On the surface, [holy scriptures] may appear to have been composed as conscientious history. In depth they reveal themselves to have been conceived as myths: poetic readings of the mysteries of life from a certain interested point of view. But to read a poem as a chronicle of fact is - to say the least - to miss the point. To say a little more, it is to prove oneself a dolt.
Joseph Campbell
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sobre dos grandes hombres: Nick Vujicic y Stephen Hawking
Los hombres que inspiran grandeza generalmente son vistos usualmente en la literatura, no solamente como aquellos que hacen grandes obras, pero también como aquellos cuyas obras sirven como combustible a otros para realizar obras similares. Hoy en día dos hombres de esa categoría viven.
La primera vez que vi sobre Nick Vujicic fue en
Youtube, en donde el hombre, sin piernas ni brazos, hacía su rutina diaria con una sonrisa en los labios. Como la mayor parte de la gente que ve el video, me quedé maravillado y con gran admiración por Vujicic.
La segunda vez no fue tan mística. En esa ocasión me mostraron un video bastante más largo de Vujicic, el cual basicamente decía “La vida puede ser muy mala, pero Dios es capaz de hacer que eso valga la pena”. Eso me hizo levantar una ceja y (tengo que admitirlo) perder un poco del respeto que tenía por Vujicic. Por supuesto, aun le tengo gran admiración, más que nada porque hace algo que yo no creo ser posible. Pero el mensaje que entendí de aquel video fue su éxito, su energía, su alegría, era posible solo gracias a Dios.
Entonces recordé a alguien más. Alguien que ha tenido que pasar por algo similar. Stephen Hawking.
La verdad, me parece un poco de mal gusto el compararlos, pero para propósitos de este blog, lo haré. Vujicic nació sin brazos ni piernas, tuvo una niñez y juventud bastante desagradables, las cuales lo hicieron deprimirse. Entonces, tuvo una revelación, de que las cosas que él conseguía, inspiraban a otras personas, y que ese poder era un don de Dios. Por otro lado, Stephen Hawking tuvo una infancia y juventud bastante normal, pero al cumplir 21 años, empezó a perder el movimiento de sus miembros, hasta llegar al punto en que lo vemos, sin poder moverse y sin poder hablar más que con la voz sintética que usa, pero siendo una de las mentes más brillantes que haya existido.
No sé cual habrá sufrido más. Aquel que nunca conoció otra forma de vida más que aquella sin brazos ni piernas, o aquel que la conoció, pero perdió el uso de su cuerpo.
La diferencia entre Vujicic y Hawking es que, mientras que el primero le atribuye su éxito a Dios, Hawking rechaza la idea de un Dios personal que pueda ayudarlo, o siquiera enterarse de su existencia. Esto es evidente en su declaraciones sobre Dios y la ciencia.
Yo no me atrevería a decirle a Vujicic que sus creencias son erróneas y que debe dejar de creer en ellas. Ya sean ciertas o falsas, esas creencias lo han ayudado a salir de lo que de otra forma sería muy probablemente una vida miserable. Sin embargo, su modo no es el único modo. Dios, el Dios de Vujicic, el Dios cristiano no tiene el monopolio de la salvación y la felicidad. Hawking demuestra maravillosamente que la falta de creencia no es obstáculo hacia la grandeza. Él no necesitó de Dios, de Jesús, de entregarle su vida o cosas por el estilo para ser una inspiración para otros. Él lo hizo por sí mismo y por las razones que haya encontrado para ello. Esas razones no incluyen a Dios.
Cuando la vida se pone dura, es porque Dios le tiene miedo a tu éxito.
La primera vez que vi sobre Nick Vujicic fue en
Youtube, en donde el hombre, sin piernas ni brazos, hacía su rutina diaria con una sonrisa en los labios. Como la mayor parte de la gente que ve el video, me quedé maravillado y con gran admiración por Vujicic.La segunda vez no fue tan mística. En esa ocasión me mostraron un video bastante más largo de Vujicic, el cual basicamente decía “La vida puede ser muy mala, pero Dios es capaz de hacer que eso valga la pena”. Eso me hizo levantar una ceja y (tengo que admitirlo) perder un poco del respeto que tenía por Vujicic. Por supuesto, aun le tengo gran admiración, más que nada porque hace algo que yo no creo ser posible. Pero el mensaje que entendí de aquel video fue su éxito, su energía, su alegría, era posible solo gracias a Dios.
