Digest Number 282

[Guest guest]

Tim,

 

Yes, I generally agree with your response... Religions in various parts of

the world are confronting modern technology and ways of life and adapting

or not, in each their own ways...

 

The description you make of "Western religions" as "dualist" seems to me to

be an exageration and an oversimplification. There are what could be

described as dualistic characteristics I will not deny, but at heart when

examined closely, I think you will find that monotheism is not identical

with dualism.

>I would just like to clear up that I was not attributing the problems in

>the West to Western spirituality, but to Western samsara (the consumerist

>culture, making a god of technology, etc). You mention that Western

>religions are waning in the face of science, but science and religion are

>not so different - both consist of a search for truth.

>

>I'd also like to point out that Western society has deteriorated

>significantly along with its religions. Dualistic religions though they

>may be, without them people are turning to darker things, as there is no

>meaning or purpose to life for many human beings in the West. Especially

>in the United States, the culture is incredibly sophisticated, but

>underneath that sophistication is one of the loudest wails of suffering in

>the history of mankind.

 

Perhaps what is occurring is the "Kaliyuga" as much as some would like to

ignore it. I know its not very optimistic to say this nor very hopeful to

us, but the characteristics of this age seem to be well described in the

model of the Kaliyuga which according to prophecies will last many more

thousands of years. Years ago I disagreed with my beloved teacher Swami

Prabhavananda on this point as it seemed too dark and pessimistic, but time

and life have proved me wrong and the Swami right. - Art Gregory

 

 

 

lgregory

[Guest guest]

At 08:10 AM 7/18/99 -0700, you wrote:

>lgregory (The Clan)

>The description you make of "Western religions" as "dualist" seems to me to

>be an exageration and an oversimplification. There are what could be

>described as dualistic characteristics I will not deny, but at heart when

>examined closely, I think you will find that monotheism is not identical

>with dualism.

 

Please note that I refer to Western religions AS COMMONLY PRACTICED, not

the contents of the Bible. The Bible is one of the most misinterpreted

books in the history of mankind. People use it (and other books like it)

to start wars.

 

I once saw a bumper sticker on a car that said JESUS - save me from your

followers! This is essentially the way I feel. I refer mostly to the

fundamentalist christian right-wing. In this regard, your charge of

oversimplification is correct, although unfortunately the fundamentalist

religious Right has a great deal of influence in the U.S.

>Perhaps what is occurring is the "Kaliyuga" as much as some would like to

>ignore it. I know its not very optimistic to say this nor very hopeful to

>us, but the characteristics of this age seem to be well described in the

>model of the Kaliyuga which according to prophecies will last many more

>thousands of years. Years ago I disagreed with my beloved teacher Swami

>Prabhavananda on this point as it seemed too dark and pessimistic, but time

>and life have proved me wrong and the Swami right. - Art Gregory

 

I would agree about the Kali Yuga. However, I make no distinction between

East and West in that regard. Humanity itself is in trouble. A good

portion of the Kali Yuga may go uninhabited by human life, if people do not

wake up.

 

Hari OM,

 

Tim

 

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