Thursday, March 6, 2014

Ideas, Not Dogmata

Especially over this past year I have been reconnecting with inner religious impulse. I was wondering in spiritual limbo for a long, long time, and the way back has been anything but smooth. My blog traffic is down (although part of that might be do to my less frequent posts) Perhaps my "dribblings" about my journey back and attempt to understand just where I do stand has run off some of my readers (I am aware of at least one case of that), and perhaps it has been a bit off-putting for my readers who aren't religious.  
 
Reconnecting doesn't mean - for me at least - going back to where I started. Religious fundamentalism, a mindless dive into the realms of "revealed" religion holds no attraction for me whatsoever. In fact, that, I feel, is one of the main sources of religious misuse and abuse. The other source is when political leaders and leaders of nation attempt to use religion as a source of control of the people they represent.
 
While sorting everything out I my head, upon reflection, it seemed to me that I had slowly lapsed from mere questions and doubts about whether the God hypothesis is true or makes sense into an unfair ridiculing of those who do take stock in it.
 
The downside of that is it blinded to me to concerns about things that really matter to me.
 
Let me be clear about where I do stand lest anyone misunderstand and credit me with the baggage that religious fundamentalists must claim.
 
First, I'm not big on proofs of God's existence. For me it is more of an instinctive matter, suggested to my mind by the orderliness of the Cosmos. Second, I believe the human religious impulse is universal and that from the beginning of recorded time has been well documented. Third, I believe that there does exist something like an inner moral law that all healthy minds recognize. In other words, I might suggest that the so-called Golden Rule wasn't created so much as discovered inside the conscience of every normal human psyche.  
 
All that doesn't take a great deal of faith. At least I don't feel it does. I don't insist I'm right and those who strictly hold to the scientific worldview are wrong. I do confess to having more than a bit of trouble imagining how science - which is limited to what is within the system - can pronounce on things - if anything there is - outside the system.
 
Lastly, I believe the religious impulse gives a firm foundation for transforming the Golden Rule from a useful suggestion into a moral "ought." If (and note I do say if ) indeed the source of the religious impulse lies outside the system science cannot provide us with a true moral compass.
 

Let me emphasize that the above is a statement of ideas I embrace, not dogmata I seek to impose on others. I think it proper to provide such a statement in order to provide a clear context for other things I would like to post about, including my personal spiritual journey. 

14 comments:

  1. "First, I'm not big on proofs of God's existence. For me it is more of an instinctive matter, suggested to my mind by the orderliness of the Cosmos. Second, I believe the human religious impulse is universal and that from the beginning of recorded time has been well documented. Third, I believe that there does exist something like an inner moral law that all healthy minds recognize. In other words, I might suggest that the so-called Golden Rule wasn't created so much as discovered inside the conscience of every normal human psyche."

    The above are all good, reasonable and rational points.
    Wish you good luck!

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  2. Hi Doug. I just want to tell you I read and enjoy each one of your blog post and I will continue to do so. I may not have come to the same conclusions as you but I love to read your thoughts. Please continue to share.

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    1. A comment from you always warms my heart. Glad you are there.

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  3. I have just begun my journey out of theism, so the rawness of it kind of prohibits me from embracing anything at this point. I know you've probably been there, too. I also enjoy your thoughts, Doug:)

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    1. I do understand. It took me years and years to work my through things to the extent that I have (which is to say I'm not finished.) Thanks for being here.

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  4. When we started blogging, Doug, that was about the only game in town---now with FaceBook, Twitter, many readers want a quick fix. I can read so many opinions and data in minutes via Twitter, etc.---the blog has also gone mainstream, many are professional and their bottom line is making money. But, I try not to look at the numbers too much, write when I can, Doug, my opinion is to have fun with your blog, no matter how serious the posts. Unless my computer dies (which is a strong possibility) or my hands die (again) or *I* die (one never knows) I will keeo wondering what you have written on your blog. You are always honest, insightful, and informative---you make me THINK. Thank you for that. I know blogging is WORK and thankless, but if you reach just one person...

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    1. Can't tell you how much your comment means to me.

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  5. Enjoying reading your thoughts.

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    1. I hope you will continue to find things of interest here. Thanks.

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  6. For some reason your posts aren't showing up in my reader even though I've followed you. :(

    I do enjoy reading your perspective. We don't have to agree on everything. I do think some people have a strong pull for the things that are called spiritual and I don't thin it should matter unless it does turn into dogma(that you would seek to impose on others). I think it's good to read others' perspectives. I'm glad you're finding your way. Maybe one day I'll find mine, too.

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    1. Thanks for you kind and thoughtful response. A lot of the time it seems as if truth lies some place in the middle of the extremes. Now I'm in the process of allowing myself to really think about many things that I had suppressed for a long time. Everyone's journey is different.

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  7. Doug- you are ever thought-provoking. I find that very attractive to my own thinking. We agree more than we disagree most of the time. I have found that my new blog attracts about 1/10th of the folks that "Reflections" did. I was perplexed at first about that, but now I find it no longer makes a difference, and I post when I find that I have something to say. That's not to say that others will always find that the case.
    I enjoy those thought-provoking posts which you share with us. We are all on a journey, whether we realize it or not. Keep throwing "it" out there. It's not up to us what others do with our thoughts. I appreciate you, my friend.

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  8. I really appreciate the kind things you have to say about my blogging efforts. Starting a new blog and exploring my spiritual side seemed like the right thing for me to do and the right time to do it. If it fizzles ... oh, well. I can't help but feel there is a need for alternatives other than hide-bound atheism and religious fundamentalism.

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