Addendum

Last week's post:

I wanted to make an addendum to my previous post, in case I seemed overly critical. A wise teacher of mine taught me to respect religions and that they were valid pathways to God and living a good and righteous life. And I believe it. I used to be an angst-y judgmental teenager that thought religions were dumb. But I’ve since come to respect them. There is a lot of wisdom in them and beneficial structure. Socially, spiritually, virtuously. However, I have not changed my mind that they have to be approached critically.

I believe the founders of the religion had genuine, profound spiritual experiences, that they tried their best to convey, and well thought out traditions, to maintain a strong and healthy societal/community structure. I also believe that those religious leaders that came after them were a mixed bag, some great, some not. And things have been added or interpreted that I just wouldn’t agree with, even if they were explained by the originators/interpreters of some particular tradition that was added or changed later on. And likely other things that I would agree with, in the initial implementation, but which have subsequently been interpreted in a way I don’t agree with.

I think it’s my obligation to test what’s in the religion against my own moral compass, and if it doesn’t pass the test, then I go with what seems morally correct. Also, I see religion as a way to get near to God. I think often religion is used more as a social and cultural glue/structure. Which is fine and I think is part of its purpose. But that is of less interest to me personally.

OK, disclaimer done. Perhaps that should be my first post, and I’ll just continue on to the next right now.