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HI,
Looks like everyone’s been away on non-spritual pursuits for a few days!
Personally, I’ve had a left trapezius muscle that decided to seize up for a few days and the adverse effects from the pain killer/muscle relaxer/ analgesic that the doc in the box prescribed. Whew, what a miserable combination.
At any rate, I’m sort of back and functioning and have been thinking of Texoma’s comments about blind faith. It’s a topic that is really fascinating from several different aspects.
Let’s picture the old spectrum analogy. At the top, Enlightenment and at the bottom Blind Faith.
Let’s put some folks in each category. Enlightenment would be those who use their faith to improve humanity and act from the highest good. Historically we can include Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and the Pope and others who my lame brain can’t recall but you get the drift.
At the bottom we have lots of poor wretches who have been manipulated into thinking they are carrying out G-d’s plan by sacrificing their possessions, their lives and their souls without questioning the wisdom of their actions. In general, they have been manipulated by evil persons who have used these people for power and personal gain. Like self proclaimed rulers of cults, leaders of religious zealots and frauds. Like, Al Queda, Jim Jones, David Koresh, Robert Tilton, the Japanese who led the Kamakazi pilots, that space group in California who committed mass suicide, the trainers of suicide bombers etc. Religion at it’s most perverse.
Ok, now we can agree that blind faith in this group is bad- but does it exist along the spectrum to the Enlightened Ones?
Yes. Is it bad? Not necessarily.
Here’s my rationale. At some point those who live the religious life accept their organized religion’s view absolutely- or they change religions Did the Pope ever get up one morning and say “You know, there may be something in that Zen stuff I could get excited about!�?I don’t think so. At some point he turned a blind eye to other religions and stayed with the core beliefs of the Catholic Church. This was a good thing. It allowed him to focus on his life’s work without question. Yes, he studied-but at some point he said This IS IT! I will seek no other Truth than this. Blind Faith?
A young child tells his parents he has heard G-d speak to him and give him a mission in life. His duty is to follow it in order to help mankind reach a greater state of grace and to relieve suffering in this world. He follows his life path. Blind Faith? Was it a good motivator?
A couple loses a child and begin to question the validity of a G-d Their Pastor advises them to just believe whether they can accept it or not. Will Blind Faith get them through for awhile?
I think many of attend religious services because of family tradition. It’s easier to just go to the XXX Temple then to question.Lots of us have a very limited capacity to think through religious doctrine. Easier to go along. Feels good, keeps us almost moral and we can say we are a member of an organized and respected religious organization. Blind Faith?
At any rate, this could turn into too much of Nancy for one day- but It really is a great topic.
Thanks Texoma for bringing it up!!!
Nancy.
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