Lesson 5 ~ Religious Spirituality ~ The Last Option ~ Please Post

Religious Philosophy

Lesson 5 ~ The Last Option

By:  Rev. Trent Murman

 

Is it possible to have such a strong and lasting effect on a child that they are virtually certain to retain religious beliefs throughout their entire life?

I feel it is possible to have this lasting effect on a child as he/she grows into adulthood, however it is very unlikely that they would retain these religious beliefs throughout their entire life.  In my opinion, nothing is forever. 

Your thoughts on Dr. Dean Hamer's research regarding serotonin receptors in the brains of religious people? Do you think that this is simply anti-religious science, evidence for understanding the religious tendencies of people, or evidence of the means by which 'God makes us religious'?

If Dr. Hamer is to be considered correct then the pre-disposition of this gene would, in my thought be inherited which would mean the religious persons father, mother, grandparents would have to be also in the ministry system.  However, I do feel Dr. Hamer could be correct in his theory that there is a pre-disposed gene that one may later in life "get the calling" and develop into a religious person. 

Is the concentration of serotonin receptors a factor in how spiritual we are?

Since serotonin is naturally occurring in the brain and would differ between one subject and the other it is not reasonable that serotonin could be associated with how much or less spiritual we would turn out to be. 

Do twin studies confirm the very existence of a genetic link?

The twin studies definitely do confirm the genetic link, both in identical and fraternal twins.  However it has been proven the genetic link is considerably stronger in the identical twins.

Are we conditioned to religiosity as a result of our early years of parental control?

As stated parenteral control conditioned them into their own religiosity  however, it was not successful in conditioning religiosity within the group encompassing their children.

Are we religious because God wants us that way?

I do not believe that God "wants" us that way.  I believe God does presents the opportunity for us to be religious, but to push us in that direction would be a grave mistake.  We are all human beings and we do have the ability to make those decisions, right or wrong, on our own.  This particular lesson presented many thought provoking theories and certainly does make one search his inner thoughts and possible listen more intently to that little voice deep inside themselves. 

 

Go In Peace

 

Lesson 6 ~ Religious Philosophy ~ Religious Forms

Religious Philosophy

Lesson 6 ~ Religious Forms

By:  Rev. Trent Murman

 

What religious organizational form does Wicca use?  Which is it? Perhaps a better question is, since it exhibits all of these traits, 'which of these approaches does it primarily follow?

This course gets more interesting by the week.  Even though this lesson has a lot of information to digest it certainly does open one's eyes to different cultures, sub-cultures, beliefs and cults.

 

Wicca appears to be a distinct worldview with an identifiable set of beliefs, ritual systems, and an organizational structure, albeit a loose one and certain forms of witchcraft may be practiced. Many Wiccans practice as solitaries, not in identifiable groups or "covens." 

 

A popular misconception of Wiccan religion is that it involves the worship of Satan. This is false. Wiccan religion was blamed for it. 

 

Many who practice Wiccan religion will identify themselves as witches and say that they practice witchcraft; however, Wicca and witchcraft are not synonymous.

 

I believe the structure appears to be Shamanistic faith in that it does have a centralized person which the members of the group feel has "special" powers to contact the dead and encompasses the three main ideals below:

 

neopaganism- this includes all faith groups based on attempted reconstructions of ancient or extinct religions, such as the Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Sumerian and others.

paganism - has both positive and negative meanings. This term is negative in the sense that it is used to mean "anti-Christian" and some will claim it simply to spite Christianity, the term has a positive meaning similar to or synonym with neopaganism.

witchcraft or craft - generally refers to the practical arts of casting spells, herbalism, performing magic ceremonies, and the like. This may or may not be located inside any specific or organized religious association.

 

I will have to submit to you much of this information was gotten from the internet since I needed support and current information that I did not have a view point myself.  This has certainly given me more insight as to the Wiccan religion or practices and that they are not all satanic worshipers and "bad" people that most of us previously believed. 

Go In Peace

Organized Religions by Trent Murman

Religious Philosophy

Lesson 4 ~ Organized Religions

By:  Trent Murman

 

If those zoo keepers are right in thinking that gorillas "get something" out of a wake when one dies, what does that say about religion? Does it diminish faith and make it "just biological" if we were to discover that the great apes do it also? What do you think: are these gorillas expressing some type of proto-faith, or are the zoo keepers 'anthropomorphizing' (assigning human attributes to animal behavior) the gorilla behavior? 

