What religion holds the most promise for saving humankind?

Interesting. I didn't know humankind was in need of salvation.

None of the above and/or all of the above would be my answer.

Salvation is an individual experience, imo. SO the only way you can possibly save humankind would be to save yourself. And as there appears to be many paths leading toward enlightenment, limiting options to those listed above wouldn't be prudent, imo.

lw

Ok how about saving the planet, in turn saving humanity?

I don't mean like- "You need jesus to be saved, kinda saved" I mean we're all gonna fuckin' die unless we fix the human situation (which includes the enviroment)

Good post tho, L.W. I like what you said...

Ah-so. You want to save the planet....

I used to think we maybe needed to save the planet, but at this point, I'm not so sure. It is egotistical, imo, to think humans have the capability to either destroy or save mama earth. Threats from a petulant child who has concocted a tempest in a teapot.

The only constant factor in earth's environment since the dawn of time has been change.

lw

The same, none of the above, including al gores cult of hey look at me im important. This silly idea that the world is going to hell in a handbasket is getting old, it comes up with a new face every decade or so. The rainforest are being slashed and burned, but what should these people do live in squaller and disease at the mercy of nature, working themselves to a early grave for pennies a day, while we travel on paved roads to our air conditioned buildings, with internet access. China is damming rivers, so some farmers get uprooted, what about the millions the reservoir will benifit. I say slash and burn screw those westerners and their quest for enlightenment or a few extra days added to their already extended lives. Where would we be without early plants polluting the atmosphere with their deadly o2, or the coutless extinct species that left room for us. If their really is a higher being out their, I believe they would be discusted. Look at these jerkoffs begging for salvation, when really the only thing that can save you is you.

*shadow grins wickedly*

I think we all need to return to simple ways...

Read verse 80 in the "Tao Teh Ching" by Lao Tzu.

We're all going to fuckin' die if we don't...

I don't want to die, I want to raise a family and grow plants...

Ah, utopia, what a pipe dream. all the untouchables should just be content with their life, its all good.

not utopia... but not this... not what we have now... no, I don't like it, not our society, not our culture, not our civilaztion...

Fuck you, for saying that about the untouchables, arrogant bastard.

i am quite arogant, but i asure you i know who my father is. dont take things so personal, it was you who open this can of worms. can you not point that arogant finger at yourself? it was you whom introduced the tao te ching, verse 80. 'Appreciate your life and be content with your home;', which minds to keep society under control and the people in line.

Right on, Lucious.

lw

Excellent come back!!!

I meant no offense, I'm glad you are inteligent enough to not turn this into a school yard name calling contest. (Tho I did start it )

Again, excellent come back!



But only by their own free choice, and not the will of others.

~Teotzlcoatl~

P.S.- I would have added more opitions to the poll, but the forums wouldn't allow me.

That's good too!

Interesting thread Teo, I'm not sure what has the most promise, though there I do make a distinction or preference for the non montheistic religions, they tend to have scope for greater growth and understanding on the nature of things. Though I remind myself they also have their fair share of dogma also !

The other different one there is shamanism, of which comes in many guises but to my mind does not involve dogma as such, more so it is a technique or variety of techniques at inducing the trance state.

I have found a few quotes l've added below to help s understand all this (perhaps anyway) :

"Shamanic ecstasy is the real "Old Time Religion," of which modern churches are but pallid evocations. Shamanic, visionary ecstasy, the mysterium tremendum, the unio mystica, the eternally delightful experience of the universe as energy, is a sine qua non of religion, it is what religion is for! There is no need for faith, it is the ecstatic experience itself that gives one faith in the intrinsic unity and integrity of the universe, in ourselves as integral parts of the whole; that reveals to us the sublime majesty of our universe, and the fluctuant, scintillant, alchemical miracle that is quotidian consciousness. Any religion that requires faith and gives none, that defends against religious experiences, that promulgates the bizarre superstition that humankind is in some way separate, divorced from the rest of creation, that heals not the gaping wound between Body and Soul, but would tear them asunder... is no religion at all!" Jonathan Ott

and,

"The contemporary World War on Drugs is nothing more nor less than the modern manifestation of the millennial struggle between state power and individual freedom; between the proselytizers of purely symbolic simulacra of religion - propagandists of what Blake called "pale religious letchery" - and the practitioners of the real thing - for religion is an experience, not merely a "social activity with mild ethical rules." This War on Drugs originally started as a War on Religious Experiences, and it is nothing new..."
—Jonathan Ott

Bushpig

I agree.

On the other hand, there is a certain type of person who isn't willing to take the edicts of the ruling class at face value. And from that group, emerges a set of folks determined to explore their personal consciousness regardless of the social stigma or consequences involved. I see this situation as a potential evolutionary step of consciousness that winnows out the weak, defined as those unable to break from the herd mentality.

lw