RE: Reflecting on Atheism.
November 16, 2013 at 1:24 am
(This post was last modified: November 16, 2013 at 2:20 am by arvind13.)
In reply to Genkaus:
Ok, but the question is why in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions, do beliefs become the foundation of practices. That is what the theory answers successfully.
This is NOT the case in the pagan traditions. The Greeks did not have huge theological tracts justifying their traditions with beliefs. Indians do not have theological literature or scripture justifying this or that puja.
"The traditions and practices always revolve around a belief system." This is just how people who come from a religious culture (islamic, judeo-christian cultures) experience human action. In Indian and Chinese culture, actions and traditions are not seen as embodiments of belief states. The most common justification for continuing a tradition is the fact that it is a tradition: "Why do you do Puja?" "Because I have learnt how to do puja" is a common answer. Or "because my father taught me how to do it". "We have been doing this for generations".
So in those cultures, actions justify other actions not beliefs.
About doctrines: The question is, why in those semitic religions do doctrines have such an authority in determining what one ought to believe and what qualifies or disqualifies one from being a Christian, Muslim, or Jew.
and even more fundamental than all that: What makes a belief into a religious belief?
anyways, the purpose of the post wasn't to change your mind. Just something to think about. to reflect upon, instead of dismissing it.
Ok, but the question is why in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic religions, do beliefs become the foundation of practices. That is what the theory answers successfully.
This is NOT the case in the pagan traditions. The Greeks did not have huge theological tracts justifying their traditions with beliefs. Indians do not have theological literature or scripture justifying this or that puja.
"The traditions and practices always revolve around a belief system." This is just how people who come from a religious culture (islamic, judeo-christian cultures) experience human action. In Indian and Chinese culture, actions and traditions are not seen as embodiments of belief states. The most common justification for continuing a tradition is the fact that it is a tradition: "Why do you do Puja?" "Because I have learnt how to do puja" is a common answer. Or "because my father taught me how to do it". "We have been doing this for generations".
So in those cultures, actions justify other actions not beliefs.
About doctrines: The question is, why in those semitic religions do doctrines have such an authority in determining what one ought to believe and what qualifies or disqualifies one from being a Christian, Muslim, or Jew.
and even more fundamental than all that: What makes a belief into a religious belief?
anyways, the purpose of the post wasn't to change your mind. Just something to think about. to reflect upon, instead of dismissing it.
