Time for a new religion

[tommylama]

I would like to discuss the need for a new religion. You probably think that there are too many religions as it is, and I am inclined to agree with you. But all of the existing religions lack something which is crucial to the forward evolution of our society. The major religions attempt to answer questions about life after death, but do not address the questions we need answered about life before death. While we are alive on this planet we have a lot of work to do before God will be satisfied with our efforts.

The Christian belief of Heaven and Hell are the crux of the problem. People believe that eternal punishment is something which must be avoided at all costs, and are all too eager to accept ridiculous notions if it means they are exempt from such pain and suffering. Shortcuts to Heaven abound throughout the various churches, and salvation creates the complacency which is so prevalent in our world and which is largely responsible for our collective indifference to the trials and tribulations of so many members of our human family. Too many people believe that all they have to do to gain eternal life is to believe that Jesus died for their sins. Life is a bit more complicated than such a simple formula.

Rather than accept eternal punishment and/or eternal reward as what awaits us after death, I think it is more prudent to embrace a belief system which describes a gradual progression along a very long path at the end of which can be found the eternal reward. In a word, Reincarnation. After many lives, perhaps hundreds of thousands, our consciousness grows and expands until we are aware of the Divinity we have always been a part of.

Given a long and arduous path which must be traversed before enjoying the eternal reward, individuals will be forced to change their evil ways if they are ever to find happiness. There are no religions today which provide this built-in incentive system. Religions today do not synthesize humanity as much as they create separation and discord. I believe this new religion could speed up our social evolution dramatically, and provide a platform of love and respect and right human relations. We are all one family on this glorious planet and the sooner we recognize the divinity of everyone the sooner we can enjoy the eternal reward. Spirituality, love and unity will be rewarded. Materialistic separatism and hate will be punished.

All of the religions are very similar in that they promote loving, selfless behavior. The basic tenets of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are all good, beautiful and true. The new religion will build on these tenets, emphasize our shared Path, and teach how we can help each other find eternal reward.

This thread is just a thought experiment. I'm interested in finding out if anyone is receptive to this idea. Please don't reply to this if you just want to argue. We are all one. Not all are aware of this fact and as a result we have the problems of humanity. Love is the key to solving all of these problems. This new religion will promote love, because failure to love will yield bad and painful karma. Nobody wants bad and painful karma.

[sky]

' The major religions attempt to answer questions about life after death, but do not address the questions we need answered about life before death '


Why do you think only religion can answer these questions ? Could they be answered without religion ?

[tommylama]

Altruism is the key to solving these questions. There are no 'factories of altruism' within society. It is the job of the Church to provide these factories, if you will. The Church has failed. Altruism is loving, selfless, angelic behavior, and is therefore a function of our spiritual institutions. Religion defines our relationship with God and nature and each other. So no, I don't think they can be answered without religion.

[sky]

Originally Posted by tommylama

Altruism is the key to solving these questions. There are no 'factories of altruism' within society. It is the job of the Church to provide these factories, if you will. The Church has failed. Altruism is loving, selfless, angelic behavior, and is therefore a function of our spiritual institutions. Religion defines our relationship with God and nature and each other. So no, I don't think they can be answered without religion.

Each to their own, some need a religion to follow, others look within not without for answers.

[Busby]

I won't argue - but a need for a new religion is not on my 'things to have' list.

Here's a good hint though at forming the future in accord with rapidly growing insights:

We live in a world not of real things but of opinion and fantasy.

This is from Epictetus, a man of many parts.

[tommylama]

You say 'each to his own'. This is separatism. We are one family, but with the 'each to his own' mentality, which is currently the case, we have a lot of disharmony and war.

[sky]

Originally Posted by tommylama

You say 'each to his own'. This is separatism. We are one family, but with the 'each to his own' mentality, which is currently the case, we have a lot of disharmony and war.

There is individuality in oneness, we can't all think the same otherwise we would be robots

[Shivani Devi]

What is it that makes a 'religion' any different to a spiritual path with millions of adherents?

Is Bah'ai a religion? What about "Unitarianism?" is "Theosphy" a religion? how about the whole "New Age" movement?

You'll find that the problem with making a new religion, is that it's all been done before and there's something already out there which will meet your needs if you look hard enough.

[tommylama]

Originally Posted by Shivani Devi

What is it that makes a 'religion' any different to a spiritual path with millions of adherents?

Is Bah'ai a religion? What about "Unitarianism?" is "Theosphy" a religion? how about the whole "New Age" movement?

You'll find that the problem with making a new religion, is that it's all been done before and there's something already out there which will meet your needs if you look hard enough.

If there is a religion which sets the behaviors of Jesus as a basis for human behavior and teaches a path of reincarnation from animal consciousness to angel consciousness over the span of a million lifetimes, then I agree with you. Can you point me in the direction of such a religion? If so, I greatly appreciate your help. If not, then I think we need that kind of religion to spur humanity on to creating a better society. The idea of reincarnation is key to the changes which need to be made, because in that model, only each individual is to blame for all of his or her circumstances whether happy or sad. We become the conductors of our own life symphony and eventually we will change our tune, because as I have already pointed out, nobody wants painful karma.

[Shivani Devi]

Originally Posted by tommylama

If there is a religion which sets the behaviors of Jesus as a basis for human behavior and teaches a path of reincarnation from animal consciousness to angel consciousness over the span of a million lifetimes, then I agree with you. Can you point me in the direction of such a religion? If so, I greatly appreciate your help. If not, then I think we need that kind of religion to spur humanity on to creating a better society. The idea of reincarnation is key to the changes which need to be made, because in that model, only each individual is to blame for all of his or her circumstances whether happy or sad. We become the conductors of our own life symphony and eventually we will change our tune, because as I have already pointed out, nobody wants painful karma.

Buddhism comes the closest to what you describe there.