We don't do a good job, as a society, of teaching each other to recognize the divinity within each of us. The predominant religion (in my experience) does exactly the opposite.
I'm an atheist, but I half believe we should create a new religion. One that promotes not only empathy, but self compassion.
L, I like what you wrote. I'm an atheist too, but accept the teachings of Jesus (I don't know much about other religions), such as the Sermon on the Mount. The problem is, as you write, most Christians just mouth the words. Evangelicals seem to act the exact opposite of Christianity's moral teachings. It's really very disappointing (in a large sense) and depressing too. And yes, self-compassion too. It's so missing in the US now (and Canada?). Capitalism seems to promote the exact opposite.
It's quite a bit worse. To me, the Sermon on the Mount says that we should not just obey the words of the law, but also the spirit of the law. "The law says don't murder, but I say don't hate." Amen!
But evangelicals will tell you that Jesus was really just being hyperbolic to show that no one can uphold the law. Jesus wasn't inspiring us towards empathy and love, but rather disclosing our total depravity.
It's no wonder people are thinking "I don't even like me." Half of us are indoctrinated into a religion of self-loathing.
As you say, capitalism isn't going to provide the balm. Do we need religion to heal from this? I'm not convinced. But somehow we need to support each other so that we can move from a society of self-loathing to one of self-compassion and compassion towards others.
That's what Jesus says (paraphrased) in the sermon on the mount. In Matthew at least. He goes through the laws and then says "not just that, but also, let's look what's behind this rule." I agree. Not only should we avoid murdering, we should also avoid hating. He goes one better. He says love your enemy! Well, that's good! The world needs more love!
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We don't do a good job, as a society, of teaching each other to recognize the divinity within each of us. The predominant religion (in my experience) does exactly the opposite.
I'm an atheist, but I half believe we should create a new religion. One that promotes not only empathy, but self compassion.
L, I like what you wrote. I'm an atheist too, but accept the teachings of Jesus (I don't know much about other religions), such as the Sermon on the Mount. The problem is, as you write, most Christians just mouth the words. Evangelicals seem to act the exact opposite of Christianity's moral teachings. It's really very disappointing (in a large sense) and depressing too. And yes, self-compassion too. It's so missing in the US now (and Canada?). Capitalism seems to promote the exact opposite.
It's quite a bit worse. To me, the Sermon on the Mount says that we should not just obey the words of the law, but also the spirit of the law. "The law says don't murder, but I say don't hate." Amen!
But evangelicals will tell you that Jesus was really just being hyperbolic to show that no one can uphold the law. Jesus wasn't inspiring us towards empathy and love, but rather disclosing our total depravity.
It's no wonder people are thinking "I don't even like me." Half of us are indoctrinated into a religion of self-loathing.
As you say, capitalism isn't going to provide the balm. Do we need religion to heal from this? I'm not convinced. But somehow we need to support each other so that we can move from a society of self-loathing to one of self-compassion and compassion towards others.
That's where my mind is at anyway :)
L, you've thought about this a lot, it seems.
What do you mean by this?
"The law says don't murder, but I say don't hate." Amen!
That's what Jesus says (paraphrased) in the sermon on the mount. In Matthew at least. He goes through the laws and then says "not just that, but also, let's look what's behind this rule." I agree. Not only should we avoid murdering, we should also avoid hating. He goes one better. He says love your enemy! Well, that's good! The world needs more love!
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