Religions began as Ideologies

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   ceciliabeltranposted 12 years ago

   Buddha: "Don't blindly believe what I say. Don't believe me because others convince you of my words. Don't believe anything you see, read, or hear from others, whether of authority, religious teachers or texts. Don't rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don't infer or be deceived by appearances."
   
   "Do not give up your authority and follow blindly the will of others. This way will lead to only delusion."
   
   His version of critical thinking.
   
   Jesus: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household."
   
   His version of Independent Thinking, introducing Individualism versus tribalism.
   
   Mohammed:
   "When a woman gives in charity from her husband’s house, reasonably and without waste, she receives the reward of what she has spent and her husband receives his reward for having earned it and the storekeeper will have a similar reward. The reward of one does not decrease those of the others."
   
   His version of the dynamics of economics. (I must admit going through Mohammed's teachings was particularly challenging...some of them were absolutely horrifying but the man was a great leader, he was more like a conqueror and political genius, imposing laws that forced order to a frighteningly disordered bandit culture of the dessert)

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      just_curiousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your take on Buddha and Jesus; dead on. I wouldn't know about Mohamed, but you did so well with the other two that I'm inclined to take your word for .

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         DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The life of Mohammed and the start of the islamic faith, is a very interesting read. As Cecilia says, it can be difficult to keep an open mind about it, and read it purely for educational reasons. There is a vast difference in cultural acceptance between what you will read and what you currently understand and follow personally. But, I would still recommend the research.

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            just_curiousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I wouldn't mind it a bit, if someone would do like the Bible, and give it a modern translation. I found it an incredibly boring read and gave up.

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               DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I would read the Qu'ran after I researched Mohammed and Islam in general. I have a fairly modern worded copy of the Qu'ran myself, but it still doesn't flow well.
               
               This is just a thought, if you are interested in learning more on the subject. It is interesting to me...LOL...so it kept my interest peeked...But, I guess, it would be considered on the dry side for most.

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                  Mark Knowlesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I understand it is "poetic" in Arabic. If you like a lot of blood and guts that is.

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                     DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Yes, that is how I understand it as well...Poetic Arabic doesn't seem to translate to "modern" English to well...And agreed there is alot of gore...similar to what is found in the bible. Similar stories, different storytellers.

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                        Mark Knowlesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I have tried to read it in English. Possible worse that the bible, but was told in no uncertain terms that must be read in it's original form and it is my fault for not speaking Arabic.
                        
                        Personally - I cannot see me groveling to an Invisible Super Being incapable of knowing I would be speaking English.
                        
                        Or Hebrew, Ancienst Greek or Aramaic for that matter.

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                           DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           But, it is suppose to be a religion for all. Right?...
                           
                           And go figure...An "all knowing being" only wrote a book of parables and stories in one or two languages and still expects it to be understood completely and followed blindly by all. Just my thoughts.

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                  just_curiousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I'll give it a shot, but if I find myself shopping for burkhas you're going to have some explaining to do.

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                     DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     You know, I never understood that. So far, from what I have learned about the beginnings of the muslim faith, there is no call for women to have their heads covered. That came about much later.
                     
                     The Christian bible stated that women's heads were to be covered though, from the beginning. But, that has changed now as well.
                     
                     I am still working on the "why and how" these changes come about in religions.

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                        just_curiousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Well, I always heard the requirement to wear hats was stopped since Paul stated he had no divine guidance on the matter, but he insisted on it only because it was established custom.
                        
                        I'm pretty sure the baptists used that as the reasoning for the change.

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                           DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           I am studying along those lines now with the classes I am taking. (Masters in Religions) So, I am sure I will find the answers that I am curious about with regard to the changes in doctrine within the various religions. This particular course doesn't go as far indepth with Muslim beliefs as I would have liked to see. Time limitations...I might continue later with a focus in Muslim/Islamic doctrine.

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                              just_curiousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              Yes, considering the world we live in I would think there would be a strong push for the study of the muslim faith and customs. It seems the more you know, the less ypu fear. We could probably all do with more information.

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                                 paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 You don't have to have a degree for understanding Truthful Revealed religion; just read the root books; OT, NT, Gita, Quran etc; and it is very interesting.

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         ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You are way generous!

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      Daniel Carterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Nicely done as always.
      
