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On 2/1/2022 2:51 PM, between "George Pope":

> Ok, I'll be brave & start the ball rolling with my own thoughts on a
> topic:
> 
> Some religions are based entirely on exclusivity (only their members
> get to Heaven, for example)
> 
> I'd lkke to suggest they are preaching it wrong:
> 
> It's that those in their group must follow their rules or suffer
> exclusion from their group's rewards.

Religion is a man-made concept. Even the teachings of Christ are
anti-religious.  Many people who haven't read the scriptures don't realize
that.

I'd say that most every other "religions" expound a form of exclusivity.  But
what is the "truth"?  

> I believe God to be more universal -- after all He/She created all
> humans, not only a single group (unless you count us all as one
> family, which I do)
> 
> God, however you understabd or don't understand God, obviously loves
> variety, so why take away variety, in casing an ephemeral idea of
> homogeneity?
> 
> Certainly some laws are universal, & can be aptly summed up under the
> Golden Rule. Humanism has develpoed this same framework for defining
> universal commandments.

But humanism lacks hope in the eternal.


> I think it can be summed up in two: 1. Don't be a jackass. 2. Do
> good.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is also a pretty good
starting point.


> I prefer to consider true religions, open to all, as: "To love and to
> learn"

Fair enough. For many people the road to discover the truth is a journey that
may take them to the explorations and study of other faith systems along the
way.


> Everything else is comsmetic -- you go to a church or club you feel;
> comfortable with, with an affinity for the membership/rules.

It is a good thing to be amongst like-minded people. That's where we can get
support during troubling times.  There might be certain "rules", but they are
man-made ones, then it would depend on what those rules are.


> I believe my purpose on this Earth, in the life, is to make the world
> a little bit better than when I came into it (being born, & also each
> new day)

That's a great attitude.


> I personally feel the most affinity for Conservative Judaism & its
> interpretation of the universal truths, so that's who I affiliate
> with. They've formally accepted & ritualised this membership per
> their traditions for such, so I'm officially part of a humumgous
> family who likewise seeks to do good for others & to improve Earth
> for the sake of all.

Myself, I am not religious. (See reference above.)  The scriptures give plenty
of examples of the bane of ritual and tradition. Those are best avoided.
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