Posted by Nikki on August 10, 19102 at 09:24:38:
In Reply to: The Opiate of the Masses posted by KT on August 09, 19102 at 22:24:39:
::: (snip) but also because Americans don't take kindly to attacks on religion. The recent flap over the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is certainly proof of this. :::
MARGARITAS!!!!!! If they are over-sensitive about their religion, mayhaps they should not publicize their religious beliefs or even be religious at all? Just a blunt thought. Personal truths, systems, religions are all subject to "attack" by others, and if we cannot handle it, then we should not publicize our beliefs. We, here, all can handle a little attack now and then to our belief systems, ethics, etc., hence our posting here. :-)
::::: Religion is not God. It is man's attempt to understand and relate to God. :::
I wish more people would understand and accept this reality. A UU friend of mine at a UU forum said that religion has NOTHING to do with "god". But has everything to do with the human condition. I think he may have a point there!
And as for "opiate".....you might have a point there, KT. I also think it still applies to many religious people TODAY. They are using religion as a narcotic to "escape" today's world, and sometimes abusing it to their own agendas. I find both situations unfortunate.
I don't believe in the afterlife. I want my life HERE on the earth to be the best I can bring it to be and that is all it matters. :-) I constantly say that life is waaay too short and I want it to be as good as I can get it to be!
:::: Rather, it should engage the mind and sharpen the senses, and lead to a greater realization of who we are and what we are called to do. :::
Tell that to some of the religious fellas I met over the 'Net and offline! ;-) I pretty much agree with all of what you said, but Roger may have a point about not bringing Marx into the discussion. ;-)
Nikki