Entonces recordé a alguien más. Alguien que ha tenido que pasar por algo similar. Stephen Hawking.
La verdad, me parece un poco de mal gusto el compararlos, pero para propósitos de este blog, lo haré. Vujicic nació sin brazos ni piernas, tuvo una niñez y juventud bastante desagradables, las cuales lo hicieron deprimirse. Entonces, tuvo una revelación, de que las cosas que él conseguía, inspiraban a otras personas, y que ese poder era un don de Dios. Por otro lado, Stephen Hawking tuvo una infancia y juventud bastante normal, pero al cumplir 21 años, empezó a perder el movimiento de sus miembros, hasta llegar al punto en que lo vemos, sin poder moverse y sin poder hablar más que con la voz sintética que usa, pero siendo una de las mentes más brillantes que haya existido.No sé cual habrá sufrido más. Aquel que nunca conoció otra forma de vida más que aquella sin brazos ni piernas, o aquel que la conoció, pero perdió el uso de su cuerpo.
La diferencia entre Vujicic y Hawking es que, mientras que el primero le atribuye su éxito a Dios, Hawking rechaza la idea de un Dios personal que pueda ayudarlo, o siquiera enterarse de su existencia. Esto es evidente en su declaraciones sobre Dios y la ciencia.
“Lo que podría definir a Dios es l conjunto de leyes de la naturaleza. Sin embargo, esto no es la que la gente piensa sobre Dios,” le dijo Hawking a Sawyer. “La gente ha hecho un Dios parecido a los humanos con quien pueden tener una relación personal. Cuando uno observa el vasto tamaño del universo y cuan insignificante y accidental es la vida del ser humano en este, eso se ve como algo prácticamente imposible”
[…]
Existe una diferencia fundamental entre la religión, la cual es basada en la autoridad, y la ciencia, la cual se basa en observación y razonamiento. La ciencia ganará, pues esta sí funciona.
Yo no me atrevería a decirle a Vujicic que sus creencias son erróneas y que debe dejar de creer en ellas. Ya sean ciertas o falsas, esas creencias lo han ayudado a salir de lo que de otra forma sería muy probablemente una vida miserable. Sin embargo, su modo no es el único modo. Dios, el Dios de Vujicic, el Dios cristiano no tiene el monopolio de la salvación y la felicidad. Hawking demuestra maravillosamente que la falta de creencia no es obstáculo hacia la grandeza. Él no necesitó de Dios, de Jesús, de entregarle su vida o cosas por el estilo para ser una inspiración para otros. Él lo hizo por sí mismo y por las razones que haya encontrado para ello. Esas razones no incluyen a Dios.
Cuando la vida se pone dura, es porque Dios le tiene miedo a tu éxito.Sunday, June 27, 2010
On two great men: Nick Vujicic and Stephen Hawking
Men who inspire greatness are usually seen in literature as those that not only make history but whose works serve as fuel for others to do the same. Undeniably, two of those men live today.
The first time I saw Nick Vujicic was on a Youtube
video in which the smiling limbless guy did his daily routine as normally as he could. As most people who get to see the video, I was taken aback and after finishing it I had great admiration for that guy.
The second time I saw something about Nick was less mystical. I was presented a longer video with one of his presentations in which he basically said "Life can be pretty bad, but God is the way to make it worthy." That made me rise an eyebrow and (I have to admit it) lost a little bit of my respect for that guy. Of course, I still admire him, mainly because he does something I don't think I might be able to do. But the message that I got was that his success, his energy, his happiness, was all because of his belief in God.
Then I remembered someone else. Someone who had to go through something similar. Stephen Hawking.
