On 2/1/2022 2:51 PM, between "George Pope":
Ok, I'll be brave & start the ball rolling with my own thoughts on a
topic:
Some religions are based entirely on exclusivity (only their members
get to Heaven, for example)
I'd lkke to suggest they are preaching it wrong:
It's that those in their group must follow their rules or suffer
exclusion from their group's rewards.
Religion is a man-made concept. Even the teachings of Christ are anti-religious. Many people who haven't read the scriptures don't realize that.
I'd say that most every other "religions" expound a form of exclusivity. But what is the "truth"?
I believe God to be more universal -- after all He/She created all
humans, not only a single group (unless you count us all as one
family, which I do)
God, however you understabd or don't understand God, obviously loves
variety, so why take away variety, in casing an ephemeral idea of homogeneity?
Certainly some laws are universal, & can be aptly summed up under the
Golden Rule. Humanism has develpoed this same framework for defining universal commandments.
But humanism lacks hope in the eternal.
I think it can be summed up in two: 1. Don't be a jackass. 2. Do
good.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is also a pretty good starting point.
I prefer to consider true religions, open to all, as: "To love and to
learn"
Fair enough. For many people the road to discover the truth is a journey that may take them to the explorations and study of other faith systems along the way.
Everything else is comsmetic -- you go to a church or club you feel; comfortable with, with an affinity for the membership/rules.
It is a good thing to be amongst like-minded people. That's where we can get support during troubling times. There might be certain "rules", but they are man-made ones, then it would depend on what those rules are.
I believe my purpose on this Earth, in the life, is to make the world
a little bit better than when I came into it (being born, & also each
new day)
That's a great attitude.
I personally feel the most affinity for Conservative Judaism & its interpretation of the universal truths, so that's who I affiliate
with. They've formally accepted & ritualised this membership per
their traditions for such, so I'm officially part of a humumgous
family who likewise seeks to do good for others & to improve Earth
for the sake of all.
Myself, I am not religious. (See reference above.) The scriptures give plenty of examples of the bane of ritual and tradition. Those are best avoided.
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