Religion = Depression

[Love~is~All]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

feel free to dump religion, it is man made not god made see god in a flower

Just no dumping Christmas!

Originally Posted by Altair

Great thoughts Asearcher.

I too think of so called ''holy'' books purely as glimpses into the history, culture and politics of a time and place. They are limiting our human experience, putting us in a box. Like you said, there is much to say for free thinking and one's own responsibility, asking questions and so forth. Thanks for mentioning nature and animals and not just taking the neatly structured (religious) man-made traditions as foundation.

Thank you so much, Altair, it's wonderful you feel the same way

[ajay00]

Originally Posted by SpiritualFreedom

I don't know about you guys, but If I start to follow some religion, philosophy, guru or whatever.

I slowly start to feel disempowered, blocked, limited and depressed.

My intellect and emotions start to go against my own well being, and my own success.

I endup destroyed mentally.

But when I start to grow my intellect in order to persue new big goals and achievements in my life, specially around making more money, I start to get extremelly excited and my life success goes up in all directions: health, mind, spirit, relationships, family and finances.

Religion is depression and destruction to myself.

I tried to humble myself into greater religion forces or ideas, and it ends up me getting depressed and totally unhappy!

What really gets me excited is to grow my intelligence in order to make more money in my businesses, getting bigger muscles at the gym, becoming more smarter by reading new books constantly, improving my business systems and maths, doing out of body experiences at 4am in order to know the secrets of my own self, providing better stuff to my parents and girlfriend, exploring and meeting new business people, new mentors, etc.

But religion to an external group or institution, that just ruins my whole life energy and excitement to the ground.

What really excites me in life is to grow my intelligence in order to break down big goals, and achieve them one after the another.

That's what makes life really exciting. In and Out of the body.

Is what makes life a fantastic adventure to play!

I am 90% selfish, 10% altruistic.


You have to really know what makes you truly excited in order to live life to the maximum.

If religion doesn't get that job done, screw with it.

Life must be exciting and a game to play for you

Virtuous conduct is also a part of religion, and Hinduism and Buddhism considers this aspect potent in itself to attain enlightenment.

Originally Posted by SpiritualFreedom

What really gets me excited is to grow my intelligence in order to make more money in my businesses, getting bigger muscles at the gym, becoming more smarter by reading new books constantly, improving my business systems and maths, doing out of body experiences at 4am in order to know the secrets of my own self, providing better stuff to my parents and girlfriend, exploring and meeting new business people, new mentors, etc.

All this is part of virtuous behavior and conduct, and does not contradict religion. Not doing so is considered irreligious.

You seem to be a healthy guy with a healthy mind and I like the way you worded your posts.

Authentic religion is all about being happy and healthy, not being sad and unhealthy.

[Altair]

Originally Posted by Love~is~All

I asked if your religion had anything to offer re help/guidance for depression and the thread topic. Your religion's advice then is, "Life is hell and you will never reincarnate, plus we are not here to enjoy, and there no place for depression."

This is the OP's exact problem with religion, you don't appear to understand his original post. It's that sort of religious preaching that causes real and actual depression in people. It's the problem, not the answer.

Yes! Religious teachings (many) are usually the problem, not the solution! They tell people to feel negative about the world, about their bodies, about having ambitions and goals in life (aka ''desires''), about having bonds with others (aka ''attachments''). Some religions just dress it up in less direct words, depending on how things are communicated in that culture, but beneath it one can find as much judgement as in a more overt religion that speaks of damnation. People keep being stuck in the traps of religions, replacing one with the other.

[Altair]

Originally Posted by asearcher

Thank you so much, Altair, it's wonderful you feel the same way

Cheers.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Altair

Yes! Religious teachings (many) are usually the problem, not the solution! They tell people to feel negative about the world, about their bodies, about having ambitions and goals in life (aka ''desires''), about having bonds with others (aka ''attachments'').
Some religions just dress it up in less direct words, depending on how things are communicated in that culture, but beneath it one can find as much judgement as in a more overt religion that speaks of damnation. People keep being stuck in the traps of religions, replacing one with the other.

