Transitioning Traditions?

[nightowl]

Hello all,

I found the following post on a site awhile back, forget where, but it poses a fascinating inquiry. I thought I would bring it to a larger forum so it could actually receive some feedback. So, have at it, as I am interested in your worthy input. This is my first post so go easy on me?


"Our spiritual traditions have suffered and humored humanity through the last two thousand years as primarily monotheistic platforms from which general practical wisdom and reflections of our quest for relevance are adequately dispensed. As the percentage of the earth's population with higher levels of education than their parents received continues to increase; compounded with an ever greater mastery, retention, and distribution of deeper understandings of the workings of the material world I see cracks in the drying skin of religious traditions.

Just as thousands of years ago our ancestors moved away from polytheistic paradigms to guide their spiritual rationalizations today we too are emerging into an era where the traditions are being stretched to the breaking point by the progress of the social dialectic.

Times of transition in spiritual tradition are similar to a cross country move; you decide what items are worth bringing along and what ones should just be left. I would like to know what basics of the tradition you follow would you have to have, and what if any could you see being able to leave behind?

As a Christian I would have the teachings of Christ on love, forgiveness, and doing good to those who persecute you as central that must be brought along.

Apocryphal teachings, church building dogmatic writings, and Old Testament history I could leave behind, looking forward to replacing it with more relevant insights into God's true place in our lives in relation to what we believe our lives to be in the light of modern science, both physical and behavioral.

That is just me but I would love to know what others think on this subject.

Thanks,
Jonathan"

[Andre_5772]

I imagine this applies much more to Western religions. The old testament has a lot to say about matters which can be tested by science. So, when science finds out, for example, that the earth revolves around the sun rather than vice versa, any church that taught otherwise will probably foment controversy until the matter is no longer beyond doubt, and then change its interpretation of scripture to accord with the current scientific position.

However, what little I know about Buddhism is surprisingly appropriate for our current state of technology.

I would guess, that once you identified the most essential attributes of any religion, at least as far as morality goes, they would all come down to pretty much the same thing: don't hold grudges, be nice to people even without expecting them to return the favor, and respect yourself and others. This is what I would take, and anything fear based or superstitious, I would leave behind.

[melikio]

So, when science finds out, for example, that the earth revolves around the sun rather than vice versa, any church that taught otherwise will probably foment controversy until the matter is no longer beyond doubt, and then change its interpretation of scripture to accord with the current scientific position.

Boy, ain't that the truth!!

Religion has always been wierd about human sexuality; and science is already saying things about gays, which Christans should have been arguing more seriously a long time ago.

Being gay, I've always been more interested in things that science has learned about human-sexuality, than most Christians tend to acknowledge. It's as if many are afraid to have their beliefs seriously challenged; and I can relate to that fear/concern, and it happen the whole time I was conflicted over being gay AND Christian (I knew I was "Christian", about 25 years before I accepted being a homosexual).

So, for those who enjoy comfortably calling homosexuality a "choice" or "lifestyle", it is relatively simple to see that they are hooked into religious-tradition, rather than a more realistic understanding of what can truly be where nature is concerned. It often gets so confused, that the ONLY way some can justify their "traditional" views, is to criminalize any/every homosexual act. (Wow!!)

Right here in this forum, there were a few who seemed to not know the difference between "homosexuality" and "child molestation"; half the time I laughed, and the other times I was fairly enraged that they would make such a BOGUS comparison period.

Even though most scientists (therapists, doctors, and others) would challenge the notion that homosexuality is chosen, many who are religious still believe the near-equivalent of the world being FLAT. (Sigh.)

-Mel-

[Scrotum]

So, when science finds out, for example, that the earth revolves around the sun rather than vice versa, any church that taught otherwise will probably foment controversy until the matter is no longer beyond doubt, and then change its interpretation of scripture to accord with the current scientific position.

Boy, ain't that the truth!!

Religion has always been wierd about human sexuality; and science is already saying things about gays, which Christans should have been arguing more seriously a long time ago.

Being gay, I've always been more interested in things that science has learned about human-sexuality, than most Christians tend to acknowledge. It's as if many are afraid to have their beliefs seriously challenged; and I can relate to that fear/concern, and it happen the whole time I was conflicted over being gay AND Christian (I knew I was "Christian", about 25 years before I accepted being a homosexual).

So, for those who enjoy comfortably calling homosexuality a "choice" or "lifestyle", it is relatively simple to see that they are hooked into religious-tradition, rather than a more realistic understanding of what can truly be where nature is concerned. It often gets so confused, that the ONLY way some can justify their "traditional" views, is to criminalize any/every homosexual act. (Wow!!)

Right here in this forum, there were a few who seemed to not know the difference between "homosexuality" and "child molestation"; half the time I laughed, and the other times I was fairly enraged that they would make such a BOGUS comparison period.

Even though most scientists (therapists, doctors, and others) would challenge the notion that homosexuality is chosen, many who are religious still believe the near-equivalent of the world being FLAT. (Sigh.)

-Mel-

STOP THAT MEL. I know you, You try to CONVERT US to your SIDE.


I can feel it, I know your good, but i wont Convert NO, I WONT OK !!!!.....



You try to convert us to your GAY - COMMUNIST - ATHIEST WORLD VIEW. I KNOW IT, ITS SICK. OK, WE DONT WANT IT OK... STOP IT !!!

WE WONT TURN TOTHE DARK SIDE WHATEER YOU SAY....



I knew Christianity was way better, Either gay or god, Guess which one I chose.

[melikio]

I knew Christianity was way better, Either gay or god, Guess which one I chose.

LOL!! Ironically, I didn't choose either. One I was absolutely indoctrinated in, and the other I was somehow "programed" by nature, and/or "nurtured" into.

Science helped me to understand my homosexuality, where religion obviously did not ot could not. Where being gay was concerned, my worldview was basically "flat". While I can't claim that science proves homosexuality is inborn 100%, I know well-enough that it likely contributes to the overall effects in a person's sexuality.

Here is an interestingly-curious (but true) thought:

IF science had been able to figure out the cause of my homosexuality when I was a child, I would have accepted the "cure" or "treatment" to change that. But all I saw/expereinced was the fear, social cruelty and religious condemnation toward what I was. The other things would have been foolish to embrace period; I held onto "Christianity" (faith in Jesus, was/is my religion) because Jesus accepted and loved me (that is what my faith in Him would have me believe).

Christianity didn't change me from gay to straight, this I know. But it DID help me to accept myself, no matter what others (even some Christians) had to say/do about homosexual people. I lost nearly ALL my faith in Christian 'people' at one point, then I lost a lot of faith in the 'Bible' (due to the 'people' problem above); but I never lost much of it in Jesus Christ (who accepted and accepts me for who I am, unlike many who wear the "Christian" label).

Science can/will help to liberate those oppressed or misled by religion (in due time), but it will be a long and painful journey for mankind, no matter how we slice it. Those who know true human freedom as a part of their religion (like I and many others), do not fear what science can and will bring to the table... nor do we fear punishment from God for what science may ultimately reveal to mankind. Basically, I feel like GOD WANTS US TO KNOW. I don't need science to explain the 'spiritual' aspects of religion (I can experience that with a thought), but I need the BEST explanations of the physical world in which I live, that it can offer; for the most part, it generally makes life better overall.

-Mel-