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How does your religion teach people to be wise

W

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member
The New Testament speaks of receiving the love of truth in Thessalonians

The Old Testament has a section devoted to wisdom:
how to suffer
how to pray
how to be savvy
how to love
how to be happy

https://www.slideshare.net/MichaelScaman/wisdom-in-full-color-105961119

Screen Shot 2018-07-14 at 9.59.22 AM.png
 
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Phantasman

Phantasman

Well-Known Member
A greater in wisdom was Christ (than any OT scripture).

Luke and Matthew:
30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
 
Liu

Liu

Well-Known Member
We don't really have any holy scriptures, we just learn from the writings and examples of each other, and of course especially from personal experience.
A central notion related to wisdom that my religion teaches is that one should, while keeping an open mind, be careful what to believe. Another one is about acknowledging that people are different and what might be good for one might be bad for another and vice versa.
 
sun rise

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Wisdom can't be taught. Examples can be provided and people exhorted to walk the path of wisdom. But wisdom is lived and learned by experience.
 
nPeace

nPeace

Veteran Member
whirlingmerc said:
The New Testament speaks of receiving the love of truth in Thessalonians

The Old Testament has a section devoted to wisdom:
how to suffer
how to pray
how to be savvy
how to love
how to be happy

https://www.slideshare.net/MichaelScaman/wisdom-in-full-color-105903416

View attachment 23000
Click to expand...
Jehovah Witnesses teach people to become wise, by teaching them to love God - the love of God. 1 John 5:3
We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

When people love God they gain wisdom - Psalms 111:10
Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom...
...and act wisely.
Proverbs 27:11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.
 
stvdv

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
15 jul 2018 stvdv 017 75
whirlingmerc said:
How does your religion teach people to be wise?
Click to expand...
From India: The Yoga Vasistha - What are the four Gatekeepers (Pillars) to Freedom?
1) Santi (self-control or quietness of mind),
2) Vichara (spirit of inquiry),
3) Santosha (contentment) and
4) Satsanga (good company).

These four — contentment, satsanga, the spirit of inquiry, and self-control — are the four surest means by which they who are drowning in this ocean of samsara can be saved. Contentment is the supreme gain. Satsanga is the best companion to the destination. The spirit of inquiry itself is the greatest wisdom. And, self-control is supreme happiness. If you are unable to resort to all these four, then practice one:
1) SANTI - When the mind is at peace, pure, tranquil, free from delusion or hallucination, untangled and free from cravings, it does not long for anything nor does it reject anything. This is self-control or conquest of mind.
2) VICHARA - The wise man regards strength, intellect, efficiency and timely action as the fruits of inquiry. Indeed kingdom, prosperity, enjoyment, as well as final liberation, are all the fruits of inquiry. The spirit of inquiry protects one from the calamities that befall the unthinking fool. ....They in whom the spirit of inquiry is ever awake illumine the world, enlighten all who come into contact with them, dispel the ghosts created by an ignorant mind, and realize the falsity of sense-pleasures and their objects. O Rama, in the light of inquiry there is realization of the eternal and unchanging reality; this is the supreme..... To inquire thus: “Who am I? How has this evil of \samsara (repetitive history) come into being?” is true inquiry. Knowledge of truth arises from such inquiry; from such knowledge there follows tranquillity in oneself; and then there arises the supreme peace in the Self and the ending of all sorrow.
3) SANTOSHA - Contentment is another gate-keeper to liberation. He who has quaffed the nectar of contentment does not relish craving for sense-pleasures; no delight in this world is as sweet as contentment which destroys all sins. .... What is contentment? To renounce all craving for what is not obtained unsought and to be satisfied with what comes unsought, without being elated or depressed even by them — this is contentment. As long as one is not satisfied in the self, he will be subjected to sorrow. With the rise of contentment the purity of one’s heart blooms. The contented man who possesses nothing owns the world.
4) SATSANGA -Satsanga (company of wise, holy and enlightened persons) is yet another gatekeeper to liberation. Satsanga enlarges one’s intelligence, destroys one’s ignorance and one’s psychological distress. Whatever be the cost, however difficult it may be, whatever obstacles may stand in its way, satsanga should never be neglected. For, satsanga alone is one’s light on the path of life. Satsanga is indeed superior to all other forms of religious practices like charity, austerity, pilgrimages and the performance of religious rites
 
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Vinayaka

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
For my Hindu sampradaya ...

