My point as expressed, was not properly made and you are right to query its validity as mentioned. I had hoped to convey a perspective whereby a person, suitable briefed on the basics of a particular faith, would then be able to use the language of religion (soul, god, heaven, hell etc) to come to their own understanding and accommodation with their place in the world.
It is important to remember that religion is merely a structure used to promote a belief system. If I describe myself as a Catholic, then I advertise a certain outlook, which defines both my actions and perspective. Our 'faith' in a particular teaching is only as valid as the tests we apply to it - i.e. and untested faith or belief is not actually a given, since its position and acceptance is due more to social conformity as to personal understanding.
Properly used, with some religious understanding, it is possible to use the framework offered to further our own wisdom, assuming that we can separate ourselves from the dogmatic knee-jerk reaction to questioning beliefs.
For the vast majority, religion and faith is an admission of our fear about the unknown and our preference for group stupidity as opposed to personal discovery.Statistics: Posted by Dalmax101 — Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:31 pm
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