I think there are benefits to reading and understanding mythological books.
I define faith as an emotional belief in the mystery that is involved in experiencing life.
Cassaruby
JoinedPosts by Cassaruby
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
When taken to extremes reason serves us better than faith. In it's extreme faith is intolerant. People can't stop making meaning so outside of extremes faith serves man very well.
Delusion seems like an extreme word in this conversation
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
Well belief is probably rooted in the emotional side of our brains. It's difficult to reason out belief. I like how Buddhist can stay in reality and distinguish what are stories. If my intuition tells me a belief is true I will accept that belief as long as it serves me from a personal standpoint.
I really value JWs use of evidence as I value Campbell's use of poetic metaphors. When it comes to working with a book such as the Bible I wouldn't be able to work with any particular church without scriptural evidence.
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
I choose not to believe in fairies, except for metaphorical fairies. Like grimms fairy tales is a book I like.
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
I think I agree with you Ruby. I like the poetry in your interpretation too
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
-
-
Cassaruby
You win breakfast.
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
Does it even matter if something is true or false when as humans we can't stop making meaning either way?
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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Cassaruby
Why do you like chocolate?
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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-
Cassaruby
Is it possible that you did choose chocolate over vanilla and it's as simple as that?
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123
Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?
by Cassaruby in"traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .
.. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .
from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.
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-
Cassaruby
What really got me about Campbell was that being in awe of God put me in awe of experiencing life itself. I love being in awe of life. It helps me to figure out what brings me bliss in life. What calls to me so I know my calling in life. Which tends to change at times.
I'm not sure how easy or hard it is to benefit from the Bible when interpreted by literal extremes, tho I found that viewing many parts of scriptures metaphorically make a lot of sense.
For example, Adam and eve's original sin. Literally, talking snakes sound crazy. Metaphorically, it represents something I can relate to, which is why humans never seem to live in harmony with the world without someone messing something up. In fact, it makes sense why I mess things up myself.
Baptism represents giving up relying on my ego to do things, and letting my intuition do the work.
Literally, in the resurrection Jesus ascends to heaven. Metaphorically, Jesus descends into the mystic waters of his consciousness to be in awe of the mystery of life.
Without the metaphors we are on our own to give meaning to our lives, and discover our own insights. My father is a man of reason and I respect his choice to follow reason and reject faith. He seems quite capable, so I can see how other's prefer I life centered in reason too. I value reason and faith myself