Emulation. (ritual, Creator, mystic, incarnation, spiritual)

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Ball

What I mean is that the world is not here, only the illusion. There is in that case only one illusion; mine...So in your case it would be only your imagination.

In my case, you would also be imaginary.

[Bouncing Ball]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

In my case, you would also be imaginary.

Exactly what I mean.

[ikitikitembo]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Nope. Ontology may be aspected in certain religions, yet not the sum thereof, nor necessarily the presupposition of all established religions. While it may seem attractive, i'm not sure why heirarchy is your root definition of religion.

Am we to understand that the ground floor to religion is a figurehead for worship?

What is religion?

Originally Posted by mr.guy

You've answered your own question. You needn't "know" anything to "believe", or "think" it. One can easily doubt the lucidity of current reality, ergo they may come to suspect something more "real" down the line.

Quite easily.

I realize you don't have to know to believe, but it seems to me you would have to at least "think it" or have some sort of reasons for your belief. For instance it's possible that someone has been stalking me trying to kill me right now. But I don't believe anyone is, because I have no reason to. I don't think possibility is enough for belief. And possibility would seem to be the only thing that these people would be going on to believe in a succeeding reality, when they don't even believe in what they're "experiencing" now.

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by ikitikitembo

What is religion?

Loosely, a system of beliefs and practices.

I realize you don't have to know to believe, but it seems to me you would have to at least "think it" or have some sort of reasons for your belief. For instance it's possible that someone has been stalking me trying to kill me right now. But I don't believe anyone is, because I have no reason to. I don't think possibility is enough for belief. And possibility would seem to be the only thing that these people would be going on to believe in a succeeding reality, when they don't even believe in what they're "experiencing" now.

Which is neither here nor there. What grounding one has in "faith" and "truth" need not meet your evaluatory requirements to hold their own definitions. How you actualize and justify belief is beyond it's field.

Do note, i've yet to paint a theist who believes the "next life" to be of more pressing realism in such black and white terms as you present in your conundrum here.

[ikitikitembo]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Which is neither here nor there. What grounding one has in "faith" and "truth" need not meet your evaluatory requirements to hold their own definitions. How you actualize and justify belief is beyond it's field.

Do note, i've yet to paint a theist who believes the "next life" to be of more pressing realism in such black and white terms as you present in your conundrum here.

Well truth is totally different. I do agree with you when you say that the grounding for faith or belief is subjective. I guess I just use my common sense when it comes to belief, basing it on some sort of reason, or something that convinces me so. Like you said that doesn't really matter though, because it's just what I think.

Just curious though...what does it take for you personally to come to a belief?

[Doktormartini]

Is this kinda along the lines of the belief that the material world is an illusion?

[Bouncing Ball]

Originally Posted by Doktormartini

Is this kinda along the lines of the belief that the material world is an illusion?

Yes, but also that feelings is an illusion. Love is an illusion and our dreams is an illusion

[Littledragon]

This would seem to lead to a religon based on self deification. If your soul/mind is the only reality and all other things are evolved from your thoughts, then wouldn't you be the creator?

Littledragon

[Bouncing Ball]

Originally Posted by Littledragon

This would seem to lead to a religon based on self deification. If your soul/mind is the only reality and all other things are evolved from your thoughts, then wouldn't you be the creator?

Littledragon

Not persé. If the world doesn't need a creator, why would the thought?

[Littledragon]

okay maybe creator is the wrong word, but you still state that these thoughts start with you, and also that everyone else does the same. This could be taken to mean that everyone is a god or has some divinity in them.