Originally posted by Sh*tBox
So youre saying it would be beneficial if we all (or me) found a God to believe in? An organization of our spirituality? I feel like I'm already there. I feel like I don't need to know exactly what it is in order to understand it and use it to guide me spiritually.
not really *you* so much as everyone. I'm not second guessing you. I think we're actually kinda at the same level, but I want to apply this idea to the world, and actually make some things right...
I think the reason I can't buy into any all-encompassing world-views is the fact that its all so external. My religion is inside me. I don't think anyone could share it. The thoughts and guidelines that dictate my actions/reactions throughout the day are defined (much as they are in religion), but I don't think anyone else could live by the exact same guidelines.
I understand. But the idea I'm preaching isn't the exact same guidelines. You'll notice how, even tho I preach one God, I allow room for other faiths. That still gives us individuality, and culture. Important things we NEED as humans.
but at the same time, we need the one god idea to give us similaritys, and kinda bring us togeather. I know there's no "one size fits all" meathod, but we just need to kinda understand:
- no one is always right
- everyone is sometimes wrong
- we're all equal, rich and poor, black and white, male or female
- we all have good traits and bad traits
- we're all nessisary as a whole, no matter our social/class level
but the rich need to quit thinking they're better than everyone. The poor need to quit thinking they're better people than the rich. Things like that. See the point I'm making?
Religions seem to be about community, about people, and about action/interaction. Thats not the way I see it. My spirituality guides me, but has no bearing on anyone apart from my direct interactions with them. Thats the way I like it.
thats how it should be. After all, its the local idea that matters most.
One problem with this country, I feel, is the central government has too much power. I think if we were to allow the central gov. to work on things external to the country (war, global policy, things like that), and let the states control the people (heathcare, taxing, education, things like that), and let the united nations be the police power of the world (instead of us), then I think the world would be a better place.
its like the metric system. Everything is divided down, but it all inter-relates. Like sound waves relate with color waves.
but then again, we use the standard system (ironiclly, the only country that is "standard"). It breaks things down, too. But complexly. its not simplified.
see my point? reading my analogy?
pulling the idea to religion, I think we all know whats best for ourselves, but we need to understand whats best for our society, and thats not hurting each other on porpous, and if we do, appologize. If someone appologizes, forgive them. Move on and we shall learn. See the point?
To me, the notion of a universal understanding (one that seems so blatantly obvious
) that religions are one in the same, serve the same purpose, strive for the same goals, is impossible to propagate. People define themselves in binary oppositions. People maintain group identities that are constructed on dichotomies.... basically, religion harbors areas of extremism that cannot be broken. Its human nature, and its quintessentially the story of the human race.
I obviously have more hope than you do
Sounds like you're rooting for me to find a more structured sprituality? Like an actual religion?
not you, really. I just think we need to come to terms, and things will kinda trickle down and work out.
regardless, I want to get my idea's out there more. I want to spread the word, and I want to be able to get to the point where everyone (at least in this country) is listening to me and I can tell them whats up, and either they can listen and we can change, or they can ignore me, and God will probably end this all.
see, I'm thinking too high of myself...