There was a time long ago in human history, where there were no countries, governments, democracies, or populace-determining elections. There was uncontrolled brutality and/or tyrrany through much of human existence. Up to a few hundred years ago, people needed rules, structure, a code of good and bad behaviours to live by. Religion filled a void, both for population control and the human desire to seek spiritual meaning.
Then of course organized religions become self-fulfilling corruptions. The need for population control largely no longer exists in developed countries however the desire for spiritual guidance largely remains a human need. Thus separation of church and state in developed countries, and bat-shit crazy oppression in non-developed countries.
When you think about Islam, it is kind of a Johnny (Mohamed) come lately religion. But nothing biggie since. Prophets provide a sense of legitimacy to religions. Recently though, any new prophets are labelled as quacks, heretics, or lunatics, as religions tend to protect their very existence by a strict policy of mutual exclusivity and labelling all other schools of thought as being false gods punishable by death, etc.
So for a self-enlightened person un-interested in the self-serving and outdated modalities of organized religions, they have a few choices:
- remain non-practicing but loosely associated with the the religion they were brought up with (selective choice). Maybe I will go to church on Christmas day, or pray when my my gut suddenly swells up.
- switch to another religion and focus on the good bits of it (they all have good bits and either bad bits or limitations). Is the grass really greener?
- Spiritual doctrines, such as budism, transcendental meditation, etc. that provide spiritual guidance and pathways to enlightenment without demanding
obedience, church attendence, and unquestioning support for an organized religion. Some practitioners may still ask for money for teachings. Hmmmm.
- Undecided. So live “Good Without God”. Don’t need someone else telling me what to do. Insufficient evidence and sufficient contradictions to subscribe to a singular school of thought. Kind of like Einstein’s viewpoint that he is a very spritual person but can’t subscribe to any religion that threatens its congregation with damnation for non-compliance.
- Druidism, Naturalism, elemental spiritualism, just go for a walk in the forrest, commune with nature, discover and feel a sense of awe at natural phenomena, but lose the baggage.
- Atheism, which remains as a viable option for people who simply do not beleive there is a god/creator, or who just can’t align with organized religions.
-Whack-A-Doodle’s: let’s all drink koolaid and jump on the next comet that flies by.
Personally, I would like to see a ressurgence of Philoshophers, vibrant debate, and ongoing exploration of our human existence.
-Punt.