This thread is about substituting one belief system for another.....whether that pertains to religion, politics or any other choice between things that pertain to 'natural' human behavior. Picking a 'side' seems to be what we naturally do....but 'why' is interesting to me.
Certain things are ingrained in the human psyche and whether we understand that or not, there are certain things that we expect in life and these expectations influence our choices. I see it as a kind of psychological 'programming' that determines what we individually seek in life......basically the same things, but in different settings, with different expressions.
One very clear substitution, I believe, is seen in the atheist verses religion debate. Evolution seems to be the main divider to determine where a person's beliefs will land them....and which 'side' they will take.
I think that there are certain 'natural' inclinations that will determine the choice. Some people are naturally spiritual and others are not....no one seems to know why.
Now in this subject, there has to be a "belief" to start with....either there is a God who created all things, or there isn't. Neither can be proven, so each in itself is a 'belief'. Then that belief follows a natural pattern.....it requires input from a trusted source.....the Bible for a believer, and 'scientific' studies for the atheist. So each has their "scripture" or writings that are accepted as absolute truth. Upset is caused if you reject either one and the reasons are hotly debated.
They have their 'gods' who inspire these writings and believe in them as much as the religious do in their Creator.
Secondly they have to have places of 'worship', where they learn more about their 'scriptures' and the 'gods' that have produced them, thereby reinforcing and strengthening their beliefs. These would be their figurative "temples"........but if you put it like that, they would scoff at you.
They must preach their message as fervently as the religious do....sometimes with great intensity and zeal.
We see this behavior even in sport as a substitute for religion. They have their idols and their 'temples' where they come to worship them, usually running round on some grass with a ball of various shapes and sizes. Their clashes as important as any contest in life.
They have images of their idols hanging on their walls and they often wear certain colors to identify which 'side' they are supporting when competition is fierce. Fights can even break out over which team is the best.
Others try to emulate the way they speak or dress and to copy their behaviors and lifestyles.
Idols are also seen in other parts of the entertainment industry...rock stars and film icons also have their temples where gatherings take place for 'worship'.
Political 'sides' also tell us about people, by who they support and who they idolize and why......who they accept as telling the truth.....and who is lying to the masses in their 'preaching tours'. They too come together to rally support for their beliefs....colors often depicting whose side is supported here too.
So the common denominators appear to be....'beliefs', 'gods', 'scripture' temples' and 'preaching'.
Figuratively speaking, we all fit the profile in some manner, shape or form.....even when we take religion out of the equation....the behaviors are basically the same.
So we humans are more predictable in our 'programmed' behaviors than we are aware of.....don't you think?
I wonder why?...and who the 'programmer' is...?
Certain things are ingrained in the human psyche and whether we understand that or not, there are certain things that we expect in life and these expectations influence our choices. I see it as a kind of psychological 'programming' that determines what we individually seek in life......basically the same things, but in different settings, with different expressions.
One very clear substitution, I believe, is seen in the atheist verses religion debate. Evolution seems to be the main divider to determine where a person's beliefs will land them....and which 'side' they will take.
I think that there are certain 'natural' inclinations that will determine the choice. Some people are naturally spiritual and others are not....no one seems to know why.
Now in this subject, there has to be a "belief" to start with....either there is a God who created all things, or there isn't. Neither can be proven, so each in itself is a 'belief'. Then that belief follows a natural pattern.....it requires input from a trusted source.....the Bible for a believer, and 'scientific' studies for the atheist. So each has their "scripture" or writings that are accepted as absolute truth. Upset is caused if you reject either one and the reasons are hotly debated.
They have their 'gods' who inspire these writings and believe in them as much as the religious do in their Creator.
Secondly they have to have places of 'worship', where they learn more about their 'scriptures' and the 'gods' that have produced them, thereby reinforcing and strengthening their beliefs. These would be their figurative "temples"........but if you put it like that, they would scoff at you.
They must preach their message as fervently as the religious do....sometimes with great intensity and zeal.
We see this behavior even in sport as a substitute for religion. They have their idols and their 'temples' where they come to worship them, usually running round on some grass with a ball of various shapes and sizes. Their clashes as important as any contest in life.
They have images of their idols hanging on their walls and they often wear certain colors to identify which 'side' they are supporting when competition is fierce. Fights can even break out over which team is the best.
Others try to emulate the way they speak or dress and to copy their behaviors and lifestyles.
Idols are also seen in other parts of the entertainment industry...rock stars and film icons also have their temples where gatherings take place for 'worship'.
Political 'sides' also tell us about people, by who they support and who they idolize and why......who they accept as telling the truth.....and who is lying to the masses in their 'preaching tours'. They too come together to rally support for their beliefs....colors often depicting whose side is supported here too.
So the common denominators appear to be....'beliefs', 'gods', 'scripture' temples' and 'preaching'.
Figuratively speaking, we all fit the profile in some manner, shape or form.....even when we take religion out of the equation....the behaviors are basically the same.
So we humans are more predictable in our 'programmed' behaviors than we are aware of.....don't you think?
I wonder why?...and who the 'programmer' is...?