Yes that is probably what one needs to understand. Religion could just mean that you do things on your freetime that you enjoy best. My religion is writing fantasy stories, so I can relate to you James on creating this book. It provides calm of mind and soul.

I would even think it would be an good example to show how peaceful we can live as a person by publishing such fantastic fantasy stories.

Nothing wrong with this as everyone must find their bliss!

Smiless wrote a couple of posts back :



Just for clarification sake, when you write:

'... Yes in the older days it was considered an accepted law (what was written in the scriptures) and none probably dared to question it at the time like today...'

The starting point is considerably older than the period you are pointint at (NT I would guess. But even OT is too recent).

The idea that there was 'religion' before the word existed is key. People were already spiritual 'wondering' and 'wandering' beings, and eventhough we cannot scientifically demonstrate that as a fact, signs of rituals and worship lead us to that conclusion.

It is very controversial to this day to suggest that humans beings are fundamentally spiritual beings from the onset (another point of discordance, onset that is!), in the reptilian brain, thanks to the HOMO SAPIENS genetic code we all share.

Before more modern and structured religions hijacked the term and changed its definition to accomodate their respective dogmas, people beleived, and that word probably didn't exist. People wondered about their spiritual dimension, but there were no churches and the rituals were much closer to the direct experience, and the words we have today didn't exist to describe or 'represent' the existing phenomenon.

The first edition of the concept religion has its roots in the latin word 'religio': to link, to attach, to unite, to bridge, to bring together!!! Isn't that neat!!! That's my plan! Standing for acknowledging what unites us, in observing objectively that which is spiritual (expressed differently) in all of us. To think we've had it all along!!!

'Religio' was first in the minds and hands of genuine observers, whom were simply trying to distinguish (not control) a phenomenon for which they had no unifying context, and yet 'appeared unified'. They were intuitively 'attaching', or 'bonding' the phenomenon they were fascinated with, so to speak.

As human nature would have it, it wasn't long before controlling hands and minds got in the way, and 'controlled' away the inspired and genuinely universal root and sense of the term 'religio'.

Highlacking the very latin root of the term, and its meaning to include isolated and SPECIFIC deity, rituals, etc. as opposed to the original root and meaning which pointed to the universal and spiritual essence of what was observed and described.

Notice how tough it is, even today, just to suggest a return to 'religio' (linking, attaching, bonding, bringing together) as the root and founding meaning of the word. Universality is not good news for 'brand names'!!!

... a few million years later or so, we're still at square one.

The good news is realizing we're at square one, and having the willingness to move forward to a not too distant 'RELIGIO-FILLED-PAST' FOR A RELIGIO (UNIVERSAL, LINKED) AND INSPIRED FUTURE different from the much too predictable one given by counter 'religio' forces!!!

I think I already see the makings of a number of games, a couple dozen books, and hell why not, a 'RELIGIO' I TO XX, movie saga!!!

Before more modern and structured religions hijacked the term and changed its definition to accomodate their respective dogmas, people beleived, and that word probably didn't exist. People wondered about their spiritual dimension, but there were no churches and the rituals were much closer to the direct experience, and the words we have today didn't exist to describe or 'represent' the existing phenomenon

reply: I guess before it got hijacked and used for individual gains and greeds it was a great experience and people at the time enjoyed to share their spirituality and rituals.

The first edition of the concept religion has its roots in the latin word 'religio': to link, to attach, to unite, to bridge, to bring together!!!

reply: Interesting to know that it means to link or unite, but in today's society it is doing just the opposite as you have mentioned that many now use religion for their personal agendas!

It was first in the hands and minds of genuine observers, whom were trying simply trying to distinguish (not control) a phenomenon which had no unifying context, and yet 'appeared unified'. They were intuitively 'attaching', or 'bringing' the phenomenon together so to speak.

reply: I can imagine that it was used to preserve its people. To keep everyone safe. A sort of barter system perhaps.


