“People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share your views with them” -Henry Louis Mencken- (1880-1956) This brings back a memory of my early years soon after I joined the corporate world. … Continue reading Sharing Your Views…
“Religion is what keeps the poor man from murdering the rich“ — Napoleon I — Continue reading Quotes – Religion is what…
The Bible is a human product: it tells us how our religious ancestors saw things, not how God sees them Marcus J. Borg I’m pretty sure there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different versions of the Bible today. So, … Continue reading Quotes – A Human Product…
One of the things that I have struggled with all of my life is that I am neurodiverse. The meaning of that word has changed so much during my lifetime to make it confusing to almost everyone. I want to … Continue reading Continuing Thoughts On Diversity
In the old days, it was always believed that the essence of who you are comes from your heart. Of course, we now know that the total function of the heart is to pump blood. It has no part of our essence, other than if it stops working, our essence stops working. Over my years of constantly wondering just who I am, and why I am here, it’s astonishing that I have never thought of looking to neurology for some of those answers. Well, the day has finally come when I look at the three pound cauliflower between my ears … Continue reading From The Heart…
Some cling to traditions as if it were life itself. I am not one of them. To me, traditions are too often used to cling to prejudice and a fanatical resistance to change, any change. I saw that on display … Continue reading Some Cling To Traditions…
There is a difference between worshiping Jesus and actually doing what he told us to do. I remember the documentary entitled “From Jesus to Christ” in 1998 on PBS Frontline. It was the serious beginning of my spiritual search for … Continue reading RLL – Worshiping vs Following
As I remember it many in the religious community at that time in 1970 thought Jesus Christ Superstar was sacrilegious. But it might just be the primary reason I returned to religion. That is what this post is all about.
Continue reading “Jesus Christ Superstar…”
This post is going to be about trying to dispel the feeling that some have that I am anti-religious. We don’t need less religion, just better versions.
Continue reading “Not Less, But Better…”
A regular part of RJsCorner is going to be looking at Will Rogers quotes and seeing how they apply in today’s world. So, this is the first of many in that area. Even 80 years ago it seems that there were more than a few who thought religions did more damage than they helped. I think what Will was saying is that “Bible thumpers,” and whatever they are called in the other religions, are the most intolerant of differences of faith. They are just convinced that they are the only one who has got it right. This is what gets … Continue reading Will Rogers – About Religious Beliefs
It is becoming more and more recognized that religious beliefs are and have most likely always been one of the primary sources of conflict in this world. Here are some words about the underlying reasons for this: “Religion often becomes the master variable,” Harris says. “It provides a unique reward structure. If you believe that the thoughts you harbor in this life and the doctrines you adhere to spell the difference between an eternity spent in fire or one spent on the right hand of God, that raises the stakes beyond any other reward structure on earth.” Tribal tendencies are natural … Continue reading Religion And Global Conflict
Britain is becoming an increasingly faithless society, according to a new survey that has found 53% of Britons now describe themselves as having no religion. The proportion is the highest ever, up from 48% in 2015 and 31% in 1983 when the British Social Attitudes survey was begun by the independent National Centre for Social Research. The trend is evident across all age groups but is particularly marked among young people, with 71% of 18-to 24-year-olds surveyed in 2016 saying they had no religion, up from 62% percent the previous year. The majority of older people still have some faith, … Continue reading Having No Religion or Faith..
This is insane, and mainly because God patently hasn’t taken care of any of these things. Humans do these things and humans do stuff to mitigate or eradicate them. God’s still on holiday, where he has been for a few thousand years. Source: Lazy and Incoherent Theology: God Will Take Care of It I know that many of Mr. Trump’s supporters are evangelical Christians who believe that everything that happens, and especially his election, is God’s will. When things happen that they don’t like or can’t reconcile with their beliefs then they fall back on “God works in mysterious ways.” … Continue reading God’s Still On Holiday..
It is interesting to see another country where the majority thinks religion does more harm than good, especially since this one is our neighbor. I’m not sure what the statistics in Europe are but I suspect that they are similar … Continue reading Religion Does More Harm Than Good..
Nauvoo Village was one of several settlements established and then all but abandoned by Mormons due to battles with their neighbors. The first was in Ohio, the second in Missouri, and then came Nauvoo in Illinois. This was the site that it’s founder Joseph Smith was killed and Brigham Young took over the leadership. Mauvoo has recently been been called the “Williamsburg of the Midwest” and to some degree they deserve that title but in others they fall short. Many of the building have been restored to the 1840s but many are still in private hands. Unlike Williamsburg there … Continue reading Nauvoo IL – Mormon Settlement
I have to admit up front that for much of my life I just didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I “grew up”. Strangely, it wasn’t until several years into my retirement that I finally put that question to rest. So, I am NOT the poster child for gaining purpose in life, but maybe my shortcomings in this area might be a lesson for others. A fundamental problem with this country and many others around the world is that too many just don’t have any idea what the meaning of our country is supposed to be about? … Continue reading We Have No Purpose Anymore..
This is a revisit of a post I wrote here in 2012. It still applies today. Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Dont do it!” He said, “Nobody loves me.” I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said, “A Christian.” I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me, too! What franchise?” He said, “Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” He said, “Northern Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative … Continue reading The best God joke ever … Revisited
This post might ruffle some feathers so if you are not in the mood I suggest you don’t read any further. When you think of the phrase “cult indoctrination” I image some pretty dark things come across your mind. Cult … Continue reading Cult Indoctrination…
The quotes below come from input from Irish high school students when asked about having religious studies in their school system. The wisdom of these kids’ words are way beyond their years. By giving all children the opportunity to learn about the beliefs and values of diverse groups in society, the government would be providing for their education in some of the liberal democratic values on which the State itself is based. They include openness to a range of views along with inclusive and respectful citizenship. MANUS CHARLETON Perhaps, as religion is one of the greatest causes of conflict in … Continue reading Teach theology, not religion
When I read the words in the source article below they rang very true to me. Even though I was not a minister like he was I too felt the cost of being forced out of a church community for having different/unacceptable beliefs. I dared, among other things to say the earth was more than 6,000 years old. After 36 years in the Evangelical Charismatic movement in Tennessee, Dave left his faith. “For me,” he says, “it all started with a critical examination of the Bible and how it came to be…when I quit making excuses for the inconsistencies and … Continue reading When Leaving Religion Costs You Everything…
I want to spend some time this Christmas season talking about Jesus. After all, as the old saying goes, “Jesus is the reason for the season” at least for us Chrisitans. I have said more than once on this blog that I am spiritual but not currently aligned with any particular religious organization. At the same time I try to be a faithful follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ. That might be a dichotomy to some but not to me. I just believe that religious organizations today are too mired down in their dogma and theology that is simply … Continue reading This Christmas Season…
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 