iDEA'S FROM THE EDGE

±34 Religion

Yup we get it...you're one of the millions of nice people, living life according to the intangible spirit. The creator of everything in the universe. Although "he" has no physical or visual form or voice, some men have managed to put his philosophy on how to live life into a book, which strangely was later revised by some other men!

The creator is full of love for mankind, however anyone who does not devote themselves to him and the philosophy within this latest book, will be erased from the earth, and burn in the fires of hell for eternity!

Followers need not despair, you will receive glorious rewards for your devotion; but not now, only when you die. Rewards such as: A heavenly place of infinite peace and comfort. Many virgins. Escaping the gruelling task of reincarnation or reaching Nirvana

 But wait. We have a disastrous predicament. There's more then one creator! Each has their own book and worse still they all claim to be the 'absolute truth". They contradict each other, on the very small points, like are we supposed to remove our hat or put one on when entering a house of worship? Is it incorrect to eat cow or pig? All the way up to the big issues…are there no gods, one god or many gods?

This abundance of theologies has got followers a quite demented, leading to the torturing of children, mass killings and hundreds of wars, as each cult pushes their particular creators doctrine. This has brought out the darkest side of humanity, causing a stratospthic amount of suffering. Sadly, it continues as you read these words

Faith based religions may have some positive aspects to them. While simultaneously being filled with old notions, which cannot be justified in modern day thinking - why are a group of men using old rules to tell use how to live a moral life?

Today we are more informed, with a greater understanding, knowledge and intellect about how our planet and the universe works. Notably we are no longer desperate for salvation, exemplified in falling church attendances over the past few decades (ideas ±8). Religion is certainly not as hip or scary as it used to be...

So here's an idea...Lets remove religion from mainstream society! 

Okay look, removing religion does not mean you have to stop being religious. If your faith brings something into your life, gives you comfort or spiritually floats your boat. That's wonderful. No need to un-follow your dainty, stop worshipping or abandon those lovely feelings. Just cease asking/demanding/forcing anyone else to be like you.
That seems reasonable doesn't it?

It would be non-compulsory, not taught in schools, as a republic does (viva la France!). In schools it could be treated as history. We have been frighting children for too long, lets start educating. So you arrive at religion in your own time, then decide if you wish to follow it. Instead of religion choosing you at birth and being forced to obey it

This would allow people to find paths suited to their ambitions. Why should a Muslim, Christian, Jew or Hindu be imprisoned within ancient dogma, while medicine, technology and knowledge is acculturating at lightening pace, surly this situation cannot be beneficial for future generations

Leaders (ideas ±21) would be free to make socially responsible decisions based on the best course of action for its people. Instead of having to appease religion and making policy which falls in line with out-of-date dogma

Mainstream religions have not evolved, therefore continue to cause complex problems. Two major benefits of removing religion, is disputes between nations or communities over belief systems would become irrelevant. Secondly, religion holds extremely antiquated views about woman, gay people, sex and how to live a moral life. These may have seemed relevant thousands of years ago, frankly they are primitive here in the 21st century

Religions wield huge amounts power, not to mention the obscene amount of wealth amassed. While they claim to be acting upon the word of a God, they seem to be trading like multi-national corporations here on earth...
What indeed would Jesus, Mohammed, Abraham or your God say about how their faith is behaving these days?

Another crucial factor for removing religion from the mainstream; we humans process a bizarre talent for deceiving ourselves, and we have debunked ourselves so many times. With this in mind, the most logical path must be to evolve our capacity to think, using reason and evidence when making life decisions, so that they are relevant to the real situations of our time - if your doctor suggested removing your eye because of cataract, you'd be horroifend  500 year-old method to solve your cataract  

The 21st century is well under way, we cannot continue living according to rules created thousands of years ago.
It's time to move on people...


There are just a few meditative thoughts on this vast topic from 3000monks
So what do you say...For or Against?



winter 2017
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