?
6) Are all religions pleasing to God?
7) How can we identify the true religion?
True religion would be evident in peoples’ lives who practice it. Matthew 7:16-17
Recognized by their conduct and beliefs. People are not perfect, but trying!
Six features: 1) God’s servants base their teachings on the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16-17;
1 Thessalonians 2:13)
2) Worship only Jehovah, make His Name known, … (Matthew 4:10;
Psalms 83:18; John 17:6)
3) Show genuine love for one another (John 13:35; Colossians 3:14)
4) Accept Jesus as God’s means of salvation (Acts of the Apostles 4:12;
Acts 5 [Jesus gave his life as a ransom for obedient humans];
Matthew 20:28; John 3:36)
5) Are no part of the world (James 4:4; James 1:27; John 17:14-16; Acts of the
Apostles 5:29)
6) Preach God’s Kingdom as man’s only hope ( Matthew 6:10; Isaiah 43:10-12;
Matthew 24:14, Daniel 2:44)
To learn more, please keep asking questions or go to: www.JW.org
Look up: Awake, March 2008 pages 3-9
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
I am happy you ask all this kind of questions
When i was searching for what i believe in or what sound as truth to me, i used 5 years from i was 15 to i was 20 until i made the choice of follow Buddha Sakyamuni`s teaching.I come from a Christian family but when i was a child i asked the priest many questions because i wanted to learn and understand. But the priest could not answer my question, and he was not willing to sit down with me and read the bible, so i asked oter priests, but they too was to no help.
After this i started to read about the great religions like hinduism, islam, buddhsm, daoism, and other religions in the world. and i was reading about spiritual paths that we does not see as religion like wicca. But after 5 years and many talks with buddhist both monks and lay buddhist this was what sounded to me to be truth.
I do not say other paths are wrong, example Christian faith is not wrong, but it was not for me.
Personally now after more the 20 years as a buddhist i does not see a creator god, but i understand that there are many Gods, and many Buddhas but as long we follow one of those who have given a teachng we can save our self by cultivating the teaching.
You asked in one question "what will futuer be like" I really do not think of the future or the past. I live in the moment we are now. What has been i can not change, the future has not yet been, so i can only guide my life from this moment i live in. Every choce i do right now will creat the future that is meant for me.
Shantanu
Well-Known Member
I am taking note of your postings, and changing my attitude accordingly, but what about my wife and daughter who need to be cared for today and in the future? Should I tell them I only live in the present moment and so do not keep any savings (spend all my money) and do not plan our holidays in India and abroad from next month?I am happy you ask all this kind of questions
I come from a Christian family but when i was a child i asked the priest many questions because i wanted to learn and understand. But the priest could not answer my question, and he was not willing to sit down with me and read the bible, so i asked oter priests, but they too was to no help.
After this i started to read about the great religions like hinduism, islam, buddhsm, daoism, and other religions in the world. and i was reading about spiritual paths that we does not see as religion like wicca. But after 5 years and many talks with buddhist both monks and lay buddhist this was what sounded to me to be truth.
I do not say other paths are wrong, example Christian faith is not wrong, but it was not for me.
Personally now after more the 20 years as a buddhist i does not see a creator god, but i understand that there are many Gods, and many Buddhas but as long we follow one of those who have given a teachng we can save our self by cultivating the teaching.
You asked in one question "what will futuer be like" I really do not think of the future or the past. I live in the moment we are now. What has been i can not change, the future has not yet been, so i can only guide my life from this moment i live in. Every choce i do right now will creat the future that is meant for me.
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
The way i live is not a way everyone can live. So no you should ofcourse take care of family just the way you normally do
Living in the present moment does not mean i can not put down a mental thought of how to support my family, it only means i do not worry about later today or tomorrow. I am very mindfull about how to make my family live. If i know we need money for huge bills i will already have enough money to pay
Shantanu
Well-Known Member
Thank you for clarifying this for me: I will start my Vipassana meditation from New Year's day because I now know that Buddhism is going to give me the right thoughts on how to live the rest of my life.The way i live is not a way everyone can live. So no you should ofcourse take care of family just the way you normally do
If i know we need money for huge bills i will already have enough money to pay