Ed's spirituality, And yours. Options

[Godiva]

I know I'm a nOOb, but this issue is one of the reasons I remain at least somewhat interested in Live's music and visionary nature... and I was wondering what the general attitude of posters on this board is regarding such matters.

I don't know a whole lot about what Ed subscribes to, I am more of an atheist-leaning agnostic. However, I find Ed's outlook on life refreshing... if one is to be a theist, then his kind of theism is the kind I can relate to and the kind I think can actually do some good in the world.

What about you guys? Have Live's songs connected with your spirit? Influenced your belief? What are your tendencies in things of a metaphysical nature?

I left Christianity in my early years of college. I found Live's older music extremely helpful to me during that time in my life (even though no one was playing those songs on the radio anymore).

[teressa]

I grew up "Christian" myself, but one of the things I hate about organized religion is that it's all about converting everyone else to THAT particular belief system, whatever it is.

Ditto. The only difference is that I didn't really grow up "Christian" because we never went to church, but my mom is very traditional. Anyhow, I love how open minded Ed is about different religions and doesn't really single one out. One of my favorite lyrics from SFBM is "Open your heart, you can find your own way, I found they're all the same."

[Godiva]

Ditto. The only difference is that I didn't really grow up "Christian" because we never went to church, but my mom is very traditional. Anyhow, I love how open minded Ed is about different religions and doesn't really single one out. One of my favorite lyrics from SFBM is "Open your heart, you can find your own way, I found they're all the same."

But are they all the same? This is something I still struggle with... for instance, Buddhism and Christianity both have very different metanarratives explaining humanity and God/gods. Only certain kinds of Christianity can be said to have the same overarching vision as Buddhism. And even within Buddhism, you have Theravadans and then you have Pure Land (and everything inbetween, not to mention Americanized versions of Buddhism). I don't think I buy into the fact that all religions are about the same thing.

Granted, love and similar themes may be present in all religions, but the purpose of love is sometimes very different. In the end, does it matter more that we just love, period, rather than what we think the significance of that love is? Does this negate the supernatural and metaphysical cosmologies that different religions claim to know about? I don't know, but I tend to think it does.

[teressa]

But are they all the same? This is something I still struggle with... for instance, Buddhism and Christianity both have very different metanarratives explaining humanity and God/gods. Only certain kinds of Christianity can be said to have the same overarching vision as Buddhism. And even within Buddhism, you have Theravadans and then you have Pure Land (and everything inbetween, not to mention Americanized versions of Buddhism). I don't think I buy into the fact that all religions are about the same thing.

Granted, love and similar themes may be present in all religions, but the purpose of love is sometimes very different. In the end, does it matter more that we just love, period, rather than what we think the significance of that love is? Does this negate the supernatural and metaphysical cosmologies that different religions claim to know about? I don't know, but I tend to think it does.

I wasn't trying to imply that they were all about the same thing. Just that one is not
necessarily "right" and all the others are wrong. I think you have to go with what feels right and what rings true for you, but I don't believe in telling other people they're beliefs are wrong and therefore they are going to burn in hell or whatever. I think there is something to be said for being open minded and accepting of the other faiths that are out there.