I surely hope that many more people will see a change of mind and heart to encourage a way to not use religion in a sense to dominate the world on decisions. If this does so happen then I can assume many more unneccessary wars would occur without allowing us to move forward in eco - technology and ways to maintain peace on Earth.

humorous indeed.

As you are aware I do not consider myself religious, but do have a strong faith.
At school I enjoyed Classical Studies, later Humanities.

Interested to see where this goes.

quote from MorningSong:


That sums up what I feel about it. (true for me).

Okay, now I have read the entire thread.

Abra said:



After reading Abra's posts I am reminded of my thoughts that religions in general are moving towards becoming individual belief systems. Therefore, eventually, each religion will become as individual as the person. There will be no two of them alike.

Of course they will not be called "organized religions" anymore, and hopefully they will not be incorporated tax exempt corporations. (Well I take that back, I like the tax exempt part. LOL)

So if that is the future of 'religions' then what are they now? Well, in a sense, they are the belief in a way of life and a way of thinking.

There have been some who have said that the Mary Kay corporation is a cult or religion. Indeed, it has many of the signs and symptoms of one. Other network marketing companies begin to look like religions when they gather to shape the minds of members into a whole of like-thinking individuals who are encouraged to live their lives a certain way.

But you might say that these are businesses, not religions. Yes they are, but so are religions. In network marketing, most (90%) of the members don't actually make a living at it, and in fact, end up spending more money than they make. What keeps them in it is the promise of wealth.

Incorporated non-profit churches and other non-profit organizations make money and that money goes to pay living wages to the people who run the operations, but the members themselves make no money at all. They are members because they believe in a cause.

JB

Very true and I have even met another religion that is sucking up greed for more. It is such a huge foundation that the world is addicted to it. It is actually the biggest religion in the world and not many will actually deny it if offered!

Guess what it is?

Don't have a clue. What?

Well I have a few that say money is my religion!

so for many the more money the more happier they are!

The question is are they really happy??

Anyway I realized that everyone has a different way of reaching their "nirvana" so to say.

Follow your bliss as long as it doesn't hurt others in the process!

I think that money represents wealth and wealth represents things that will buy happiness.

What people want in life is joy and happiness. What ever brings that to them, that could be their religion.

So I see nothing wrong with having a healthy relationship with money. It is not "evil" in itself. People really desire happiness and a happy life. Some believe money will bring that to them, some believe love will bring that to them, some believe God will bring that to them.

JB

People turned to religions in many circumstances such as death of a loved one or a friend , in disasters such as starvation , earthquakes...etc.
Humans had thousands and not just hundreds of religions . they worshipped stones , rocks , animals , people like you and I ....etc .
Recently in India some people who had no rain at all for over a year , made some celebrations whereas they performed marriages of DONKEYS to please and worship their god in hope to receive a favour of rain .So the necessity of life forced humans to create their own gods and therefore their religions . Of course from thousands of religions , you always find a person who likes this one or that one and obviously think all the rest are myths or a farce . Religions have many similarities and this is because those who come up with a new religion always copy from others .
So god is a person for some and an animal for others ....etc. I am happy that all religions are losing ground with the people and this is due to science and technology .As far as the existence of a god or gods , I am sure the guessing will continue .

Bear with us Abra,

We are already uncovering the perversion you are impatiently seeking to explode!!!

The origins of 'religio' had no churches, no dogma, no doctrine, no conscience 'boss', or no word of a specific god conveniently written in a book.

Its root was simply observing a phenomenon which appeared to be pointing to something already unified, although expressed differently. Furthermore, that observed unifying factor was nothing other than an already and always there spiritual being. Just like you today, our human acestors were their own spiritual creators.

Now we can argue that we sense that till the cows crow, or the crows come home!!! but, approaching it pragmatically will give our 'religio' ancestors their integrity back.

I'm not worried about the christian, muslim, or judaic churches they have lots of 'soldiers' to fight for them, and it is not a battle for me. It is not my heart so to speak.

