Inter-religious versus Interfaith
Correct me, if i am wrong, my friends:
Religions are institutionalized Faiths/Beliefs, whereas Faiths/Beliefs are non-institutionalized Religions.
One, can be non-religious, yet have faith, and follow certain belief system. That would make such person not irreligious, but non-religious.
If we can agree on this definition, then atheists and communists cannot be termed as irreligious. They simply do not follow any institutionalized religion. Yet, they have their own belief system. They are men, and women of faith too.
Indeed, we have accepted Buddha, in spite of his faith in no-self, and no mention of God.
And, then, the question of conversion shall not arise too.
For, all men, and all women are men and women of faith. Some believe in God, others believe in no-God. Some believe in Yes, others believe in No.
Love n blessings to all....
Religions are institutionalized Faiths/Beliefs, whereas Faiths/Beliefs are non-institutionalized Religions.
One, can be non-religious, yet have faith, and follow certain belief system. That would make such person not irreligious, but non-religious.
If we can agree on this definition, then atheists and communists cannot be termed as irreligious. They simply do not follow any institutionalized religion. Yet, they have their own belief system. They are men, and women of faith too.
Indeed, we have accepted Buddha, in spite of his faith in no-self, and no mention of God.
And, then, the question of conversion shall not arise too.
For, all men, and all women are men and women of faith. Some believe in God, others believe in no-God. Some believe in Yes, others believe in No.
Love n blessings to all....
Tags: Anand Krishna, Atheist, Belief System, Buddha, Conversion, Faith, God, Indonesia, Institutionalized, Interfaith, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by kathryn julyan on -
I like your post! We recently began a club at our university, the Compassionate Interfaith Soceity. Many of the members are 'atheists' and are as much part of the conversation as anyone else. I am so pleased with this.
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Permalink Reply by Anand Krishna on -
Tks fr the note.So, we r not alone!
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Permalink Reply by Maynard on -
Dear Anand,
Maybe you're right about the institutionalization being the distinguishing characteristic between religion and faith (faith groups). Another possibility might be that religions are centered around a Deity or a Revelator or maybe just any single individual, or maybe a doctrine.
It has seemed to me over the years that many of "the new age" have a bad taste for "religion" but still have need for spiritual awareness, and frequently also a need for a faith in something because they know that they don't have all the answers.
The acquisition or acknowledgement of a personal faith would then precipitate a desire to have that faith acknowledged by another, and soon there arises through conversation and mutual desire for commonality, the seeds of a "faith group" which may go on to become institutionalized without becoming religious, that is, without discovering and acknowledging and naming any deity.
Examples of this are perhaps the humanists and atheists which appear to be institutionalized. It could be argued that these groups do have a doctrine. I like to think that they share common beliefs in the power of compassion and the golden rule.
in Peace,
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Permalink Reply by Anand Krishna on
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Thanks my dear Maynard,
I agree with you... compassion, and the golden rule - these are universal. And, if we can interact with others on that ground, then i think we should have a better world. A guess, but no harm trying... :-)
Love n blessings'
Maynard Riley said:Dear Anand,
Maybe you're right about the institutionalization being the distinguishing characteristic between religion and faith (faith groups). Another possibility might be that religions are centered around a Deity or a Revelator or maybe just any single individual, or maybe a doctrine.
It has seemed to me over the years that many of "the new age" have a bad taste for "religion" but still have need for spiritual awareness, and frequently also a need for a faith in something because they know that they don't have all the answers.
The acquisition or acknowledgement of a personal faith would then precipitate a desire to have that faith acknowledged by another, and soon there arises through conversation and mutual desire for commonality, the seeds of a "faith group" which may go on to become institutionalized without becoming religious, that is, without discovering and acknowledging and naming any deity.
Examples of this are perhaps the humanists and atheists which appear to be institutionalized. It could be argued that these groups do have a doctrine. I like to think that they share common beliefs in the power of compassion and the golden rule.
in Peace,
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