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Fran's avatar

Nothing wrong with religious belief if it doesn't hold other religions in disregard. I don't get this article, and it goes against a basic understanding of psychological development, the development of self.

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Carol Diane Bevis's avatar

Everything is waves of energy in constant motion vibrating at different frequencies. We are interconnected fields of energy that appear as solid on this three dimensional planet. There is no separation except in our minds. Altered states of consciousness, in my experience, usually involve a sense of expansion and connection... and self realization which is a strange term because it seems more a sense of no self and being a part of all that is. It is a deep peace, a sense of well being, of being completely loved and supported. You realize your body is like the shell of a turtle. Your mind is a tool and when it is quiet deep inspiration bubbles up into your awareness. It is like tapping into a font of intelligence and wisdom. You don't want to leave that state of being and, depending on life circumstances, some don't and others do.

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Fran's avatar

Carol I've had religious experiences and often profound, and I know all is not what it appears to be, but basically I reside in this material world where there is joy, and pain. I don't need to deny the evil that's here, nor let the good go unrecognized, and both are part of the material world I reside in.

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Carol Diane Bevis's avatar

In the world but not of the world.

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Fran's avatar

True, and do often feel that way.

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KW NORTON's avatar

Well said. We are all electromagnetic beings in an electromagnetic universe. Consciousness is the real evolutionary force field.

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Lukas Lykus's avatar

Religion is the worst thing to ever happen. I consider it one of our greatest failings. When we look at how religion operates, it takes on the same characteristics and patterns as a lie not truth. Truth has a different pattern and the system being used there operates differently than a lie. There is no way around it. The equivalent of Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, etc ... even constructing a lie to hide a love affair shares the same pattern and operates within the exact same system. To be fair, even atheism shares the same pattern. The real answer is we don’t know. There are several variables that go into thinking we do ‘know’.

There is zero objective based evidence either way when tryin to prove a creator or lack of one. So, the next time you see someone arguing over different religions or atheism, observe the patterns, walk away, treat yourself to one of your favorite foods and return to see who has turned more gray.

We are aloud to not know. It’s ok to say, ‘I don’t know’. That’s truth. What is so terrible to not knowing and just enjoying the mystery?

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jamenta's avatar

Atheism (or Materialism) is just another religion. Probably one of the worst because at its core is nihilism and the denial of any kind of hope in a future for the individual. All that is ahead of one is obliteration of the Self. Nothing that anyone who loves life could possibly look forward to.

I think there does need to be a respect for all spirital/religious beliefs - which many of today's Skeptic Atheists - are as arrogant as the fundamentalists they piss upon with their intellectual superiority bullshit. I can tell you one thing, we sure as hell don't know (yet) how reality even exists or how life even begins. We don't have a clue what consciousness actually is - or how it comes into being. So when an Atheist Skeptic comes along and pisses all over your spiritual beliefs - tell them they can go to hell.

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Fran's avatar

I agree and better to be open minded. I've had experiences which science cannot just explain away, and sometimes they try by saying you imagined it. Science can get very dogmatic.

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Moen Aslam's avatar

"We don't have a fucking clue what consciousness actually is..."

Certainly, yours is a clear case that you don't. - No offense.

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jamenta's avatar

Yes that is my own belief "faith" or however you would like to define it. And I could be wrong as well. Sure.

I think what is more important is tolerance. Tolerance for people's religious/spiritual beliefs. Which is severely lacking with today's rationalists/skeptics who think themselves enlightened just like the fanatical fundamentalists of old.

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Moen Aslam's avatar

Tolerance is joystick in the hands of the Capitalists for their exploitation of all others. Skeptics/Rationalists are armchair ego massagers not worthy of one's time of day. Time is too short for that.

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jamenta's avatar

One does have to wake up each morning and conduct oneself with some set of beliefs. And willing to make decisions based on those beliefs. On the other hand, a lack of tolerance is drinking the poison of one's own unconscious projections without sufficient self realization.

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Lukas Lykus's avatar

So, as I’ve tried to illustrate that the pattern is consistent with a lie how or why should I tolerate being lied to? Do you enjoy being lied to?

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jamenta's avatar

Who determines who or what is being lied to? Certainly Atheists/Materialists don't have a corner on "the truth". Nor do Christians or Hindus.

On some subjects, tolerance is rational and acceptable; intolerance is cruel and controlling.

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Fran's avatar

Everything has it's downside, and religion has that, but to many religion has brought comfort, and of course religious wars, and prejudices. I was not raised in a religious faith, and joined the Unitarian Universalist faith which didn't last long. However since I've been a child I've had spiritual experiences which tells me there is more then meets the eye, and things happen that can't be explained away with science, and that is my field of study. Religions often provide comfort, so let people have it. There seems to be good and bad in just about everything. Chocolate cake with lots of icing isn't the best choice either, but sometimes you just need it.

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