Today's discussion question

[David Morris]

If Religion is the Establishment, then Ian's citing personal, mystical, and
heretical experiences as "at odds" with Religion is prima facie obvious.
 Of course Religions usually start with that kind of crazy spark.  A
Religion that welcomes challenge in a truly open way is my ideal.  The test
of such a Religion's adherence to welcoming challenge requires always new
challenges.  Alas, all of the legend corrupters infect as Religion becomes
Rule, multiplied by the amount of money/power the Religion has garnered.
 Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

None of the above pattern should be assumed as evidence against the Reality
of the initial advent/revelation.  Thank Jeebus!

Amen,
David Morris

On Friday, August 16, 2013, alice wellintown wrote:

> First hand experience of the Devine is the foundation of most religions.
> In most Christian religions, grace, or  the Holy Spirit is not at odds with
> the religion. In fact, grace or the Holy Spirit is the experience of the
> Devine, a mystical experience. Of course, it is an experience of Jesus.
> Jesus the true mystic.
>
> On Friday, August 16, 2013, Ian Livingston wrote:
>
>> Well, fact and mysticism may or may not be reconcilable, but religion and
>> mysticism will ever be at odds because any profoundly mystical experience
>> lays bare the inadequacies of religious metaphor--well, of language in
>> general, really. That includes the metaphors of reincarnation, karma,
>> heaven, God and such. When a great mystical experience is translated into
>> terms religious or poetic, such violence is done to the experiential
>> knowledge that its carrier is most fortunate when struck dumb.
>>
>
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