It's
certainly bad taste to compare them, but for the sake of this blog, I'll do it. Nick was born limbless and had a not-so-nice childhood that made him very depressed. Then somehow he had an epiphany that his achievements actually inspired people and decided that somehow God had gave him that power. On the other hand, Stephen Hawkins had a normal and brilliant childhood, but during his early twenties he started losing movement in his limbs, until he got to be how we think of him today: immobile and incapable of talking without that mechanical voice, but with one of the most brilliants minds ever.
I don't know which one would have suffered the most. The one who never knew anything but the limbless life he had, or the one who had everything and lost it all.
The difference is that Nick attributes his success to God, while Hawkins shunned the idea of a personal God that would help him succeed. This is very clear in one of his quotations about God and science
I wouldn't dare to tell Nick that his belief is wrong and that he should stop believing in that. Whether real or false, that belief has worked for him and taken him out of a rather miserable life. But that way is not the only way. God, Nick's God, the Christian God doesn't have the copyright of salvation and happiness. Stephen Hawking beautifully demonstrates that disbelief is no obstacle towards greatness. He didn't need of God, or Jesus, or repentance, or anything like that to be an inspiration to others. He did it by himself and by whatever means he found. Those means don't include a god.
Finally, If I had to rely on some of them, I would totally go for Hawking. Vujicic lives a great life and inspires many, that is undeniable. But Hawking does that, and, is one of the greatest minds in the world. Vujicic is cool, but Hawking is awesome.
When life gets tough, it's because God is scared of your progress
The first time I saw Nick Vujicic was on a Youtube
video in which the smiling limbless guy did his daily routine as normally as he could. As most people who get to see the video, I was taken aback and after finishing it I had great admiration for that guy.The second time I saw something about Nick was less mystical. I was presented a longer video with one of his presentations in which he basically said "Life can be pretty bad, but God is the way to make it worthy." That made me rise an eyebrow and (I have to admit it) lost a little bit of my respect for that guy. Of course, I still admire him, mainly because he does something I don't think I might be able to do. But the message that I got was that his success, his energy, his happiness, was all because of his belief in God.
Then I remembered someone else. Someone who had to go through something similar. Stephen Hawking.
It's
certainly bad taste to compare them, but for the sake of this blog, I'll do it. Nick was born limbless and had a not-so-nice childhood that made him very depressed. Then somehow he had an epiphany that his achievements actually inspired people and decided that somehow God had gave him that power. On the other hand, Stephen Hawkins had a normal and brilliant childhood, but during his early twenties he started losing movement in his limbs, until he got to be how we think of him today: immobile and incapable of talking without that mechanical voice, but with one of the most brilliants minds ever.I don't know which one would have suffered the most. The one who never knew anything but the limbless life he had, or the one who had everything and lost it all.
The difference is that Nick attributes his success to God, while Hawkins shunned the idea of a personal God that would help him succeed. This is very clear in one of his quotations about God and science
"What could define God [is thinking of God] as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of that God," Hawking told Sawyer. "They made a human-like being with whom one can have a personal relationship. When you look at the vast size of the universe and how insignificant an accidental human life is in it, that seems most impossible."
[...]
There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, [and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win because it works
I wouldn't dare to tell Nick that his belief is wrong and that he should stop believing in that. Whether real or false, that belief has worked for him and taken him out of a rather miserable life. But that way is not the only way. God, Nick's God, the Christian God doesn't have the copyright of salvation and happiness. Stephen Hawking beautifully demonstrates that disbelief is no obstacle towards greatness. He didn't need of God, or Jesus, or repentance, or anything like that to be an inspiration to others. He did it by himself and by whatever means he found. Those means don't include a god.
Finally, If I had to rely on some of them, I would totally go for Hawking. Vujicic lives a great life and inspires many, that is undeniable. But Hawking does that, and, is one of the greatest minds in the world. Vujicic is cool, but Hawking is awesome.
