I think the basis of my whole argument is that religious people see a human being as made up of three parts - Mental, Physical, and Spirital whereas I would suggest that our "three parts" are actually: Rationall, Physical, and Emotional. And I also suggest that religion came from an overlapping of Emotional and Rational, as do things like music and art in general.
So in a way - Religion is sort of an art. Which isn't really that surprising once you compare the devotion of a fanboy to that of, say, a Roman Catholic.
But to consider Religion an art is to allow for the appreciation of its beauty - of its poetry , images, and achievements - without having to accept the ugliness of its dogma and zealotry.
The concept that I am in some what "lacking" as a person because I deny a "spiritual" aspect to my character is ridiculous. I gain my emotional connectedness from the raw source. Things that appeal directly to our animal nature. Music - sometimes loud, sometimes quiet. The outdoors - one's relationship to nature is the same as his relationship to himself. Sex. Laughter. Food.
Taking great pleasure from those things is what praying should be. Its experiencing the basics of our life. Our human nature.
When I really think of the unbelievable odds that life arose here, on this particular (near) sphere of rock hurtling through space, I really begin to understand that wasting even a single second praying to some questionable angry bearded man in the sky is the only sin a person could be ever really be guilty of.
So in a way - Religion is sort of an art. Which isn't really that surprising once you compare the devotion of a fanboy to that of, say, a Roman Catholic.
But to consider Religion an art is to allow for the appreciation of its beauty - of its poetry , images, and achievements - without having to accept the ugliness of its dogma and zealotry.
The concept that I am in some what "lacking" as a person because I deny a "spiritual" aspect to my character is ridiculous. I gain my emotional connectedness from the raw source. Things that appeal directly to our animal nature. Music - sometimes loud, sometimes quiet. The outdoors - one's relationship to nature is the same as his relationship to himself. Sex. Laughter. Food.
Taking great pleasure from those things is what praying should be. Its experiencing the basics of our life. Our human nature.
When I really think of the unbelievable odds that life arose here, on this particular (near) sphere of rock hurtling through space, I really begin to understand that wasting even a single second praying to some questionable angry bearded man in the sky is the only sin a person could be ever really be guilty of.
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
Nor was I assuming your tendencies were toward organized religion. Nowhere did I assume that you were worshipping the Christian God. My arguments are leveled against all supernatural belief. In fact, they are leveled against any irrationality, be they religious, superstitious, or otherwise.
I am not attempting to change your mind. I am attempting to clearly communicate mine. I would qualify my stance in this topic as somewhat complex and difficult to grasp. It can take a long time to get it all out.
To put matters to rest, here's things in as much of a nutshell as I can manage:
- The supernatural, including the concept of any non-physical entities be they souls, ghosts, angels, or whatever, are figments of human imagination. Belief in them is no different than belief in - say - Harry Potter.
- Even if there were some existential "greatness" in the universe, worshipping it is undoubtedly a waste of time as would be - without a doubt - far beyond our ability to conceptually know. It would be like an ant worshipping the Internet... only worse.
- There is no overt purpose in life. Life is about living. Death ends you. Memories of you linger for a time but soon are gone as well. Your physical remains will decompose or burn and the energy held within the matter that comprises your body will transmute and dilute until every atom that makes up you is scattered and lost. This does not diminish the value of life. It increases it. Every moment of every life, human or otherwise is utterly unique and fleeting.
- Although I respect people's choice to believe whatever crap they want, I don't really have any respect for their beliefs themselves. Organized religion, psychics, spirit mediums, big foot, alien visitors, and crystal worshippers are all in the same category in my mind: people who can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
I usually feel the same on issues that I am passionate about!
Two things which I find unwise to debate: Religion and Politics. Wars are started and many are harmed because of mans perception that their ideology on these topics is supperior in some way.
To not see any validity in anothers point of view or even better; in any view that challenges your own is not RESPECT my dear-and that(respect) is a topic worth debating!
I would imagine if we were face to face on this rather poignant discussion, this would be right about where I turned and walked away from you,without warning or regard to your delicate sensibilities-and where you grabbed me and shoved me against a wall.....
Which would be the only way you and I with our strong willls would be able to immediately occupy the same space peacefully!
I do thank you though, that was far more stimulating than this weekends PPV match