I think religion is between God and myself. The moment groups of people start to turn to a generalization, things go often wrong. I know people who can recite the bible by heart (just like most muslims can recite the Qran by heart) but have no idea of the meaning of the parables and stories. Part of the bible is rather history (like the …
I think religion is between God and myself. The moment groups of people start to turn to a generalization, things go often wrong. I know people who can recite the bible by heart (just like most muslims can recite the Qran by heart) but have no idea of the meaning of the parables and stories. Part of the bible is rather history (like the king books). Everyone might want to read the holy books of other religions just to see, how they run together. And then read Jung indeed. Always loved the man.
memorizing doctrine is no more "morality" than learning a shape is rotating it.
"religions" are often quite at odds with "the religious" or even the teachings they claim to adhere to. many a pope or lama or priest was a villain and the rules of capture and corruption around large, powerful organizations apply to religions just as they do to governments.
indeed. I remember very well how I told some about my belief to my late husband, who was an ordained pastor. He had never heard of anyone who had first hand experience. So how did he think inspired works were written? He had not even thought about that! Learning a book by heart and sitting in a church, mosquee or temple does not make you a religious person
Most Muslims can not recite the entire Quran, if that is what you mean. People who can are very special, such a Muslim is called a "Hafiz" (Arabic for "safekeeper" or someone who preserves something). Any truly devout Muslim will know by heart lengthy parts of the Quran, to be sure. The devout pray a great deal, every day, and as far as I recall, the prayers are all excerpts from the Quran, or variations thereof. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are, of course, interconnected ... the "Abrahamic" religions. There is, for example, a "Surah" (chapter) of the Quran titled Maryam (Arabic for Mary, mother of Jesus). Mary is venerated highly in Islam, as is Jesus (Isa) who Muslims consider a great prophet but not their savior (obviously).
I think religion is between God and myself. The moment groups of people start to turn to a generalization, things go often wrong. I know people who can recite the bible by heart (just like most muslims can recite the Qran by heart) but have no idea of the meaning of the parables and stories. Part of the bible is rather history (like the king books). Everyone might want to read the holy books of other religions just to see, how they run together. And then read Jung indeed. Always loved the man.
these are important points.
memorizing doctrine is no more "morality" than learning a shape is rotating it.
"religions" are often quite at odds with "the religious" or even the teachings they claim to adhere to. many a pope or lama or priest was a villain and the rules of capture and corruption around large, powerful organizations apply to religions just as they do to governments.
indeed. I remember very well how I told some about my belief to my late husband, who was an ordained pastor. He had never heard of anyone who had first hand experience. So how did he think inspired works were written? He had not even thought about that! Learning a book by heart and sitting in a church, mosquee or temple does not make you a religious person
Amen
Most Muslims can not recite the entire Quran, if that is what you mean. People who can are very special, such a Muslim is called a "Hafiz" (Arabic for "safekeeper" or someone who preserves something). Any truly devout Muslim will know by heart lengthy parts of the Quran, to be sure. The devout pray a great deal, every day, and as far as I recall, the prayers are all excerpts from the Quran, or variations thereof. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are, of course, interconnected ... the "Abrahamic" religions. There is, for example, a "Surah" (chapter) of the Quran titled Maryam (Arabic for Mary, mother of Jesus). Mary is venerated highly in Islam, as is Jesus (Isa) who Muslims consider a great prophet but not their savior (obviously).