Queries On the Influence of Religion as Manipulation (By Mr. M. Svartgold)
Updated: Nov 7
(Disclaimer: The guest posts do not necessarily align with Philosocom's manager, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings. The point of guest posts is to allow a wide range of narratives from a wide range of people. To apply for a guest post of your own, please send your request to mrtomasio@philosocom.com)
Article Overview by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.
Queries On the Influence of Religion as Manipulation" by Mr. M. Svartgold is a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted role religion plays in society. The author invites readers to engage in critical thinking about the nature, purpose, and potential pitfalls of religious beliefs and institutions.
The article covers a wide spectrum of topics related to religion, from theological inquiries about God's nature and the purpose of biblical narratives to sociological questions about religious practices and their impact on modern society.
The article emphasizes the importance of questioning and critical analysis of religious beliefs, fostering an environment where readers are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and the societal structures surrounding them. The inclusion of Mr. Roland Leblanc's commentary adds depth to the discussion, offering alternative viewpoints and interpretations, illustrating the diversity of thought within religious discourse.
The article is well-organized, with clear sections that guide the reader through various themes.
Mr. Svartgold's approach to tackling sensitive and complex issues surrounding religion is commendable, encouraging open dialogue and self-examination. By addressing both theological and practical concerns, the article serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversations about the role of religion in the modern world.
The respectful disclaimer at the beginning underscores the importance of diverse narratives, highlighting the platform's commitment to varied perspectives.
In conclusion, "Queries On the Influence of Religion as Manipulation" is a thought-provoking piece that successfully opens the floor for critical examination of religion's role in shaping individual lives and societal structures.
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Part I: The Article Itself
Introduction and Query
I have many questions about religion that I have not been able to answer. Nevertheless, I'll try not only asking but giving my thoughts on some of them, as well. Please enjoy.
How does God appear to people in this new age? Does God's nature change over time? Why did God allow Job to suffer? Does God help everyone equally? Is it common for believers to marry at a young age? Why does God seem to have different standards for adultery for men and women? What was Adam and Eve's purpose in the Garden of Eden? Why did God punish Adam and Eve? Is God's mercy truly unconditional?
Why do religious communities often ostracize those who leave the religion? Is the expectation of virginity still relevant in today's society? Why do many religions require that spouses be of the same faith? Is luck a manifestation of God's will? What is the role of religious leaders? Why do religions continue to evolve? What is the significance of religious holidays? Why is it important to celebrate religious holidays?
How do religious and secular values interact? How do secular people understand religious holidays? What are the challenges of interfaith marriage? What are the causes of religious conflict? What is the role of peace in religion?
The Role of Religion in Manipulation
Religion can be used as a tool for manipulation in many ways. For example, it can be used to justify violence, control people's behavior, and justify discrimination. It can also be used to exploit people financially.
One way that religion can be used to manipulate people is by appealing to their emotions. For example, religious leaders may use fear, guilt, or love to control their followers. They may also use promises of eternal reward or punishment to manipulate people's behavior. Such an example being the concept of an afterlife, whether true or not.
Another way that religion can be used to manipulate people is by controlling the information that they have access to. For example, religious leaders may discourage their followers from questioning religious teachings or reading non-religious sources of information. That can be regarded as an expression of fanaticism. This can make it difficult for people to think critically about their beliefs and make informed decisions. That's especially true when one is deceived by ulterior motives.
Religion can also be used to exploit people financially. For example, religious leaders may ask their followers to donate money to the church or other religious organizations. They may also sell religious items, such as books, CDs, or clothing. In some cases, religious leaders may use their influence to pressure people into making financial contributions that they cannot afford. And of course, there is no "shortage" of scams in our world.
The manipulation of religion is a serious problem that can have harmful consequences. It is important to be aware of the ways that religion can be used to manipulate people so that we can protect ourselves from being exploited.
The role of religious leaders
Religious leaders play an important role in society. They provide guidance and support to their followers, and they help to preserve and transmit religious traditions. They also often serve as moral leaders, and they can use their influence to promote social justice and peace. However, they can also abuse their power, under the guise of sacred-ness and benevolence.
The significance of religious holidays
Religious holidays are important because they provide opportunities for people to come together and celebrate their faith. They can also be a time for reflection and introspection, and they can help to strengthen people's connection to their community.
The challenges of interfaith marriage
Interfaith marriage can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. Couples who marry across religious lines need to be willing to compromise and respect each other's beliefs. They also need to be prepared to deal with the challenges that may arise from different cultural expectations.
The causes of religious conflict
Religious conflict can be caused by a variety of factors, including differences in religious beliefs, political disagreements, and economic disparities. It can also be exacerbated by the actions of religious leaders who promote intolerance and violence.
The role of peace in religion
Peace is an important value in many religions. Religious teachings often emphasize the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness. These values can be a powerful force for promoting peace in the world.
The Torah and the Bible
In the Torah, we see Abraham sacrificing his only son, Isaac. Why did God ask Abraham to do this? What is the definition of "good" in the sense of God? Is it a divine miracle? There were many, many people who were sacrificed by God and did not get on the ark. Why is it so important to rest without doing anything at all? These are of course questions regarding these specific texts.
