neologist wrote:Chumly wrote:Hey Neo,
would you agree that if you could find a religion inherently more benign than the one you adhere to, it would be sensible to switch?
benign:
Of a kind and gentle disposition.
Showing gentleness and mildness.
Tending to exert a beneficial influence; favorable: a policy with benign consequences for the economy.
Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless: a chemical additive that is environmentally benign.
Medicine. Of no danger to health; not recurrent or progressive; not malignant: a benign tumor.
Not sure I understand what is meant by 'benign consequences for the economy'; but yes, I agree.
Will you also agree?
I'll define the opposite of benign consequences for the economy: religious wars / religious constraints (past or present) as to slavery / homosexuality / woman's rights / freedom of thought / freedom of action / religious intolerance.
As to your second question "Will you also agree?" given I have no religious predilection, I naturally opt for zero religion.
The question I next ask you Neo-son: given you agree if you could find a religion inherently more benign than the one you adhere to, it would be sensible to switch; have you done any comparisons to confirm your religious choice is the most benign? If not why not? If so how do you rationalize Christianity as being the most benign as compared to:
1) Some of the North American Aboriginal religions?
2) Some of the Eastern religions such as Buddhism?
3) The New Age Movement (which unlike most formal religions has no holy text, central organization, membership, formal clergy, geographic center, dogma, creed, etc) ?
4) Deism (which is based on a God who created the universe, and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation)?
5) White Magic (characterized by those rites and spells designed to produce beneficial effects for the community)?