The nature of religion (ritual, bible, trinity)

[stephenw]

I read this morning that the role of theories is to organise information already obtained "and to direct the search for new information. Theories are however, only tools, to be discarded when no longer useful."
This is how I feel about religion. Religion can be a vehicle towards understanding, but it is not an end in and of itself. It's just a raft to get you over the river.

[Willamena]

I think of religion more in terms of ritual. It's practices and social situations that reinforce knowledge in a sense of community.

[stephenw]

Originally Posted by Willamena

I think of religion more in terms of ritual. It's practices and social situations that reinforce knowledge in a sense of community.

What about things like the Bible, one can take it as not literally true and draw meaning from it ?
Also ideas like for example the trinity.

[Willamena]

The reading of the Bible is a part of practice, if you see where I'm coming from. "Relgiion" to me isn't whatever truth may be held to be in the Bible, rather it's demonstrated in the practice of reading and sharing ideas (however interpreted).

[stephenw]

I get you, I think. It's a cultural thing to you ?

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by stephenw

I read this morning that the role of theories is to organise information already obtained "and to direct the search for new information. Theories are however, only tools, to be discarded when no longer useful."
This is how I feel about religion. Religion can be a vehicle towards understanding, but it is not an end in and of itself. It's just a raft to get you over the river.

Most in RF probably think I'm nuts for thinking The URANTIA Book has useful, or at least interesting, information. Here is what it says about the real nature of religion. For me, it's fun to separate the sense from the nonsense. Papers 99-103 are all interesting.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by stephenw

I read this morning that the role of theories is to organise information already obtained "and to direct the search for new information. Theories are however, only tools, to be discarded when no longer useful."
This is how I feel about religion. Religion can be a vehicle towards understanding, but it is not an end in and of itself. It's just a raft to get you over the river.

If the "river" is life, then yes.

[Markal]

Originally Posted by stephenw

Religion can be a vehicle towards understanding, but it is not an end in and of itself. It's just a raft to get you over the river.

Unfortunately, a raft can be cast about by the strongest currents. Best to make a bridge over the river.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Markal

Unfortunately, a raft can be cast about by the strongest currents. Best to make a bridge over the river.

...provided you have a fixed destination on the other side of the river.