Freeze dried, like a new religion.

[digitaldiscipline]

First things first: Darn good idea here, just in case:

First Post. Private. Please.

Folks have been putting it under various filters, or whatever, or making a link in their Memory or User Info pages. . . whatever works.

As for the subject line, I've been less social than usual of late, due to a combination of being frigging tired, what is probably a transient bout of depression, and re-reading a favorite book (which is, apparently, more compelling than sleeping, playing video games, or eating).

I was wondering if the agreement I feel towards the central ideas and themes presented by this book is what religious folks of whatever stripe feel when they peruse their tract of choice. It's not so much an adoration or worship of the idea or the character(s) or author, but a more basic consideration and realization that, basically, I wonder how someone -couldn't- agree with it, because it seems so obvious to me that it's talking about doing things the right way, or at least resonates very strongly with the way my mind and emotions work together, even if I don't live by that philosophy at all times.

Those of you who do ascribe to a particular faith, is that what it's like? I hadn't contemplated my enjoyment of it in this fashion previously, and am curious.

Comments

[geekers.livejournal.com]

Which book, if you don't mind my asking?

[etcet.livejournal.com]

i'm going to hold off on sharing that for the moment, to keep the conversation objective. but email me and i'll let you know when i get home from the office. :-)

[geekers.livejournal.com]

Okay. Thank you. :}

[ladysoleil.livejournal.com]

I was wondering if the agreement I feel towards the central ideas and themes presented by this book is what religious folks of whatever stripe feel when they peruse their tract of choice.

Those of you who do ascribe to a particular faith, is that what it's like?

Mostly, sometimes punctuated by intense doubt and confusion now and then, as I think everyone here can agree that the Bible is wildly open to interpretation. I'll even be willing to entertain the argument that it's fairly dated both as a piece of literature and a belief system, but to stay on topic, generally, aside from those bits that don't deal with, say, burning livestock as a pleasing sacrifice and turning people into pillars of salt, yes.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I was unclear - it wasn't the agreement/recognition that I was asking, it was the "How could any thinking person feel otherwise?" pondering.

[kungfugimp.livejournal.com]

I often wonder the same when it comes to a political philosophy.

I have been in the same boat in that I find it disappointing that others don't share the same view I do when it comes to certain aspects of life. However, I accept the fact that we aren't all the same. When I do come across another person with the same beliefs, I am ectatic. It's exciting to know that while I may be in a minority for my mindset, I am not alone.

As for trying to figure out why others wouldn't share the same beliefs - You needn't look past the fact of the human animal. We're products of many things - environment, parents, peers, survival, emotions. Because you're within this particular feeling/belief, it's hard to contiplate how others who understand where your at, yet not agree with it.

Now - the interesting thing is - how do you view others that don't share these ideas.

[ladysoleil.livejournal.com]

Gotcha- but even in that context, it's still basically the same answer, yes, there are definitely things in there that I believe are obviously "right" that we'd all do well to live by. But in that light, there are also things in there that make me wonder, "how can any thinking person embrace so strange/bigoted/inane a viewpoint". I'm going to let my answer stand as yes, sometimes, but with a healthy side of disbelief.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

*nod* I find the same situation of "WTF?" much more often. . .

[david-deacon.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you've found one of those rare books that says what you've always thought, better than you could've put it into words yourself. A perfect ideological fit, expressed in terms that you personally find reassuring. The literary equivalent of Linus's blanket.

God, I sure hope it isn't one of those books by Rush Limbaugh. . . .

[elixxir.livejournal.com]

No particular faith, just a vague respect for the concept of karma. :p

[etcet.livejournal.com]

*hugs* well, that makes sense, too