Philosophy through the ages

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  1. mischeviousme profile image60
    mischeviousmeposted 12 years ago

    I wrote this to ellaberate a little on my views on spirituallity. When I say God, I am using it in refference to all religions. Religion is a way for a specific group of people, to communicate the idea that is their God. I believe the idea is universal, in terms that it is intrinsic to a geographic location. Because we have sentience, we tend to think that it came from a higher source and in not knowing where conscience came from, our ancestors mmade names for it.
    In the 13th century a Budhist monestary was attacked by a war hungry band of the early muslim faith. They tortured the abbot for days on end and did so with no reaction. When they asked him why did not beg for mercy, his answer was this: "This is nowhere near a severe as the hell I'm going to, but mine is only temporary, a short stop on the road to the next world".
    One must understand, that the religions of antiquity were born of ignorance. If I told you that God made lighting, you'd show me proof otherwise and I'd be cast off as insane. Look at it this way... People that are hungry, sick and poor are more likely to accept religion, than those who are not. People that are educated, strong and have a high self esteem, need not follow anyone. A spiritual path should be a lone venture. Sri Baba Lanka, I believe, said " the bible is but an interesting read, when I've learned all I can from it I'll move on"
    Most people born before 1960, know of a man named Alan Watts. He had a way of summing up philosophy, that not many could follow, he was speaking to the intellectual few that could grasp the idea. It was his opinion that man should seek spirituallity, long after he had lived and learned. He was a priest before a guru, so to speak. Children should be taught how to live before they are taught to fear death. The fear of what lies ahead was responsible for the birth of religion. A book by Alan Watts entitled "the wisdom of insecurity" addresses such statements.
    Socrates said "If one from a nation that eats with forks knives, enters a nation where they eat with their hands, than the latter becomes a savage and vice a versa". Please excuse me if I paraphrase a little, it's been a long time since I've picked up any books on the great philosophers of the past.
    Lastly, I am not trying to offend anyone, I am writing these posts because, I feel that people are hanging their entire existance on antiquated ideas, that have no function in modern society, other than to scare children into behaving as their parents would have them. Most of todays religions are revisions of other, earlier, religions. Budhism was born of Hinduism, just as Jewdaism begat Christianity. And if I say these things, I must also remind my readers that, most religious beliefs come from books, that have been edited down to suit the needs of political agendas.

    1. LookingForWalden profile image60
      LookingForWaldenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You could write the most profound things and people will never read it because you don't use spellcheck.

      1. mischeviousme profile image60
        mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        Yeah, I have tendancy to type faster than I think...

      2. janesix profile image58
        janesixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        Yeah, I couldn't get past the fifth word.

        1. couturepopcafe profile image61
          couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Some extra spacing would be good, too.  One long paragraph looks daunting.

          Looks like it might be a good hub subject.

        2. LookingForWalden profile image60
          LookingForWaldenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          What do you got against ellaberate? big_smile

      3. pennyofheaven profile image80
        pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        For me, the core principles around most religions and  philosophies apply today just as much as the did in ancient times.

        How does love, compassion and humility (just to name a few of these core principles) get antiquated?

        Maybe you are pointing to the way in which these core principles were delivered? Principles that were often shrouded in not only the cultural customs and language of ancient times but also the personal preferences and interpretation of the writer.

        If this is what you are pointing to then yes perhaps they are antiquated in that sense.

        However, there is danger in altering original ancient texts as much can be lost in translation. The scholars of today still cannot agree on some of the translations. The bible is just one of many examples. Tao te Ching another. The language used in the Tao te Ching is no longer used in China and  most modern Chinese do not understand the language because it is so ancient. So in an effort to translate much is lost.

        In saying that any text, ancient or otherwise is only ever meant to point to whatever. It is in our own experiences that will confirm whether or not what they were pointing to was true or not.

      4. profile image0
        Phoebe Pikeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        I tried to read it, I really did... but the English tutor is coming out in me and I wanted to correct just about every sentence. When I started correcting the spelling errors I lost interest in the paragraph itself. Do you think you could write it again only in a different format?

    2. profile image0
      icountthetimesposted 12 years ago

      There's a lot of truth to what we say. I think all religions have commonality, but people get caught in a mindset of "i'm right, you're wrong". We need to strip away those aspects of religion and concentrate on the more spiritual approach of how amazing it is that we exist in the first place, and how wonderful the world around us is. We should learn to anchor ourselves and our questions on the universe itself, rather than characters we've created to simplify aspects of life we don't have answers for.