When life gets tough, it's because God is scared of your progressCitas Citables II
Las mujeres no abortan porque vayan a ganar plata con eso o estén locas o sea un vacilón. Abortan porque no les queda otra. No es una decisión fácil, pero si ya la tomaron tienen todo el derecho de no morir en el intento
Marco Sifuentes a.k.a. ocraM
Marco Sifuentes a.k.a. ocraM
Saturday, June 26, 2010
La semana pasada fui a la iglesia
Y me gustó
Por supuesto, no fue una ocasión “normal.” El hermano de una de las amigas de mi hermana había muerto hacía un mes, y esa misa era en recuerdo de él. El chico tenía 17 años cuando murió luego de una batalla de 2 años contra el cáncer. Fue recordado por su familia y amigos como un muchacho valiente y amigable
Yo no lo conocí, así que no tengo idea de qué tipo de persona habrá sido. Pero por lo que cada persona dijo de él y por las fotos que se mostraron, puedo inferir que se trataba de una buena persona. Su hermana, la amiga de mi hermana, es una chica bastante agradable e inteligente (va a la universidad de Berkeley), a pesar de que no he hablado mucho con ella, Pero es una amiga de mi hermana, y eso cuento, ya que esta no acepta a cualquiera dentro de su círculo.
Bueno, ahí estaba yo ante la perspectiva de que tendría que conducir por hora y media para llevar a mi madre a la misa (ella era la invitada). En mi familia decimos que si yo entro a una iglesia, voy a empezar a sufrir convulsiones y eventualmente arder en llamas. Esto es porque las misas normales me parecen increíblemente insensatas y ridículas, debido a los rituales, el auto-desprecio y el mito sobrevalorado. Pero esta vez la idea era el confortar a una familia que había perdido a un miembro.
Yo no tengo ningún problema con eso.
Tengo que admitir que no soy muy bueno al tratar de reconfortar a gente con quien no soy muy cercano. Por lo general pienso en una frase adecuada, pero cuando la digo, suena extraña. Al menos me pareció que sonó extraño cuando la dije. En mi defensa puedo decir que era totalmente sincera, y que en verdad siento el ver el dolor por el que pasa esa familia y en especial la amiga de mi hermana.
Por supuesto, más de una vez pasó por mi cabeza el que cómo es posible que un Dios sea tan pendejo como para dejar a un chico morir luego de dos años de batalla contra el cáncer, cáncer que al final venció, pero murió de algo más. En verdad, un dios que permite tal cosa tiene que ser el tipo más hijo de puta que haya existido. Eso pensaba mientras oías los pasajes bíblicos y las menciones a un dios todo amor, omnipotente y omnisapiente. Supongo que quienes estaban allí pensarían que al hacer todo eso encontrarían algún tipo de conforte al dolor que estaban sintiendo.
Yo llegué a una conclusión distinta. Al final concluí que el universo es un lugar oscuro y frío al cual no le importamos. Vivimos, sufrimos, gozamos y morimos, y a nadie fuera de este planeta le importa. Es por eso que somos los responsables de nuestra propia felicidad como especie. Nadie nos ama o nos muerta la “verdad” sino nosotros mismos. Es agradable pensar en un dios que se preocupa por nosotros, pero si es así, hace un pésimo trabajo demostrándolo.
Estamos aquí y ahora. Eso es lo único que tenemos. Hemos de usar este tiempo para ser lo mejor que podamos ser ante nosotros y ante el resto. Suena aclichesado y hasta cursi, pero es lo mejor que tenemos.
Por supuesto, no fue una ocasión “normal.” El hermano de una de las amigas de mi hermana había muerto hacía un mes, y esa misa era en recuerdo de él. El chico tenía 17 años cuando murió luego de una batalla de 2 años contra el cáncer. Fue recordado por su familia y amigos como un muchacho valiente y amigable
Yo no lo conocí, así que no tengo idea de qué tipo de persona habrá sido. Pero por lo que cada persona dijo de él y por las fotos que se mostraron, puedo inferir que se trataba de una buena persona. Su hermana, la amiga de mi hermana, es una chica bastante agradable e inteligente (va a la universidad de Berkeley), a pesar de que no he hablado mucho con ella, Pero es una amiga de mi hermana, y eso cuento, ya que esta no acepta a cualquiera dentro de su círculo.
