Yoga is derived from Hindu practises, but it is not strictly religious anymore. "In all branches of yoga, the ultimate goal is the attainment of an eternal state of perfect consciousness." That is, the goal is awareness. I won't say awareness of one's self because, depending on who is meditating, you might be looking to separate from your "self" and your ego. That hardly sounds dangerous. This guy is a nut.
Assuming he means Dharmic religion when he says Eastern religion in a lumpy Western-headed way, he is again wrong about devil worship, since many followers of Dharmic religions are non-theists. That is, they don't believe in deities or demons. The goal of Dharmic religions is to decrease the suffering of all living things while/through separating themselves from the games and illusions of the world. Hm...
The Hindus certainly are not more inclined to hurt anyone because they believe in gods. In fact, Zoroastrianism (the first so-called Abrahamic religion and a theological predecessor to Judaism) takes some of its teachings from the Vedas, a proto-Dharmic religion. Judeo-Christian thought take many concepts from Zorastrianism, including monotheism, angels, the concept of good and evil forces (as in Christianity, the Zoroastrian figure for evil is not a god in the traditional sense though he possesses supernatural powers), and the Zoroastrian god of good, Ahura Mazda, HAS A SINGLE SON.
Lastly, religions in the traditional organised sense derive from two sources: (1) a spiritual pouring-through of the collective unconscious (which is the same no matter what you believe or not) and (2) a neat way for governments to control their citizens. Second reason is why I disengage from organised religion, but whatever floats your boat is cool (this is something America is founded on, you guys).
Why am I ranting at you when I mean to send this to the guy who made some crazy comments?
no subject
Assuming he means Dharmic religion when he says Eastern religion in a lumpy Western-headed way, he is again wrong about devil worship, since many followers of Dharmic religions are non-theists. That is, they don't believe in deities or demons. The goal of Dharmic religions is to decrease the suffering of all living things while/through separating themselves from the games and illusions of the world. Hm...
The Hindus certainly are not more inclined to hurt anyone because they believe in gods. In fact, Zoroastrianism (the first so-called Abrahamic religion and a theological predecessor to Judaism) takes some of its teachings from the Vedas, a proto-Dharmic religion. Judeo-Christian thought take many concepts from Zorastrianism, including monotheism, angels, the concept of good and evil forces (as in Christianity, the Zoroastrian figure for evil is not a god in the traditional sense though he possesses supernatural powers), and the Zoroastrian god of good, Ahura Mazda, HAS A SINGLE SON.
Lastly, religions in the traditional organised sense derive from two sources: (1) a spiritual pouring-through of the collective unconscious (which is the same no matter what you believe or not) and (2) a neat way for governments to control their citizens. Second reason is why I disengage from organised religion, but whatever floats your boat is cool (this is something America is founded on, you guys).
Why am I ranting at you when I mean to send this to the guy who made some crazy comments?