Religion, Science and Philosophy are all necessary for true enlightenment?... (myths, exist)

[Chango]

I'm not talking fuzzy esoteric new-ager type enlightenment either, but truly reaching for higher perspectives with a more complete understanding of what it means to be a sentient being in the universe.

I was reading last night and came upon this claim, which for some reason sounds true even though I don't honestly know why. Like the proverbial three tripod legs (take one away and the rest fall down), could a full understanding of the three be necessary to support the "next level" of cognative being? Why or why not?

[Hueffenhardt]

Before I could evaluate that statement, I'd need a clear definition of "true enlightenment". I don't know if religion is needed for "true enlightenment" as I don't know what is meant by "true enlightenment".

At first glance though, I'd say religion is not needed for true enlightenment because religions aren't true. Any nugget of wisdom in religion can also be found under the umbrella of wisdom. And experiences that are conventionally called spiritual (transcendence, awe, peace, connectedness, etc) can be had without religion and I don't think they offer enlightenment anyway if enlightenment means a clearer view of things. They are cool experiences, but I have learned from my own experience that they are unreliable as a way to discover truths about the nature of reality (but they sure will make you think that you have discovered profound truths [kinda of like marijuana and LSD can make you think you've gained a profound understanding of the world {I think that is why many ancient religions used drugs to gain spiritual insight}]).

[Chango]

An altered mental state is the best way to experience another perspective, a key part of elightenment.

As far as what "true enlightenment" means, I have to admit I haven't any idea at all, but I bet it rocks, so I must seek it.

[catman]

One is truly enlightened if he knows that there is no such thing as "true enlightenment".

[nezlie]

Enlightenment is when you come to the realization that life is all there is, it is its own perfection, and there is nothing else necessary to seek. We have been told repeatedly that it is not perfect, and that we must strive for perfection so that we can attain it after we die.

When we drop all the illusions and myths that have been created about perfection, we can humbly begin to appreciate all the things that exist and have been with us all along, large and small.