Religious Rituals

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Lon
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Religious Rituals

Post by Lon »

As I watched CNN this AM and watched the millions of Muslims decending upon Mecca for their holy pilgrimage and to walk around the holy Ka'ba seven times. That's seven times mind you, not five or nine, I thought about other religious rituals, of which their are many in all religions.

I am not a religious person, so maybe I just don't get it. But is all the ritualistic mumbo jumbo necessary to gain God's favor? Genuflecting, crossings one's self, the holy water bit, kneeling in prayer to the East many times daily, incense, candles, jos sticks, some don't genuflect but just nod, rosaries, prayer beads, icons, on and on.

Give me a break!! It all strikes me as a bunch of superstitious crap, like don't walk under a ladder (bad luck), black cat crossing your path (bad luck). Don't mean to offend those of you that participate in various rituals, that's your right and if it makes you happy, so be it.
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Uncle Kram
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Religious Rituals

Post by Uncle Kram »

Religion is all about mass control, and superstition is a tried and tested method. Compliance brings comfort and acceptance, so everyone's happy


THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN PUN
RedGlitter
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Religious Rituals

Post by RedGlitter »

I am not a religious person, so maybe I just don't get it. But is all the ritualistic mumbo jumbo necessary to gain God's favor?

There is familiarity in ritual and if you believe in it, a certain amount of power in performing those rituals. Whether the power is used to appeal to God (ie: christian) or used to change circumstance (ie: wicca/pagan) it is not always used to gain favor with God. (although in some religions and with some people (ie: catholic) it is.

There is comfort in performing ritual and that is also an aspect for many people.

yet another reason for performing it is that it is often believed that it helps build up one's power and or their faith which can be directed to change their circumstance.

I personally don't think God cares if you don't genuflect or pray so many Our Fathers or light the right color candle. I think the simplest prayer said with the deepest intent is all God needs. But I do like the idea of ritual for all of the reasons I listed above. I don't think a lot of it is "mumbo jumbo" or BS but there is some that I do, ie: animal sacrifice. I don't think God requires you kill one of his creatures to get his attention, as an example.

:-6
Shweet tatersalad
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Religious Rituals

Post by Shweet tatersalad »

heres a ritual you don't see enough of any more,back in the day this was stylish.I saw this happen once when i was over seas.It really makes a impact.
gmc
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Religious Rituals

Post by gmc »

posted by Clancy

While I was typing this , the thought of the Holy Wars {which lasted forever} came into my mind ....so did the saying : Defination of a Holy War : two kids fighting over who has the best immaginary friend.


:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl Careful you'll get burned as a heretic and for disrespecting the church.
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Bez
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Religious Rituals

Post by Bez »

Lon wrote: I am not a religious person, so maybe I just don't get it. But is all the ritualistic mumbo jumbo necessary to gain God's favor? Genuflecting, crossings one's self, the holy water bit, kneeling in prayer to the East many times daily, incense, candles, jos sticks, some don't genuflect but just nod, rosaries, prayer beads, icons, on and on.

.


I'm not really sure about all this Lon. When I attended Church of Engalnd Services there was 'order' to what we did..sit, stand, kneel, sing, pray. Altar, Candles, Cross, Font, Holy water, Bible, Prayer books, Hymn books etc etc. (these were my random thoughts)

Now I attend Buddhist meetings .....anyway.....sit/kneel, chant, prayer beads, Gongyo book, guidances, experiences, candles, incense, Gohonzon, Butsudan etc etc (again random thoughts)

I guess these things are used to keep one focussed ...not sure. I need to think a bit more.
A smile is a window on your face to show your heart is home
rem
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Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:58 am

Religious Rituals

Post by rem »

I think religious rituals and bad luck theories are bullshit to its all in the mind i have a blck cat and he walks across my path all the time but i dont have any bad luck or at least i cant see it,SPEAKING of rituals who seen bush and world leaders worshiping molech!

I tell you the madest one if you live in england you would have seen a program on channel 4 called THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL it spoke about all evil being a result of religion and it showed the muuslims and jews killing eachother over who owns a buliding i forgot the name but its got a dome top.
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Accountable
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Religious Rituals

Post by Accountable »

rem wrote: I think religious rituals and bad luck theories are bullshit to its all in the mind i have a blck cat and he walks across my path all the time but i dont have any bad luck or at least i cant see it,SPEAKING of rituals who seen bush and world leaders worshiping molech!

I tell you the madest one if you live in england you would have seen a program on channel 4 called THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL it spoke about all evil being a result of religion and it showed the muuslims and jews killing eachother over who owns a buliding i forgot the name but its got a dome top.Welcome Rem. Superstitious against punctuation? :D



Kidding! It's not religion that's doing the evil, it's fanaticism.
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