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2. Spirit, although existing "out there," is found "in here," or revealed within to the open heart and mind.
3. Most of us don't realize this Spirit within, however, because we are living in a world of sin, separation, or duality-that is, we are living in a fallen, illusory, or fragmented state.
4. There is a way out of this fallen state (of sin or illusion or disharmony), there is a Path to our liberation.
5. If we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within and without, a Supreme Liberation, which
6. marks the end of sin and suffering, and
7. manifests in social action of mercy and compassion on behalf of all sentient beings.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Theliberalvoice again.
But seriously, I think the need to transcend our earthly forms and believe and follow a higher power who is in control is something that's inherently human. I don't understand that why others can't see that. If all different walks of life, from different cultures create a religion where the major values are all the same as all the other religions, how cannot religion NOT be inherently human-made. You don't even have to give up your religious belief to agree with that thought, if you believe in God, it would make sense that He would make human beings who all believed in Him in one way or another.
But seriously, I think the need to transcend our earthly forms and believe and follow a higher power who is in control is something that's inherently human.
So what, we Gnostics who understand that the creators hates us all and watches us suffer for his torment and the true deity is not in control aren't human?
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I don't understand that why others can't see that. If all different walks of life, from different cultures create a religion where the major values are all the same as all the other religions, how cannot religion NOT be inherently human-made.
Simple answer: Universalism. If one culture came up with the notion 2+2=4 and another also came up with 2+2=4 and yet ANOTHER also came up with 2+2=4...then what, is math man made, or is it all the same because it is all the same no matter what?
As Joseph Campbell once said: "Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble."
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You don't even have to give up your religious belief to agree with that thought, if you believe in God, it would make sense that He would make human beings who all believed in Him in one way or another.
Exactly...most human beings believe in him, but only the Gnostics hate him the way he deserves to be hated
2. Spirit, although existing "out there," is found "in here," or revealed within to the open heart and mind.
Not quite. Buddhism teaches that, for the most part, we are deity ourselves.
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3. Most of us don't realize this Spirit within, however, because we are living in a world of sin, separation, or duality-that is, we are living in a fallen, illusory, or fragmented state.
Gnosticism teaches that the state IS existince in and of it's self.
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4. There is a way out of this fallen state (of sin or illusion or disharmony), there is a Path to our liberation.
That much I agree with...except maybe for Taoism, which teaches that the world IS the only truth and all the practices there in are about living in the world as it is, and the same could be said about Wicca and most animistic religions, as well as all forms of Satanism.
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5. If we follow this Path to its conclusion, the result is a Rebirth or Enlightenment, a direct experience of Spirit within and without, a Supreme Liberation, which
For the most part, yes.
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6. marks the end of sin and suffering, and
7. manifests in social action of mercy and compassion on behalf of all sentient beings.
Taoism makes it clear that universal love and compassion are a waste of time, same with Satanism, while Wiccans believe that it is not about compassion as much as it is not harming others on purpose.
Simple answer: Universalism. If one culture came up with the notion 2+2=4 and another also came up with 2+2=4 and yet ANOTHER also came up with 2+2=4...then what, is math man made, or is it all the same because it is all the same no matter what?
hey, I'm fine with that. In that case, I think religions should quit fighting one another.
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Originally Posted by victorianpunk
As Joseph Campbell once said: "Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble."
Not quite. Buddhism teaches that, for the most part, we are deity ourselves.
Gnosticism teaches that the state IS existince in and of it's self.
That much I agree with...except maybe for Taoism, which teaches that the world IS the only truth and all the practices there in are about living in the world as it is, and the same could be said about Wicca and most animistic religions, as well as all forms of Satanism.
For the most part, yes.
Taoism makes it clear that universal love and compassion are a waste of time, same with Satanism, while Wiccans believe that it is not about compassion as much as it is not harming others on purpose.
ok, ok, ok, but all these little things aside, most of the major religions have those 7 tenets in common.
And I disagree about the Tao saying the World is the only truth, I interpret the "Tao" differently.
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