A challenge. (priest, ritual, morals, experience, agnostic)

[neves]

Originally Posted by Blindinglight

Why do you say this? The flesh is limited, but the mind is powerful.
I ask you, how do you know a book, priest, or man who claims to be a man of god, is worthy to be a guide?

yes the mind can be powerful, but it too is limited... one such case its we only know what our life experiences tells us... the only way to know what is guiding us is true is from our life experiences...

[Blindinglight]

Btw - this isnt really a challenge as such?

This is a challenge. Not to actually abandon your religion, but to think about the what if's of such an action.

yes the mind can be powerful, but it too is limited...

Yes, even the mind is limited, as it is a seperate entity from the soul. But, I never said nor implied it is limitless though. Just powerful.

[ayani]

Do you think you could ditch your religion, and still remain spiritual? Why or why not?

for me, the two are neccesarily linked. my religious practice *is* my spirituality, and i don't differentiate between the two.

Do you think your life would have a positive meaning without religion? Why or why not?

i think it could, yes. my life was also very meaningful as an agnostic. but i was also alot more prone to anger, selfishness, depression, and dismay. my faith has helped me to transform alot of that into something better, and more hopeful.

Would you be able to make decisions for your spiritual life without a book or leader to look to? Why or why not.

the central text of my faith isn't a book, but a Verse. i could still, of course, make decisions, but i don't know how ultimately right or helpful they might be.

Would you have the sense of "morals?" Why or why not?

i would, yes. but they'd certainly be skewed more by my own preferences / views / aversions than by consideration of God's Word.

Would you like not having a book for answers and guidance? Could you form decisions and opinions without a said book? Why or why not?

well- would both like it and not like it, i think. i could of course form my own opinions and decisions without the consideration, but as someone naturally prone to be selfish and disagreeable, i don't think many of them would be acceptable to God, or to my relationships with others.

Do you think you could bring yourself back to a relgion? Why or why not?

i'll say "yes", with the addage that i feel it is greatly due to God's will, less to my own.

[neves]

Originally Posted by Blindinglight

Yes, even the mind is limited, as it is a seperate entity from the soul. But, I never said nor implied it is limitless though. Just powerful.

understood...

[painted wolf]

Do you think you could ditch your religion, and still remain spiritual? Why or why not?
yes, I've done it before. I don't equate religion and spirtuality. You can be a spiritual person and not religious or you can be a religious person and not spiritual. I've met both.

Do you think your life would have a positive meaning without religion? Why or why not?
Yes, religion doesn't nessisarily provide meaning. You have to find meaning for yourself. REligion is a guide not a crutch.

Would you be able to make decisions for your spiritual life without a book or leader to look to? Why or why not.
Yup, I do it now and I've done it before. I seek help when I feel I need a fresh perspective, but I don't follow anyone or anything blindly.

Would you have the sense of "morals?" Why or why not?
Of cource, morality is cultural and personal. Religion isn't the sole owner of morality.

Would you like not having a book for answers and guidance? Could you form decisions and opinions without a said book? Why or why not?
I already do. Unless you count my copy of "History of Land Mammals in the Western Hemisphere".

Do you think you could bring yourself back to a relgion? Why or why not?
yes, if I felt that the religion could offer me something I needed in life. Social, cultural and symbolic connection for example.

wa:do

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by Blindinglight

Do you think you could ditch your religion, and still remain spiritual? Why or why not?

I can't, because Islam is my sole source of spirituality which make me close to God.

Do you think your life would have a positive meaning without religion? Why or why not?

No meaning at all, if it wasn't for my religion which connect me with God, i would committed suicide since 5 or 6 years a go.

Would you be able to make decisions for your spiritual life without a book or leader to look to? Why or why not.

My spiritual life is based on the deep feelings i have when i call upon God, and i'll get the guidance of what God love from his very own book, the Quran.

Would you have the sense of "morals?" Why or why not?

Yes of course, due my cultural and family values, but it wouldn't be perfect without getting the full guidance and the complete moral system from God himself.

Would you like not having a book for answers and guidance? Could you form decisions and opinions without a said book? Why or why not?

Decisions and opinions about what? personal or religious one?

Do you think you could bring yourself back to a relgion? Why or why not?

Yes, because all the world is nothing but darkness, without the light of God.

[Mary23]

I challenge all those here who adhere to a religion to think of these questions, which are based on the idea of tossing your religion. Keep in mind your religion still exist, but you have (hypothetically) moved away from it, and all other religions.

Do you think you could ditch your religion, and still remain spiritual? Why or why not?
Nay, i can't live spritual without religion because religion provides SPIRIT. Spirit to move at final destination (towards our Lord)
Do you think your life would have a positive meaning without religion? Why or why not?
Yes, i will be positive if all poeple also think of themselves without religion. But at the end i would have negative results in the sight of my Lord.
Would you be able to make decisions for your spiritual life without a book or leader to look to? Why or why not.
Yes, i can make decisions without Book but at the end consicuinces will be at the risk.
Would you have the sense of "morals?" Why or why not?
Nay,because religion provides you moral attitude.
Would you like not having a book for answers and guidance? Could you form decisions and opinions without a said book? Why or why not?
Nay, i have answered above.
Do you think you could bring yourself back to a relgion? Why or why not?
Yes, i am back, just need to understanding facts and truth.