Cultivate the power of observation.
Observation is increased by avoiding excessive talk.
Listen.
Meditate on it.
If stuck, ask an expert.
 
InChrist

InChrist

Free4ever
According to the NT knowing Jesus Christ is wisdom, because in Him all wisdom exists...

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding... Colossians 1:9


For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3
 
Reaper

Reaper

Ave Satanas
Universal Sufism maintains that we should take time to study and learn from all religions so we can know of Allah or God's many names and forms. Animism is very different however, it lacks any formal structure or tenants and thus anything like promoting the pursuit of knowledge.
 
arthra

arthra

Baha'i
"How does your religion teach people to be wise?"

Baha'is are encouraged to use a process called "Consultation" in any decision making process affecting another person. I'll share a few references here from Baha'i sources:

"He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion, for the light of reality becomes apparent when two opinions coincide. A spark is produced when flint and steel come together."

~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 72

"Consultation allows an open examination of fears and misconceptions, the gathering and presentation of facts, the identification of relevant spiritual principles, and a collective exploration of ways to implement those principles so that unity is preserved and enhanced."

~ Bahá’í International Community, 1991 Nov 16, Report Rural Poverty Alleviation Efforts, Activities...

"Consultation is no easy skill to learn, requiring as it does the subjugation of all egotism and unruly passions, the cultivation of frankness and freedom of thought as well as courtesy, openness of mind, and wholehearted acquiescence in a majority decision."

~ The Universal House of Justice, 1966 Jun 10, Youth in Every Land

There are several more excerpts about "consultation" at

http://www.bahaiquotes.com/quotepage.php?Quotes/Consultation
 
W

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member
nPeace said:
Jehovah Witnesses teach people to become wise, by teaching them to love God - the love of God. 1 John 5:3
We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

When people love God they gain wisdom - Psalms 111:10
Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom...
...and act wisely.
Proverbs 27:11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.
Click to expand...

But how does one receive the love of God or the love of truth?
Seems to be a gift of God not inherent to fallen human nature
 
nPeace

nPeace

Veteran Member
whirlingmerc said:
But how does one receive the love of God or the love of truth?
Seems to be a gift of God not inherent to fallen human nature
Click to expand...
Oh, from my understanding, the text is referring to love of God from the human - not love of God, from God.
1 John 5:3
New International Version
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

New Living Translation
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden,

International Standard Version
For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn't difficult

Contemporary English Version (CEV)
We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
 
stvdv

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
15 jul 2018 stvdv 017 77
nPeace said:
Oh, from my understanding, the text is referring to love of God from the human - not love of God, from God.
1 John 5:3
GOD'S WORD® Translation
To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn't difficult

Contemporary English Version (CEV)
We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
Click to expand...
Strange verse IMO

All humans want Love + Keeping His Commandments isn't difficult [verse says] ==> Why not all humans keep His Commandments???
 
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stvdv

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
nPeace said:
Oh, from my understanding, the text is referring to love of God from the human - not love of God, from God.
1 John 5:3
International Standard Version: For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult,
GOD'S WORD® Translation: To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn't difficult
Contemporary English Version (CEV): We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
Click to expand...

stvdv said:
Strange verse IMO
All humans want Love + Keeping His Commandments isn't difficult [verse says] ==> Why not all humans keep His Commandments???
Click to expand...

