Is Western religion destroying itself?

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
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Edward J. Bartek
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Is Western religion destroying itself?

Post by Edward J. Bartek »

Coming out of a Dark Age of no values, the Christian religion (1000 AD), with alomost pure spirituality, began the Medieval Age of theology. It denied rationality and observable fact,with 1/3 of population in monasteries and convents. the Humanistic rebellion against sensual corruption made the rational Renaissance Age of philosophy that accepted moderated religion and science. The Protestant rebellion againsdt sensual corruptin
made a pragmaitc Age of science that denied religion and philosophy. So religion and philosophy became "scientific" and adjusted to hedonisitic values withthe loss of all rational and spiritual values, by reversal or perversion. A common religion rises and fall with its civilization. So has it happened in the West?
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pjkeeley
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Post by pjkeeley »

I hope so. 8)
Belinda
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Post by Belinda »

Unfortunately if a phoenix flies up from the flames he is likely to be another central power complex
willowtreeme
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The poor Phoenix

Post by willowtreeme »

Belinda:

You wrote:

Unfortunately if a phoenix flies up from the flames he is likely to be another central power complex
_______________________

Or ….

Hopefully after a few thousand years or so, the Phoenix would have gained some perspective. After all, how many years can this beautiful bird live without coming to awareness. The fact that it “throws itself into the flames” suggests some awareness of “death” and “rebirth” in its mind. To live out another existence starting as a baby phoenix again precludes some kind of willingness to learn, to be more aware.
wtm
Belinda
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Post by Belinda »

I hope so too, willowtreeme. I dont remember the exact context of my phoenix remark, it was something to do with the apparently permanent predisposition of humans as species to form power-based societies that go to war with other societies, as with Russia and Georgia at present. If we are outsiders all we can do is try to stop the Russians who are the more powerful aggressors.

I wonder what nameless would say about there being an equal and opposite perspective to aggressive warfare.
willowtreeme
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Post by willowtreeme »

To Belinda,

You said:

I wonder what nameless would say about there being an equal and opposite perspective to aggressive warfare"

I know you probably weren't actually looking for an answer and ----

I might be able to give my own version of what nameless might say in response to this, but as I only think with my brain, and not nameless's, I wouldn't try.

At the same time, my respect for him (or her) doesn't allow for my responding "for nameless"
Peace,
wtm
B4byC4rr0tz
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Post by B4byC4rr0tz »

pjkeeley wrote:I hope so. 8)
.
Invictus_88
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Re: Is Western religion destroying itself?

Post by Invictus_88 »

Edward J. Bartek wrote:Coming out of a Dark Age of no values, the Christian religion (1000 AD), with alomost pure spirituality, began the Medieval Age of theology. It denied rationality and observable fact,with 1/3 of population in monasteries and convents.
You can't open a post with that sort of nonsense and expect the rest not to be taken with a pinch of salt.
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wanabe
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Post by wanabe »

I hope all religions that have waged wars, in the name of religion destroy them selves.

sadly this kind of imperialistic religion/belief will not go away, but simply change names.

does a phoenix remember or gain something when it dies? don't answer that, its pointless, well not practical.
Secret To Eternal Life: Live Life To The Fullest, Help All Others To Do So.Meaning of Life Is Choice. Increase choice through direct perception. Golden rule+universality principal+Promote benefits-harm+logical consistency=morality.BeTheChange.
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mz
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Post by mz »

Bah, organized religion has been the cause for so many troubles right now. The crazy islamic extremists waging "holy" war on the entire world, these "christians" protesting at funerals, the whole anti-gay rights movement you can thank religion for.

and I am absolutely irked beyond belief when I'm in philisophical debate, and someone cites the Bible as a logical source. Honestly do they even know where it originated? No offense to any christians who might be reading this, but I just totally disagree with the idea that "Life is SO simple, you can understand EVERYTHING by reading a really old book"

and most of these christian "philosophers" seem to be so big headed and sure of themselves, they are impossible to be reasoned with. They can't accept that life is far more complex than just getting answers from a Magical Book. It should be noted that most people who think they understand, probably don't.

The way I see it, just as the man who says he is wise is revealing exactly the opposite. I think it's sortof the same thing when someone claims to "understand god perfectly' and start speaking for god. THAT is audacious.

No book nor prophet holds God’s words, for God does not speak our language. We must learn to speak his.

I believe that god is reasonable, and therefore I have faith in reason, and I guess that's all I really need. I don't see why god would be the anthropomorphic entity people always try to make him out to be, all vengeful and jealous and what-not.

I think there is a certain irony to belief in god though. I think little children believe in god because they are naive (and some adults never grow out of this naive belief system), some people lose faith in their religion, and stop believing in god. But some people later on re-discover god, free'd from religion and the nonsensical anthropomorphic qualities, and I believe this to be the truest god. (or atleast close).

Bah, this might of been more than a rant. I apologize, this is one of those subjects that gets me fired up and angry. hah.
now that I re-read it all, I think this might not have anything to do with the topic (which actually didn't make much sense to me anyway), oh well. :/
I live my life in a dream; the constant threat of a rude awakening keeps me on my toes.
-Mettley Zimmer
df544
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Post by df544 »

Reason cannot kill western religion but personal weakness can (in a capitalistic, free society).

It takes about two generations.

In America, first generation immigrants usually bring their religion with them and raise their children in a religion (the new wave are muslims). Those children grow up and experience their own desires put to the test. And guess what? They will indulge, but probably with some guilt. They will realize that the money in America are in the hands of the non-believers and progressive-believers.

By the second generation, the kids realize that you either stay poor by believing in a religion fundamentally, or you get wealthy by leaving it behind because no body hires religious fanatics or fundamentalists in America.
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