[QUOTE http://homelessonthehighdesert.wordpress.com ]
   
   Homeless on the High Desert
   
   An Ongoing Chronicle of the End Times, by Ten Bears

From the notebooks of Lazarus Long...

   January 26, 2009 in g'da said

   History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any
   rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to
   stand up to the unknown.
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[END QUOTE]

Still it must be admitted that under the banner of religion many
good moral ideals and laws have been pushed forward, at least
that is the case with the Torah/Tenach, and its offshoots.
Particularly the Torah has a complete, coherent and in hindsight
rational economic model. The Great law of Peace of the Iriquois,
referring to a Creator as well, contains a coherent and I'd say
rational democracy system.

Under the banner of religion in the past no small feats have
been accomplished.

Under the banner of religion also the worst and most horrible
of oppressions have occured, and some religions are particularly
adept in creating a state of permament slavery and economic
gloom for their people. The worst monstrosity religions seem
to more or less have died out, what remains are a number of
religions which are more or less a collection of superstitions
and taking attention away from the real problems of society,
to the benefit of the ruling class and their priesthoods.

It seems: one religion is not like the other. Some definitely
deserve respect for their laws and achievements on the ground.
Many religions have corrupted over time, if not most or all.

Anyway, it is a very difficult subject, because ultimately we
live on Earth, so what do we know. We could say: "all religions
are nonsense," but we don't know even that for sure either.
We can know a religion by its laws on the ground, maybe that's
the best we can do. In that we can certainly make far reaching
separations between well worked out law systems, partly well
worked out, relavitely harmless amuzement religions, somewhat
mildly damaging religious destractions, very damaging religions,
and hell on Earth orgies of violence religions. Both good and
bad has been done in the name of religion.

All we have is speculation and likelyhood of various possibilities,
isn't it. "Probably there is life after death, because ...," but
until we get there, how do we know for absolutely sure. "Probably
there is a Creator who wants peace ...," but how do we really know
for absolutely certain rationally (not to be confused with blind
faith.) Famously nobody has been able to prove the existence of
a God or gods, and nobody has been able to disprove its existence
either.

We know that we exist, and we also know that we haven't created
the world in which we live. If we had, if its all in our minds,
we would be able to change anything by simply thinking it. Other
then that, what do I know. We could assume: "something other then
us creates Universe, because it seems not to be us, not in our
current state anyway." We know rationally what we can prove
rationally, the rest is technically uncertain more or less. We might
"know" by knowing or belief, but if we can't prove it how certain is
it.

Maybe the native Indians have the best name for it all, who'se
Iriquois nation laws where pretty neat: the great mystery.

I've also thought that our own thinking is created in the context
of the Universe. We learn counting and logical thought by observing
our reality, hence we learn thinking. But because it is developed
in the context of the Universe, it may not be applicable outside
the Universe, which is where the Creation of the Universe might
be taking place. That would suggest we can't know with our rational
mind, because our rational mind is out of bounds. On the other hand,
one might say: if the Universe was created and brings forth logical
and rational thought in those living in it long enough, then perhaps
that is a quality sought after by the creator of the Universe, and
a component of it. In other words: perhaps the greatest and most
perfect logic and rationality rule outside our Universe, rather then
none. I note that the Universe seems to be very coherent indeed,
suggesting an even more coherent and fully understood creation process
(in analogy to that the created object is usually less then that which
creates it).

I suppose once we get beyond or outside the Universe, if ever, we
deal with it and might understand these things better.

I suppose also that some religions at least seem to be little more
then crutches to make it through the day, for lack of resolve to solve
problems (ie depose/pressure problematic ruling religious classes.)