I do not believe it diminishes faith.  I believe in the animal world even the most primitive or simplistic species mourns over the loss of a member of their own "nest or higher family or group structure".  You can certainly tell by the look in a gorillas eyes that he or she is hurting when a member of the group dies we call this empathy….it doesn't have to be about religion.  I believe in the religious aspect the wake is used to help along with the grieving process ultimately ending in closure for the people who lost their loved one.

 

 If Karl Marx was correct, and religion is only useful in maintaining the political and economic status quo, does it really matter whether that religion believes in Heaven and Hell or whether it accepts reincarnation? How could religion work as this "opium of the people" in each type of society?

I believe religion acts as an opium for the masses because usually it does play an important part in "calming" the masses.  Not too often have I ever heard of fighting going on during a mass or church service.  It is up to the people to make up their own minds regarding Heaven or Hell.  As you are aware there are some that believe death if final and there is nothing after the body ceases to function it is just a baron vessel, lifeless.  Reincarnation is a huge part of some religions and I feel it is necessary to have different beliefs and we need the right to form our own opinions and to choose what we want to believe. 

 

Finally, what if Sir Frazer and Sir Tylor were correct (being American, it does sound strange to refer to people as "Sir" and mean knighthood)? They considered religion to be the end result of enough people accepting the "answers" offered by some savage philosopher – someone who had thought about the 'great questions of life' and had come to some conclusions. Can you think of anyone from the 20th century who might be thought of in this way? You don't need to agree with them; but, they would need to be someone who had pondered these questions, come to conclusions, and then had others follow their teachings – eventually organizing into a structured religion. Anyone come to mind? If not, how about the 19th century (1800s)?

Jim Jones could certainly fit into this category…I believe he attempted to create his own society, religion and following.  However, some would call this brain washing of the masses.  They were definitely influenced by his power or persuasion even going as far as referring to himself as the savior…..this following did end up in mass suicide.  The power of one person over a group is definitely wrong and the bible does caution us against false gods and prophets.  He built a temple and with his actions shocked the world. 

 

 

Religious Philosophy Lesson 3 - Rev. Murman

 

Religious Philosophy

Lesson 3 ~ Organized Religions and Cults

By:  Trent Murman

 

How do they match up with the 'five criteria'?

(a) There is no powerful, charismatic leader or leaders for their communities, although there is a strong leadership in each local congregation;

(b) there is a rigid discipline that essentially enforces a high level of group think in the community;

(c) friends and relatives are included only if they are a part of the community, with those that leave (apostates) being shunned;

(d) financial abuse takes the form of financial limitations that result from members living to the strictures of the Ordnung (often called the 'Amish Charter'); and,

(e) they are carefully segregated from the surrounding society.

 

The US Marine Corps! Is it a cult? Consider each of the 5 questions posed above, and see how many of them you think the Corps meets.

Does that make it a cult? Probably a cult?  Maybe a cult?  Probably not?  No way?

I was stationed with the USMC for a total of four years during my service in the USN.  I have the utmost of respect for these men and women in the Corps.  In my judgment the only 1 of the 5 criteria that may "fit" the USMC is number 5…they are carefully segregated from the surrounding society….this is a must with their training and "esprit des corps"  these men and women have definitely bonded from boot camp thru their military careers.  However, they are not segregated from their families only during their duty hours and training missions.  There is NO WAY this could be considered a cult in my judgment.

 

How about the Parent-Teacher group at your local school? How many of the 5 questions do they meet? How would you classify them?

The Parent-Teacher group may fall into numbers 1, 2, 3 and 5.  Most PTA's do have a structured and charismatic leadership within the organization and is needed for fund raisers, persuading    parents to their way of thinking concerning their child's good or bad accomplishments in school.  As long as every child is encouraged in the same manner and to the same standards.  They do have a high degree of influence in the way teachers think and in turn they influence the way the parents think regarding their child's accomplishments within the school system.  The relatives are included in the group if they choose to be, there is no segregation in that manner.  However, those children and parents that leave the particular school system are not shunned as might be in a true "cult" society.  I feel this may be considered a cult in some respects.  It does meet some of the criteria, marginally more than half of the 5 points to the criteria.

