Question - do you appreciate the difference between faith and organized religion?
Perhaps I worded that wrong. I didn't mean to strike a defense chord. I was only wondering if you considered faith and organized religion to be the same thing.
How would I possibly make them specific?
Sorry. Not sure I know what you mean. Are you asking me how I would have worded the statements to make them more specific?
The best way to refute something you feel is incorrect is by giving a counter-example. Would you care to?
Okay.
The following is taken from the Unitarian Universalist website. Its one of the few that I looked up to prove that not all religions believe the statements you made. The bolding is mine, and directly contradicts these following statements that you had listed:
-Religion does as it is told. It follows.
-Religion gives its answers without listening to your questions.
-Religion seeks to reinforce its dogma
-Religion disdains progress (I'm not actually sure which religions you think disdain progress other than those like the amish)
-Religion makes humanity unworthy and corrupt.
-Religion burns witches, skins scholars, tortures thinkers, burns books and channels God
-Religion is the child of elitists stoning children, dominating women, forcing submission walking lockstep, closing minds.
-Religion the Dark Ages
And here are their beliefs.
The beliefs of Unitarian Universalists are diverse: About one in four identifies themselves to be Christian. Many do not believe in, or question, the existence of a "God" deity or deities. They often describe themselves as agnostics, atheists, humanists, free thinkers... Some maintain other religious traditions from around the world: Buddhism, Hinduism, Neopaganism, Judaism etc.
Unitarianism features a lack of dogma, a belief in the inherent goodness of people, and the obligation for each member to seek out and develop his or her own system of beliefs and ethics. You are encouraged to explore your own intuition and personal leanings.
Universalism is a religious movement which promotes the concept that every person will go to heaven after death. This contrasts with the traditional Christian belief that one's natural destination is eternal torment in hell and only those who are 'saved' will go to heaven. Unitarians and Universalists co-exist happily though their views may differ.
More about Unitarian Universalist Beliefs
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.
- We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds.
- We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a noncreedal religion. Ours is a free faith.
- We believe that religious wisdom is everchanging. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets and sages throughout the ages.
- We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions and life-styles and believe these differences generally should be honored.
- We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with other peoples, races and nations, should be governed by justice, equity and compassion.
As for the leading question, I think it is similar to asking, "Would you rather be stupid and believe in religion which does not promote free thought, or would you rather be smart and choose science which does?"
No rational person is going to choose number one in the biased way that it is worded. Obviously, at least one religion promote free thinking and the power of thought.
Tammy
