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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I like religion because it teaches you moral truths and helps you self-examine yourself and the world morally on a regular basis. Very little else in society comes close to the intensity, depth, and regularity of this type of learning. I remember people I went to college with thinking the constitution was all they needed and they barely even knew that. Doubt they still feel this way now. Eventually, many people wake up to the fact that all religions serve the same purpose and it's basically just about providing passed-down written and oral morality lessons on where to spend your energy for good for yourself and others based on past human observation over time. As one of the statements above said, the rest is a commentary that may or may not be applicable in your situation and lifetime.[/quote]

O0 - Yes I agree that the Jewish version of the Golden Rule hit on a salient aspect of it being central to leading a good life and advising people to really ponder it. Imagine if we all thought more deeply about how to live the Golden Rule in meaningful ways.

Regarding the value of religion - I agree that it can help one to think more deeply about everyday reality through different lens such as “why” rather than “how”  Of course, religion can have the opposite effect for those trapped in cults or wed to rigid dogmas that are unresponsive to complex reality.

For me, an important part of religion is shared life experiences and honoring the Great Divine Mystery within a community of faith. Religion is derived from the Latin “religio” meaning (among other things), “bond of social relations uniting individuals.” Religion reminds me to forgive and seek forgiveness, to seek constant renewal of heart and mind, and to be faithful in small and large matters.[/quote]

I appreciate your sentiments but disagree religion is the structure by which you deeply consider your morality.  You can be spiritual and feel close to nature or respect the sanctity of life and that would be enough to guide your morality through your days.  Organized religion is a sham.  Unless you are spiritual you wouldn't be purely moral because organization requires you to think about the larger purpose of your group.  In this way you have corruption from the Vatican forward throughout the Church.  Organized religion is a paradox - I get how people want to bond together to celebrate their faith but true faith is spirituality that you find alone.  This stuff just can't be one voice for all.  All religions may speak the same but we all can't approach it together but conclude on our own how we want to live.  That's the purity and value of spirituality - you find that level of grace at your own speed and as you live.  You can't have someone else lay it out it just doesn't work cause you have to find your own truth.

My biggest issue with religion and the Catholics above all is that the seek to implore you to believe as they do.  They don't offer you the faith of finding your own golden rule.  It's really easy to say and it's really pretty to say but to truly love it is not easy.  So the whole of organized religion is mostly a sham.  You can be truly religious and belong to a Church but not everyone belonging to Church is truly spiritually.  That's the problem with humanity - we want things to be easy and pretty but real life is not.[/quote]

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