Bueno, ahí estaba yo ante la perspectiva de que tendría que conducir por hora y media para llevar a mi madre a la misa (ella era la invitada). En mi familia decimos que si yo entro a una iglesia, voy a empezar a sufrir convulsiones y eventualmente arder en llamas. Esto es porque las misas normales me parecen increíblemente insensatas y ridículas, debido a los rituales, el auto-desprecio y el mito sobrevalorado. Pero esta vez la idea era el confortar a una familia que había perdido a un miembro.
Yo no tengo ningún problema con eso.
Tengo que admitir que no soy muy bueno al tratar de reconfortar a gente con quien no soy muy cercano. Por lo general pienso en una frase adecuada, pero cuando la digo, suena extraña. Al menos me pareció que sonó extraño cuando la dije. En mi defensa puedo decir que era totalmente sincera, y que en verdad siento el ver el dolor por el que pasa esa familia y en especial la amiga de mi hermana.
Por supuesto, más de una vez pasó por mi cabeza el que cómo es posible que un Dios sea tan pendejo como para dejar a un chico morir luego de dos años de batalla contra el cáncer, cáncer que al final venció, pero murió de algo más. En verdad, un dios que permite tal cosa tiene que ser el tipo más hijo de puta que haya existido. Eso pensaba mientras oías los pasajes bíblicos y las menciones a un dios todo amor, omnipotente y omnisapiente. Supongo que quienes estaban allí pensarían que al hacer todo eso encontrarían algún tipo de conforte al dolor que estaban sintiendo.
Yo llegué a una conclusión distinta. Al final concluí que el universo es un lugar oscuro y frío al cual no le importamos. Vivimos, sufrimos, gozamos y morimos, y a nadie fuera de este planeta le importa. Es por eso que somos los responsables de nuestra propia felicidad como especie. Nadie nos ama o nos muerta la “verdad” sino nosotros mismos. Es agradable pensar en un dios que se preocupa por nosotros, pero si es así, hace un pésimo trabajo demostrándolo.
Estamos aquí y ahora. Eso es lo único que tenemos. Hemos de usar este tiempo para ser lo mejor que podamos ser ante nosotros y ante el resto. Suena aclichesado y hasta cursi, pero es lo mejor que tenemos.
Last week I went to church
And kind of enjoyed it.
Of course, it wasn’t just a “normal” occasion. One of my sister’s friend’s brother had died a month ago and that service was to honor his memory. The boy was seventeen when he died after a two-year long battle against cancer. He was remembered by his family and friends as a brave and friendly kid.
I didn’t get to know him, so I have no idea what kind of person he was. But for what everyone said of him and the pictures that were shown, I can assume that he was a great person. His sister, my sister’s friend is also a cool girl, even though I haven’t talk to her a lot. But she is a friend of my sister and that counts, since my sister usually picks cool people as friends.
Anyway, there was me, considering the idea that I might have to drive my mom to a church (she was the one invited). In my family we usually joke that if I get into a church I will start having seizures and eventually burst in flames. That is because a normal mass usually seems incredibly nonsensical to me, thanks to the rituals, self-deprecation, and overrated myth. But this time the idea was to offer comfort to a family who had lost a beloved member.
I can live with that.
I have to say I’m not very good when trying to comfort people that are not very near to me. Usually I make up a nice phrase, but when I say it, sounds awkward. I thought it sounded awkward, but in my defense I have to say it was sincere. I was very sorry to see that family and especially that friend of my sister in such pain.
Of course, more than once it occurred to me how could God be such an asshole to let a kid die after two years of fierce battle against cancer, which he ultimately beat, but then died of something else. Seriously, a God that allows that has to be biggest dick ever. This occurred to me when listening to the scripture and mentions to that all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful god. I guess the people there thought that by doing so they could get some kind of comfort for the pain they were feeling.
I reached a different conclusion. I ultimately concluded that the universe is a cold dark universe that just doesn’t care about us. We live, suffer, rejoice and die in here and no one cares about it. That is why we are responsible for our own joy as a species. No one will gives us love or “truth” but ourselves. It’s nice to think that there is a God who actually cares for us, but if that were so it does a lousy job at demonstrating that love.
