Comment on My Religion
Pringles@sopuli.xyz 8 hours agoMy brother was studying to become a Jesuit and there was this running joke amongst the Jesuits about praying where they would go “Why? God doesn’t exist.” This may sound hypocritical and it kind of is, but they consider the religion more a moral framework rather than something to rigorously believe in. That’s also why Pope Francis resonated with many non-believers because, at least the modern Jesuits, apply the moral lessons of the New Testament with a healthy dose of rationality (they are considered the intellectual branch of the church for a reason).
Very few, if any, Jesuit these days believe in the existence of a god, but they find value in the moral framework and how they can apply that to make this world a better place. It’s the only religious order I can stomach to have conversations with.
otacon239@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
This right here I think is the ultimate way to practice religion. It’s an excellent framework for helping understand your connection to the universe and how your morality intertwines.
I’ve been reading up on Taoism and one of the things I resonated with is that it accepts the idea that you can worship anything. Even a rock. It’s not about actually believing that the thing holds power, but rather allowing yourself to give in a bit to the universe in an understanding that you are ultimately powerless. You have to give up some of your agency to the idea that there is power beyond your control and understanding and you have to accept that.
If you believe you’re an individual being separate from the world around you, the world will catch up to that idea. Aggressively. But if you accept that the world does not cater to you, and if you surrender some of that responsibility to a higher power, you’re not nearly as blindsided when the world finds you.