vol 3: Development
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This site is part of the natural religion project The natural religion project A new theology A commentary on the Summa The theology company
A hallmark of a religious group is care for eachother, particularly the weak. On the other hand, members of one relifgion may persecute members of another.
Introduction
In short let us define a community of people as a group sharing common protocols to maintain a peaceful and secure environment in which people may prosper. In communication terms, peace and security are increased by decreasing the probability of errors in the network. This problem shows up most acutely in contact situations where people from different religions meet. The question arise as to whether this meeting will lead to competition or cooperation or a mixture of both.
Now there is no reason why one person may not use different protocols when communicating with different people. Care is always necessary when moving into new territory, but one can remain at peace in many worlds if one fits into these worlds. A corollary of this observation is that human freedom demands that
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no religion may require its adherents to reject the protocols of another religion. Since religions are organizations competing for the resources for survival, there is naturally conflict between them, which requires members of a religion to 'stand up for their side'. This requirement for conflict may be avoided by demonstrating that cooperation effectively increases the fitnes of all members of both religions.
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The aim of the natural religion project is to export my quality of life to the whole world. This quality is a product of luck, grace and tecnology. I am lucky to have been born into an economy and polity where, with a reasonable amount of work, I have been able to obtain all I ned in the saay of food, shelter, education and security.
Grace I take ot be the divinely created nature of the universe that works to minimise violence and maximise stabilty through the universe [this tendency appears in physics as the principle of least action?]
Technology is our means ofcapoturing the powers of nature to add to our own fitness. I live in a place and a time which possesses adequate technologyu to deliver all the goods listed under luck above.
Can we change our luck. If we cannot, then all attempts to bettr our condition would be wasted, and this is clearly [mot] sp. We can, in other words, turn the odds of various events in our facour. All living things can do this - it is the rood of survival and education. Fitness is the condition where the odds (however set) favour luife, growth and reporduction. Unfitness, on the other hand, results in no descendants.
The working definition here is that religion is the art of peace.
One common thread through the 'professional' element of all religions (the domain of popes, bishops, priests, monks, nuns etc) is that all seek to guide themselves and others toward a mental state called peace, heaven, bliss, nirvana, mystical union etc. The routes to this state (and hence opinions about what and where it is) vary by religion and by person. All seem to hold that travelling this route is facilitated by religious belief and practice.
A second thread is the role religion plays in the structure of human societies. In monarchies, the monarch depends upon a higher and invisible power which may be invoked to justify executive decisions. In democracies too, religion helps to define what is just, true and desirable. One expects a surge of outrage in humane societies when government blatantly murders dissenters or transfers wealth from the poor to the rich. The democratic state moves in response to the desires of its people. We people move according to the 'will of god', which arises from our perceptions of the whole.
The Catholic Church, where I began, is a corporation of human beings based on the assumption that human nature is damaged. Many other old religions are tainted by similar suppositions. Yet from the scientific point of view, we are as perfect as billions of years of evolution can make us. This observation begins the road to peace.
Out of date religious ideas have oppressed us long enough. The task of building natural religions is to find the key to corporate organisation which respects the full breadth and depth of human and divine nature. The transfinite model at the core of this site is a tool to deal with such questions of size and freedom. In this section we begin to apply that model to the religious questions of social organisation, justice and peace.
