| What do religious rituals and holidays have to do with attaining knowledge of a higher being within "spirit"?All of the rituals, holidays, sacrifices,prayers, meditation, self mutilation, do you really think they can connect you to the Creator/God or Universal consciousness and give you personally knowledge that you are one!
Asked By: TheAsender - 6/23/2010 |
About 5 billion years ago, the earliest life forms began on planet earth. About 12 million years ago, the earliest primates appeared on the scene. 1 million years ago, the first humans appeared, living as hunters and gatherers. They discovered fire, domesticated animals, invented tools, discovered the wheel, and made clothing, weapons, and dwellings from surrounding materials. At that time, their knowledge of the world and "spirits" were more by superstitions, myths, fairy tales, and traditions. Governance at family and community levels did not separate religion from state. Everything were rolled into one. Hence, rituals, holidays and everything else were dictated to the people by the elders.
Because of the lack of the immense knowledge that we now have in year 2010 and beyond, early man believed that gods ruled the universe. Early man had to appease the gods by whatever means he felt could work. There were no person at that time who had the luxury of sitting in an air-conditioned room doing meditation or research for facts using the internet. Consciousness is a relatively modern concept. During early times, staying alive and protecting oneself from wild animals, infections, the elements and starvation was a full time job.
Because of the very temperamental nature of man, traditional religions still provide immense satisfaction of man's primal needs. Nevertheless, because of the rule of law, no person with status, money and fame can compelled another person to observe rituals and holidays. That's why you can freely question the keeping of these rituals and holidays. In certain countries, however, it is risky for you to do such questioning.
In the new millennium, of nanotechnology, outer space exploration, worldwide web, cloning, and satellite communications, liposuction, and open heart surgery, you can delete rituals and holidays from your transcendental path to consciousness.
Yep, you have that unalienable right to do so. Furthermore, you don't need a strict adherence to rituals and holidays to attain spirituality. You are free to select or discard any ritual or holiday to construct your own religion. Most modern governments will not arrest you for that, so long as you abide by the laws of the land, don't libel the leaders, and pay your taxes, fees, levies and fines.
Answered By: Pendragon Tim Chng - 6/23/2010 |