Ok, I'll be brave & start the ball rolling with my own thoughts on a topic:

Some religions are based entirely on exclusivity (only their members get to Heaven, for example)

I'd lkke to suggest they are preaching it wrong:

It's that those in their group must follow their rules or suffer exclusion from their group's rewards.

I believe God to be more universal -- after all He/She created all humans, not only a single group (unless you count us all as one family, which I do)

God, however you understabd or don't understand God, obviously loves variety, so why take away variety, in casing an ephemeral idea of homogeneity?

Certainly some laws are universal, & can be aptly summed up under the Golden Rule. Humanism has develpoed this same framework for defining universal commandments.

I think it can be summed up in two: 1. Don't be a jackass.
2. Do good.

I prefer to consider true religions, open to all, as: "To love and to learn"

Everything else is comsmetic -- you go to a church or club you feel; comfortable with, with an affinity for the membership/rules.

I believe my purpose on this Earth, in the life, is to make the world a little bit better than when I came into it (being born, & also each new day)

I personally feel the most affinity for Conservative Judaism & its interpretation of the universal truths, so that's who I affiliate with. They've formally accepted & ritualised this membership per their traditions for such, so I'm officially part of a humumgous family who likewise seeks to do good for others & to improve Earth for the sake of all.




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On 2/1/2022 2:51 PM, between "George Pope":

Ok, I'll be brave & start the ball rolling with my own thoughts on a
topic:

Some religions are based entirely on exclusivity (only their members
get to Heaven, for example)

I'd lkke to suggest they are preaching it wrong:

It's that those in their group must follow their rules or suffer
exclusion from their group's rewards.

Religion is a man-made concept. Even the teachings of Christ are anti-religious. Many people who haven't read the scriptures don't realize that.

I'd say that most every other "religions" expound a form of exclusivity. But what is the "truth"?

I believe God to be more universal -- after all He/She created all
humans, not only a single group (unless you count us all as one
family, which I do)

God, however you understabd or don't understand God, obviously loves
variety, so why take away variety, in casing an ephemeral idea of homogeneity?

Certainly some laws are universal, & can be aptly summed up under the
Golden Rule. Humanism has develpoed this same framework for defining universal commandments.

But humanism lacks hope in the eternal.

I think it can be summed up in two: 1. Don't be a jackass. 2. Do
good.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is also a pretty good starting point.

I prefer to consider true religions, open to all, as: "To love and to
learn"

Fair enough. For many people the road to discover the truth is a journey that may take them to the explorations and study of other faith systems along the way.

Everything else is comsmetic -- you go to a church or club you feel; comfortable with, with an affinity for the membership/rules.

It is a good thing to be amongst like-minded people. That's where we can get support during troubling times. There might be certain "rules", but they are man-made ones, then it would depend on what those rules are.

I believe my purpose on this Earth, in the life, is to make the world
a little bit better than when I came into it (being born, & also each
new day)

That's a great attitude.

I personally feel the most affinity for Conservative Judaism & its interpretation of the universal truths, so that's who I affiliate
with. They've formally accepted & ritualised this membership per
their traditions for such, so I'm officially part of a humumgous
family who likewise seeks to do good for others & to improve Earth
for the sake of all.

Myself, I am not religious. (See reference above.) The scriptures give plenty of examples of the bane of ritual and tradition. Those are best avoided.
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Myself, I am not religious. (See reference above.) The scriptures give plenty
of examples of the bane of ritual and tradition. Those are best avoided.

Chriustianity, which our original full form antherm espouses in no uncertain terms is clear on that.

God is notfound in buildings of brick & wood.

Or as one athiest mate f mine put it:

Spirituality is what's inside -- religion's just the part you pay for.

Technically, good religion is about us choosing rules to help shape us, in spite of ourselves & our creature roots.

We are a herd creature, so we feel good affliating with a likeminded grouping with a clear leader(alpha)

Love widely, & there are3 main type of love, at least as mentiuoned in the Greek Bible:

agapé: love without expectation of reward/return (aka unconditional/spiritual/unrequited love)

philoso: the oove of affiliation (to gfamily, to friendsm, to affiliations/clubs/etc.)

eros: the love of emotion & passion/sex

For one's spouse, one hopes one has all 3 working well, in both directions.







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* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)