Lasting Devotion of the Enlightened

Lightkeeper · #1 (**permalink**) 9th April 2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Can there be any doubt that, during the last twenty five centuries, Buddha, Christ or Mohammed have been the most honoured, idolised, adored, discussed and talked about figures in history? The erudite who made them the objects of their studies, laudatory or critical, are nowhere seen in the resplendence which surrounds them.

Even the greatest among secular geniuses emit only a feeble glow in comparison, and their works make a poor show beside the popularity of the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita or the Discourses of Buddha. Why do the personalities and the utterances of the enlightened command such lasting devotion from the human heart? There must be a reason for it.

The argument that this idolisation and homage do not emanate from the disciplined mind of scholars but from the superstitious fears of the commoners does not change the position...since the scholars themselves depend for their own authority on the same spontaneous approval and instinctive recognition of their worth by the crowd.

Wonder of the Brain; G.Krishna. Publ: FIND Research Trust 1972
http://scienceandreligion.com/

What do you think?

**Rev. Kelly** · #2 (**permalink**) 10th April 2007, 02:04 AM

I think that the popularity of religious texts comes from our desire to have more out of life; to be a better person, to find meaning in our lives. Yes, science and secular thought can give us answers to how the universe works, but religious texts help us find the insights to how we work as individuals. These texts give us hope when all seems lost. I am not surprised that they have remained popular through out the centuries.

kiwimac · #3 (**permalink**) 10th April 2007, 07:34 AM

I think the difference is between HOW all things came to be and WHY. Science / Secular thought deals with How but only religion deals with Why.

evangelicalhumanist · #4 (**permalink**) 10th April 2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwimac

I think the difference is between HOW all things came to be and WHY. Science / Secular thought deals with How but only religion deals with Why.

But if -- and note I say IF -- the origins of everything up to and including human life is completely natural, then any answer to "why" would have to be complete fantasy, invented to satisfy an inner need we humans have, but not based in any kind of reality.

In that case, this is our story. Let's write the next chapter a little better, shall we?

**Rev. Kelly** · #5 (**permalink**) 11th April 2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evangelicalhumanist

But if -- and note I say IF -- the origins of everything up to and including human life is completely natural, then any answer to "why" would have to be complete fantasy, invented to satisfy an inner need we humans have, but not based in any kind of reality.

In that case, this is our story. Let's write the next chapter a little better, shall we?

I see nothing wrong with a little fantasy if it is not harming anyone. If it is fulfilling a need that we have, then it is not causing harm, but doing some good. If we need to find hope outside of our selves, and we use religion to do so, and no one is harmed, is there any reason to be upset?

I like this chapter, and I'm not quite done yet. Please don't move me on so quickly.

**angeleyes** · #6 (**permalink**) 11th April 2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evangelicalhumanist

But if -- and note I say IF -- the origins of everything up to and including human life is completely natural, then any answer to "why" would have to be complete fantasy, invented to satisfy an inner need we humans have, but not based in any kind of reality.

Yet, according to today's science, what we've defined as "reality" isn't quite as solid (literally) as we once thought.

Quote:

In that case, this is our story. Let's write the next chapter a little better, shall we?

Yes, let's make it a good one.

pinski · #7 (**permalink**) 13th April 2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What do you think?

Quote:

Can there be any doubt that, during the last twenty five centuries, Buddha, Christ or Mohamed have been the most honored, idolized, adored, discussed and talked about figures in history?

It has happened because Buddha, Christ and Mohamed lived what they believed. They found the Truth and introduced it to people. Humans feel the Truth, you cannot deceive them.

Quote:

The erudite who made them the objects of their studies, laudatory or critical, are nowhere seen in the resplendence which surrounds them. Even the greatest among secular geniuses emit only a feeble glow in comparison, and their works make a poor show beside the popularity of the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita or the Discourses of Buddha. Why do the personalities and the utterances of the enlightened command such lasting devotion from the human heart? There must be a reason for it.
The argument that this idolization and homage do not emanate from the disciplined mind of scholars but from the superstitious fears of the commoners does not change the position...since the scholars themselves depend for their own authority on the same spontaneous approval and instinctive recognition of their worth by the crowd

The erudite scholars were just attempting to understand the Answers. They were attracted by the Truth like Moth is attracted by Light. They felt it was right, they wanted to Believe but did not have enough strength to do so. Because to Believe means to Live according principles of Belief. It requires high sense of self discipline and many sacrifices. It is impossible to develop this high sense without Power of Belief. It is impossible to achieve the Power of Belief without thorough understanding of Belief. And finally, the Understanding will never come, if Belief is the False one. And sometimes it is easier to blame it on "False" than on your own fear, laziness and ignorance.

with love and respect,
A.Pinski

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