Lesson 16 - Master of Spirituality class

I very much enjoyed your lesson Nietzsche.  I was fortunate to go through my "mid-life crisis" some time in my 30's.  At that time, I decided that everything I'd ever been taught about God and man was just silly and I stopped believing.  It was a struggle, but I was determined to turn my back on everything and everyone who'd influenced my religious and philosophical views of life, so I wrestled with it until one day, I could firmly, confidently say that there was, indeed, no God and that I had no spiritual nature of any kind. 

 

On that fateful day, at that astounding moment (which I remember vividly), it was like someone pushed me into a soundproof box and shut the door.  There was no inner diaglog to guide me, no intuition that I depended upon to get me safely through my day.  There was the loudest silence I'd ever heard and it was unlike anything I could've imagined.  Even if I'd been shut into such a room, I would still have heard my heartbeat or my breath rushing in my ears.  There was nothing.  I thought for a moment that I'd gone suddenly deaf until someone nearby spoke and I heard them distinctly; probably, more distinctly than I would have a moment before my declaration as there was no background noise of my thoughts. 

 

I stayed like this for a few days, maybe a week or two, I don't really remember.  I just recall that it felt like I was having to remember things that should be famliar; simple, daily task types of things that I did by rout with the direction of my intuition and subconscious thoughts.  I had to make a very conscious effort to brush my teeth, pour my coffee, eat my breakfast, drive my car.  I was on a kind of autopilot only in that I was aware that I knew how to do these things and was doing them as normally as possible.  Imagine that you've always had a director quietly telling you every move and then all of a sudden, they were gone.  You know what to do, but you're so accustomed to following instead of leading, it truly throws you. 

 

Then, one day, as I sat in the silence of my no-thoughts, it struck me that I'd been given a very great gift.  It was the gift of knowing, of gnosis, of understanding what those who have no faith in anything beyond themselves experience every day.  I can understand why Nietzsche went mad, or as a boyfriend once called, "Full Tilt Bozo Crazy," because if I had not come to my senses, it would not have been long before I would hear the clang of the bells and the buzzer would sound.  Very slowly, very gradually, my thoughts started to be heard again and my intuition returned stronger than ever.  It was like stepping out into the beautiful world of sights and sounds after a long illness, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

 

I have since run across people who said they believe that death is the end of their existence.  I think of my own experience into my mini-Nietzscheworld and I wonder how long they will believe it, and if for long, how will their mind stay intact.  I also don't stick around to find out.  Dem peoples crazy!

 

You're right when you say that poor ol' Nietzsche didn't take into account the inherent evil nature of humans, but he also missed the inherent good in us as well.  We cannot deny our spiritual nature, which embodies those loving qualities that we simply must exhibit in order to have balance in our lives.  It's true, too, that what we put out into the world comes back to us and if you are putting nothing out at all, as apparently Nietzsche did not, then it won't be long before you are living in an emotional vacuum.  That is a very dark, lonely path to walk. 

 

Thank you for the intriguing lessons and for this class.  I've always been interested in philosophy, but have never had the patience to study it indepth.  Your lessons give just the right amount of information to explain these great thinkers' ideas well.  I truly appreciate it!

 

Best to you -

Penny

 

 

"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil:
God will not hold us guiltless
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Religious Philosophy ~ Lesson 2 by Trent Murman

Religious Philosophy ~ Lesson 2 ~ Essay

Religions, Ethical Systems &Fundamentals

By Trent Murman

 

Part 1 ~ Concept and Precept

In the construction world one might have concepts to include:

1 A vision.  To precept this would include all interested parties come together over planning meetings such as financing, laying of the corner stone, preparing the dig site and discussing city ordinances such as codes, permits and locations to be considered.  How long is the community going to be inconvenienced by closed roads, detours and filth created by the project? Finally a start and expected completion date.  2 The project planning.  The need for arranging subcontracting companies that are experts in their particular fields such as masonry, electrical, building machinery to construct multiple floors, cranes etc.  3 The building of the project.  Precept or orchestrate from day one when the expert companies would come into play such as getting proper permits to include seismology, noise levels, work hours allotted not to disturb community noise curfew hours.

 

Part 2 ~ The subject of monistic.

