I'm not religious, but I've always felt that religion can have a lot of good in it for many people. Something spiritual. Buddhist and Pagans for example seem very focussed on spiritual issues in my opinion.
But what I hear, see and read from Christianity and Islam has in my eyes hardly anything to do with spirituality anymore. It all seems to be about rules, rules, rules. And mainly silly old rules that hardly apply in these days anymore.
What is the true spirit of both religions these days? It can't be all about trying to force outdated morals onto people, I hope?
2007-03-21 04:42:20 · 9 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your quest is more important than your question. Excellent.
The mind in which such a question has arisen will today or tomorrow naturally move toward the right answer - right in the sense that the answer will satisfy it.
Actually, all religions have (or had) two layers - inner and outer. The outer is meant for laying down rules for people to co-exist in the society; while the inner is meant for satisfying the thirst for knowledge that questions like this imply. However, many human beings are simply satisfied with the outer because that satisdies them most. Moreover, that sometimes gives them a good business. In this way sticking to the outer, and consequently leaving the inner, have become the mechanical process.
However, your quest must have had a lot of energy pushing it from behind itself. So let me tell you something about the philosophy of question:
1. Once the real question has been pronounced, it will find its answer.
2. That answer is the best which destroys the question.
3. That question is the best which comes not out of lack of knowledge, but out of the thirst for knowledge.
Author of:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781581124842&itm=4
2007-03-21 06:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by Ashik 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There certainly are spirituality-focused folks within those religions. However, they tend not to be quite as much at the center, because, in general, spirituality and organization rarely combine very well.
Spirituality often focuses on the individual's personal relationship with... something greater (to keep this as religion-neutral as possible.) That involves a lot of time and effort, and can, in many cases, result in a slight divergence from some of the more standard actions/beliefs that the non-spirituality-minded folks follow. This divergence doesn't always cause rifts, but it can be hard to follow that sort of pursuit in a large group - It's just, logistically, difficult to keep group cohesion during individual pursuits if the group gets too large.
Most of what people see of Islam or Christianity is the "public face" - the large groups of folks who follow the "standard" presentation of the religion. The spirituality folks, by virtue of being individuals (or small groups) simply get lost in the throngs. So, they're there - just hard to find.
2007-03-22 05:49:51 · answer #2 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can only speak for myself, here, but I think Christianity (and the rules vs. grace debate) is a lot like parenting.
You have some parents who think that as long as there are strict rules and rigid structure, that will produce good kids.
There are others who think that if you love them and are their friends (and to them that means giving children everything they want, when they want it), that will produce good kids.
Truth is, neither of those will produce good kids. They need love and they need structure. Never one in exchange for the other, but both together.
Sometimes love means setting boundaries. Sometimes love means overlooking wrongs. Who can bear the process of growth with only criticism? And yet we need some feedback and guides in order to mature.
It's not an either/or proposition.
I think the primary goal of my faith is a relationship with God that gives me the strength, guidance, courage, integrity, compassion and humility to love and serve others.
2007-03-21 06:19:26 · answer #3 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
expensive Brother, i visit't answer for yet another human being. i visit listen for your anger and distain for Injustice. the human beings of any and all religions are in undemanding words as real as they percieve themselves. All mankinds Hatred, Pains, Killings at the prompt are not brought about by ability of agencies. they're brought about by ability of the "EGO" of the human beings in potential of those communities. All that i visit "Justly" pray for is that you do not follow of their footsteps and may the way in which to conquer your ego so as now to not develop into as they were. For out of Forgiveness, you'll see what God hasn't ever (Nor WILL ever) practice those souls. stay and enable Die: we truly do not have the different decision.
2016-12-02 08:43:09 · answer #4 · answered by kimmy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most religions are about rules and hatre. I hope people can realize the true spirit of religions
2007-03-21 04:48:05 · answer #5 · answered by Bionimetiket 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
thats a really good point. i think that the christian church's intentions are to show you the lifestyle THEY think is best in order to have a good relationship with God and incorporate him into your everyday lifestyle...cause that can be hard. but sometimes they get so caught up in it that they forget who made the rules and whos in control of it all...God! not them.
2007-03-21 04:48:18 · answer #6 · answered by Jenna M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you kidding? I can't speak for Muslims, but I can tell you that at least my church is all about spirituality. It would depend on which church you visit, but the Holy Spirit is alive and well!!
2007-03-21 04:48:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is all about sanctions. I'd imagine Islam is much the same.
2007-03-21 04:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not only rules...but power and money as well.
2007-03-21 04:46:34 · answer #9 · answered by ste.phunny 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