My own brand of spirituality is Gnostic Paganism-- which means essentially that I find connection to the divine through my own soul and nature (among other things-- but I'm sure you get the idea.)
I think the problem ALWAYS stems from humans trying to control one another. Religion is one method that is particularly insidious, but there are others. Unfortunately, trying to make people give up religion against their own free will is just another version of trying to control others. It's difficult to justify righting a wrong by imposing yet another wrong...
That being said, I appreciate Maher and others pointing out, over and over again, the delusions and downfalls of accepting as fact the groupings of myths, beliefs, and conjectures that make up various religions. It's literally insane. However, that form of thinking (what some call "rationalism" or "logical positivists") can also become it's own brand of religious thought: Deny everything that doesn't seem able to fit into 19th century scientific Newtonian paradigm, regardless of the evidence. (If it "can't" be-- then it must NOT be, etc.)
More on my thoughts here: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/603210.html
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My own brand of spirituality is Gnostic Paganism-- which means essentially that I find connection to the divine through my own soul and nature (among other things-- but I'm sure you get the idea.)
I think the problem ALWAYS stems from humans trying to control one another. Religion is one method that is particularly insidious, but there are others. Unfortunately, trying to make people give up religion against their own free will is just another version of trying to control others. It's difficult to justify righting a wrong by imposing yet another wrong...
That being said, I appreciate Maher and others pointing out, over and over again, the delusions and downfalls of accepting as fact the groupings of myths, beliefs, and conjectures that make up various religions. It's literally insane. However, that form of thinking (what some call "rationalism" or "logical positivists") can also become it's own brand of religious thought: Deny everything that doesn't seem able to fit into 19th century scientific Newtonian paradigm, regardless of the evidence. (If it "can't" be-- then it must NOT be, etc.)
More on my thoughts here: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/603210.html