      1. LookingForWalden profile image60
        LookingForWaldenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        +

      2. mischeviousme profile image60
        mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        I'm doing my best to remain an outsider. I can't rationally believe in God, yet I can"t think of anything that best describes sentient reasoning. Maybe it's a part of being inquisitive. We question our existance, possibly because it's part of the evolutionary process. We cannot grow as a species unless we start out ignorant. It is widely known that there cannot be answers without questions.

        1. Disappearinghead profile image60
          Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Man has a natural compassion and empathy, a sense of loss when something precious has gone. The universe does not, or so it would appear to western mindsets. The idea that by purely natural evolutionary processes, the universe can create these wonderful sentient human beings, that marvel at the universe's beauty; fully concious and frighteningly aware of their own mortality seems at odds with a dispassionate universe. One day we die and our knowledge, emotion, will, and conscience is lost, just seems to be a sick joke played upon us by this universe which is also oblivious to our existence.

          Therefore a cold emotionless universe makes no sense, if that is all there is. Because we observe the beauty of the universe and are beautifully made in mind and body, I am compelled to believe in a compassionate, empathetic creator God.

          1. LookingForWalden profile image60
            LookingForWaldenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            To think everything that is so perfect and beautiful is by accident is a tough pill to swallow.

            1. Disappearinghead profile image60
              Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              Agreed. We can argue till the cows come home about creation v evolution, 6000 years v billions,, etc. For me, the beauty and perfection proves a creative God irrespective of the methods He might have used to bring it about.

              1. OutWest profile image58
                OutWestposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                Yes there are many methods to believe how God created it.

            2. pennyofheaven profile image80
              pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              I never viewed evolution as an accident.

          2. mischeviousme profile image60
            mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            The universe has checks and balances. In my mind, the universe it's self is alive. The planets, stars, quasars and black holes all serve one purpose or another. I'm not saying that the design was not set in motion by an intelligent designer, what I am trying to point out, is that I don't think organized religion was part of the plan. I think the old world was aware of love, honor and tollerance long before it was written about. I believe, that if there is a God, it would not suit this creator to introduce indoctrinations that blind us and ultimately separates us from the devine. Is it not said that everything is of God? If this is the case... Why are we separate?

            1. Captain Redbeard profile image60
              Captain Redbeardposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              Well that was Jesus' stance wasn't it? Throwing out the money changers from the temple, challanging the Sadducees and Pharisees. The actual word for religon stems from a word that means to bind back. I would have to agree and strongly support that religion is not something that God intended.

      3. pennyofheaven profile image80
        pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        Yes agree.

    3. rasta1 profile image72
      rasta1posted 12 years ago

      Everybody thinks that their religion, ideology or concept is the correct one and everything else is wrong.

      If you do good, you'll find the good.

    4. prettydarkhorse profile image56
      prettydarkhorseposted 12 years ago

      Philosophies can be subjected to different interpretations. There is always a lag between the ideal and the actual behavior - like knowledge, attitudes toward and the actual behavior. Perhaps man is born self centered - that accounts for greediness, corruption and all. Religion is not the culprit.

      Religion will never die because there will always be things/phenomenon which people can't explain and they attribute this to a higher power. Most people utilize religion as a coping mechanism. It is also used for socialization purposes. There is conflict when a religion fails to adapt to changing times.

      1. mischeviousme profile image60
        mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        Religion can also be a tool, used to enlighten the masses or it can be used as a weapon by the foolish and greedy. I don't think the teachings themselves should be scrapped, I do think, however that the way it is delivered has become redundant, to a degree.

    5. profile image60
      logic,commonsenseposted 12 years ago

      Religion is a crutch.  It gives those who follow it a sense of purpose.

      1. mischeviousme profile image60
        mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        I agree. It is those that have personal philosophies, that better understand how to live. Religion only serves as social vacuum for people that refuse to live without a leader. The flock. If you will?

        1. AshtonFirefly profile image69
          AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          But who is to say who understands "how to better live"?

          To most religious people I associate with, religion IS a personal philosophy.

          As for religion serving "as a social vacuum for people that refuse to live without a leader." Have you re

          you also state that religion is basically based on fear. that's a disputable concept and one which cannot at all apply to all people holding religion. There are some people who take this approach to religion, but certainly not ALL. There are many others to whom this could not apply. That is simply one facet of a very complex idea. I  think that the  reasons people believe in something is too psychologically complex to be grouped into one category

          As for it having no function...how can someone who is not embracing the religion be a judge? If it has a function for the person embracing it, then it has a function. Regardless of whether or not others think it benefits the person or anyone else...

          1. AshtonFirefly profile image69
            AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Goodness my computer went schitzo. That whole last part of the sentence got deleted. The second paragraph was meant to say, have you researched this or read  psychological research about this?  That's something I'm not as familiar with...

