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Self-control is the whole point of religion, not all the distracting beliefs, rituals, and religious nonsense. Worship is to aid us in achieving the states of mind that facilitate self-control. IMV, the states of mind are those associated with the Holy Spirit of agape love as Divinely revealed and demonstrated by Jesus (God Himself) on the Cross.
Self-control is the whole point of religion? That's quite the head-scratcher...
I hate to think how many people might correct that notion by suggesting religion is more about control. Period. Or so seems the lesson from learning much of the history of religion going back to when it was surely a much more significant part of how people were governed before more formal governments emerged. Lots of religious influence going on in government still today that also seems all about control. More so than self-control in any case.
Additionally, it sure seems to me that beliefs and feelings such as yours CAN be benign in some cases as you suggest, but all too often those same sorts of beliefs and feelings give rise to all the "distracting beliefs, rituals, and religious nonsense" you mention. At what point the nonsense actually begins or ends is where our perspectives tend to diverge.
When so much nonsense is born from such a source, one really has to wonder about the source...
Self-control is the whole point of religion? That's quite the head-scratcher...
I hate to think how many people might correct that notion by suggesting religion is more about control. Period. Or so seems the lesson from learning much of the history of religion going back to when it was surely a much more significant part of how people were governed before more formal governments emerged. Lots of religious influence going on in government still today that also seems all about control. More so than self-control in any case.
Not that much of a head-scratcher,The common principle in practically all civilizations and at all stages of their development is self-denial. In primitive cultures, the various forms of denial were motivated by taboos. In the more civilized cultures, denial was seen more directly as the means of delivering the soul from its earthly bonds to make possible a spiritual contact with eternal truth and the deity. The successful development of our soul is the main purpose of religious sanctions. The process for achieving our purpose is self-control and self-denial.
Not that much of a head-scratcher,The common principle in practically all civilizations and at all stages of their development is self-denial. In primitive cultures, the various forms of denial were motivated by taboos. In the more civilized cultures, denial was seen more directly as the means of delivering the soul from its earthly bonds to make possible a spiritual contact with eternal truth and the deity. The successful development of our soul is the main purpose of religious sanctions. The process for achieving our purpose is self-control and self-denial.
According to you perhaps, but I am of the impression there is a fair bit more to all this than you so neatly sum up here. There are certainly some worthy alternatives to consider from a more objective standpoint in any case...
The Purpose of Religion
Richard Swinburne
The purposes of the practice of a religion are to achieve the goals of salvation for oneself and others, and (if there is a God) to render due worship and obedience to God. Different religions have different understandings of salvation and God.
According to you perhaps, but I am of the impression there is a fair bit more to all this than you so neatly sum up here. There are certainly some worthy alternatives to consider from a more objective standpoint in any case...
Of course, according to me, LearnMe. That is true of everything anyone here posts including you. Surely you are not under the impression that it can be otherwise. There is no doubt that self-control has been coopted for control of others for myriad reasons and agendas as with most things in human hands. I am simply identifying the common thread.
Of course, according to me, LearnMe. That is true of everything anyone here posts including you. Surely you are not under the impression that it can be otherwise. There is no doubt that self-control has been coopted for control of others for myriad reasons and agendas as with most things in human hands. I am simply identifying the common thread.
It's an expression that suggests maybe what is true according to you is not as true as you think it is...
Needless to say every opinion posted in this forum is according to the person expressing the opinion, but by way of that link I am simply providing yet another alternative opinion. (The link showing from where it comes. Not just my opinion). The point is not only about the opinions other than yours (or mine), but other opinions perhaps more true and/or worthy of consideration than yours. If you can imagine that.
I'm simply providing other opinions including some not necessarily mine that are worthy of such consideration. Not necessarily mine, because I'm no expert on the purpose of religion. I have my opinion(s), but at a minimum it sure seems the purpose is not as you so simply sum up as one thing. Not given the history of religion as I have come to know it.
Of course, according to me, LearnMe. That is true of everything anyone here posts including you. Surely you are not under the impression that it can be otherwise. There is no doubt that self-control has been coopted for control of others for myriad reasons and agendas as with most things in human hands. I am simply identifying the common thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LearnMe
It's an expression that suggests maybe what is true according to you is not as true as you think it is...
<snip>That's all...
According to you, of course, because you are an atheist and do not even believe there IS a purpose to human life which is the province of religious belief.
According to you, of course, because you are an atheist and do not even believe there IS a purpose to human life which is the province of religious belief.
I don't think I believe that there is a purpose to human life.
I do believe an individual can develop a purpose for his/her life.
I don't think I believe that there is a purpose to human life.
I do believe an individual can develop a purpose for his/her life.
A useful distinction but religious belief concerns the existence of a higher purpose than our individual purposes.
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