Secular humanism dips into the messianic well to good effect too. The role of savior is distributed between us, all of us the sacred thing. At it's core, I think it's formed around an inescapable observational truth. To the extent that people can be helped, they often need that help. We aren't always (or even often) in a position to save ourselves. Just not the nature of crisis.
The ready made purposes in our lives are the product of a long and vicious competitive process. It may be that some of the items we wish to discard are products of that environment, rather then useful to us on their own. Essentially, a religion of coca cola that was somehow prudent and beneficial would still have at least some items insisted on because those items were good at selling coke - and nothing more. I think the op is looking to jettison some of those things. Letting go of strict demands about a god's nature. Reformers work is never done. It reminds me of a quote from mark twain (I think) about writing that could also fit religion. It's easy, you just cross out all the wrong words.
Casting a wide net is a good thing for a religion, as the purpose and nature of a religion is to create a moral community. I think there are problems with separating meaning into deep and shallow pools. Suppose a person considered their ready made purpose and removed all of free riders..it's not inconceivable that the six figure salary with 1.5 kids thing would remain as a profound and binding moral belief of a community. That's why it exists in the first place. It's believed...and not without evidence, that six figures and a low number of dependents will help you avoid suffering, and give you the opportunity to help others (not the least of which, your one and a half children).
The ready made purposes in our lives are the product of a long and vicious competitive process. It may be that some of the items we wish to discard are products of that environment, rather then useful to us on their own. Essentially, a religion of coca cola that was somehow prudent and beneficial would still have at least some items insisted on because those items were good at selling coke - and nothing more. I think the op is looking to jettison some of those things. Letting go of strict demands about a god's nature. Reformers work is never done. It reminds me of a quote from mark twain (I think) about writing that could also fit religion. It's easy, you just cross out all the wrong words.
Casting a wide net is a good thing for a religion, as the purpose and nature of a religion is to create a moral community. I think there are problems with separating meaning into deep and shallow pools. Suppose a person considered their ready made purpose and removed all of free riders..it's not inconceivable that the six figure salary with 1.5 kids thing would remain as a profound and binding moral belief of a community. That's why it exists in the first place. It's believed...and not without evidence, that six figures and a low number of dependents will help you avoid suffering, and give you the opportunity to help others (not the least of which, your one and a half children).
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
