I found this fascinating and enlightening discussion at Sweep the dust, Push the dirt: Open Forum: Can Christian and Buddhist Practices Mix?

Here are some excerpts I pulled out of the discussion:

Power, control and wealth or peace, enlightenment and salvation? Which is the primary motivation for religion? I often view organized religion as the former with a little of the latter on [...]]]> Sorry if the following is a bit lacking in cohesion. I’m just working with some rough ideas which may or may not eventually be polished.

Power, control and wealth or peace, enlightenment and salvation? Which is the primary motivation for religion? I often view organized religion as the former with a little of the latter on the side for the sake of appearances. That’s my general perception based on what I’ve observed in my own experiences and in history. That’s just an observation, not a condemnation. There are religious groups and individuals that practice their faith and religion in very positive ways and I admire them for that.

I have nothing against religion or faith. Recently, I’ve found that my own faith is finding a stronger foundation. Conscientious faith, balanced with reason and intellect, can be very beneficial while blind faith, sustained by fear and ignorance, can be very dangererous. I find religion, particularly Christianity and its innumerable denominations, quite fascinating.

I think a religion should provide guidance in the search for truth rather than a set of iron-clad, no-room-for-deviation, set-in-stone rules for everything you do and for attaining what someone has told you is the truth. You shouldn’t follow a particular spiritual path just because someone else follows it or someone has set you on that path and told you to follow it while looking straight ahead, ignoring everything on the periphery.

Instead, you should follow the spiritual path that suits you. If the path you’re on isn’t leading you where you thought it would take you or you discover another path that looks more promising, feel free to change. Whichever spiritual path you choose, it will ultimately lead you to the same destination.

• “Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.” — Buddha
• “Say nothing of my religion. It is known to myself and my God alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life; if that has been honest and dutiful to society, the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.” — Thomas Jefferson
• “It is a fine thing to establish one’s own religion in one’s heart, not to be dependent on tradition and second-hand ideals.” — D. H. Lawrence

Personally, I find ideas to be much more useful than beliefs. I feel that, ultimately, we are responsible for our own souls and must choose our own spiritual path. Its not a responsibility to be taken lightly nor casually entrusted to someone else. For what it’s worth…

It seems as though someone on Facebook has their knickers in a knot about religion, particularly Christianity. Trust me, it isn’t me coming up with these polls just so I’ll have something to rant about on my blog. But since the question was raised, I’ll throw in [...]]]> Another Facebook poll — Should Religion Be Made Illegal?

It seems as though someone on Facebook has their knickers in a knot about religion, particularly Christianity. Trust me, it isn’t me coming up with these polls just so I’ll have something to rant about on my blog. But since the question was raised, I’ll throw in my 2¢.

In the United States, criminalizing religion would be a direct violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Was the creator of this poll suggesting that all religions be illegal or just certain ones? Some of the darkest periods of man’s history have occurred when religions were banned, persecuted or annihilated by governments, religions or religions acting as the de facto government. What good could come from making the practice of any religion a crime?

Religion, in and of itself, is not bad. Most, if not all, of the world’s major religions espouse noble and lofty principles and ideals that improve or benefit the human condition. The problems we attribute to religion can actually be attributed to how certain people and institutions interpret and practice their religion. There are many who fervently believe that their religion is the only “true” religion and that anyone who believe something else is wrong and must either be converted or otherwise shown the error of his ways. That’s where religion breaks down. Your holy texts tell you that you should practice tolerance and love your neighbor but then those who make the rules for your religion add the caveat, “but only if they are of the same faith as us.” That’s bullshit.

Scriptures, whether the Bible, the Koran, the teachings of Buddha, or whatever defines your religion, should be taken in the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written. Religion is a guide for living a holy life not a set of absolute rules. Even if they are the Word of God or the product of divine inspiration, you have to keep in mind that they were written by men and, therefore, subject to editorial license, differences in translation and interpretation, and dumbing down for the masses. While mankind has progressed over the centuries our religions have, for the most part, remained in the Dark Ages.

John Lennon asked us to imagine a world with no religion but what would a world without religion really be like? Most people have a basic need to believe in something greater than themselves and to hope for something better when this life is over. Man is basically a social being and finds strength and comfort in associating with others who hold similar beliefs. Without something to believe in, most people probably couldn’t cope with life’s harsh realities. Maybe religion is a crutch but sometimes we need a crutch in order to stand up. I agree with Voltaire who said, “If God didn’t exist, we’d have to invent him.”

Overall, I believe that religion and faith are inherently good things. But whatever religion or faith that you practice, I would ask that you not follow it blindly as faith must be tempered by reason. I believe that you should look at its fundamental principles and ideals, the basic messages, not just the rhetoric and dogma that comes down from the leaders of your faith. Often, the message is lost in the rhetoric and invariably “fundamentalist” practitioners of a religion miss the real fundamentals of the religion. Take those fundamentals and apply them as they fit to your own life.

Religion should guide you along your chosen path to God instead of setting the absolute path for you. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own soul and you must find your own path to the Divine. The journey begins from within you. May you travel in light rather than darkness.