The purpose of religion
I do agree, centralized authority usually does more harm than good.
But that leads to an interesting question.
What is the purpose of organized religion?
I believe at first that the real purpose of religion is to open up the seeker to the Divine. Sort of a combination between training wheels and a road sign.
It comes back to that "power with versus power over" thing again. At some point, a smart teacher is going to want allies, not servants.
Look at the history of almost any faith. The "saints" usually questioned orthodoxy. On the other hand, gaming the "system" means that you have a vested interest in preserving orthodoxy.
I think the fork in the road is when faith is a personal experience instead of social manipulation.
Sadly, not too many see the difference.
|
Pagan philosopher, libertarian, and part-time trouble maker, NeoWayland looks at keeping truths alive despite a wash of nonsense. But don't be surprised when he's doing the "nekkid Pagan guy" thing.
Updated Tuesdays and Thursdays when I can, otherwise irregularly as circumstances permit and the mood strikes.
January 2007
Before Me
October 2007
Before a Winter's Eve
October 2008
Before the Wheel Turns
October 2009
Before our Worlds Touch
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Letter from Hardscrabble Creek
Daily journal of a Lycian witch
World Religions - Religious Forums
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
The Witches Sabbats by Mike Nichols
Listmania - Eclectic Basic Pagan References
Listmania - Eclectic Introductory Practical Witchcraft
Listmania - Eclectic Intermediate Practical Witchcraft
| Reading Now |
|
on my blogs |
from my library |
and
homepage.mac.com/
neowayland/iblog/index.html
If your web browser does not show one of these addresses, then this page being used without permission of the author.
Views expressed by NeoWayland are his own and do not represent any other enity. NeoWayland freely accepts individual and sole responsibility for his words and actions.
Published On: Apr 02, 2010 02:48 PM
The Celtic Tree of Life is an original design by Welsh artist Jen Delyth ©1990
ketlicdesigns.com
 |  | |
 |  |
Some textures provided by GRSites.com
