The Aztecs had to rip open a human chest every morning, because if they didn't, then the sun might not rise the next day.
It's like obsessive-compulsive disorder -- performing the same meaningless action over and over, just because you're afraid not to.
2007-07-12 14:13:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Stay away from these nuts. The sooner we're free of these emotional hallucinations the sooner there can be world peace. These thugs have terrorized humanity for centuries with their fear and superstitions.
2007-07-12 14:16:54 · answer #1 · answered by Don W 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Huh?
That's a *very* simplistic view of Aztec religion, which despite its history of rather, aaaah, excessive human sacrifices is not bereft of poetry, beautiful metaphors, and spiritual truths for its people. Nor is it exactly fair or just to view, characterize and/or challenge ALL forms of belief with an example from the late, degenerate period of what became the bloodiest Amerind folkway in history.
Sheeeeeesh.
But to answer your question . . . what do *I* have to do to "maintain" my faith? Simple:
• Look in the mirror, and see the evidence that I am the child of my ancestors.
• Feel the sun on my face
• Watch flowers bloom and grain ripen.
• Contemplate the lively fermentation of new mead.
• Hug my grandnieces.
The Folkway IS the Folk. It is who we are.
2007-07-12 14:24:18 · answer #2 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. pray in tongues
2. read the Bible
3. Communion with the Holy Spirit.
4. Be around positive people in the faith.
Nothing like Aztecs, I assure you. The sun will rise.
2007-07-12 14:29:11 · answer #3 · answered by n9wff 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I maintain my faith by reading the Bible, talking to other Christians and reading books and essays etc on the Bible. I also pray, all work together to keep me on the righteous path.
As for fear being the reason I do this....Oh no, my little atheist...I do it because I love doing it. Too bad about you. Your life might be required of you, tonight..Do you know where you will spend eternity? You may think you have penty of time but things can change in the twinkling of an eye.
2007-07-12 14:23:03 · answer #4 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not if you view it as practice. If you play an instrument, you practice and you get a reward- improvement. If you are a person of faith, you practice (meditation, prayer, ethics, service) and your sense of the spiritual deepens. Not for everybody but not neccesarily just OCD either (though in many cases, yes, OCD).
2007-07-12 14:18:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would pray and preform rituals as much as you feel you think you are obligated to, I dont have much of a religion so I think that if you are uncomfortable with certain aspects in your religion, i doubt you will go to hell or be struck by lightning.
2007-07-12 14:19:43 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's part OCD as you say, part cargo-cult behaviour: duplicate the ambiance of a propitious event, and hope the event will somehow recur.
CD
2007-07-12 14:18:03 · answer #7 · answered by Super Atheist 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A quote----"No man cometh unto the Father but by me". Read your Bible, pray when you feel the need to (and then some), and Love, Honor and Worship God.
2007-07-12 14:25:55 · answer #8 · answered by Cricket 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only way to maintain faith is to avoid rational thought at all costs. You start thinkin', You stop believin'.
2007-07-12 14:25:17 · answer #9 · answered by Hooray4Me 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Avoid any sort of knowledge outside of scripture.
2007-07-12 14:18:48 · answer #10 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