(revised 5 April 2004)
Further reading
Books
| Axelrod, Robert, The Evolution of Cooperation, Basic Books 1985 Amazon.com: 'This book is a must-read not only for students (broadly defined) of the social sciences, but also for politicians and bureaucrats, especially those in charge of military and foreign affairs. Axelrod's book is a tour-de-force in multi-method approaches. Although the author is a trifle repetitive and occasionally laborious, I think the profound content of the book far outweighs the minor inadequacies of its form. At the risk of sounding like a logical positivist, I would venture to say that Axelrod's approach offers hope for a bottom-up construction of cooperation in an uncertain world without a central authority.' Reeshad Dalal Amazon back |
| Cassirer, Ernst, Kant's Life and Thought, Yale University Press 1971 Jacket: 'Ernst Cassirer's own philosophical system and approach to the history of ideas developed under the continuous influence of Kant. Cassier looked on Kant's teachings as an expression of the permanent tasks of philosophy, and it was as an heir to Kant's work that he produced this intellectual biography which is at the same time as a survey of Kant's writing.' Note: 'Kants Leben und Lehre was first published in 1918, by Bruno Cassirer in Berlin, as a supplementary volume to the edition of Kant's works of which Ernst Cassirer was both general editor and also sole or coeditor of four individual volumes.' p xxii Amazon back |
| Collins, Paul, Papal Power: Servant of God or Lord of the Church, HarperCollins 1997 'Father Collins, a media commentator and former specialist editor for religion with ABC Radio, has been under investigation by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) after it alleged Papal Power contained a number of errors amounting to heresy. ... ' Sydney Morning Herald Saturday March 10, 2001 p 4. Amazon back |
| Darwin, Charles, and Greg Suriano (editor), The Origin of Species, Gramercy 1998 Introduction: 'In considering the Origin of Species, it is quite conceivable that a naturalist, reflecting on the mutual affinities of organic beings, on their embryological relations, their geographical distribution, geological succession, and other such facts, might come to the conclusion that each species has not been independently created, but has descended, like varieties, from other species.' (66) Amazon back |
| Delbridge, Arthur, and John Bernard, David Blair, Susan Butler, Pamela Peters, Richard Tardif (editorial Committee), The Macquarie Dictionary, The Macquarie Library 1991-1995 back |
| Haight, Roger, Jesus Symbol of God, Orbis Books 1999 Jacket: 'This book is the flagship of the fleet of late twentieth century works that show American Catholic theology has indeed come of age. Deeply thoghtful in its exposition, lucid in its method, and by turns challenging and inspiring in its conclusions, this christology gives a new articulation of the saving "point" of it all. ... Highly recommended for all who think about and study theology.' Elizabeth Johnson CSJ, Fordham University. Amazon back |
| Lovelock, James, Ages of Gaia: A Biography of our Living Earth, W W Norton 1995 'This book describes a set of observations about the life of our planet which may, one day, be recognised as one of the major discontinuities in human thought. If Lovelock turns out to be right in his view of things, as I believe he is, we will be viewing the Earth as a coherent system of life, self regulating and self-changing, a sort of immense living organism.' Lewis Thomas Amazon back |
| Miles, Jack, God : A Biography, Vintage Books 1996 Jacket: 'Jack Miles's remarkable work examines the hero of the Old Testament ... from his first appearance as Creator to his last as Ancient of Days. ... We see God torn by conflicting urges. To his own sorrow, he is by turns destructive and creative, vain and modest, subtle and naive, ruthless and tender, lawful and lawless, powerful yet powerless, omniscient and blind.' Amazon back |
| Noble, David F, The Religion of Technology: The Divinity of Man and the Spirit of Invention, Penguin Books 1999 Introduction: 'It is the aim of this book to demonstrate that the present enchantment with things technological ... is rooted in religious myths and ancient imaginings. Althought today's technologists, in their sober pursuit of utility, power and profit, seem to set society's standard for rationality ... their true inspiration lies elsewhere, in an enduring, other-worldly quest for transcendence and salvation.' Amazon back |
| Porter, Roy, and Simon Schiama (foreword), Flesh in the Age of Reason, W W Norton and Company 2003 Jacket: 'How did we come to a modern understanding of our bodies and souls? What were the breakthroughs that allowed human beings to see themselves in a new light? Starting with the grim Britain of the Civil War era, with its punishing sense of the body as a corrupt vessel for the soul Roy Porter charts how, through figures as diverse as Locke, Swift, Johnson and Gibbon, ideas about medicine, politics, and religion fundamentally changed notions of self. He shows how the Enlightenment ... provided a lens through which we can best see the profound shift from the theocentric otherworldly Dark Ages to the modern, earthly, body-centered world we live intoday.' Amazon back |
| Reese, William L, Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought, Humanities Press/Harvester Press 1996 'The present volume ... has many encyclopedic features, including analyses of the thought of all major philosophers and religious leaders. ... One of the key features of the volume is the extent of its cross references. ... The reader is thus encouraged to undertake his own explorations of the themes, movements and thinkers important in philosophy and religion.' Amazon back |
| Reynolds, Vernon, and Ralph Tanner, The Social Ecology of Religion, Oxford University Press 1995 Jacket: 'No society exists in which religion does not play a significant part in the lives of ordinary people. Yet the functions of the world's diverse religions have never been fully described and analyzed, nor has the impact of adherence to those religions on the health and survival of the populations that practice them. ... this extraordinary text reveals how religions in all parts of the world meet the needs of ordinary people and frequently play an important part in helping them to manage their affairs.' Amazon back |
