If religion is man made, is there a better way?

[Anonymous]

I lean towards swimordie’s response on this question.

However, having said that, I am open to the fact that I am wrong and it is as literal as the claims it makes suggest. I feel that the most intellectually honest position for me to take is one of uncertainty.

[Anonymous]

I am convinced it literally provides what it claims to provide for many of its members – an assurance that they need in this life. I believe it literally provides for me what I take from it – a wonderful theological framework, a community in which I find joy in serving, a symbolic compass that enthralls me, a flawed community and organization that manages to provide great leadership opportunities to many, a place where improvement is possible and multi-faceted evolution can occur, etc.

I don’t really care much about it being “literal” in a universal sense, as long as I literally can get from it what I want to get from it – and, even though I want to get some things that aren’t available yet, it does so (for me) far better than other Christian constructs and has provided some deeply personal, spiritual, cosmic experiences for which I am grateful.

[Anonymous]

jmb275, I am enjoying the back and forth you and wordsleuth 23 are having, and especially the part about meditation. You and wordsleuth 23 said:

Quote:

wordsleuth23 wrote:

My ultimate point is that for those of us who believe Joseph made the Church up and wrote the Book of Mormon, and find ourselves basically agnostic, is fighting so hard to fit a square into a circle of value, or is a different mode of belief better?

Quote:

jmb275 responded…Now this is a good question. I doubt many on this site will try to convince you to stay LDS. swimordie’s not anymore and he seems to do pretty well. And I’ve met atheists who were spiritual but certainly areligious. Maybe a different mode of belief is better. For me it’s convenient to stay, and I don’t think it’s dishonest (I know some people have an issue with this). I stay because I think spirituality is important for me. I have meditation to be extremely useful. I’m sure it’s all psychological, but I don’t really care. When I say spiritual, I mean that in a metaphorical way. It may or may not be that we actually have a spirit. In either case, many things deemed spiritual affect us psychologically, and even physically. Also, as I’ve said, Mormonism produces great people, and I find that serving among them is a great way for me to enrich my life. I view those in church who say things at which I roll my eyes as sojourners just like me and just like you.

Back in the 70’s I was a disco dancer, and soon had to find a way to over come insomnia. Meditation ended up being the answer. I paid the $150.00 for the classes, was given my mantra, and after graduation a question and answer session was held. One lady asked if meditation was the only method that would bring the inner peace we were receiving from what we had learned. He said that any religion that teaches one to have a close prayerfull relationship with God can get the same results. A few years later I had gone back to church and heard a speaker say something that really clicked with me. He said that after you have said your prayers, remain in your prayerfull position for several minutes, and listen, BINGO, the christian or mormon version of meditation……Old-Timer, just read your post above this one, that was so very good.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

jmb275 » 27 Jul 2009, 23:19

Quote:

wordsleuth23 wrote:

Valoel wrote:

spacious maze wrote:

Most of us are probably here for that reason. I think it’s culture, not truth, that keeps people hanging on.

I’m not sure that is accurate. The things that keep us hanging on … are the things that keep us wanting to hang on. For me, I really have little attachment to the culture. My wife would be thrilled if I just gave up and left the Church. I am actually still here for the spiritual truths. I found myself still finding a lot of value in the spiritual aspects of the Mormon religious metaphor. I don’t believe in the literal truth of a lot of it now, but I still very much value the “truthiness” of it. I think that is a Hawkgrrrl word.

I politely disagree. I would bet that a great majority of people stick with the religion of their families–especially is those families were devout. I’m sure there are some good studies out there. Whether it is Catholics, Southern Utah Polygamists, Mormons, or any other faith, it is extremely difficult to overcome the indoctrination. Maybe “cultural” is a bit vague or broad, people have a difficult shaking the beliefs they are raised with, religious or political. I earned my degree in Political Philosophy, and numerous studies show that a great majority of people stick with the political party of their parents.

I beleive the purpose of this board is here to support the diverse body of ideas that are held by those who use this site. And since their are no two humans exactly alike, and yet, the very purpose of the restored church is to help us become like, and live the life that God lives. That’s why we are told to receive inspiration from the spirit to confirm anything we are told or learn. And when that fails, as it often does, we are given to live by the trial of our faith. And as we are all, right this minute proving, everyone is at a different place in the trial of their faith. This is why we came here, I am failing on many levels, yet I do pray to God to help me keep my testimony, without it, for me would be darkness, because I have tasted, to some degree, the light. The above discussion, and all the others show we, to some degree have or have not been touched by the light. And so the purpose of life continues, some claiming to have been shown it’s true purpose, others claiming to have no clue. And many of us at times (me) pointing the finger at the other for being where they are, shame on me.

[Author]

Posts