The Church of Reality

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   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

   The Church of Reality. I'm not kidding, they say they have gained tax exempt status.
   
   http://www.churchofreality.org/wisdom/welcome_home/
   
   The Church of Reality is a new breed of religion that is based on reality rather than mythology. We answer the great questions that other religions address, like what is right and wrong, how do people live together in a community, and what are our responsibilities to ourselves and to each other. We address these concerns in the context of our evolutionary history, our present reality, and our future evolution. We are particularly focused on the future, which we call the Sacred Direction.
   
   The Church of Reality recognizes the fact that the human race has a vast amount of shared knowledge. We call this shared knowledge the Tree of Knowledge, and it is through the growth of this tree that we can explore the universe around us. As the Tree of Knowledge grows, we evolve toward a better tomorrow, one where we will know more about reality than we know today. Realism is not just a casual acceptance of reality as real. Realism is a deeply felt choice, a commitment to a disciplined approach to determine what's real and to allow us to evolve in a positive direction.
   
   And then there's this, emphasis added by me-
   
   The Church of Reality provides a religious identity for people who have made a personal commitment to pursue reality the way it really is. When we are asked, "What religion are you?," we answer that we are Realists; we practice Reality because we believe in Reality. We also provide a sense of community, a social structure, and a moral compass to define right and wrong. We provide a sense of purpose about who we are, why we exist, and how we live our lives, in the context of science and logic.
   
   
   Any thoughts on such a 'religious' concept?

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Just another cult.
      Very ironic how they've tried to borrow the Tree of Knowledge from the Bible.....and even call themselves a "church".  The tax exempt status, and the "status" as a "church" plainly shows they're a poor imitation of any kind of "sacred" anything.  And shows how stupid the government (whatever government it's under) is to allow them any status at all.

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         Hokeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Brenda have you forgotten that Christianity was once also called a cult?

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            qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hokey:
            It still is.
            "Cult"
            Definition; A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
            
            Qwark

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               Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Definition of CULT
               1: formal religious veneration : worship
               2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
               3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
               4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
               5a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
               
               I guess I have to agree (with the possible exclusion of the highlighted section)...
               
               That's like twice in the same month....Hell must be frozen over...

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                  qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Mike:
                  Hahaha...all "orthodox" religion is "cult." yep!
                  Qwark

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         Hokeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Brenda how about all the stories that christianity borrowed from other religions?

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            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Doesn't interest me what points people think Christianity borrowed from other religions.
            There is obvious Truth in the "religion" of Christianity----a Being who created the heaven and earth and who Loves us so much He planned the Sacrifice that offers us Salvation.
            
            Much more beautiful words and actions than that of a bunch of little chubby Buddha statues that can neither speak to us nor declare Love for us.

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               spookyfoxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               So you're proudly ignorant of what your religion has stolen from other religions it would call pagan, and evidently ignorant about anything regarding Buddhism whatsoever.
               
               Please don't make a fool of yourself. That little chubby statue is much, much more recent than Siddharta. And what words an actions would you even expect from a statue? Any more than you'd expect from a wooden cross?

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                  Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Don't be silly.
                  The statues represent a man, while the Cross represents the man/God who died for the sins of the whole world.
                  Buddha is dead, while my Savior lives!
                  Big difference.
                  
                  Did Buddha die for you?  Did he love you so much he would lay down his life for you?   I don't think so, and you can see the difference.

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                     spookyfoxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     It's a wrong representation. You must believe Siddharta was fat, which is completely wrong. And if you know it's just a symbol, why would you expect it to talk?
                     
                     While Siddharta has died, I am Buddha and you are too. Jesus is dead though, I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you that.
                     
                     Buddha left his home and his place as a prince, and his wife and familiy (much like Jesus encouraged others to do, so Siddharta must have learnt from Jesus... oh wait, he lived before Jesus), to become enlightned, and he taught to be true to ourselves and not be dependent of anyone else. Also, not to believe anything anyone said regardless of who they were, just because they said so.

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         barbie27posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         All they up to is tax exempt status..Nettbutikker

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      Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I like the concept, a "truth" based religion. But it sounds very cold and clinical, calculated and unemotional, much like scientology. Even if it is completely truthful it will be a hard thing for many to accept because easy lies that stroke our egos and make us feel important are so much easier to sell. Truth is sometimes very hard to accept, because it won't allow us to believe we are more than we are.
      
      Personally I prefer a hard truth to an easy lie... everytime.

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         Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Interesting. I probably agree with you, but don't really want to. The truth likely won't sell.

