Hi Tent,
Welcome back and where have you hailed from? Like the swallow coming back to Capistrano. It is very good indeed to read you.
That is true in part but I don’t agree that that is all it is about. Religion, organized religion, namely, Christianity or even paganism, where people do come to places to worship is also all about just that…worshiping together, having some common thread and connection with Something which they perceive to be greater than they are. That root is for me (although I do not worship anymore) -I’m a pagan lol) more than just a social gathering and communication.
I think that religion basically, Judaism Christianity came about in order to bind up (religare) what is barbaric in us human beings. We are still in the process of killing one another, destroying one another, but religion does somewhat refine our souls/spirits/emotions - unless one is a fanatic. It brought about a code of morality and ethics.
I don’t think that I agree with this either, Tent, but maybe I am not understanding what you are saying.
It is true that some who practice their religion are not necessarily spiritual or ethical but at the same time, there is a strong connection between religion and one’s spiritual in many individuals. People also practice their religions because of their human spirit and their need to worship something which is greater than they are, which transcends them, which feeds their spirits, which promotes a more optimal life for them. For the most part, there cannot be religion without the nurturing and nourishment of the human spirit which includes spirituality. It all comes down to balance and harmony and wholeness.
But sweetheart, this is a philosophy forum. How is it possible to come here, to share our perspectives and philosophies by being totally silent?
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Where would we be without all of the great ones and the words and the ideas which they gave to others which spurred those others on to act?
The ones who sat on the sidelines and said nothing? What did they accomplish?
Haven’t you ever read books and poetry and ascended to the heights because of those words and they made you wonder what it is all about? That is also a form of spirituality to me.
Spirituality is not just about one thing or the other. We all hear that voice within differently and we all follow different paths to discover our self. There is not just one way.
It’s great, Tent, to see you again and to hear your words.