dave200 Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Religion is no different than what the world has to offer in its self improvement course. Do you know why? because both religion & the world say that to get over an addiction just stop doing it. Whatever it is. Stop looking at porn, stop lying, stop stop stop. Well as long as religion puts an emphasis on stopping wrong behavior then they've oversimplified the solution and are no different than any secular self improvement book. Why does anyone need religion then if it's all about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps? Just about every major philosophy in the world says man has to pull himself up by his bootstraps & that God will do nothing for him. Well that kind of philosophy appeals to the human ego. The world system does not tolerate the message of grace that says God does all the saving. Why? because it doesn't appeal to the ego. We want that ego stroke of knowing that we had a part to play in our successes & our salvation. It's all about self. Well I don't believe any man is in charge of his own destiny. God is totally responsible for the outcome of everyone's destiny. Whether it's good or bad. If you hold yourself responsible for all your failures then you get to hold yourself responsible for successes & have room to boast & take credit when all credit should go to God. This is why I reject all forms of self improvement whether religious or secular because they both teach the same message: "just pull yourself up by your bootstraps." It's all about self effort, self determination, self discipline. Maybe that philosophy works for some but it's not for everybody. It's certainly not for me. Link to post Share on other sites
159753 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 I agree with you.. but the idea is that man is given the choice of good and bad, if you choose good God looks after you ..if you choose bad however the Devil looks after you. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 a relationship with God is just like any other relationship we experience, and for it to be successful, we *must* be willing to meet the other party halfway. saying, "It's all about self effort, self determination, self discipline," and then stamping your foot because you're asked to be fully involved is a bit like a four-year-old pitching a hissy because he doesn't think he has to follow rules just because he doesn't want to. asking God to accept you in your sinful state without having any intention of repenting is to screw relationship because you're not giving anything of yourself to Him; HE must be the one to make the relationship successful and you get to be like a tick on a dog. Doing nothing but reaping the benefit of sustenance. Link to post Share on other sites
dunstable Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Religion is no different than what the world has to offer in its self improvement course. Do you know why? because both religion & the world say that to get over an addiction just stop doing it. Whatever it is. Stop looking at porn, stop lying, stop stop stop. That's right and do you know why? No one has found a magic spell or potion to suppress addiction. Addiction ends when the addicted person says I am so bored of this addiction, I am going to give it up. It's easier said than done. The majority of addicts can't do it. There's a tiny percentage that do. Make sure you are in that percentage! Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
NoIDidn't Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I disagree that religion has oversimplified anything. I think that Man has done that all on his own. Most religions teach love and compassion, but Man has twisted it to only compassion to those that look, act, and think like you do. Even Jesus said it was wrong to do this. But you won't hear this message on Sunday morning (or whatever day one goes to church). Anything that appeals to the human ego has to have come from a human ego. Too many people expect God to make all things rosy and nice for them without them ever having to put in any effort. A proverb says if you want friends, show yourself friendly. Too many people want friends, but forget the second part and wonder why they don't have any friends. Man has oversimplied religion, not the other way around. I take personal issue with the "Jesus is the answer to every problem" crowd. Even as a Christian. This "try Jesus" stuff has people praying instead of getting jobs to pay their bills and then blaming God when they get evicted or foreclosed on. It has people dying when medical advances could have helped them in some way. So, like I said, Man and Man's interpretations and interpolations are the issue. IMHO. Link to post Share on other sites
Mahatma Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Different religions are just forms of guidelines in my opinion. Some people need a religion to tell them exactly what to do, others need something else from it like hope or just faith. All religions pray to the same god. Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 'All' Religions? Er.....I don't think so..... Link to post Share on other sites
knaveman Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 It's all about self effort, self determination, self discipline. Maybe that philosophy works for some but it's not for everybody. It's certainly not for me. That clears up a lot. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
Mahatma Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 'All' Religions? Er.....I don't think so..... Yes. If you pray to a god, it is the same god. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Many Philosophers are influenced by religion. Socrates wasn't an Atheist! Nor was St. Augustine. How can anyone have hope if they believe there is only destiny. We should all just quit our jobs and stop trying if that's the case. It doesn't matter to me where people draw their inspiration- as long as they are inspired! It's dangerous to believe that life is already mapped out for you. Link to post Share on other sites
westernxer Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 Well as long as religion puts an emphasis on stopping wrong behavior then they've oversimplified the solution and are no different than any secular self improvement book. I keep my distance from both sections when I'm at the bookstore. LOL Link to post Share on other sites
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