Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - 10 Reasons You Should Never Have a Religion (Blog)

NigelB · 05-30-2008, 10:20 AM

I've been following Steve on and off for a while now, as I have been interested in personal development for the past few years.

I had to smile when I saw this post from Steve, which I have to say I broadly agree with. I too abandoned my beliefs in organized religion some time ago for many of the reasons laid out by Steve.

However, having taken a step back from things over the past few months I've also come to realize that this whole self-improvement (maybe New Age?) industry/movement/belief system (call it what you will) is not really any better than an organized religion.

Unfortunately (in my opinion) Steve is a part of this 'movement'.

The message of self-improvement 'gurus' is that you can have what you like as long as you follow the techniques that they have discovered for themselves. As long as you attend their seminar, buy their book, purchase from their website, then you too can have a life as fulfilling as theirs, because yours is crap and they have many (if not all) of the answers for you.

You know, I've read the works of many self-improvement 'gurus' who spin tales about how they have followers who have 'transformed their business', 'increased their income by 400%', 'got the partner of their dreams', (insert your own fantasy here...). But, I've NEVER met anyone who has achieved the results claimed by these gurus. However, I've met PLENTY of people who have purchased their products.

At best, people like Steve are either at-best self-deluded, or at worst preying on impressionable folks who want a better life but don't have the physical or mental resources to get it.

If you abandon all beliefs (including self-improvement ideology and techniques), it boils down to this: you are on your own. Life can be, and often is very hard. No one is going to come along and give you the answer or rescue you. You have to accept these realities and after the initial shock of acceptance, you can build true courage to face life. Its a harsh reality, but you're never looking over your shoulder for anyone (or anything) to give you the answers or bail you out.

This is my experience...take it or leave it, I have nothing to sell.

Don't spend years (or maybe your whole life) deluding yourself with religion, self improvement gurus, junk fed to you from the TV/newspaper etc. Stand on your own, be an adult, and face life with true courage and accept the realities of life.

05-30-2008, 10:20 AM	#242 (permalink)
NigelB Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	I've been following Steve on and off for a while now, as I have been interested in personal development for the past few years. I had to smile when I saw this post from Steve, which I have to say I broadly agree with. I too abandoned my beliefs in organized religion some time ago for many of the reasons laid out by Steve. However, having taken a step back from things over the past few months I've also come to realize that this whole self-improvement (maybe New Age?) industry/movement/belief system (call it what you will) is not really any better than an organized religion. Unfortunately (in my opinion) Steve is a part of this 'movement'. The message of self-improvement 'gurus' is that you can have what you like as long as you follow the techniques that they have discovered for themselves. As long as you attend their seminar, buy their book, purchase from their website, then you too can have a life as fulfilling as theirs, because yours is crap and they have many (if not all) of the answers for you. You know, I've read the works of many self-improvement 'gurus' who spin tales about how they have followers who have 'transformed their business', 'increased their income by 400%', 'got the partner of their dreams', (insert your own fantasy here...). But, I've NEVER met anyone who has achieved the results claimed by these gurus. However, I've met PLENTY of people who have purchased their products. At best, people like Steve are either at-best self-deluded, or at worst preying on impressionable folks who want a better life but don't have the physical or mental resources to get it. If you abandon all beliefs (including self-improvement ideology and techniques), it boils down to this: you are on your own. Life can be, and often is very hard. No one is going to come along and give you the answer or rescue you. You have to accept these realities and after the initial shock of acceptance, you can build true courage to face life. Its a harsh reality, but you're never looking over your shoulder for anyone (or anything) to give you the answers or bail you out. This is my experience...take it or leave it, I have nothing to sell. Don't spend years (or maybe your whole life) deluding yourself with religion, self improvement gurus, junk fed to you from the TV/newspaper etc. Stand on your own, be an adult, and face life with true courage and accept the realities of life.