But our profoundly anonymous, and long forgotten ancestors whom gave us the religio 'key' way back then, deserve that we stand for them, and make every effort to restore their integrity.

(I feel a bit of mythology creeping up my chest. I am alone???)

Pragmatism, because I certainly do not subscribe to the
'... that the truth so there...' sclerosed position.

It's a bit of work, granted.

But it beats arguing over the fact that no one has a hold of THE TRUTH. And that it's fine that it is that way!!!

(I feel a bit of mythology creeping up my chest. I am alone???)

not alone here my friend. Just seeking a deeping understanding! I hope this thread will continue to strive for a long time as many more try to understand this in a historical reference at best.

The Epic of Gilgamesh
http://eawc.evansville.edu/essays/brown.htm

Arthur A. Brown

Stories do not need to inform us of anything. They do inform us of things. From The Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, we know something of the people who lived in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the second and third millenniums BCE. We know they celebrated a king named Gilgamesh; we know they believed in many gods; we know they were self-conscious of their own cultivation of the natural world; and we know they were literate. These things we can fix -- or establish definitely. But stories also remind us of things we cannot fix -- of what it means to be human. They reflect our will to understand what we cannot understand, and reconcile us to mortality.

----

In India or Hindu faith many believe a white ox is holy and if it stands in the middle of the road everyone cannot touch it and must drive around it.

Hinduism worships many gods and many of them are animals. Very interesting and one of the oldest religions the world has to offer.

If we throw enough concerted effort at it, religion will be restored to what it was originally meant to be:

A simple recorder ...
(no organized nothing. no churches to clean. no pretext inside which to hide to avoid being in touch with our light)
... of that which unites through an unexplainable, yet observal (thorugh individual rituals) phenomenon we refer to as this shared (already-always) spiritual essence which inhabits all humans.


But these are a mixture of opinions, beliefs, thoughts and convictions which when you put them all together, and eventhough we agree on this thread, amount to nothing more than a new dogma, doctrine and false religion all over again.

The effort of deconstructing ...
(not destroying, nor demolishing, nor going to war against: all of it is the legacy we are given to include, and compose with, bond, and unite)
... the religious monster that was built over millenia, is the necessary effort to restore some form of integrity for this spiritual essence we so believe in and cherish!!!

Love to see around JB :)

Man seeking God has always been ,Since the fall of man.
Hence ... religion.

But the reason for religion is....it is man's attempt to fill that empty void in man , that came as a result of the fall... .......and therfore man seeks to fill that void thru religion.....not yet realizing that only a re-established Relationship back with God, will fill that void in every man.

But sadly, man's attempt to reach God thru Religion , leaves the heart of man hungry and empty...cause in his attempt to fill that void in him, man soon finds that religion is not the answer.

That is why so many have turned away from religion...because
Religion is not filling that emptiness in man.

There is only One Who can fill that Void in every man, and is not a religion.

Britty!!!

Great to see you!!!

Yes this helps.

I think JB will contribute some too!!! Tangible snippits of myths and historically recorded events.

It's the parallel event to the pragmatic track I am trying to lay, ... but not fast enough, I fear!!!

This is a full-time job, keeping up with this thread. Feels like trying to feed an insatiable 'heard' (couldn't be?!?!?) of aligators, with a handful of minoes!!!

Anyhow, just a mythical reflex from my 'reptilian' brain I guess?!?!? Fear of something or other!!! Funny how that works!!!

Oh yeah, I just put my finger on the fear!!!

It's the fear of being enslaved to this topic, and not being able to earn a living, such that I can go sailing with my GRANDDAUGHTER anytime I darn please!!!

Sorry Britty, just in casse you missed it,

SOOOOOO GOOOD!!! AND RIGHT ON TARGET!!!

Recorded historical facts, distincts from useful myths, legends and parables. The distinction between the 2 is key. Only then can they each truly serve their useful purposes.