Approaching religion without feeling embattled

[_moksha]

I think that if one approaches religion as a wide-eyed innocent who sees everything to be "oh so true", that over the course of a lifetime they will either feel themselves to be embattled by the forces of evil bent on crushing their beliefs or else duped by the the religion itself. At least this process seems to be repeated here over and over, with tales of anguish from either being persecuted for being a Mormon or else having sorrowful tales of finding past beliefs to be akin to a mythical chimera.

Neither scenario seems appealing. What if religion was approached in the first place as something that could potentially enhance your life with its teachings while at the same time realizing you are not there to be sold a bill of goods, but rather to be a participant in that enhancement? Seems like a much more mature approach to religion that would tend not infringe on rational thought processes.

[_moksha]

Moksha, may I remind you that ideas off the beaten path are of little or no interest. You either attack Mormons or you defend them. Nothing short of this will be dignified with a reply. Get with the program.

[_MCB]

Such a cute little penguin you are.

No, this board is off the beaten path. This idea is on the well-traveled one. :)


I see they are having a public discussion of "SusieQ" at exmo. LOL

[_moksha]

Such a cute little penguin you are.

Thank you.

I see they are having a public discussion of "SusieQ" at exmo. LOL

Not necessarily connecting this to the OP. Who is SuzieQ? Has she addressed this idea?

[_MCB]

Some people there are criticizing her because she corrects people when their statements get too radically anti-Mormon. She is capable of thinking on both sides of the line.

My belief is that one's religion must improve one psychologically and the religious community and larger community in which one lives. This implies that religion, if God-inspired, makes people better. Mormonism and Islam fail that test.

[_emilysmith]

There are plenty of important ideas in religion that help people cope with the madness involved in human existence. Forgiveness, recognizing what we have and being thankful for it, charity, transcending the rat race through enlightenment, and on and on.

There are plenty of things that help people feel happy and have a full life. Community is one of those things, and church is able to provide a strong, stable community that benefits people in a lot of important ways. That doesn't mean they are right, but these are things atheists should be looking closely at so that they can incorporate good practices into their lives.

All of these functions can be found outside of a religious context. Leaving the religion out of what makes people happy and fulfilled is the easiest way to escape being embattled.

[_subgenius]

....What if religion was approached in the first place as something that could potentially enhance your life with its teachings while at the same time realizing you are not there to be sold a bill of goods, but rather to be a participant in that enhancement? Seems like a much more mature approach to religion that would tend not infringe on rational thought processes.

Religion is approached in this manner.
And for the most part religion does not infringe upon rational thought processes. In fact, throughout history, and today, the most innovative "thinkers" have been religious.
The idea that religion and rational thought are incompatible is a an immature, and rather foolish, notion to begin with. We are able to eat and enjoy both apples and oranges.

[_subgenius]

.....My belief is that one's religion must improve one psychologically and the religious community and larger community in which one lives. This implies that religion, if God-inspired, makes people better. Mormonism and Islam fail that test.

this is, of course, your opinion - and highly speculative one at that. In fact, it seems to be more likely an excerpt from larger, more bitter, cynical diatribe about "Islam and Mormonism".
The truth, the objective reality, is that both Islam and Mormonism actually do "improve" your laundry list of qualification for religion. The exception for which is usually an obvious failure on behalf of the individual in application, not on behalf of the system.

Kinda like an automobile.......mostly depends on the driver.

[_MCB]

The exception for which is usually an obvious failure on behalf of the individual in application, not on behalf of the system.

Right. Misapplication on the part of the individual, because of personality predispositions, etc. is a very important factor. However, there is a hell of a lot to misapply from among LDS teachings, both present and past.

[_Roger Morrison]

Cute? I think yer just a very loveable Great guy Mok!
Would love to have you as a neighbor! I think your vision is most practical, AND obtainable. When we grow up and can appreciate our differences. Sort-of live & let live... Nothing to fear, cuz ....

There's so much good in the worst of us &
so much bad in the best of us,
it little behooves the most of us,
to talk about the rest of us. . .

Author unknown, but recited often by Frank Bailey
In the Oshawa Branch, circa 1955 while we met in
the Orange Hall. . .