RE: Do religions represent God?
January 6, 2017 at 12:46 pm
(This post was last modified: January 6, 2017 at 12:47 pm by Whateverist.)
Got to go along with F&F's definition.
But Rik, the difference you're trying to make between spiritualism and religion is problematic. It would be more clear if you called it the difference between practicing a religion and seeking religious experience, like a shaman. If one goes walk about in the wilderness long enough, or ingests 'shrooms/peyote, or engages in a sun dance in order to provoke a vision which one interprets for himself .. then one has engaged in direct religious experience. But if you work with a priest/master the guided exercises and study is more akin to the religious training of the priest class than it is to the direct religious experience of a shaman. Direct religious experience is dangerous. No one who joins the priest/swami class can claim to be above/outside religion. You are firmly anchored in your tradition every bit as much as any catholic priest, Rik.
But Rik, the difference you're trying to make between spiritualism and religion is problematic. It would be more clear if you called it the difference between practicing a religion and seeking religious experience, like a shaman. If one goes walk about in the wilderness long enough, or ingests 'shrooms/peyote, or engages in a sun dance in order to provoke a vision which one interprets for himself .. then one has engaged in direct religious experience. But if you work with a priest/master the guided exercises and study is more akin to the religious training of the priest class than it is to the direct religious experience of a shaman. Direct religious experience is dangerous. No one who joins the priest/swami class can claim to be above/outside religion. You are firmly anchored in your tradition every bit as much as any catholic priest, Rik.