      Most Buddhists believe Buddha is the only one truly capable of enlightenment, and add all kinds of strange superstitions as appendages. Jesus slammed the righteous of the day (Pharisees and Saducees) and spent his time with "sinners." We can construe he would do similarly today.
      
      Mohammed was a very dangerous man, but perhaps justifiably so as you pointed out, as he lived among thieves and robbers who were even more harsh them himself. His rise to power was rather ruthless, as is the case with most—even in the corporate world.

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      paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Religions began as Ideologies
      
      All truthful religions began with Word of Revelation from the Creator-God; that is why they have many things in common; their source being one.

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         Mark Knowlesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         All religions are lies, and as Cecelia said - started as ideologies. Mostly that needed to be spread by violence. Just like any other political ideal.

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            paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Revealed Religions always started peacefully with Word of Revelation from the Creator-god but those who were corrupt powers to be thought they were endagered by the believers and hence they tried to make the believers extinct and opposed them tooth and nail; but they could not succed in their wrongful endeavours. It was very natural and rational for the believers to defend themselves; they also have a right to co-exist.

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               Mark Knowlesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               LOLOL
               
               Please try to use reason instead of illogical nonsense. Spreading nonsense and attacking un-believers is what causes the fights. Thank you.

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      Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When I researched my hub about dragons, it seemed clear to me that religions evolved just as much as dragon mythology did.  I'd say that religions evolve from superstition & folklore & than plagarise off each other

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         ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The study of that process is called mythology. It's highly interesting.

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            Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I'm now looking at the alchemists.  Surprising how much influence alchemy & religion had on each other too

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   Joshua Greenburgposted 12 years ago

   There are over 2,000 translations. Pick one and read it. I suggest the Complete Jewish Bible, I use the KJV, But the Jewish Bible uses the real names in Hebrew and Aramaic.

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      paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Even the Hebrew Bible contains little of the Word from the Creator-God, which was revealed on the prophets originally.

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      ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      read it even in pictograph form

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   secularist10posted 12 years ago

   I think there is definitely an ideological component to most religions. That is one of the things that enables them to be seized and directed by authority figures.
   
   Communism certainly rose to become a kind of quasi-religion in certain countries in the 20th century.
   
   And many people treat their political ideology today basically as a religion.

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      paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But in Revealed religions that is not the case; Moses,Krishna,Zoroaster,Jesus and Muhammad were humble person; since they were selected prophets by the Creator-God Allah YHWH and commanded to let it be known to others; so they let the Message known to others; Noah and Jonah were also such persons.

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         secularist10posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         "Revealed" is in the eye of the beholder, because there is no way to know what is really "revealed" and what is not. That is why there are thousands of different religions, cults, sects and faith communities in the world. Everybody has their own opinion. And everybody is "right."

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            ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Only Beelzedad is wrong.

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               Beelzedadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               My, my, isn't that interesting, I never even made a post until now and you drag me in with the finely honed skills of an expert troll, if nothing else, to a least point out an appeal to authority fallacy.

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                  ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  you know I love to rile you up beel...you are just so easy to poke here and there. because you always take the bait and come up with a quip that is almost clever when you're serious but actually very funny when you're not.

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                     Beelzedadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     So, you admit to being a troll. Nice.

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                        ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        as always, you miss it by 2-3 degrees. maybe you should recalibrate.

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         paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

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         ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         they were religionized ideologies. The people you mentioned were indeed ascended masters who wanted to inspire reform, they wanted to introduce a new way of seeing the world so that people would not mechanize understanding...but people get lazy and then forget to use their own heads.

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            prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Plus it is easier for a flock to follow their leader that way!
            
            The mixture of transcendental with "this world" ideology make a strong foundation on how people behave. ideology becomes stronger when people take the basic word of their leader to the letter and the failure to adapt to the changing times makes it worst.
            
            Cecilia, good to see you here again,, Kumusta!

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               ceciliabeltranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               hia! kamusta rin!

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                  prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  mabuti naman!

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   ceciliabeltranposted 12 years ago

   and there goes the reptillian brain, trying a shot at fame.

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   paarsurreyposted 12 years ago

   You don't have to have a degree for understanding Truthful Revealed Religion; just read the root books; OT, NT, Gita, Quran etc; and it is very interesting.

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