Apr 052010
This is an excerpt from Karen Armstrong’s presentation on What is Religion? from the Jesus Seminar (Westar Institute) Summer Institute in June 2006. For more information or to purchase the complete video, visit our website at www.westarinstitute.org or check out www.amazon.com.
@aomega3 – Karen fairly makes the observation religion brings out the best and worst of our kind.
Armstrong’s religion is a form of religion but it has no power or substance.
Interestingly, it is these same Western religious institutions who quibbled over doctrinal beliefs that managed to produce hospitals, universities and innumerable charities before there ever were liberal scholars. Also, Buddhists have very particular notions of the “self” and the goal of self-actualization. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t these metaphysical concepts “teachings” (doctrines) which inform a person’s path in life?
Correct
I have always thought that the fate (of the bible), applies to “faithful to the regulations of the juristic and agricultural rules” within the bible. the Neolithic tradition.
“The purpose of the Buddha’s appearance in this world lay in his behavior as a human being.”
Enlightenment = Faith = ACTION.
“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
NOT abstruse doctrinal constructs, but behaving decently toward ourselves and each other. Simple? You bet. Easy? Hell no.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Less “believing” and more action, please.
You will not believe what I discovered, I advice all to read about this religion Called
( ISLAM) it will surprise you and you will be passion of it
You can search for the Islam thru internet or reading some books
You will lose nothing
If you want to know meaning of love and soul peace read about this religion
I Love you all
I like her view of what religion is suppose to be verses what it often ends up being.
Read her book ! – A history of God by this speaker , a very enlightening understanding of what religion really is .