Shopping for Religion

[Louiescott]

I've been shopping just to see what other religions are offering. They're all selling the same thing really. It's kind of like checking out different grocery stores. I've been getting my goods from the same store for so long that everything else seems unfamiliar and a little intimidating. I mean most everyone I grew up with shops at my place. I know where to find what I'm looking for at the store. So when I'm checking out the other places their whole set up just seems confusing. Like their stores are usually in a part of town I'm not familiar with at all. Sometimes their open different days of the week than I'm used to going. Some of them haven't been around nearly as long as the store I go to now. It makes me wonder two things; how did they get people to even start going, and I'm not sure it's going to last that long. Really there is no way I'm going to switch stores but I at least get that though some people shop at other stores, we all have similar grocery list. What I still don't understand is the people who don't shop at any store. I guess they just mooch off friends and relatives.

 

[1137]

That's a pretty good way of explaining it. I am not sure everyone has the same shopping list though. Also, some places have cheaper goods you do not need to work as hard for, and some have fantastic goods that you need to put in overtime to afford. Perhaps the shopping around isn't as black and white as you've put forth?

 

[Sir Doom]

Proximity is good to remember as well. I shop at the place I shop because I can walk there in a few minutes. This is NOTHING like my religious views which I go as far out of my way as I can possibly imagine in order to make sure I'm getting the best deal. It may be fine to settle on one type of mustard or the next for the sake of convenience, but when it comes to luxury items (the heading I would firmly place religion under) I don't settle for anything. I get the very best no matter what. Otherwise what's the point of luxury?

 

[yourhopeboundheart]

Really there is no way I'm going to switch stores but I at least get that though some people shop at other stores, we all have similar grocery list.

not necessarily. people shop for different things because people are different. people expect different things out of their worldview (religious or not). when you cant get the things you want at any store, or if the goods they are selling are not the quality you'd like sometimes you have to find other ways of fulfilling your own "grocery list".

What I still don't understand is the people who don't shop at any store. I guess they just mooch off friends and relatives.

i dont think i'm the only one who thinks this statement is not only false, but a little catty. it's your analogy, so it's your responsibility for it's boundaries, you dont have to be a jerk about it. but, sticking with your analogy, some of us cant find anything good at your "stores", so we stick to growing our "food" ourselves. this way we can ensure freshness, and that there's no disgusting secret additives that the "stores" sneak into our "food".

 

[jasonwill2]

All religions are going for the same thing, or people?

I disagree with both statements.

 

[neale68]

I have to agree somewhat, but right now, I'm not sure where to go shopping. I would like to find a place that is peaceful - I want to exude peace. It has been hard for me for a long time - I want to stop being the uppity snob that I am or appear to be. I have read books by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Pema Chödrön. I find such peace when reading these, but do I go so far in a different direction? Or do I try to find something closer to what I was (Roman Catholic)? I'm not afraid to explore - as someone on here pointed out - we take the best of what we have learned with us.

 

[Curious George]

I have to agree somewhat, but right now, I'm not sure where to go shopping. I would like to find a place that is peaceful - I want to exude peace. It has been hard for me for a long time - I want to stop being the uppity snob that I am or appear to be. I have read books by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Pema Chödrön. I find such peace when reading these, but do I go so far in a different direction? Or do I try to find something closer to what I was (Roman Catholic)? I'm not afraid to explore - as someone on here pointed out - we take the best of what we have learned with us.

Well, I would advocate always questioning and seeking knowledge which might lead to a whole new perspective. However, since you mention some Buddhists it might be pertinent to note that you can be Roman Catholic and Buddhist since they are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Quintessence]

All religions are going for the same thing, or people?

I disagree with both statements.

Yeah, that's what stood out to me as well. All religions are most assuredly NOT selling the same thing.

Flawed premise of the OP is flawed.

But I'll concede it makes a decent allegory to describe some aspects of certain religions.

 

[Muffled]

I have to agree somewhat, but right now, I'm not sure where to go shopping. I would like to find a place that is peaceful - I want to exude peace. It has been hard for me for a long time - I want to stop being the uppity snob that I am or appear to be. I have read books by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Pema Chödrön. I find such peace when reading these, but do I go so far in a different direction? Or do I try to find something closer to what I was (Roman Catholic)? I'm not afraid to explore - as someone on here pointed out - we take the best of what we have learned with us.

One can shop around for knowledge and never perceive the truth. Jesus is the Truth.

Whatever peace that you find won't be anywhere near as good as the peace that Jesus provides.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

One can shop around for knowledge and never perceive the truth. Jesus is the Truth.

Whatever peace that you find won't be anywhere near as good as the peace that Jesus provides.

I disagree. Jesus is A truth, not THE truth.

 

[jasonwill2]

One can shop around for knowledge and never perceive the truth. Jesus is the Truth.

Whatever peace that you find won't be anywhere near as good as the peace that Jesus provides.

I disagree. Jesus is A truth, not THE truth.

Is it possible that Jesus was a liar too?