Originally Posted by Chula Vista (Post 1575121)

Yes. And no.

“We need myths that will help us to identify with all our fellow-beings, not simply with those who belong to our ethnic, national or ideological tribe. We need myths that help us to realize the importance of compassion, which is not always regarded as sufficiently productive or efficient in our pragmatic, rational world. We need myths that help us to create a spiritual attitude, to see beyond our immediate requirements, and enable us to experience a transcendent value that challenges our solipsistic selfishness. We need myths that help us to venerate the earth as sacred once again, instead of merely using it as a 'resource.' This is crucial, because unless there is some kind of spiritual revolution that is able to keep abreast of our technological genius, we will not save our planet.” - KA

Originally Posted by The Batlord (Post 1575124)

The irony of that is that "KA" is proposing that we use spirituality or myths or whatever as a resource for humanity to exploit in the same way we do the Earth. Kind of goes against the ol' spirit of spirituality as a way to give yourself over to something bigger than yourself.

Originally Posted by Chula Vista (Post 1575125)

That's an extremely cynical way to look at it.

“Theology is-- or should be-- a species of poetry,which read quickly or encountered in a hubbub of noise makes no sense. You have to open yourself to a poem with a quiet, receptive mind, in the same way you might listen to a difficult piece of music... If you seize upon a poem and try to extort its meaning before you are ready, it remains opaque. If you bring your own personal agenda to bear upon it, the poem will close upon itself like a clam, because you have denied its unique and separate identity, its inviolate holiness.”

Originally Posted by Xurtio (Post 1575135)

Reminds me of Principia Chaotica
http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/chaos/princhao.txt

Originally Posted by The Batlord (Post 1575130)

But what that's talking about is a moral system. Moral systems have no need for a god or a religion. Claiming that myths/religion/theology/magic spells are necessary to keep people in line, when what you're really talking about can be entirely secular, is using a pre-existing concept that people are already comfortable with like a chaser after a shot. Why claim that you need religion when you can just trim away the nonsense and leave the common sense teachings that require no priest or altar?

Originally Posted by Chula Vista (Post 1575163)

Because for so many, they need some sort of guidance that hints at a "higher meaning" in order to accept it. I'm talking about the kind of sheeple that would be chewed up and spit out within hours of signing up to this forum.

Originally Posted by The Batlord (Post 1575170)

But the quotes you posted seemed to be from a person who, whether they are consciously aware of it or not, see through the smoke and mirrors and yet still encourage a SPIRITUAL belief.

Originally Posted by Chula Vista (Post 1575178)

Fixed.

I've read thousands of books and none of them have f*cked up my world more than this one.

The Case for God: Karen Armstrong: 9780307389800: Amazon.com: Books