Sofia wrote:What specific goals do rituals at church seek to accomplish?
Well, as I said earlier, I think most of them were intended to be a way to pass on the culture/'corporate knowledge" of the religion.
Most people probably wouldn't consider bathing to be a ritual but then I've known some people that make a BIG ritual out of it. Bubble bath, a few scented candles, a little wine or champagne.. ooo-la-la!All they'd need to do is add the religious connotation to it. (somthing besides moaning "Oh god! Ooooh God!"
)
In the Catholic mass every single act is a ritual from the entrance of the priest, acolytes, etc. to their exit. The lighting of the candle reminds people that the Holy Spirit has been called upon. The mass recitation of the Apostle's Creed tells everybody each time what exactly they are agreeing to believe and which they believe is the same creed (though in the vernacular) of what the original Christians spoke and believed. That provides stability. It goes on and on.
Ritual is important and frankly, I think pomp can be, too (witness all the little girls who want big weddings). It is a mighty force, psychologically and sociologically speaking.
Piffka wrote:Ritual is important and frankly, I think pomp can be, too (witness all the little girls who want big weddings). It is a mighty force, psychologically and sociologically speaking.
that gives me an idea for another criterion for the ideal religion.
25. polygomy!
26. promotion of safe free sex.
You definitely seem to be inspired by Oshoizm ? No Morality at all...
Singh,
I am afraid that any discussion of religion must first define "religion".
But ofcourse... I agree.
Is religion a personal philosophy, relating to how one should behave and conduct ones affairs with his fellow man?
Well... I believe Relgion is purely a personal thing... Nobody has the right to force me to follow anything but its my own sweet will...
Is religion a personal philosophy, relating as to how to avoid death?
Death... is an eternal fact... Noone is beyond it... except the Almighty , Who is beyond anything... Once we realise this we will not be afraid of Death...
Is religion a method of securing benefits to the group, tribe, or nation to which he belongs?
Here comez the Politicz... We have made Religion a cheap tool of motivating people a particular community and make them fight over Religion...
Is religion a method of securing a paradise for eternity?
Can you define what is Paradise ? Or is it just an illustion.
Is religion a way of securing the sustenance required for existence?
We have made Religion like this only... Where a particular community enjoyz all the benefitz on the basis of caste and creed... and the rest suffer...
Is religion a way of answering the so called "ultimate questions"-- Why am I here. Why must we work-suffer. Where did we come from? Where are we going. Why must I die?
Have we found any definitive answer to any of these question yet... This is mere stupity and there is no wisdom in investing our time in seeking answers to these so called ultimate questionz coz there can no logical explantion... Just do you Karamz... Actz... that what we know we can do...
Historically religion has been shown to be a very poor friend to humanity, as a whole. It has been friendly only to those specific subgroups which have adopted a specific, but widely varying lifestyle.
I agree Religion has given more suffering to Humanity that any other thing in this world... We just can not take that the way followed by other Relgion is also approprite than we are following... reason we are not sure that our way of seeking the Ultimate Truth is right or wrong... I wonder how can we simply refure other faith just becasue they do not match with our ideology...
Consider the Hindi and Moslems, Jews and Moslems, Catholics and Protestants, Protestants and Spiritists, Catholics and Muslims, Jews and Lutherans, Athiests and Catholics.
I agree... Thatz what we are discussing an Ideal Relgion which can generally accepted IDEAL Relgion..
If religion is not the single most divisive threat to humanities progress ever known, I'd hate to know what is. Purple colored Supremicist Aliens from Alpha Centauri I'd imagine may be worse.
Lol
No commentz... Is this a Religion or a Ritualion ?
Well... I believe Relgion is purely a personal thing... Nobody has the right to force me to follow anything but its my own sweet will...
IDEAL Singh wrote:
No commentz... Is this a Religion or a Ritualion ?
Ideal Singh -- You have been treated with respect and whatever your religion is, it has not been denigrated. Rolling your eyes when someone tries to explain the beliefs behind a ritual is offensive.
The people who attend Catholic Mass consider these some of the most beautiful ritualized religious acts in the world, the main one being one that was articulated by their Christ. I ask you to have a little more respect if you want the same from me.
IDEAL Singh wrote:Well... I believe Relgion is purely a personal thing... Nobody has the right to force me to follow anything but its my own sweet will...
Well, if that is what you believe then why are you asking others what would be a part of any ideal religion?
IDEAL Singh wrote:But then why are you replying ? Did I force you to reply or follow anything !!
I replied because I thought you were asking the question earnestly. Obviously, you weren't.
Ritualism, with an 'S'
Incidentally, I get your point.
