I finished the exam but it hasn't been graded yet... since it's essay it'll probably be a few days. So we'll see.
I was raised a Catholic but as I've grown older, I define myself more as a person of faith. I refuse to define myself as a member of any specific religion. However its so interlaced with history and has influenced so much of it, I find it a fascinating subject. Now that I'm older, I'm finding I have more time and patience to "study" things that as a young'un I didn't have time for. (Pity...what a waste of time.
)
(And you are right: Outside the context of religion, many of the historical rituals and behaviors would be seen as mental illness of some sort. In fact, I used that as an example in part of my answer to:
"What argument can be made for God's existence from religious experience? Can religious experience provide a basis for belief? What are the limitations of religious experience as an argument for religious belief?"
As for The Flying Spaghetti Monster, no I have never heard of that but I jumped over and it looks interesting and entertaining. I'll take some time out to look it over in detail.
GEP
*Soapbox mode* (Please forgive me, I'm feeling verbose this evening.
)
To those who would like to engage in a discussion of the finer points of religion and atheism or anything in between: I will not engage but feel free to discuss it with others.
Like my political beliefs, my sexual preference, my opinion on books and movies, preferring milk in my coffee and lemon in my tea-its my choice (Free will). I will however leave you with the following quotes:
"Spiritual development is not about religious rituals and practices; it is about waking up to the wonder of life." --David N. Elkins
"Pray for me that God may deign to reveal to me that law and faith which is most pleasing to him." Sultan Melek-el-Kamel to St. Francis of Assisi(Egypt, 1219)
Live long and prosper.
Live and let live.
vape on!
Keep on truckin'!
Have a nice day!
Peace, out.
