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What is the Best subject of study for Religious minded people?

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Being a seeker of truth and being unafraid of the results of your search,

What do religious minded people need to come to terms with?

Also does reason alone produce evidence of anything?
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Study consciousness.

Preferably through a combination of meditation, readings in contemporary science, and very carefully interpreted religious works. .
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Being a seeker of truth and being unafraid of the results of your search,

What do religious minded people need to come to terms with?

Also does reason alone produce evidence of anything?

To be able to recognise that which leads to the betterment of the world and its peoples.

Discern what is universally applicable (ie across different cultures) compared to what would work for a limited number of people (ie just the intelligentsia).
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
To be able to recognise that which leads to the betterment of the world and its peoples.

Discern what is universally applicable (ie across different cultures) compared to what would work for a limited number of people (ie just the intelligentsia).

I believe in universals myself
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
I believe in universals myself

I come from a Christian background and am inspired by Christ's teachings on love, justice, and forgiveness. Then I met people who are have different faiths and indeed no faith who live lives worthy of admiration. We need a narrative on history and religion that takes into account humanities religious experience, not just Christians or those inspired by the so called enlightenment era IMHO.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
I come from a Christian background and am inspired by Christ's teachings on love, justice, and forgiveness. Then I met people who are have different faiths and indeed no faith who live lives worthy of admiration. We need a narrative on history and religion that takes into account humanities religious experience, not just Christians or those inspired by the so called enlightenment era IMHO.

Sounds like a transformative experience. Jesus' words did have that affect didnt they. A lot like Buddha.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
I come from a Christian upbringing as well. First Catholic, then Baptist.

Truthfully i locked my door on sunday mornings. My father would pound on it with a few choice words about heaven and hell.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Logic 101.

.
.
You mean like the law of excluded middle, fallacies, red herrings, and straw men, circular arguments and the like. Cherry pickin' , even.

Are you saying logic 101 is iron clad?

And that religious people have a terrible time with logic?
 
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crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Being a seeker of truth and being unafraid of the results of your search,

What do religious minded people need to come to terms with?

Also does reason alone produce evidence of anything?
My favorite guide is the Kalama Sutta. Basically, any doctrine that preaches greed, hatred, or delusion results in long-term harm, no matter how much pretzel logic they try to apply to justify it. Reject those. Those that teach a lack or greed, hatred, or delusion leads to long term benefit. Accept those.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
My favorite guide is the Kalama Sutta. Basically, any doctrine that preaches greed, hatred, or delusion results in long-term harm, no matter how much pretzel logic they try to apply to justify it. Reject those. Those that teach a lack or greed, hatred, or delusion leads to long term benefit. Accept those.

So what becomes of the pragmatic empiricist, without faith?

Perhaps they become slaves to material desire.

And one of faith, knows they have a destiny, a fulfilling life to look forward to in the beyond.
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Sounds like a transformative experience. Jesus' words did have that affect didnt they. A lot like Buddha.

Buddha and Jesus brought brought a transformative message that has been an inspiration to millions over many generations. They have both been a source of light to the world. To deny their power and influence is to deny the truth.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Buddha and Jesus brought brought a transformative message that has been an inspiration to millions over many generations. They have both been a source of light to the world. To deny their power and influence is to deny the truth.

Especially the positive messages. When i look at the cross, im reminded of how brutal things were in Roman times. And even the brutality that has been even unto today. Then i see the good that happens anyway in the face of terrible things.
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
So what becomes of the pragmatic empiricist, without faith?
Actually, the Kalama Sutta is quite pragmatic, and even pragmatic empiricist in how it comes to its conclusions.

Perhaps they become slaves to material desire.
One would only know by reading the text. ;)
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
You mean like the law of excluded middle, fallacies, red herrings, and straw men, circular arguments and the like. Cherry pickin' , even.

Are you saying logic 101 is iron clad?

And that religious people have a terrible time with logic?

No,
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I'm saying the best subject of study for religious minded people is logic 101.

.
 

Jumi

Well-Known Member
Need to come to terms with modern sciences, basic math. It will save time taking detours and debates you can't win. Besides that in your own religions of interest, if you need scripture study the best translations if you care enough to want to understand and not just feel good. Learn a bit of the language so your second guesses not based only on your own. Read deeper books, not books you already know are moneymaking garbage or for enforcing some strict interpretation.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Being a seeker of truth and being unafraid of the results of your search,

What do religious minded people need to come to terms with?

The thing that opened my eyes was understanding what Jesus taught us to pray for in the Lord's Prayer.

Christians parrot off that prayer every week in church, totally oblivious to what it is that they are actually asking for.

I never realized how much was involved in what he said.
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Also does reason alone produce evidence of anything?

Reason on its own doesn't, but using sound reasoning skills is a good way to evaluate what is presented as truth.

There are no obvious signposts but Jesus said we would 'know the truth and it would set us free'. It isn't until you experience the freedom that you understand exactly what he meant.
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