moses2792796
08-23-2007, 12:22 PM
OK this post may be a little rushed considering the subject matter, so feel free to ask any questions and I will respond. This is addressed to the religious and the atheists on the board as it is relevant to all of them.
Religion in itself is a form. It is limited by this fact, that it is a physical manifestation of divine knowledge. The principle from which it is derived is God, an infinite being of which humans have little understanding. For this reason it can be no more than a symbol of this infinite reality. The limitations of physical form do not allow it to be anything more. This means that religion, has no power in itself but is dependant upon the eternal principle of God. When one uses religion as a way of reaching further towards understanding of the divine, infinite reality, it is a powerful means of overcoming the boundaries of the individual and joining God in a continuous, eternal life process. However, when religion is seen as an end in itself, it only serves to further insulate the individual against reality.
Most religion contains metaphysical truth, the difference is how closely the exoteric form resembles its principle. Hinduism is deeply esoteric and its form easily leads to metaphysical understanding. This is due mainly to the fact of its age. In the time between the writing of the Vedas and The Bible humanity underwent significant materialisation. By this I mean its understanding of the divine reality was lessened and the focus on the physical, transient reality increased. For this reason, the exoteric form of Christianity is much farther separated from its principle. While the metaphysics, to those who already understand them, are clear, the religion is undenably egocentric. It is unfortunate that the primary religion of the West has taken this form, though it would be unreasonable to suggest mass conversion. What is more important is that the eternal principles that are the origin of all religion and true knowledge are restored to Christianity and it is then used as a foundation for the rest of Western society. This must begin in the Catholic church as protestantism was anti-traditional and therefore anti-religious from its conception. This seems to me the most likely way to revive traditional knowledge and restore a dying civilisation.
The most important thing to remember is, the question should be what can you do for God, not what can God do for you.
Religion in itself is a form. It is limited by this fact, that it is a physical manifestation of divine knowledge. The principle from which it is derived is God, an infinite being of which humans have little understanding. For this reason it can be no more than a symbol of this infinite reality. The limitations of physical form do not allow it to be anything more. This means that religion, has no power in itself but is dependant upon the eternal principle of God. When one uses religion as a way of reaching further towards understanding of the divine, infinite reality, it is a powerful means of overcoming the boundaries of the individual and joining God in a continuous, eternal life process. However, when religion is seen as an end in itself, it only serves to further insulate the individual against reality.
Most religion contains metaphysical truth, the difference is how closely the exoteric form resembles its principle. Hinduism is deeply esoteric and its form easily leads to metaphysical understanding. This is due mainly to the fact of its age. In the time between the writing of the Vedas and The Bible humanity underwent significant materialisation. By this I mean its understanding of the divine reality was lessened and the focus on the physical, transient reality increased. For this reason, the exoteric form of Christianity is much farther separated from its principle. While the metaphysics, to those who already understand them, are clear, the religion is undenably egocentric. It is unfortunate that the primary religion of the West has taken this form, though it would be unreasonable to suggest mass conversion. What is more important is that the eternal principles that are the origin of all religion and true knowledge are restored to Christianity and it is then used as a foundation for the rest of Western society. This must begin in the Catholic church as protestantism was anti-traditional and therefore anti-religious from its conception. This seems to me the most likely way to revive traditional knowledge and restore a dying civilisation.
The most important thing to remember is, the question should be what can you do for God, not what can God do for you.