The paradox of self-defense
On the one hand, they say not to murder in many sects of major religions. On the other hand, to defend myself who rises up to kill you, should you kill him...? Who said they wanted to kill me? In which situations self-defense is mandatory and in which it is.
The importance of children
It is in every religion said. Children are a joy. But children are also an economic expense. And if there is no financial help with the children, what is expected?
Conclusion
These are just some of the many questions that I have about religion. I believe that it is important to question our beliefs, and to think critically about the role of religion in our lives. I hope that this article has sparked some thought and discussion about these important issues. Thank you for reading and for Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein for taking care of this article.
Part II: Article Commentary by Mr. Roland Leblanc
We're here to learn how to connect with "all there is" by first connecting with ourselves. We shouldn't impose our ideas on others. Religion has different meanings depending on who you ask. The world's problem is people trying to control others instead of focusing on their own purpose.
We are all problem solvers, and the best approach is self-reflection and learning from mistakes. We can also tap into our intuition for wisdom and become "newborn beings" by aligning our inner and outer worlds.
Honestly, but incompletely, here's what I think about these questions:
God's nature: It's a life-giving force with many names, maybe even unknowable. We can experience this force within ourselves, a kind of inner world that's the real God. It's better not to get hung up on names until we truly understand.
God changing: Probably not. God exists beyond time and space, so change wouldn't apply.
Job's suffering: The story of Job is about everyone's journey of self-discovery. We all have something to learn, even the good guys. It's not punishment, but a chance to grow. I've noticed online that some people are more focused on their inner world than the outer world. I believe the ideal is a balance between a strong rational mind and a developing intuition. This way, our actions can be guided by our inner wisdom.
God's fairness: We get help based on our choices. The proverb "Help yourself, and heaven will help you" applies. We need to know ourselves first, then our intuition can guide us on our unique purpose. It's up to us to make things happen, not some outside force exclusively.
Double standards: We need to dig deeper into the scriptures. Maybe the stories are about our inner and outer worlds, and prioritizing one over the other creates problems? We need both reason and intuition to solve life's issues, after all.
Adam & Eve: They represent the planned but unachieved creation, like a project we haven't finished. Their story is about learning to relate to ourselves, others, and to all there is.
God's punishment: Not punishment, but a chance to complete our creation process by learning on Earth. We have free will, so it can be our will to turn such adversity into an opportunity, and not keep it as a curse.
Unconditional Mercy: It depends on us choosing to discover ourselves and our purpose. We enable God's mercy by seeking self-knowledge and therefore learning about the deeper reason we came to this world.
Leaving religion: This happens because people don't understand the Oneness of all things. If they did, they'd see God's free choice for everyone. Oneness isn't about quantity, but managing our duality and solving problems. We can't do this without understanding interconnectivity, ourselves and free will.
Virginity: It's a personal choice, respect the decision. Just leave this choice to the one concerned.
Same faith marriage: Easier, but if we work on ourselves first, we can handle different beliefs more effectively, along with solving the problems that may arise as a result!
Luck: We make our own luck, I believe!
Religious leaders: They should motivate people on their spiritual journeys, not for power over others. Unfortunately, today, some leaders are motivated by power rather than helping others. This is a problem when people try to force their beliefs on others. It's important to avoid this behavior.
Religion evolving: Everything is changing, including religions. However, because of strict beliefs and a misunderstanding of the idea that we're all on a journey of self-discovery, religions struggle to accept our free will. This freedom is crucial to God and everything that exists.
Religious holidays: Maybe created to compete with the pagan feasts of old, but for me, every day is a holiday for being alive!
Religious vs. secular values: Church and state are separate, allowing freedom of belief or non-belief.
Secular view of holidays: As a non-practicing Christian, I see it as a privilege to be free from church control.
Religious conflict: Misunderstanding reality beyond the physical world. People believe without checking their intuition. Religious conflict is about dogmas and misunderstandings, not uniting people. Verify truth within yourself before following a group.
Peace in religion: Peace comes from within, not religion itself. Everything starts from within! Religion is emotional, so criticize it carefully.
Importance of questions: Questions are more important than answers because they lead to new insights. Certainty can hinder spiritual progress, and many religious people cling to their beliefs without considering other viewpoints.
The reason for so much suffering and manipulation is that we're here to improve our relationship with everything. This starts with improving our relationship with ourselves. While working on ourselves, we shouldn't force our beliefs on others.
The word 'religion' has different meanings, but often refers to uniting, binding, or togetherness. The problem today is that people try to force their beliefs on others while neglecting their own purpose.
As Karl Popper's book title said: 'All Life Is Problem Solving.' We're constantly dealing with challenges that force us to change or ignore the problem. The best approach is to be objective and learn from our mistakes. There are many ways to improve our lives, including reflecting on the past to avoid future mistakes.
We can also seek help from our intuition, which is our inner wisdom. When our intuition and reason work together, we become something more. This is the purpose of our existence: to align our inner world with the external world.
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