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- Go to always look on the bright side of life
There is a difference
between religion and spirituality, and the two must not be mistaken for each other. Spirituality, I believe, is the belief in a higher and more spiritual self, that we can all attain and is a goal. Religion, on the other hand, is more prescriptive. Spirituality is the search for the higher self. Religion is following what scriptures say.
posted by
Greenfields
on November 6, 2006 at 1:25 AM
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that's alright for people of faith but as for me I'd be glad if someone could tell me where my remote control for my bloody video recorder disappeared to!
posted by
robdon67
on November 4, 2006 at 11:40 AM
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Rob,
Sorry about that first comment...Bloody hands again.
The most important thing persons of any faith need to remember is that God alone knows their true souls.
Shalom...
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on November 4, 2006 at 6:41 AM
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haha... me little big head no offended
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 10:55 PM
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robdon
Ok, a nice little pat on your little big head, but no offence meant. Fine?
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on November 3, 2006 at 10:31 PM
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oh yes and Paul of Tarsus was a psychotic control freak who, like the worst of them, managed the occasional charming turn of phrase: "you're the bride and I'm the divinely appointed spokesman for your husband and he says do what I say... are you daring to question his wisdom in appointing me? how do I know he appointed me well it's a mystery you unbeliever.. in the old days I would have had an unbeliever like you stoned!!" .. "you're all like one big enormous body and somebody has to be the toenail so who's it going to be?"... and his ultimately one liner waiting to be echoed through the ages... "don't you know how much I've done for you and what do you do behind my back.. you kill me that's what you do... you killed him, you're killing me.. where's it gunna end!!???"
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 10:17 PM
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hmm "properly understood".. I wonder if I might be writing out of some degree of experience and some real depth of insight myself!!!?? who little old me? the trouble with divine discontent is who deciphers that its divine? oh that would be the knowing ones.. the divinely learned, the divinely elect, maybe the one's with the divine beards or the ones with that certain divinely glazed look in the eyes... I've known some of the divine ones.. oh yes the divinely disturbed but with just that hint of glory .. and the divine ones who speak in that ever so calm and profound manner.. oh well at least I'm entertaining and nice.. like a biscuit that might be nibbled with a cup of tea... now where's my pat on my nice little head
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 10:04 PM
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When the fantasy is acknowledged as such, where individuals recognise their preoccupation is symbolic projection or even a journey through a terrain of symbols, then great insights can arise but that tends to come about after the event. But when the fantasy is maintained as being the literal truth then people remain disconnected, conversations are left as competing monologues and disappointment shuts the door on the opportunity to see the other.
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 9:09 PM
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robdon
Though I beg to differ, because it is a very deep subject as to what constitutes religion and religiosity, and has to be properly understood. And only people with divine discontent really get to find it. Well, that's another subject. But I did like the nice way of presentation. Quite engaging and enjoyable, both. Do keep it up.
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on November 3, 2006 at 6:13 PM
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Rob, I agree with BC and Pat.
It's both personal and weird. So, in my personal view, religion is predominantly filled with fantasies. At the early stage, it's overflowing with endorphins that make you high...like when you run ... the same tingling high that lovers experience. Often the church is referred to as a bride (not all brides are beautiful and lovely; however, all are lovely and beautiful in the eyes of the beholder during the early stage of the relationship). And like Love, it can be burdened by the demands and expectations imposed by others (flock..aka church). They have placed the person on a pedestal. And like all fantasies, the admirers want to keep it alive, so they look the other way or project the feelings on the person. Similar to the wife who makes excuses for her cheating spouse. Love is not always a many splendor thing -- neither is the relationship with religion(s).
And there're more subjective views to dissect: marriage, institution, individuality, sexual preferences, race, culture, rituals, many masters, many lives, aliens, chakras, green tea, voodoo, trance, out of body experience, celestine prophecies, heaven, hell... I'm going crazy thinking of all things I didn't cover. Thought provoking blog, Melody
posted by
CunningLinguist
on November 3, 2006 at 4:14 PM
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I'm kind of a fan of the wierd Pat_B... leaves us healthily unhinged!!!!
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 2:17 PM
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I think the dispositions found in religious cultures range from openness and engagement with the world of other people, an ability to hear and savour the significance of others' experience with a respect for the difference that exists, to a disposition of closed minded dogmatic fortification. There's an interesting relationship between individual choice, the influence of culture and the disposition (or range of dispositions) a person journeys through in their life.
posted by
robdon67
on November 3, 2006 at 2:17 PM
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I generally look FOR the bright side
and end up finding the weird. :)
posted by
Pat_B
on November 3, 2006 at 2:08 PM
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there's no right answer in religion... it's just a personal decision.
posted by
-blackcat
on November 3, 2006 at 1:59 PM
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