And these teachings haunt people their whole lives...it's burrowed into their subconscious minds ---not mine anymore!

Fear-based religions - fear-based governments - fear based News -
fear-based education and competitions and sports and jobs to be better and achieve what is expected...and on time!
Gosh, could make your head spin.

Dis-ease, depression, addictions, negativity...no wonder! Seems many are taught fear from the get-go.

[Untersberg56]

People such as "Love Is All" who profess to be theatre graduates should learn to read and understand what is written and avoid knowingly misquoting.

I never said "Life is hell and you will never reincarnate," and neither is that a "tenet of my religion".

The Earth is one of the hells. The Buddha said that. I believe it, but blame the Buddhas for saying it. Their primary intention was for us to escape the wheel of lives and deaths.

Elsewhere in this Forum I provided the evidence for what I remember of my previous life. I recall parts of it very clearly, I know my former identity, name, rank, unit and place and date of death. Once you know that you have lived before believe me when I say that it is bound to influence your thinking and beliefs right now. And it is inescapable.

[Happy Wanderer]

BigJohn, post #24, 'Animism', what a lovely term! And what a wonderful antidote to the fear and depression meted out by 'religions'. If mankind could see the spark of the divine (or whatever your term is for 'God') in ALL things, and stop considering that mankind is the be all and end all, maybe it would treat the earth (Gaia?) with more respect, IMHO.

To return to the original topic, I know a lady, same age as me (we're septuagenarians) who I've known since primary school days. Poor girl had a difficult childhood and I believe has used the C of E as a crutch all her life. I find this very sad as she's an intelligent person but confuses the old testament with the new and quotes from either/both to give her point of view some credance. She takes huge offence if I question her faith* and I believe her to be totally enslaved by the indoctrination of her church. She has drifted in and out of depression for most of her life but now she seems happier because her third husband is similarly enslaved, so they have at least one common bond! I feel all I can do is 'hold her in the light' and pray for her spiritual freedom.

*By this I don't mean open criticism of her faith, but the introduction of other ideas for her to consider. Unfortunately I can't reach her mind, it is too tightly bound by the indoctrination. I feel very sad about the joy she is missing out on. However, we all follow our own paths, and if she is comfortable being trapped in the confines of her religion I must learn to be prepared to just watch and pray.

I wonder if, in my own way, I sound just as pious?! No doubt someone will soon tell me if I do!

Oh by the way, as a Quaker apparently I shan't be granted access to the 'Kingdom of Heaven', wherever that is....

[Love~is~All]

Originally Posted by Happy Wanderer

However, we all follow our own paths, and if she is comfortable being trapped in the confines of her religion I must learn to be prepared to just watch and pray.

What a beautiful, thoughtful post, your long friendship with her, and your concerns and reflections.

There is nothing to feel sad about. Her path is her path so she may learn. We can find joy in that! Everyone is growing, everyone is evolving!

Yes, she is "behind" you from a time-plane view. And she is precisely when she needs to be from a space-view (eternal) perspective. To question another's path, to feel sad, or see her as trapped, or feel anything other than Love for that Soul, is in a way to play God. Only "God" would ever know what she should and shouldn't be up to in every single moment of HER Soul existence. :)

Just my perspective is all HW. Love! Thank you for that post, a loving read indeed!

[Love~is~All]

Originally Posted by Untersberg56

People such as "Love Is All"

There is only one of me! :)

After that post, NOW I know where you're at! Fantastic! So let's talk your previous-incarnation wisdom. Of the knowledge and wisdom you've gained from those lifetimes, what specific wisdom do you have to share re religion and religious teaching as a cause of depression.

Thank you for the clarity U, I'm really looking forward to a non-religious (non-intellectual) discussion with you now. In other words, an authentic soul chat on the topic. That's all I ever want from any discussion! :)

LiAll!