Cultural Ties and Religion

[KarimK]

Originally Posted by Impqueen

Culture is one influence that makes people what they are, and therefore has an influence on what religion feels right to them. It might be that they reject their culture and turn to an exotic religion or something like Satanism, but that's still (partially at least) a result of the culture.

I think it's a pretty widespread phenomenon nowadays : giving up the religion we were born in for another one because it sounds/feels exotic... It's a pretty funny twist of the usual dynamics between religion and culture (i.e "I am part of the religion I was born in"), because people tend to be overly critical of their "original" religion and tend not to see the bad things about other religions. Which gives us stuff like Westerners idealizing any kind of "Eastern" spirituality or religion because, well, let's face it, it comes from a far away land, it's pretty, and it's, wow, exotic.

---> Karma Cola, Marketing the Mystic East ; Gita Mehta
Random House Academic Resources | Karma Cola by Gita Mehta

The book mocks the 60's, 70's wave of 'Easticism' but I think what Mehta says is still true today.

[flowperson]

What ????? Me question authority ????? Naaaahhhhh !!!!

By the way Patti...my intuition tells me that the marriage ban placed upon Catholic priests has more to do with the traditions of the "celebacy" thingy as opposed to any economic considerations. Besides, many priestly orders, not to mention sisterly orders "require" vows of poverty from its adherents. No...I believe that this all has to do with the preservation and continuation of the essential qualities of leadership within the Catholic Church at large somehow...Thomas? ...Anything to add?

flow....

[pattimax]

But wasn't money placed inapproriately high on their list? (You know, the buying of "indulgences.")

[pohaikawahine]

Deep in my cultural roots we had no religion, but a "way of life" that maintained a balance with the universe, our earth, and each other .... interesting enough this was in a way destroyed or rather I should say buried deeply again because of "religion" .... but even now in different "religions" I see seeds of truth that existed in our ancient ways .... so I have returned full circle and seek the "balance" again in the way I live my life .... I am drawn to Judiasm because the Torah holds a deep truth that strikes a cord with my cultural ties .... I do believe that the "promised land" is open to anyone that finds "the way" .... he hawai'i au, pohaikawahine

[flowperson]

Aloha nui Poh:

So good to have you here to share your great wisdom with us again. Just wanted to say mahalo and welcome back.

flow....

[Neemai]

My childhood religion was the David Caradine TV series, "Kung-Fu". It had a profound effect on both my father and myself. Lol - but it's true! I think this, coupled with a general "Christian" sense of morality was my grounding, when growing up. Does anyone else have a similar tale?

As our society becomes more media-based I wonder if spirituality will be led more by Websites & TV than by temples & churches?

... Neemai

[Ciel]

Originally Posted by pohaikawahine

Deep in my cultural roots we had no religion, but a "way of life" that maintained a balance with the universe, our earth, and each other ....

Welcome back Po,

Only today I saw the fields turning to gold, and felt the wonder of a golden land in balance............ sometimes I wonder about this word "Religion", what does it really mean when "Balance" appears to be the very foundation of all things.

- c -

[wil]

Originally Posted by Neemai

My childhood religion was the David Caradine TV series, "Kung-Fu". It had a profound effect on both my father and myself. Lol - but it's true! I think this, coupled with a general "Christian" sense of morality was my grounding, when growing up. Does anyone else have a similar tale?

As our society becomes more media-based I wonder if spirituality will be led more by Websites & TV than by temples & churches?

... Neemai

Well we have Matixism and Jedism.... And used to contemplate McGiver...and when in tough and tricky situations would contemplate WWMcGD

[pattimax]

Originally Posted by flowperson

What ????? Me question authority ????? Naaaahhhhh !!!!

By the way Patti...my intuition tells me that the marriage ban placed upon Catholic priests has more to do with the traditions of the "celebacy" thingy as opposed to any economic considerations. Besides, many priestly orders, not to mention sisterly orders "require" vows of poverty from its adherents. No...I believe that this all has to do with the preservation and continuation of the essential qualities of leadership within the Catholic Church at large somehow...Thomas? ...Anything to add?

flow....

So far, Thomas doesn't seem to be adding. Hopefully soon.
The reason I brought up money and indulgences is because that how this conversation started. This conversation started in aHumanities class years ago and I have never gotten a straight answer. My prof. said the same thing you did Flow, but then when money and indulgences were brought up (we were studying the Reformation), he threw up his hands and said he didn't know.

[Neemai]

Originally Posted by wil

and when in tough and tricky situations would contemplate WWMcGD

WWMcGD = What would MacGyver do? Lol! Don't think it has ever been aired on English shores so I've never had the pleasure...

... Neemai

[Muslimwoman]

Originally Posted by KarimK

I think it's a pretty widespread phenomenon nowadays : giving up the religion we were born in for another one because it sounds/feels exotic... It's a pretty funny twist of the usual dynamics between religion and culture (i.e "I am part of the religion I was born in"), because people tend to be overly critical of their "original" religion and tend not to see the bad things about other religions. Which gives us stuff like Westerners idealizing any kind of "Eastern" spirituality or religion because, well, let's face it, it comes from a far away land, it's pretty, and it's, wow, exotic. .

Exotic???? I can assure you that living in 40 degree heat, whilst wearing so many clothes and covering your head is NOT exotic. It also suggests a degree of fickleness and perhaps even stupidity that one would convert to another religion because it seemed 'exotic'.

I do agree that you tend not to see the bad things in other religions until someway down the road. Is this not just the 'grass is always greener on the side' principle that humans suffer from?

[pattimax]

Originally Posted by Muslimwoman

Exotic???? I can assure you that living in 40 degree heat, whilst wearing so many clothes and covering your head is NOT exotic. It also suggests a degree of fickleness and perhaps even stupidity that one would convert to another religion because it seemed 'exotic'.

I do agree that you tend not to see the bad things in other religions until someway down the road. Is this not just the 'grass is always greener on the side' principle that humans suffer from?

I am not trying to be antagonistic. Personally, I think you are very charming and clever.
I am just curious, why did you give up on Christianity altogether?

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by KarimK

I think it's a pretty widespread phenomenon nowadays :
---> Karma Cola, Marketing the Mystic East ; Gita Mehta
Random House Academic Resources | Karma Cola by Gita Mehta

The book mocks the 60's, 70's wave of 'Easticism' but I think what Mehta says is still true today.

Hi Karim and welcome to CR

errrr, that's it.

Snoopy.

[Muslimwoman]

Originally Posted by pattimax

I am not trying to be antagonistic. Personally, I think you are very charming and clever.
I am just curious, why did you give up on Christianity altogether?

Thank you.

The honest answer to your question is that I have not altogether given up on Christianity. As a Muslim my faith and love of G-d is unchanged, my love and admiration for Jesus (pbuh) is unchanged and my desire, from the teachings of Jesus (pbuh), to respect my fellow man is unchanged. As a Christian, even as a child, I could not accept Jesus (pbuh) as the actual son of G-d. Created by G-d yes definately but not His actual son, as a seperate godly entity. It just never felt right to me. Now I am free to love, respect and honour Jesus (pbuh) without the inner turmoil and doubt.

If you read some of my posts you will see that I am also unable to accept that G-d, the All Seeing, the All Knowing, the All Merciful will reject good people based on which Prophet (pbut) they follow or which name they call their religion. Just my humble little point of view.

[pattimax]

I asked and you gave.
Please, I am not trying to start a discussion on your point of view, but it doesn't sound like a humble perspective.