What do all religions have in common?

[jutka]

Hello Mr Ungaro,

It is nice to see you again! Hope your trip was enjoyable and the one to Europe even more so. Voro is here too.. he extends his greetings and good wishes.

DO drop by Russia.com!

Jutka and Voro

[Lilly]

Originally posted by B_Ungaro
Greetings,

I have just arrived home from my RV Trip and getting ready to go to Europe. However, this question requires my expert
contribution. I have studied and researched all religions.
While my work is not yet complete, I have some observations about religions:

1. All religions lead people away from reality. People substitute faith for knowledge. There is a great Hungarian Proverb that is very applicable here: "The more you know, the less you believe."

2. All religions have a "Dumbing Down" effect on people. Intelligent, highly educated people can fall under the SPELL of religion. They find religion comforting because they can not deal with their own mortality.

3. All religions are a danger to world peace. People try to elevate their own god above other gods. This has been the cause of all evil and it goes on even today.

Now you know.

Bill

Glad to see you again Bill. Missed a post card this time. boohoo.

Based on your post, are you going to europe to spread the dumbing down word to the masses? Are you going to preach or just hand out leaflets from corners?

Have a good trip.

[theja]

Ungaro, nice to see your 'opinions' again.

I thought people from former Communist countries (Eastern Europe, etc) couldn't get enough visas to migrate to the countries where religion is practiced freely?

[B_Ungaro]

Theja,

Get a grip. You are so uninformed that it pains me. If it was not for foreigners this country might as well just close the doors and turn out the lights.

Have you known a Hungarian or a German or Ukrainian to collect WELLFARE? Never. We work and make this country stay
above the water. Barely.

Speaking for myself, the US got one hell of a deal when I came to this country. The INCOME TAX that I have paid and comtinue to pay, supports a bunch of uneducated, brainwashed, unproductive, religious zealots. I am getting pissed. Are you working or just smoking dope all day? Or are you abusing alcohol? Probably both. Most religious zealots before you, have been doing drugs or alcohol. Based on your postings, I am very suspicious of you.

Bill

[novocilsky]

Originally posted by Hannia

We already know that God claims all religion, so let's not go there.

Once you strip away the cultural fabric of religion, what do all religions actually have in common?

What's left, I think, is a commonly accepted philosophical sense of man's quest to fill the 'emptiness' within himself. Everyone feels it, but the degree to which they are aware of what it, how they understand or interpret it, and how they respond to it, of course, varies from person to person. This is what accounts for, on a micro scale 'personality' and on a macro scale 'culture'.

That emptiness accounts for our motivation to labor towards aquiring the different things we persue in our lives; affection, material things, spiritual things, etc. And that sense of not being able to satisfy those urges or drives is, as many believe (myself included) the quest for 'God'.

[B_Ungaro]

Novocilsky,

Think of it this way. By leading people away from reality,
religion actually prevents their fulfilment. By seeking fulfilment through falsehoods, they actually are prevented
from achieving it. By worshipping mythical beings, family members, friends, associates are cheated out of love and fellowship.

Most religious rituals, when removed from the realm of religion, would be looked upon as a form of mental illness.
Example: Think of the act of cofession by a Catholic to a guy wearing a long black dress, sitting in a dark booth,
handing out forgiveness. Heaven only knows what he might be doing in the dark booth?

Or, think of the Muslims praying five times per day, facing Mecca, and going on a Haj. Why, because they want to go to heaven where all the virgins are.

Or, think of the Hindus getting their souls cleansed by dipping in a totally filthy river.

Do these things sound to you like rational behaivor. Probably not. So, how can you benefit from any of this?

Bill

[theja]

Ungaro, if you don't like the system here, you have the freedom to leave the country for good anytime.