| Smart, Ninian, The World's Religions, Cambridge University Press 1992 Introduction: 'In undertaking a voyage into the world's religions, we should not define religion too narrowly. It is important for us to recognise secular ideologies as part of the story of human worldviews. ... Essentially this book is a history of ideas and practices that have moved human beings.' Amazon back |
| Suzuki, Daisetz Teitaro, Mysticism, Christian and Buddhist, George Allen and Unwin 1976 Jacket: 'In this clear account of the essentials of mysticism, Mr. Suzuki has taken as examples the Zen Buddhism of the East and the reflections of Meister Eckhart. With a wealth of illustration and explanation, he shows how the Chinese sage and the German philosopher meet on common ground.' Amazon back |
| Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre, The Phenomenon of Man, Collins 1965 Sir Julian Huxley, Introduction: 'We, mankind, contain the possibilities of the earth's immense future, and can realise more and more of them on condition that we increase our knowledge and our love. That, it seems to me, is the distillation of the Phenomenon of Man.' Amazon back |
Papers
| Beliefnet Beliefnet: religions, spirituality, prayer, God, angels, politics, meditation ... 'We are a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs ... We are independent. We are not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. We are not out to convert you to a particular approach, but rather to help you find your own. Fundamental to our mission is a deep respect for a wide variety of faiths and traditions. We try to achieve our mission by providing information and inspiration.' back |
| Islam Islam - The Modern Religion 'To be Muslim is to be in submission and obedience to God. He is the one God who has no partner. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not the created, nor a part of His creation. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just, All-Knowing, All-Merciful, the Supreme, the Sovereign. There is no entity worthy of worship besides Him.' back |
| National Catholic Reporter National Catholic Reporter 'The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company reports, comments and reflects on the church and society. It strives for excellence in its publications, supporting a full, honest and open exchange of ideas. It works out of a Roman Catholic tradition and an ecumenical spirit. It emphasizes solidarity with the oppressed and respect for all. It understands that peace, justice and integrity of environment are not only goals but also avenues of life.' back |
| Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Statements on Religious Freedom 'Individuals and groups have issued many statements promoting religious freedom. They don't have the authority of federal constitutions, state constitutions, and international conventions. However, they have been influential The following excerpts are taken from a variety of such documents.' back |
| Osservatore Romano Osservatore Romano The official Vatican newspaper back |
| The Holy See The Holy See The Vatican official site back |
| The Tablet The Tablet - The International Catholic Weekly back |
| World Council of Churches Libraries of the Ecumenical Centre and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute 'With more than 100,000 books, periodicals and pamphlets pertaining to the 20th century ecumenical movement, the Ecumenical Centre and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute Libraries house the largest such collection in the world.' back |
| World Council of Churches Welcome to the WCC | Bienvenue | Willkommen | Bienvenidos 'the wcc is a fellowship of churches, now 342 in more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all christian traditions' back |
Links
| Beliefnet Beliefnet: religions, spirituality, prayer, God, angels, politics, meditation ... 'We are a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs ... We are independent. We are not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. We are not out to convert you to a particular approach, but rather to help you find your own. Fundamental to our mission is a deep respect for a wide variety of faiths and traditions. We try to achieve our mission by providing information and inspiration.' back |
| Islam Islam - The Modern Religion 'To be Muslim is to be in submission and obedience to God. He is the one God who has no partner. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not the created, nor a part of His creation. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just, All-Knowing, All-Merciful, the Supreme, the Sovereign. There is no entity worthy of worship besides Him.' back |
| National Catholic Reporter National Catholic Reporter 'The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company reports, comments and reflects on the church and society. It strives for excellence in its publications, supporting a full, honest and open exchange of ideas. It works out of a Roman Catholic tradition and an ecumenical spirit. It emphasizes solidarity with the oppressed and respect for all. It understands that peace, justice and integrity of environment are not only goals but also avenues of life.' back |
| Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Statements on Religious Freedom 'Individuals and groups have issued many statements promoting religious freedom. They don't have the authority of federal constitutions, state constitutions, and international conventions. However, they have been influential The following excerpts are taken from a variety of such documents.' back |
| Osservatore Romano Osservatore Romano The official Vatican newspaper back |
| The Holy See The Holy See The Vatican official site back |
| The Tablet The Tablet - The International Catholic Weekly back |
| World Council of Churches Libraries of the Ecumenical Centre and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute 'With more than 100,000 books, periodicals and pamphlets pertaining to the 20th century ecumenical movement, the Ecumenical Centre and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute Libraries house the largest such collection in the world.' back |
| World Council of Churches Welcome to the WCC | Bienvenue | Willkommen | Bienvenidos 'the wcc is a fellowship of churches, now 342 in more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all christian traditions' back |
Click on an "Amazon" link in the booklist at the foot of the page to buy the book, see more details or search for similar items
Related sites:
Concordat Watch
Revealing Vatican attempts to propagate its religion by international treaty
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