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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.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux   
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