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      Beelzedadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      From the link, which sums it up rather nicely:
      
      "Our motto is, "If it's real, we believe in it." Since no one knows all of reality, the Church of Reality is about the pursuit of reality the way it really is. We commit to being intellectually honest with ourselves, and with others, so that we can cut through the mythology and understand the understanding of understanding."
      
      I like it.

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         christiansisterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         

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      qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ...pls give me an example of this: "and a moral compass to define right and wrong."
      Thanks
      Qwark

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         Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah I don't think they have that line of thought very deeply developed yet, Qwark. Something pretty lame about if we kill people they can't contribute to the human evolution, a fact which I'm sure will sway a murderer every time.
         
         Well, they're working on it I guess. Need to read Sam Harris's new book, maybe that will help them.
         
         A lot of writings on the site, I'd say they're quite serious, but not all of it is what I'd call well thought out.
         
         Still, nice to see someone trying. Probably won't get very far I guess.

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      ravihomeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The Church of Reality is a religion based on the practice of Realism, which which is a dedication to the pursuit of the understanding of objective reality. Our motto is, "If it's real, we believe in it." Since no one knows all of reality, the Church of Reality is a religious commitment to the pursuit of reality the way it really is. We think about thinking.

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      paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How do they ascertain reality? What are their tools to reach reality?

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         A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I understand how difficult that can be for you to comprehend how others ascertain reality and what tools are required.
         
         Unfortunately, spending all your time with your holy book ain't never gonna work for you.

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   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

   Well the status is merely as a charitable organization. It just indicates perhaps that they're organized and serious. 
   
   A cult of fact seekers. Who won't settle for dead man's opinions to form the base of their knowledge and understanding.
   
   Horror of horrors.
   
   They seek truth. Why would that offend you?

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Why wouldn't it? is a better question.

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         Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Huh... Good point. Okay, you win.

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      Hokeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      PB. Anything that challenges the christian belief is so scary to them. They not only cant see the truth but when it is shown to them they attack like a bunch of wolves. It does not surprise me at all to see Brenda say that she is offended by the truth. If she wasnt then she wouldnt be a christian. They are terrified of the truth.

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   What is called Paganism or nature worship spirituality is reality based, meaning natural reality is a spiritual realm.

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   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

   *Bump*
   
   Any thoughts?

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   "BUMP to bring up somebody's post typically by posting the word "bump" on a message board Can also stand for Bring Up My Post." Have done it
   a few times but didn't know it had a name. Like
   Bump you to the top. Cool. Thanks for the info.
   A shot and a bump.

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   christiansisterposted 13 years ago

   This thread made me laugh out loud. A couple of times. Pandora is there significance to your name?

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   Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years ago

   Ignostism: Hmmm... If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it fall, does it make any noise? Ignostic answer: Does it matter?
   
   http://www.churchofreality.org/wisdom/d … ostic.html

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   "If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it fall, does it make any noise?" To the heart of the metaphysical matter. The essence of the posit that the existence of consciousness would be necessary for all physical existence to not only exist but to matter.
   So just in jest as follow-up question, which comes first the tree or the ear? Like the idea of the church of reality. We need a spirituality that unifies the religious and secular. But I can't even figure out what they mean by 'Root Axiom'.

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   "...pls give me an example of this: "and a moral compass to define right and wrong." Quark in conjunction with another thread: ..."But the brain has developed very rapidly over the past couple million yrs, faster than any other mammal, because of "competition." Seems competition would be your proposed compass.

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      qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Knoly:
      I wasn't concerned about mine.
      I simply asked for an example of a moral compass to define right and wrong that the church of reality considers.
      CAn ya answer that?
      Qwark

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    knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

    Qzarks:"I wasn't concerned about mine."
    If you aren't concerned about 'mine' why should I be?

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       qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       knoly:
       NP
       Ya have no answer. Portrays you, to me, as a "hubber" with nothing credible to offer.
       That's good enuf for me.
       Forget I asked. I know you already have...:
       Qwark

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          Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          There is no one reality, there is only people’s perspective of reality, that’s why all cult’s or one and only way religions to god, falls apart.

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    knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

    "There is no one reality, there is only people’s perspective of reality, that’s why all cult’s or one and only way religions to god, falls apart.".
    There are things we can fairly agree, like the sensory experience of the body. Neither of us will probably be found walking in traffic. If two or people react the same way to the same stimuli at exactly the same time,
    would indicate a form of objectivity.

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       Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, for what human being do know out there, we can agree on 95% of the things out there.
       
       If one group claims to have most of the answers to the World's and Universe 99% unknowns to each and every one of us. Then that group's a perspective of reality become greatly elusive and evasive.

