Quote:
Originally Posted by mlc82  The religions are just there (IMO) until then to satisfy those who can't be satisfied with not knowing yet. |
Religions are timewarps. Imagine a guy traveling from the future and trying to describe a society based on law where you are protected by police to a bunch of savages. He has to get the message across... how does it do it? How can he be compelling? The most efficient way would be to transplant his ideas on the religion of those savages. He will use the Gods those people FEAR and tell them, God is no longer angry
he wants you to live together in peace under his commandments. And proceeds in implementing a system of LAWS giving them under the mystic form of God's commandments.
Some will still break the law but most will see the benefits of it and adopt the law in an inner, intimate way. Generation by generation, the LAW will enter the group's conscience so deeply that it will be respected almost without effort and will not be perceived as something reducing their freedom but rather as something that frees them from the fear they use to feel (daily fear for their life or possessions) Of course some will abuse the law, some will deliver it, some will have to enforce it... and you will have the corruption that it is characteristic to this system.
Now.... after the system of LAWS is implemented, imagine another timewarp and a person from an even distant future arrives. In his future corruptions and abuses have been eradicated, everybody lives in peace. There is mutual respect and support on a planetary scale. He will again use the God this people fear and obey and will tell them God loves them and wants them to become the manifestation of his love on this earth. He tells them that they no longer need to live in FEAR, they no longer need to fear tomorrow and the should just start enjoying life. Some will consider him nuts. Some will start to listen. The old corrupted authorities will try to do anything in order to pervert the message to the point that it will become impotent BUT the message will survive. People will discover that they are happier living like that and will just start living like that. Some will discover that even in conflict Love is more potent than Fear and will start winning with non-violent tactics.
And little by little... as Hendrix put it, the power of love will overcome the love of power the world will know peace.