We are here, we are now. That is the only thing we have. Use this time to be the best you can be to others. It sounds cliche, sounds cheesy, but with nothing else outside it is the best we have.
Of course, it wasn’t just a “normal” occasion. One of my sister’s friend’s brother had died a month ago and that service was to honor his memory. The boy was seventeen when he died after a two-year long battle against cancer. He was remembered by his family and friends as a brave and friendly kid.
I didn’t get to know him, so I have no idea what kind of person he was. But for what everyone said of him and the pictures that were shown, I can assume that he was a great person. His sister, my sister’s friend is also a cool girl, even though I haven’t talk to her a lot. But she is a friend of my sister and that counts, since my sister usually picks cool people as friends.
Anyway, there was me, considering the idea that I might have to drive my mom to a church (she was the one invited). In my family we usually joke that if I get into a church I will start having seizures and eventually burst in flames. That is because a normal mass usually seems incredibly nonsensical to me, thanks to the rituals, self-deprecation, and overrated myth. But this time the idea was to offer comfort to a family who had lost a beloved member.
I can live with that.
I have to say I’m not very good when trying to comfort people that are not very near to me. Usually I make up a nice phrase, but when I say it, sounds awkward. I thought it sounded awkward, but in my defense I have to say it was sincere. I was very sorry to see that family and especially that friend of my sister in such pain.
Of course, more than once it occurred to me how could God be such an asshole to let a kid die after two years of fierce battle against cancer, which he ultimately beat, but then died of something else. Seriously, a God that allows that has to be biggest dick ever. This occurred to me when listening to the scripture and mentions to that all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful god. I guess the people there thought that by doing so they could get some kind of comfort for the pain they were feeling.
I reached a different conclusion. I ultimately concluded that the universe is a cold dark universe that just doesn’t care about us. We live, suffer, rejoice and die in here and no one cares about it. That is why we are responsible for our own joy as a species. No one will gives us love or “truth” but ourselves. It’s nice to think that there is a God who actually cares for us, but if that were so it does a lousy job at demonstrating that love.
We are here, we are now. That is the only thing we have. Use this time to be the best you can be to others. It sounds cliche, sounds cheesy, but with nothing else outside it is the best we have.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Quotable Quote LVI
There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages
Richard Lederer
Richard Lederer
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
I'm taking a Religious Studies class
Why? Well, why not? As you can see in this blog, the topic is interesting and if I hope to write well on it, I should learn more about it. I see this class as a way of learning about religions in an academic way, instead of the obviously biased way one is educated in a religious school, or the highly critical way in which leading unbelievers portray it. So, wish me luck.
So far I have a couple of assignments to complete. First we have to introduce ourselves in a message board answering the following:
The answer was:
I could have said I was an atheist/agnostic, yes, I could. But then I might have had to deal with the stigma that those labels carry. I did said I left my faith, so anyone could have inferred. But I thought it would be interesting to see the feedback I could get. So far I have had three responses:
Anyway, for this week I have to do some reading on a book I haven't bough yet. I'll do it tomorrow or on Friday. Besides, I had to watch a lecture on something pretty interesting:
So, according to my class, every religion has these six dimensions. It looks simple, maybe too simple, but it is also helpful when one tries to understand how a belief affects people. I have to learn this in order to take an online test this weekend. So, wish me luck.
So far I have a couple of assignments to complete. First we have to introduce ourselves in a message board answering the following:
Introduce yourself with your name, major or possible major. Then, what most interests you about the course? What would you most like to learn? What would be most beneficial to learn? What comes to mind when you hear the word "religion?"
The answer was:
Hello. My name is Diego Lecca, I'm a Journalism major. I was raised Catholic but after leaving high school left that faith, in part because of disappointment towards the catholic church. After that I've been asking myself what exactly do I now about it, and what exactly do people know about the beliefs they hold. I would like to learn the core teachings of such beliefs, in an academic way instead of the usual glorification/satanization they are usually explained with, in order to better understand the world events in which they influence.
