h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well if youu try and convert people against their will you're harming them and that's worse!

I'd say you're correct in that, but it happens, sadly.

What a sad world we live in

Religion IS a way of life - at least if it's authentic; hence that bit about most western people not REALLY believing in God.

Is it actually possible to convert someone against their will unless you are already in a position of power over them? In general people are inducted into their religion (rather than converted), or are "converted" by conquest from one religion to another. Religious experiences are most likely to result in embracing the religion of the host community. It is very rare, I would think, for people to be converted by rational argument alone.

Of course, new religions do get born, but Budhhism, Christianity and Islam all carry the marks of the cultures where they came from, though they gradually evolved away from them.


Noggin

Interesting idea...

How can you ever know what someone really believes when you can't get inside their mind .. you just have their word for it ..

That is an interesting one, Guy. You're restating the old philosophical paradox of radical translation. It is sometimes formulated as: 'You don't know what someone means unless you know what he believes. You don't know what he believes unless you know what he means.'

The difference is that the above is the case even if nobody is lying!

I caught the tail end of the program on BBC about Mary.
I wish I'd seen it from the beginning, because it looked very good. the two possible lives of Mary were run side by side. The mother of God version and the mother of a preacher version.
The out come was that whichever version was true she was still an imposing historical character.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tv_radio/mary/index.shtml

Hi Hasslefree .

Let's see, you asked...
"Isn't it true that if you follow a religion, rather than say a way of life, you are obliged to feel that your's is the only right and proper way, otherwise you wouldn't be following it?"

Er...no, actually. There are quite a few faith-paths that demand no such assumption. Many say that there's are a myriad ways to discover the divine and each is of equal worth. You must find a path that suits yourself.

You continue...
"The problem happens, I think, when a religion incorporates into it's 'truths' the fact that it's the task of a member to 'recruit' or advise others that they are wrong in some way. Some other religions don't recruit, but sit back and smile in the 'knowledge' that they are right and everyone else is a poor fool."

I think that I could agree with the first statement, but not necessarily with the second. My path, for instance, doesn't evangelise yet we do not view everyone else as being excluded from our 'wisdom'. In fact we are dedicated to learning more each day, something we could not do if we regarded the rest of the world as being poor fools.

My personal view is that if you do not consider your religion a way of life then you are not walking the talk and are just playing at it.

Blessings,
Matholwch the Apostate /|\.

I heard about that; quite annoyed I missed it!

Matholwch

Seasonal greetings. Was in Glastonbury yesterday. It had more feel of the season than the shopping Mall !!

For 'way of life' perhaps read philosophy of life.
Yes there are paths that allow for others thinking, but I suppose I'm referring to the main established religions.
All the varied religious people I know would not agree with you on the myriad paths to the divine. but I do
I should have added a third way...
Some beliefs, allow for different paths to God and do understand that, we all meet at the end.

Which is a lot nicer than panicing about what you've chosen!

Some links;

Controversial Virgin Mary film defended;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2598357.stm


BBC film inflames faithful;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2594361.stm


Alji the Magus

Thanks for the links!

thay are interesting

Indeedy

yes very interesting!!!

Back to topic!

what was that again?

Life, the universe and everything !