            1. mischeviousme profile image60
              mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              Again, there is book by Alan Watts entitled "the Wisdom of Insecurity". It adresses much of our fears. If you don't find it, go to youtube and listen to what Alan Watts has to say about the world. It's actually quite interesting.

          2. mischeviousme profile image60
            mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            The fear of what lay ahead. People fear hell and seek heaven. According to the Jews, both exist hear on earth.

            1. AshtonFirefly profile image69
              AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              I understood what you were saying about the fear. sorry I wasn't clear. The part about people trying to fill a vacuum with this concept of God...I was wondering where you read that...that would be an individual person's theory. As for fear, as I stated above, it is part of only a select few's beliefs and motivations. It does not represent all, and therefore judgement can hardly be based upon a select few.

              1. mischeviousme profile image60
                mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                Let judgement come from the cloth. In the old days, the catholic church would send missionaries to other countries, in search of Godless heathens and follow up by sending inquisitors, to punish them for their hellish beliefs. "If only you accept Christ" they'd say "Your torment will end". Is this not the way of western religion? Let me cram this down your throat, so that you don't go to hell, when it is your own soul you're trying to save?

                1. AshtonFirefly profile image69
                  AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  What does that have to do with what we are talking about? Alot of people have made bad decisions using their "religion" as a reason. Does that logically make the religion bad? No. Was what they did wrong? of course! that wasn't even a point in question in our dicussion.
                  You are taking my statement out of context. I was referring to your judgement of all religious people as believing in religion out of fear.

                  1. mischeviousme profile image60
                    mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                    It is better to worship the idea, than to hang on words. Most religious scripture is dangerous. What I mean by this, is that the few fanatics out there can really change the meaning. The usual consensus, is that, if I sin I will go to hell. But, if we are aware of our shortcomings, we are better for it. Did Jesus not say "Judge not lest ye be judged"?

                      I do not judge others, I simply point out that their actions are socially unacceptable. The person is responsible for the act, but to judge the person as bad does no good. If one is to understand the things of which I speak, they should take a good long look inward, to seek God without the self, is like looking in murky water for a dark skinned fish.

                    1. AshtonFirefly profile image69
                      AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                      I understand; and I agree with you, terrible actions that people in the name of religion  are socially unacceptable. However, that cannot be seen as a reflection of everyone, and as a reflection of their religion necessarily. My point was this: religion is not necessarily based on fear, as you claimed it was. That was all I meant.

    6. profile image0
      Emile Rposted 12 years ago

      It would be nice if we could all be sensitive to the  individual spiritual journey of others, but everyone going their own way isn't the way of humanity within the physical realm. Congregating together, negotiating, agreeing to change behavior patterns was how we grew as a society. Even as hunter gatherers there was, to some degree,  a group effort because there is safety in numbers.

      Every human endeavor in the physical world has benefited from group efforts. As brilliant as Einstein was, it is those scientists  who are 'standing on his shoulders' who are unveiling the mysteries of the physical world.

      Attempting to unravel the spiritual is no different. No one is an island in their musings. We each look to those we consider enlightened. We learn the lessons we consider important and we change our behavior patterns accordingly. Trying to make the connection. The religious have simply chosen a different path.

      I believe the problem is that once we've stumbled upon the path we consider to be correct and become secure in our perceived connection, whether it be through organized religion or individual thought, we imagine we've made a connection others haven't made. We want to share our 'knowledge' of God. We believe our words to be an extension of  God,  but the truth is we are doing nothing more than allowing our ego to rule our words and actions.

      I think, therefore I AM is one mistake in judgment we make on our spiritual journey.

      1. mischeviousme profile image60
        mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        But also discussing individual beliefs. I think that it get's boring... If God had intended us all to be the same, there would be no free will...

        1. profile image0
          Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          If God had intended everyone to be the same would be proof to me there was no God. Although I do consider humanity to be, in some ways, a connected organism; that doesn't mean I think each part is a mirror image of another. It is the totality of the  individual parts that make our species truly unique. Once we can celebrate our diversity without fear, it will be  within our grasp to be one in spirit. That, to me, is the threshold we must cross before the spiritual becomes revealed.

          1. mischeviousme profile image60
            mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Like a giant ant hill, our species has changed the world over. The inca were building pyramids at the same time as the egyptians. Religion didn't start in some backwards Sumarian desert. Within 300  years, almost the entire world had some form of religion. But were these religions not based on the philosophies of single men? 1st Corinthians: "For the light of God rests in all mens hearts". Jesus Told his Followers not to beat a faith healer, that just because he did not know their God, he was still doing God's work.

          2. LookingForWalden profile image60
            LookingForWaldenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Once we celebrate our diversity without fear we will achieve true greatness.

     
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