What would be key ideas behind the next great religion? (bible, worship)

[ParkTwain]

As I just posted on another thread, I believe that the peoples of the developed nations of the world are ready to consider and eventually to embrace a new conception of religion. The new religion should incorporate and reflect all the scope and content of human knowledge, including that provided by the 'hard' and 'soft' sciences. Also, I am not assuming that the next great religion would be 'theistic' as that word is typically understood today.

Here are a few proposals for the ideas that should be a part of the next great religion so that it is robust (that is, capable of surviving well into the future) and general (that is, more generally meaningful to all people of the world than any of today's religions) enough to command a very large congregation well into the future.

1. Explanation of appropriate use of the Earth's natural resources

2. Explanation of appropriate practices to form families and raise children

3. Explanation of origin of the physical universe and which aspects of these truths pertain most meaningfully to human beings

4. Explanation of the nature of living things on the Earth and the ramifications of this nature on the future of Earth's biosphere and its ecosystems, as well as how all these truths relate to understanding the existence and characteristics of human beings

5. Explanation of human historical forces, movements of people and competitions for resources, and how to overcome the tyranny of those historical forces to allow all human lives and societies to be conducted in a safe, sustainable manner, while also acknowledging the historical range of human social diversity and the probability that this diversity will continue for some time into the future

6. Explanation of forces, events, trends, etc. that threaten man's habitat on Earth and what to do about them

7. Explanation of economic reality, understandings about scarcity and wealth

8. Explanation of metaphysical reality, the meaning of the spiritual essence of human beings, the meaning of the moral essence of human beings, and how to appropriately reflect these truths in social relationships and institutions

9. Explanation of the need for personal education and acquisition of literacy to allow one to acquire a certain minimal set of knowledge for use in human society

[cg81]

Originally Posted by ParkTwain

1. Explanation of appropriate use of the Earth's natural resources

2. Explanation of appropriate practices to form families and raise children

3. Explanation of origin of the physical universe and which aspects of these truths pertain most meaningfully to human beings

4. Explanation of the nature of living things on the Earth and the ramifications of this nature on the future of Earth's biosphere and its ecosystems, as well as how all these truths relate to understanding the existence and characteristics of human beings

5. Explanation of human historical forces, movements of people and competitions for resources, and how to overcome the tyranny of those historical forces to allow all human lives and societies to be conducted in a safe, sustainable manner, while also acknowledging the historical range of human social diversity and the probability that this diversity will continue for some time into the future

6. Explanation of forces, events, trends, etc. that threaten man's habitat on Earth and what to do about them

7. Explanation of economic reality, understandings about scarcity and wealth

8. Explanation of metaphysical reality, the meaning of the spiritual essence of human beings, the meaning of the moral essence of human beings, and how to appropriately reflect these truths in social relationships and institutions

9. Explanation of the need for personal education and acquisition of literacy to allow one to acquire a certain minimal set of knowledge for use in human society

The thing is... I feel like all of my "questions" regarding these points are satisfactorily addressed with the "religion" I follow...

And "religion" is a result of belief, IMO.

[Padgett2]

I think it will have more emphasis on the Natural World. That is, Mother Nature and how close we should be to Her.

this would be a big change from the present emphasis on the heavenly world which may or may not exist.

[Oakback]

And what type of rulership, heiarchy, or administration would this "religion" have?
The problems I forsee would make the vatican administration look simple.

Anyway, I don't see the need. A few subscriptions like nature, science, popular mechanics, the new england journal of medicine etc.. would probably take care of it.

[cg81]

To clarify my point:

And "religion" is a result of belief, IMO.

Why I said this is.. you talked about a "new religion" being started. I'm not sure if I can make my thoughts clear, but...

Are people who are non-religious and feel no need for a religion going to follow a religion, no matter how "relevant" it is to today's society? If it is simply a "society" is it a real heart matter? If we are not being challenged, and just follow "what feels good to us" are we really believing it? Is it really our religion?

In other words, if we try to fit the "religion" to our life, we are not following after it... it is following after us, and so is not a religion.

Interesting topic! Excuse my muddled thoughts...

[Deb in VA]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

I think it will have more emphasis on the Natural World. That is, Mother Nature and how close we should be to Her.

this would be a big change from the present emphasis on the heavenly world which may or may not exist.

So, you see the worship of God being replaced by the worship of His creation...hmm, interesting concept.

Oh, I meant to add that a one world religion is on the horizon sometime in the future....this is according to the Bible so I don't expect you to believe it will happen, just thought I would throw that out there.

[Padgett2]

Originally Posted by Deb in VA

So, you see the worship of God being replaced by the worship of His creation...hmm, interesting concept..

No, not a worship of his creation, just a greater appreciation of that creation here and now, rather than the present outlook that heaven, not earth, is the more desirable environment. God is supposed to be everywhere, right?

[Deb in VA]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

No, not a worship of his creation, just a greater appreciation of that creation here and now, rather than the present outlook that heaven, not earth, is the more desirable environment. God is supposed to be everywhere, right?

OMGoodness, I can't imagine anyone appreciating God's creation more than I (or any other Christian) do. I am constantly noticing the beauty around me and thanking God for creating it just for me (and all of mankind of course). As far as heaven being the more desirable environment, if you believe as I do that a Christian will spend eternity in heaven with God....how does the 70 or 80 years one spends on earth compare to that? It simply doesn't. The Bible speaks of heaven as being our real home...I long for the day I can see my Savior face to face and see all of those loved ones who have gone on before me.

[chielgirl]

The new "philosophy' would have no "door philosophers".

Everyone would be equal.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Actually Paganism is very much about worshipping the earth (gods creation).

I think any religion has to find a way to get their followers to suspend their dis-belief, to set aside their own logic and common sense and substitute it for the reason of the leader.