whirlingmerc said:
But where does human love of God come from? It may be both a fruit and gift of God
I disagree that in ourselves we love God without God helping us
https://www.slideshare.net/MichaelScaman/wisdom-in-full-color-106033270
Click to expand...
Exactly. It is all God's Grace. My Master said "Even the wise man, being on the path of wisdom, never let go of devotion, knowing that without Grace we are nothing"
Being intellectual I was naturally drawn to path of jnana/wisdom, but after been knocked down by deadly disease and instant healing of God I remember my place forever.
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Speaking broadly, demographic surveys done of the contemporary Pagan movement have shown that adherents tend to be significantly more well-educated than the average citizen (as in a higher proportion of post-graduate degrees as well as bachelor's degrees). The types of folks attracted to these religions tend to be academically and intellectually inclined already, in other words. Makes sense, considering Pagan religions don't proselytize. Couple that with the fact that few of us were born into these paths and you have to do the research needed to practice modern Pagan religions just in general. Put another way, if you aren't already some sort of research nerd who loves seeking wisdom, you're not going to stay associated with the movement for long.

Within contemporary Paganism, a couple subtypes come to mind as ones that are more explicitly demanding along those lines. Reconstructionism demands it because followers of these paths are aiming to draw more heavily from the precedents of historical Paganism, and that means doing a lot of research into those historical traditions. The Druidic orders I'm familiar with also demand it; ADF as a more reconstructionist-style of Druidry, OBOD through its teachings about love of wisdom and lore, and AODA through its teachings about studying natural history/science.

Perhaps academic and intellectual wisdom isn't what was meant by the OP, though. In the case of more emotive or intuitive wisdom, that's pretty prevalent in contemporary Paganism too through practices like divination and contemplative meditation.
 
Thief

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Liu

Liu

Well-Known Member
Quintessence said:
Speaking broadly, demographic surveys done of the contemporary Pagan movement have shown that adherents tend to be significantly more well-educated than the average citizen (as in a higher proportion of post-graduate degrees as well as bachelor's degrees). The types of folks attracted to these religions tend to be academically and intellectually inclined already, in other words. Makes sense, considering Pagan religions don't proselytize. Couple that with the fact that few of us were born into these paths and you have to do the research needed to practice modern Pagan religions just in general. Put another way, if you aren't already some sort of research nerd who loves seeking wisdom, you're not going to stay associated with the movement for long.

Within contemporary Paganism, a couple subtypes come to mind as ones that are more explicitly demanding along those lines. Reconstructionism demands it because followers of these paths are aiming to draw more heavily from the precedents of historical Paganism, and that means doing a lot of research into those historical traditions. The Druidic orders I'm familiar with also demand it; ADF as a more reconstructionist-style of Druidry, OBOD through its teachings about love of wisdom and lore, and AODA through its teachings about studying natural history/science.

Perhaps academic and intellectual wisdom isn't what was meant by the OP, though. In the case of more emotive or intuitive wisdom, that's pretty prevalent in contemporary Paganism too through practices like divination and contemplative meditation.
Click to expand...
I think a lot of this holds true for Satanism (and LHP-religions in general) as well. Including the demographic surveys.
 
nPeace

nPeace

Veteran Member
stvdv said:
15 jul 2018 stvdv 017 77
Strange verse IMO

All humans want Love + Keeping His Commandments isn't difficult [verse says] ==> Why not all humans keep His Commandments???
Click to expand...
That's a reasonable question.

What the phrase - his comments are not difficult, or burdensome, as other translations put it - means, is that God's commands do not put a burden on the one that loves God, and obeys him.

God’s laws help us live peaceful, happy, satisfying lives. So they really are beneficial and good for us. Isaiah 48:17, 18
17 This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel:
“I, Jehovah, am your God,
The One teaching you to benefit yourself,
The One guiding you in the way you should walk.
18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments!
Then your peace would become just like a river
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

This world is what loads us down and makes life difficult.
When we obey God's commandments, it's refreshing, and prevents unnecessary heartache - at least that's what I find.

Jesus said that those who follow him would have their load lightened.
(Matthew 11:29, 30) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”

Those who hate God's commands would find them burdensome, and difficult, because they want to go against them. John 3:19
 
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