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       DoubleScorpionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Mass Hysteria...Lots of people in a confined area that "get" sick because they think something is contagious.(E.G.) The Truth is...None of them are really sick it is all a mental thing. Just a personal thought...this can sound alot like "religious/spiritual feelings" that people have while in church...Just my opinions and thoughts...

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    knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

    "Then that group's a perspective of reality become greatly elusive and evasive." As opposed to the body discussed above, which
    is singular, the mind can create any vehicle of interpretation it likes and any number as well. As you say, there is propensity in this
    modern world of conflict between body and mind.

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       Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I like your ID - know your self , my life is 50% about me as I serve myself first and the other 50% is about everyone else.
       
       Too choose one group out of thousands of groups to choose from. Then to over obey that group, live by their morals rather than my feeling of ethics That would end up being a great disservice to my personal growth an limit my thinking.
       
       Yet to share the best from all group and not to belong to any, limits the over ego world problem and advances our own learning process and probability and better physical situation

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          Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Having one's growth limited to a single 2-3000 year old perspective is a real drag. Perhaps that is why America is in such a bad way these days. All knowledge -- and growth -- stops at the bible.

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             Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Brenda is not America.

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                Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                True enough, but if I suggested at a town meeting here that the Bible was not the truth and we shouldn't be basing our laws and education on it, I would not be surprised if I were tarred and feathered on the spot.

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                   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   No worries.  Tarring and feathering were outlawed recently, even in Kentucky.

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                      Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Yes, but they don't believe in government regulation!
                      
                      

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    Brenda Durhamposted 13 years ago

    

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    Brenda Durhamposted 13 years ago

    Pandoras Box,
    What do you imagine we should base our laws upon, then?
    "Reality"?
    They already are.
    How about Sharia Law?
    Lawlessness?
    Iran's laws?
    France's laws?
    The Devil's "book"?
    Socialism 101?
    "How To Win Friends and Influence People"?
    Darwin's writings?
    Or what?
    And last but not least---
    The Constitution?
    They already are....
    
    So, just how much freedom do you recommend we go for in America?

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       Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, I would recommend we base our laws on reason and reality. We are capable of such.

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          Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Reality is a matter of perspective, reason, love and good sense would be a better restart to begin with.
          
          Laws - be honest and do not harm, keep it all simple
          
          As I said to Lawyers, keep it simple stupid.

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    paarsurreyposted 13 years ago

    The Church of Reality
    
    What is the source of finding reality by the Church of Reality? Is it Word of Revelation from the Creator-God?

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       Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Reality.

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       Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Yeah I think not, Sweetie. Sorry. Reality.

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          paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Then how you get to reality?

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             Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Something my mum used to say to me.
             
             Shut your mouth,
             Open your eyes,
             And you will get
             A Big Surprise!
             
             This little snippet of wisdom can be useful whenever searching for misplaced shoes, your favorite sweater, lost keys, or even -- Reality!
             
             Try it. I dare you. Quit spouting scripture and tell us what you yourself really see.

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                paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                You shut you eyes and you will see darkness only. Won't you?
                It does not matter; one can face reality with open eyes more instead of the closed ones; one sees more  clearly.

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                   Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Ummmm? didn't she say "Open your eyes"??? it was the mouth that was suppose to be shut...

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                Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                A person usually has to retrace their steps (a thing called remembering) in order to find lost keys, etc.
                That doesn't in any way detract from the legitimacy of Spiritual knowledge;  matter of fact, it only enhances it.
                It's not a surprise, even.
                So your point seems very silly to me.

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                   paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I agree with you.

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                   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   You talk a lot. You profess to know. Yet you blind yourself to reality.
                   
                   That is why it says
                   
                   Shut your mouth
                   Open your eyes.
                   
                   But you won't do it. Easier to talk than to seek truth. Plus all your lines are written.
                   
                   Brenda says why wouldn't a search for truth offend her, and paar can't see where one finds reality if not from revelation.
                   
                   I'm not surprised you both missed the point. The only stunner here is that I'm still talking to you about it.

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                      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      No, I said why wouldn't a group trying to make a mockery of God's word offend me.   And especially they're supposedly searching for "reality"?    Umm.....indeed if one looks around them, they see reality all day long.  So they've confined their search to things that are already known and obvious. 
                      
                      Indeed it is stunning that you're speaking to us about this!  Are you trying to ....gulp....convert us to the "church of reality"?

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                         Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         Good heavens no!

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    dingdondingdonposted 13 years ago

    I'm confused. So they're atheists who like to read?

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