Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site psupdp1.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!presby!burdvax!psuvax!psupdp1!dae From: dae@psupdp1.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: What do YOU think? Message-ID: <147@psupdp1.UUCP> Date: Wed, 15-Jun-83 10:05:01 EDT Article-I.D.: psupdp1.147 Posted: Wed Jun 15 10:05:01 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Jun-83 22:04:14 EDT References: <437@ihuxp.UUCP> Organization: Penn. State Univ. Lines: 49 1. Does an individual have the ability to reach some true understanding of the ultimate 'religious' issues (i.e. life after death, the nature of reality beyond the physical world, our role or duty in life, etc.) or is this inherently impossible? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>First of all, what is a 'true' understanding? Can anyone 'truly' understand anyone else, let alone their beliefs? Can men understand women? In my opinion, any understanding beyond a basic knowledge of the tenets of another religion is beyond at least the average reader of net.religion. For that matter, look at all the different branches of Judaism and Christianity (assuming that the latter is not merely a branch of the former...). Can a Reconstructionist Jew truly understand an Orthodox Jew? In my opinion, religion is a very personal thing, and the only person who can ever gain a 'true' understanding of a person's religion is that person, *maybe*--does a person live totally in the conscious? Is it possible that there are unconscious influences on belief? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you feel the answer to question (1) is yes, then: 1a. Does such an understanding depend on historical events or is the possibility of achieving such an understanding independent of the time or location that an individual is living in? If you feel the answer to question (1) is no, then: 1b. What does this imply regarding the existence or nature of religions, of a system of ethics or law, or whatever? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>I think I'll answer both of these together. I think *all* opinions/under- standings (except 'intuitive/instinctive' ones like hand-eye coordination) are at least heavily influenced, if not almost totally defined, by experiences postnatal (how about we leave Rock Music and the Unborn out of this for now?): ie, culture, upbringing, family life, reading material, possibly 'mystical' experiences, &c. As the dieticians say, 'you are what you eat'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good questions! Dave Eckhardt {allegra,burdvax}!psuvax!psupdp1!dae (814)-237-1901 736 West Hamilton State College, PA 16801