fandomhigh | (no subject)

I think to answer that question, you first have to explain what faith is. Faith would be something that a human is able to believe in without a doubt, something that gives you the strength to go on and for some people even to give meaning to their lives. Religion would then be a faith that is organised and brings people together who choose to believe in the same thing. Of course, once people get organised and start to write things down about their religion, that mostly means that whoever disagrees with them can be punished or is considered a heretic. And that's when the shit hits the fan and the leaders forget that their religion is about having faith in something and think it's all about power and control.

"What do you think about what Book says (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhigh/72508.html?thread=2474556#t2474556)?

Well, he's free to follow what he wants as long as he doesn't forget to think for himself and blindly follow rules that are discriminating towards other people.

explain.

((I'm afraid I need to get to bed, I'll comment in the morning.))

((OOC: Ditto the bed bit... I'll comment tomorrow morning as well. Wish I could stay up longer-- I've been wanting to get in on conversation))

Okay, it's like this. Sometimes religions might be preaching good things, but amongst there rules they sometimes target a certain minority in the population and disapprove of them. Now, that can be all fine and dandy as long as they keep it to themselves, but when the religious institution and the government start getting too chummy, they might actually abuse their power to publically condemn these people.

Or you know, what if your religion is actually one that preaches that everyone has to do exactly as their priests - who get so called visions from their god - tells them too and everyone who doesn't gets wiped out and everyone who does listen, gets virtually enslaved because the hierarchy gets power mad.

Rest assured, Cameron, I am still able to think for myself. I simply choose to think in the way my religion has taught me.

As to intolerance of others, that is not something I ascribe to. Rather, I choose to look at each peson as a new ~~opportunity for The Allianc~~ chance to learn and enjoy the differences among people.

*nods* I think it is important for religion to be something that one choses to follow and not something that is forced upon you. That's just wrong.

Differences are cool.

[[OOC: So, about the TA thing, do I just come in and hang out? Grade papers? My brain is currently frazzled from working for the past...five hours on a paper about ethnic conflict in Iran. >_<]]

[[Or I could log in first. Fried.]]

You come in, and just take part in the class. In the case of my absence (on Fridays) you will "run" the class. I hope to hand you some kind of outline at least beforehand, but I cant always promise it.

I believe that religion is a set of believes that a group of people follow.

*bows* Hello, honorable professor.

Religion is belief that higher, more powerful beings than self have influnce over our lives. To get blessing by these beings, we must respect, give sacrifices, and honor them always.

"Er, sorry I wasn't here last time," she whispers to Gandalf as she walks in. "I had, um, a crisis and had to go home..." It wasn't a very good excuse, but it was the only one Rogue could come up with that didn't start with 'I forgot.' She takes a seat in the front row, and thinks about her answer.

"Religion is somethin' that a large group of people believe in. It usually consists of rites of some kind, and the goal is to reach God, or inner peace, or whatever they call it. It also serves as a moral code to its adherants.

There is no pressure on you, Marie.

Now, get them discussing this, not just responding to me.

I believe religion starts with the belief in something far greater than yourself, and a desire to study and learn of that something, which generally takes the form of a deity.

In my studies of relgion, I find that I try to improve my own being to enhance that of ~~The Alliance~~ my Lord.

I do, also, agree with Mr. Mitchell, in part. I believe he has the right idea, and his discussion of Faith is one I will carry with me. However... I believe that following the doctrines of your chosen ~~master~~ religion is likely the best way to live.

Religion is something people use to define themselves. Whether they have it or they don't, it still says something about who they are.

Religion means believing in something, whether it is a higher power, multiple higher powers, or even just the goodness in people. Whatever they choose to believe, it all boils down to what is best for them mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. They believe in a certain religion and it adds order to their lives, gives them purpose, and a sense of strength.

"Well, what about people whose religion claims they are some sort of...deviant? Would that be best for them, in any of the ways you mentioned?"

If someone's own religion claims they are some sort of deviant, then I think they should re-examine their religion and see if it is truly right for them.

If the behavior that's considered 'deviant' isn't harmful to anyone, of course.

I guess I'd have to say that religion is a set of shared spiritual beliefs having to do with the recognition/acknowledgement/worship of a higher power. *Shrugs and smiles*

"What about religions that claim there is no higher power, like Buddhism? Is it still a religion then?" Rogue is getting into this.