If the concept of "One is All" is to be adhered to by a group of people it is my theory that to not be perceived with the original thought there would need to be sub "Ones" for different clicks or parts of the original "One", such as a person controls a four city block area.  "One" person is not physically able to patrol or know what is going on  in all areas of  his "domain" (the four city block area).  So, in this "domain" this person would most likely need to have people loyal to  him in charge of each block that would report to him on an arranged meeting schedule to bring the "One" up to speed on moral and incidents occurring on each particular block.  Especially if another "One" is attempting to move into his four block area to take control and acquire more blocks under his control. 

 

I believe there is such a thing as evil.  In a world that is morally run by entities and "all is good" there has to be an "evil" side to maintain checks and balances for a stable world or society.  I feel people would not know if "all is good" if there was not temptation from evil to tempt them to stray, thus the "all is good" entity to bring them back to the good path.  I believe matter does exist, however in many forms and concepts.  The "One" originally was sent here to earth in the physical form as whatever deity a particular religious group refers to as their "One" be it God, Buddha etc.  Most people need to see a physical thing/person to relate to so the theory of God and not being able to see Him can be disheartening to these people and we might call them skeptical or even non-believers.  Do I exist?  Yes, I think and believe we do exist having interaction with others sharing concepts etc.  There are some that believe we do not exist and once this body or shell ceases to function that is it, there is nothing more after the ceasing.  Interestingly, do these people go to heaven or hell post mortem?  Or, are they simply in limbo some place bound to this through eternity?  Most people need to at least visualize in their mind that there is something post mortem and this "Something" is going to take care of our sole/being post mortem.  This gives them peace of mind that we all need.  So, are we real?  Is this world real?  I think these questions/concepts need to be answered by each particular person contingent on how they were raised, what was instilled in their minds commencing when they could start the thought process and reasoning for this is what separates us from the lower forms of the animal kingdom, the ability to think and reason.

 

 

 

Part 3 ~ The correct practice of a religion.

Is there a correct practice?  Most people need to know and/or follow a structure when it comes to religion, because, if they are not the one's governing the practice of this religion but followers of the "Shepard" they believe the "Shepard" is in control and his beliefs coincide with theirs.  If this doesn't happen then the followers would most likely seek out a new "Shepard".  I have always felt somehow they structure within the Catholic religion brings its followers closer to "God", let me explain, from the Priest to the Pope the followers know they are required to do certain things to be a "good Catholic" i.e. pray, go to confession, go to Mass regularly, ask for absolution, there are nuns, priests, and up the structured ladder to the Pope.  Some have a hard time dealing with the concept of one human being granting absolution to another…why not just talk to God directly, why go through another human?  Or is this person giving the absolution a vessel through which God speaks and he is only carrying out His orders?  Whichever it is, most people I feel need a structured system to "correctly practice" a religion.     

 

 

 

 

Master of Religious Philosophy by Rev. Longsden

1)       What is your perspective on this "great problem?" How do you view your relationship with Reality? Are you entirely material, entirely spiritual, a mixture of the two, or a spiritual being trapped in a material prison?

I would have to say and hope I am multi that is material in one sense and spiritual for without one we are nothing .basically we need material to gain spiritual guidance although we can live with spirituality on its own we may loose some friends through not having the material aspects of our lives.

2)      
How do you think that your view of your relationship with Reality impacts the way that you approach spirituality? Does it make you more submissive, studious, prayerful, resigned, contemplative?

Reality this is an ambiguse question in the sense if we do not live in a real world or that of reality would we be totally sane occasionally some people become re enacters although this is called living history the persons playing the part still reside in reality when at home or work this is as such an hobby.

3)       Finally, how do you think that your view of your relationship with Reality impacts the way that you live your life? Does it make you more moral, immoral, ethical, unethicallogical, independent, determined? Does it impact your views on medicine, charity, politics, employment, vegetarianism, taking risks?

What is a moral and ethical life can a vegan tell me what is right or wrong ,I would expect my doctor would lecture me with the important of changing my diet for the good of my health a priest or cleric would explain my religious values and how to improve my life through them. The employer would supply me with a set of guidelines so as not to offend my colleagues and also their customers and a uniform to show I conform to these rules and guidelines along with this structure some may brush off in my social life how treat others and expect to be treated.

 

Andrew Longsden