would you be removing the pillars that support the systems of good works, or the chains that hang the ignorant in bondage? Are they the same thing? Are they the same people?
2006-07-22 15:20:25 · 12 answers · asked by auntiegrav 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Auntiegrav,
(Really like the moniker, by the way). Intelligence, does not necessarily imply Wisdom, or common sense. No one can remove anybody from their beliefs. Jesus, came to the earth 2000 years ago, to set us on the path of survival. Unfortunately for all of us, the Roman Emperor Constantine, convened the Council of Nicea in the year 325 A.D. At this council, many of the original teachings of Jesus were lost. The message that Jesus came to bring us, was elegant and simple, and contained the solution to all our problems. "The Kingdom of God is within you". There it is. When we approach God as humble children, and invite Him into our hearts, He sends His Spirit into us, and bonds with us. We then become new creatures. Part mortal, and part Immortal. The old values of materialism and fear fall away. Wisdom and Love become the foundations of all our choices. We begin to see, that the things that divide us as people, are all imagined. We start to realize that what we do to another human, we do to ourselves, and to God. Please do not confuse this with religion. God has no religions, or denominations, He only has children.
2006-07-22 15:47:19 · answer #1 · answered by Will O' the Wisp 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Define intelligent people
If they are people who have clarity of thought and vision, who think things through, whose actions and decisions are based on plain logic, reason, efficiency and efficacy, then they can be both the "pillars that support good works" or the "chains that hang the ignorant in bondage."
You see, "tyrants" and "heroes" both have "intelligence" in common. How else then can they plan, strategize, and foresee? But they have different agenda and motivations. Thus, intelligence is the tool by which people get what they desire (personal or some greater good). Intelligent people can be the "pillars" or the "chains" depending on what their moral make-up is, what they innately believe to be right.
Thus to the original question, my answer is NO. Intelligent people are not good or bad per se, so there's no point in removing them from religion. After all, it's not their intelligence which could lead them astray, but rather the moral yardstick by which they determine right from wrong.
2006-07-22 15:53:37 · answer #2 · answered by jinky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends how you define religion. If you mean a group of people who get together and all decide to believe in the same thing without any proof or logical evidence, there are plenty of those out there who lack intelligent people.
If you mean the shams like you see on TV selling something packaged to look like one of the 'official' religions , they are run by people who may be intelligent, but lack any real wisdom, and whose faith is greed. Removing those might free some ignorant people form a form of bondage. unfortunately, they are so insecure that they would probably go seek out some OTHER con artist to make them feel better.
Lastly we have organizations of people of faith who actually dedicate themselves to helping others. Some of these also describe themselves as religions, while others are more like civic groups. ( It should be noted that there are large groups who fall into the FIRST category that go around insisting they ARE NOT religions, but their actions tell a different story ! ) These are groups that support good works, and would fail without leaders who have at least some intelligence. But more important is if they have gained some measure of wisdom, so they can resist the temptations of greed and aggrandizement that comes with being a leader in any large organization.
2006-07-22 15:34:52 · answer #3 · answered by Raffy_AdAstra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. Both, I think. I think most intelligent people in religion are both the pillars and the chains for others, but I don't think most of them intend to be the chains. It just happens because they are so intelligent and can rationalize what they believe, produce eloquent apologies, and persuade others of what they should believe.
2006-07-22 15:31:25 · answer #4 · answered by KATYA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Intelligent people ARE often religious. Being serious about spirituality and religion doesn't mean you aren't smart, in fact, sprituality should be part of a composite of balanced priorities. Also, keep in mind that intelligence is not a precursor to being domineering or oppressive (trying to control others) in fact, quite the opposite.
2006-07-22 15:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dear friend that I used to spend hours discussing whatever said one day," it seems the more you know, the less you believe". many times I see this in religions of all kinds. So if we were not to know the truth, then why do so many seem to have the answers? Just who are the intelligent ones? hey?
2006-07-22 15:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that they are both... but i also think that they do not totally believe in what they are helping because an intelligent person would question everything and be ignorant not to be athiest but to wait for death... for as far as i know, it holds all the answers
2006-07-22 15:34:41 · answer #7 · answered by her half dead lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY !!
We NEED the intelligent people in religion to keep the Fallwells, Roberts, Pat Robertsons, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copelands at bay, not to mention Islamic extremists who want to steam - roll into Israel & its allies, & the Zionists who think Palestinians need to be killed or evicted from Israel.
2006-07-22 15:29:29 · answer #8 · answered by knoxvilledaniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most intelligent people have removed *themselves* from it by now.
2006-07-22 15:23:26 · answer #9 · answered by wheezer_april_4th_1966 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not too many intelligent followers.
2006-07-22 15:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by pelister56 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