Maybe make it "higher power/state of being" then?

Maybe it's more about the general concept of believing and not so much the content?

*smiles* Hi, Lana.

Could be.

Hi, Cameron. It's good to see you.

*smiles and blushes*

Could be.

Hi, Cameron. Nice to see you!

*smiles and blushes*

[OOC: Sorry, forgot to log in. Sigh...]

*smiles back* I'm really enjoying this class.

((No worries!))

Does this mean I don't have to turn in my homework, then? *looks hopeful*

Religion is the way that beings throughout the universe try to explain the unexplainable, to try to wrap their minds around things beyond comprehension.

No, ANakin, I expect you to turn in your assignment, still *fatherly smile*

Good thing I did it, then. *smiles, hands over paper*

How do I worship? If you take worship to mean "taking the time remember that there is something bigger than I am," then the meditations required by my Order would count.

We remind ourselves that there is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no chaos; there is harmony. There is no death; there is the Force. They are the tenets of our faith, if you will, the core of our belief. They, not the lightsabers or the telekinetic powers, are what make us, makes me, Jedi.

Then what is wrong with that,.. what makes it impossible to follow?

Because I'm only human.

I have passion, I see chaos, I experience emotion, I fear death. The tenets are good to aspire to but I fear that I come up quite short in actually accomplishing any of them.

So give me 100 words (or more), next class.

How can we aspire, and reach, that which is noble in all of us?

practical examples only, please.

Wanted to turn in my homework from last week, sir.

Fear of death is a complicated thing. There seem to be those who fear death because they do believe in an after life and are afraid they will go to hell or the equivalent due to "sins" they have committed while alive. Others seem to fear death because they believe that afterwards there is only nothingness. Others still fear the unknown - and death is certainly the first step into a great unknown.

As for my fear… If some greater Being exists who judges our actions… Will this Being look solely at our deeds or will the circumstances be considered?

SO your next assignement -

How can you decide what is right?

*Grabs a carefully chosen apple and begins to munch*

Hey "Teach"...

Haven't we had that question before? Don't get me wrong. Great question.

I believe I had an assignment. A one hundred word essay on "Fear of Death" Do you want that now?

yes, I do. THank you

*Hands over neatly handwritten essay*

Three little words that mean so much: Fear of Death. Really it’s just a fear of all things ending. A loss of consciousness that will never return. That is if you have doubt. I’ve seen the look of fear on a person when they are about to die.

I’ve seen it too many times. There are no 12 stages for them either. Usually it is only one stage. Maybe two. It’s mostly bargaining and then

Usually it’s “Oh please! God! Don’t do this!” or “Whatever I’m doing I’ll stop” or “Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll double it”.

My response is always the same: “It’s not me.”

It's actually 106 words. That's not a problem, is it?

*Stark was in a quiet sort of mood and spent most of the class looking around oddly and just listening to the others speak. He did, however, remember to bring his homework from last class with him. 101 words on worship, disjointed like their author.*

We don’t worship. We’re a race of slaves, why would we thank a higher power for that?
She worshipped. I miss her.
They worship because it helps them to believe, to remind them they believe. They worship because they are afraid, or because they are happy. Different ways, different deities, all the same. Sometimes words, sometimes actions, sometimes thoughts. It is beautiful or terrible or both or neither. You must believe to worship. I know better. We have no deity and I would have long since stopped worshipping if we did. Sometimes I want to believe, to worship, but I cannot.

*shows up, just a little late*

*nudges person in desk in front of him with his assignment, trying to pass it up*

Ah...Religion is...well, Religion is something that we structure our moral beliefs around, so that we can feel as though our actions have a positive purpose. It helps us become better people. *laughs sheepishly* At least, it's supposed to help us become better people!

*has piled about five servings of food in front of himself and is absently going through the whole pile*

OOC: Can we just pretend Hotaru was here and did something intelligent? I haven't had much time today- homework and being booted home from real school because I couldn't stay awake. *waves fingers*

Religion is what my mother makes me study because she is worried about letting me grow up and go out on my own. It is an excuse for her to be strict and sometimes downright unreasonable.

*creeps into class, finds a spot in the back with his sushi*

*listens intently to Gandalf's lecture*

Religion is the belief in the presence of the divine in your everyday life.