Like I said, religion is a man-made construct with the purpose of repeating God.
Uh? That's conditioning. Religion is supposed to teach, not to condition.
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Like I said, religion is a man-made construct with the purpose of repeating God.
And how, pray, do you learn what you are taught?Uh? That's conditioning. Religion is supposed to teach, not to condition.
And how, pray, do you learn what you are taught?
... then why do I feel like I'm a better person because of it?
No, it's not. Some people have religion, some people don't. I think it's just as flawed to claim that all people have "their own religion" as it is to claim that all people have "their own atheism".We all have our personal religions. We all have our own definition of truth. Isn't that what "religion" is all about?
Personally, I think that religion is more often the type of "help" that an alcoholic gets from a drink than it is the help of a friend.Is it weakness to require the help of a friend? We all walk with a limp. I certainly could use the help... What about you?
Generally, the things I learn through repetition are the things that involve rote memorization and instinct rather than conscious thought: martial arts kata, pieces of music on the piano, that sort of thing.And how, pray, do you learn what you are taught?
Of course you can.I personally don't find theology very useful in real life, which is where you use the things for which repetition is important.
For example, you TEACH yourself to say "thank you" after someone does you a service. You cannot grasp the meaning of this ritual until you yourself participate in it.
What you call the "most successful", I'd call the most common. And religion does not equal ritual. You can have one without the other.And. ironically, religion is the typical method through which alcoholics find freedom from their addictions. The "steps" they use ARE ritual, and the most successful programs for alcoholism are run by religious organizations.
where you use the things for which repetition is important.
You cannot grasp the meaning of this ritual until you yourself participate in it.
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Feeling better does not really indicate much, if anything at all. As noted, a drug addict also feels better while indulging his vice. Many other destructive behaviors, including war violence and some all-out violent and despisable crimes, bring feelings of well-being too.
I'm not so sure myself. Besides, that's probably an aggravant, if anything.
They may very well say that they "need" a drink or it helps them "cope", though.And has ALSO been noted, there is a difference between "feeling good" and "feeling like you're a BETTER PERSON". I doubt an alcoholic would say they are a "better person" because of the alcohol.
Aggravant??
They may very well say that they "need" a drink or it helps them "cope", though.
Sure. One may feel to be a better person without actually being. Happens often enough with some creeds.
I doubt an alcoholic would say they are a "better person" because of the alcohol.
Religion often falls into very worrysome traps such as blind faith, superstitious belief and literary fundamentalism. But those are diseases of religion, not religion itself.
... then why do I feel like I'm a better person because of it?