Question: Is it possible that religion is the link between superstition and spirituality, and therefore has played a necessary role in human history?

angel i dont think i understand this one...near as i can tell..really religious people...are not happy about talk of superstition...or brush it away as just that and move on...did this question fly over my head...wont be the first..

You're right that "religious people" are not happy about talk of superstition, the occult, or any other topic that seems outside their belief system.

My question, however, relates to history - to the evolution of our spiritual selves. I'm wondering if religion (holy books, discipline, study, group support and the like) was actually a stepping stone between primitive thinking and spirituality as we know it today. It may have advanced our thinking beyond primitive views of the gods, towards something less primitive (for example, the Jewish faith introducing the idea of One God).

I agree that we should not stay there, but leave behind the old rungs on the ladder. But it's also apparent that not all groups or individuals develop at the same rate. Humanity as a whole still has superstitions as well as a wide variety of religious views. I don't think we can dismiss the last several thousand years, nor do I believe that this is a part of our past which is purposeless.

My starting point was traditional religion, which went by the wayside by the time I was 30, yet serve me well because it brought up so many questions. My children, on the other hand, are starting from an entirely different point of view (one that is much more spiritual). I do think we're making alot of progress!

I guess, overall, my point was that religion is a necessary part of who we are and how we got here.

Hope that helps!

Thanks Angel...and yes that helps...i have done some reading in the past of the connection to what as was once astology based and how pagan and also chrisianity have a relation from history...and i am sure some of the other religions...it was some interesting reading...perhaps there will be others that have done some reading in that area that could point you in a direction...or perhaps not so much your interested in more info...as just more a conversation to share thoughts on how some of it has come to be from then to now....

Thanks, sendy... our spiritual and religious past really does seem to have alot in common with astrology, paganism and the like. To me, it seems like it's all interconnected and I figured others might have some input on that. Appreciate your input.

What is my definition of Religion? I have 2. The first one is the simplest, and I feel the most profound.

Religion is how someone chose to find God.

I could fill books on the subject of finding God from my perspective. I find it fascinating how everyone’s journey is different, and no 2 people seem to have so much in common you couldn’t tell them apart. My second definition of religion is:

A socio-economic system designed to define ‘God’, and the history, worship, tribute thereof. This also overlaps into how individual religious members are allowed to think, act, and associate with members and non-members of the religious group, ultimately affecting all aspects of daily life from the perspective of how to properly relate to God.

The second definition is based on experience. It is fascinating to see how various religions strive to attain to members, and keep the ones they already have. 1 in 10 people in America is an ex-catholic. There are 350 different flavors of ‘Christian’ alone in America. There are 1000’s of religions across the planet. Are they all doing the same thing? Which of them are right, and which are wrong? Or, are any of them wrong? Is the mere act of searching for God enough? After all, God wants to be found, right? Is it like a giant game of peek-a-boo? Are we giggling when we see God’s face?

For me, there is nothing that can be done with a religion that can’t be done without one. And the converse is true as well. It’s the effort of the Search for God that matters most.

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I am what I have always have been and will be, I just remember better at times. Thank you for helping me remember, I will return the favor!

We don't know that what everyone finds in religion actually qualifies to be God, do we?

There is no-thing that is not god or God. There are those mainstream religions that would dispute this, claiming some things are not of God.

So then, by my definition, whatever people find in their religion, is of god. Now they probably don't find what the religion defines as god, which tells us what? That the religions have mis-defined god? Or maybe that god or God is much greater than what any one or dozen religions can define?

Here's one to strike sheer terror into mainstream religions: What if God created all the religions so people had a choice in how they wanted their God? Think of the donut shop, it would be very dull if all the donuts were just plain cake donuts, wouldn't it? How about a jelly donut or a custard? Or the fried ones with chocolate icing (chocolate is a sure sign that God exists!). What if God gives us so many ways to find IT becasue it doesn't want anyone to feel left out?

So here we sit, the Custardians at war with the Apple Fritarians over which donut is more holy....seems a waste to me, shouldn't we just enjoy the donuts? Maybe try a few different ones, after all, we just might like them better than the same old donut we eat every day???

__________________
I am what I have always have been and will be, I just remember better at times. Thank you for helping me remember, I will return the favor!

.....now ...now this i can so relate to...i am pretty certain that coffee and chocolate run through my veins...me on an island..i think this would be it...yep..coffee and chocolate...and for the rest the post..it is all well said...putting last piece of chocolate in mouth...by the way did i mention that i liked choclate....