Religion is ONLY words, NOTHING else

[Kulindahr]

Religion is an emotional placebo...(among other things)

We are all wounded emotionally because of the split between conciousness (reason), and unconciousness (instinct), which occurs in the human psiche.

Religion acts both as anesthesia (numbing existential pain) and as a stimulant (eliminating existential doubt).

Most other animals, being more instinctual, have easier emotional lives.

I practice atheism...a religion that worships nothing...but a religion none the less.

I sat here quite some while pondering some Soren Kirkegard in relation to all that. I could argue that religion enables one to face existential pain and doubt, even embrace it... but I can't quite make the case that Kirkegard isn't offering a cure in the admonition to face it. Either way, thought, Kirkegard's work is a very potent answer to the assertion of this thread -- and so is the confession of atheism as a religion, doing the same "function".

Good thoughts!

 

[bulge]

We could say that about Secular Humanism as well.

But there is much more reason to say it about religion as religion is based on books ONLY. Besides religion tends to say about itself it is the word. That's more than presumptious.

 

[Kulindahr]

??? I don't see any basis at all for the assertion that "religion is based on books ONLY".

Besides which....

it's not presumptuous if it's true.

 

[bulge]

On what else is it based then?

If religion would be true (which it is NOT), it would still be more presumptuous to state it is the word.

 

[collegebi21]

Words are very powerful, like it or not. The Rg-veda contains hymns to "vak", the "word." In Christianity, Jesus is the Word, and God's speech brought the universe into being (however you like to interpret that). The Jains have written hundreds of treatises on all sorts of subjects, using words to address many puzzling philosophical issues. For hundreds of years, Muslims have created profound designs out of nothing but calligraphy--sometimes turning one word into a world of its own.

Words can own us and shape our own thoughts sometimes, as we lose control over our ability to give them meaning, and not the other way around. At other times, words fail us, and we find no way to communicate verbally what we have experienced, whether horror or nirvana.

Yes, there are many words in religion, in everyday life, in philosophy, in literature, in most things that connects human beings. Language is perhaps one of the most world-changing human tools, certainly not powerless by any means! Before deciding that something is *only* words, however, look at the way it affects people. Read some William James, say, and then read Rudolf Otto--two very different views on religion (one rather mundane, with plenty of words to communicate people's religious experiences, the other instead at a loss, trying to communicate what is felt but often lies beyond any vocabulary). Neither view is invalid, but neither is complete.

I think any way you try to put religion into a logical box, it stubbornly finds its own way out. (Maybe it is not dead?)

 

[kallipolis]

A very appropriate summary of the meaning and power behind the use of words.

The real issue is that religion is not only words. Religion reveals its powers within the experiences of the religious practitioner.

Those who are so definite in their conclusions that religion is merely words, are so often the same people who need to reassure them self that their words mean more than empty hot air.

 

[Kulindahr]

On what else is it based then?

If religion would be true (which it is NOT), it would still be more presumptuous to state it is the word.

Ah, I see the omniscient one has come among us with THE TRUTH.

An open mind would be nice to see...... not that the originator of this thread had one.

 

[Kulindahr]

It just struck me that the title of this thread is like saying:

LOVE is just a word, nothing else!
TRUST is just a word, nothing else!
COMFORT is just a word, nothing else!


It seems that the most important things in life are... just words.

 

[deadinside]

religion is an obcession, is something that limits the humanity to grow and it´s sad that it continues...

 

[degrandm]

Maybe, just maybe, we might not be so sure of ourselves if we were to stop to remember that at times we do speak "just words", that is words that have no source in genuine thought. Some folks seem to place high value on what is usually called "speaking in tongues" but, in my own experience, I have never been moved by such outbursts. The apostle, Paul, apparently had the same reaction way back when he was on his missionary travels.

On the other hand, I find Paul's words on the subject of the Gospel of (that is the good news of) Jesus Christ which, by Paul"s own testimony, had changed him from a frustrated seeker who had hid his own "deep down doubts" in a zealous campaign of persecution aimed at those who had found a more hopeful, person-affirming, community-creating, faith which for them was based on what they had come to believe God had made possible by the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they declared to be present to them in their own life situations. The words we have are of the changed man, Paul.

Now, when one speaks out of such a background of remembrance of things past and the recognition of one's own changed outlook, what issues forth is not "just words" but words of striving to tell others (and oneself too) the wondrous thing that has come to being in one's life. We Christians have a hymn which is a prayer for the means to express the joy we share with Paul and the great cloud of witnesses who lived in that faith since Paul's time: "O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING MY GREAT REDEEMER'S PRAISE".

So, if you do think it's "just words" by all means start asking for interpretation. We Christians remind ourselves, occasionally, how important it is to speak plainly and truthfully. I'm delighted when I have opportunity to give expression to my faith; and, I remind myself to keep open to the testimony of others and not to be surprised when I learn something new. God is Still Speaking! The person I meet today or tomorrow may be the means for my hearing the Word of the Lord for me today or tomorrow.

Keep open for surprise! PEACE!

i cood have not put it any better my self Peace to all