When talking about a religion I usually picture a set of beliefs with which a person sees and interprets the world, usually based on myth, sustained by tradition and held in very high regard by its followers.
I could have said I was an atheist/agnostic, yes, I could. But then I might have had to deal with the stigma that those labels carry. I did said I left my faith, so anyone could have inferred. But I thought it would be interesting to see the feedback I could get. So far I have had three responses:
I was raised Catholic also, but no long practice as much as I used to, due to the fact when growing up as a kid I was forced to go to church. Even over the years, I feel I have not lost my connection with God. I agree, I am also puzzled on what religious path I should take myself on, continue to practice, or continue to no longer practice.I replied to all three of them. To the first one, I admitted I was also forced to go to church, but there were more things that made me go away from it. The second one liked my definition of religion, which I really tried not to say anything that might make me look like Richard Dawkins. There is no need for such badassery at this moment. And finally, the good ole Pascal's Wager. To this one I gave my longest answer, basically explaining that, first, believing in God because of the Pascal's wager is basically believing for fear instead of true belief, making me a liar; and second, that Pascal assumes that the god in which I would believe is true God, instead of the hundreds of thousands of gods that are out there.
------"based on myth, sustained by tradition and held in very high regard by its followers."
That qoute just rolls of the tongue, I like it. I very much think that is how you can define religion, period. All are ideas that were created by not-yourself, but you hold dearly.
------
I was also raised in a very strict Catholic household, but find it difficult to practice like my parents. I feel like I've lost my way because I don't have such strong religious beliefs. However, Pascal once said, "Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists." I'm not saying it's the right thing to do, but it's something to think about.
Anyway, for this week I have to do some reading on a book I haven't bough yet. I'll do it tomorrow or on Friday. Besides, I had to watch a lecture on something pretty interesting:
The Six Dimensions of Religion:
It’s the language of the course, the method of how to study the information given. Six areas are highlighted.
The idea is that religious is not about one or two things. It’s a mistake to simplify and reduce it. With these six dimension we make sure not to miss anything.
1. Rituals: They are expected actions in a religion. They are expected to do certain things. Ex: Christians eat a holy meal; Buddhists practice meditation; Muslims pray 5 times to the Mecca. The goal is to understand the meanings of such actions.
2. Myth: We are not talking about the popular meaning of “myth”, meaning something that is not true. The direct meaning of myth is something neutral, a story, an account of events, may be true, false or a combination of two. A religion is based on a few core stories, that are sacred, revered by the people. Religions answer difficult question (how did life begin?) with those stories.
3. Doctrine: They are the core beliefs of a religion, the main ideas about truth, about how to know things. They are the most abstract aspects of a religion. Every religion has a set of core ideals, doctrines, and Truth. What is the source of Truth? Where do we look for it? After we know the Truth, where do we get the power to achieve it?
4. Ethics: They are another type of belief, having more to do with lifestyle: “How to conduct life?” “How do I relate to other people?” “How do I use my sexuality?” Every religion has a set of every-day rules, a code of conduct, how to be a good person and not a bad person.
5. Social: It’s relationships between human beings. While ethics relate to what should be ideal, the social dimension studies behavior. How to relate to people inside or outside the religion?
6. Experience: It studies the personal aspect of religion. Here we concentrate on what happens inside the follower. What do they think, feel; do they feel anxiety for doing something wrong, or a big peace. It involves the private elements.
Every religion has these six.
So, according to my class, every religion has these six dimensions. It looks simple, maybe too simple, but it is also helpful when one tries to understand how a belief affects people. I have to learn this in order to take an online test this weekend. So, wish me luck.
Quotable Quote LV
"Rather than opposing the class system, does not the [Catholic] church proclaim the class system to be 'natural'? It is easy to understand why a massive corporation trading in religion, with its privileged CEO and board of management should espouse such views and why it is historically hostile to Catholic workers organizing with non-Catholic workers to resist the incursions of capital. More pertinent, it explains the criminal action of the entire corporation to cover-up widespread, nauseous sexual practices."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)