In disputes of a religious nature there are discussions about faith, the origin of man and his mind. The layman sees only two extreme positions: one believes the other believes. One his, the other a stranger. In order not to fall into the trap of simplistic black-and-white thinking, it is enough to ask yourself the question: what kind of specialist for me?
Even describe a favourite manipulation of many religious organizations. To the adherents believe in their stuff, and ran away as soon as you hear the truth. They are told what to listen to "the truth" only from the "right specialist". For example, about astrology maybe "right" to speak only astrologer who have completed many courses on astrology. The "right" to speak and understand NLP, Scientology, bioenergetics, guessing on cow patties may be the only one who had the "right" certificate. Many cults even have a special post – "religious scholar". Is the one who under the guise of "independent" expert communicates with the external, real experts and assures followers that everyone else is just doing what wrong, lying and generally not experts. And listen to Them there is no need. Since you have your own, "the right expert".
to Understand this chaos of the believers in everything just:
1) Ask for the diplomas of these "experts".
2) Learn to distinguish between "funny money" from the state University diplomas.
3) If someone with a state diploma of the engineer talks about bioenergetics, with a law degree about astrology, with a degree in chemistry about theology – think about it. Sometimes that alone helps.
Another important point is the need to distinguish between people who believe in the existence of God from religious people, i.e. a religion. Of course, there are no clear boundaries. However, one thing to believe in the existence of something outside of nature that contributed to its creation. Quite another matter – religion, with its desire to control people, faith in miracles, the resurrection of the dead, etc.
a Good example is Einstein, the greatest physicist of the twentieth century. Religious people like to refer to the religion of Einstein. It is well known that said friends, the great physicist, when he was accused of the use of religious terminology: "I just couldn't find a better word. What the hell is it to me that priests are cashing in on this capital."
Believing is sometimes called the great physiologist I. P. Pavlov. However well known are his words: "the Human mind seeks a reason for everything that happens, and when it comes to the last reason, this is God... But I don't believe in God, I'm a believer". There is a lot of evidence that Pavlov was an unbeliever. He protested against the persecution of the Church. And not only religious people are opposed to, for example, the destruction of the temple.
Widely known in Russia as a fighter against sects Alexander Dvorkin. He is the President of public organization "Russian Association of centers for the study of religions and sects." To some it may seem that he is a wrestler from science. It is well known that Dworkin is a religious man and a Christian. Its activities are more guided by reason or by Revelation? I think his approach is different from pseudoscience, e.g. astrology. Religious miracles believe in which Dvorkin, have the same pseudo-scientific status as alchemy. Therefore, faith in them incompatible with a scientific approach. But his work is more reminiscent of the struggle with competitors. Dvorkin such official position is due to the fact that, in violation of the Constitution in Russia is state material and ideological support of religion (particularly Orthodoxy).
Those who call themselves parapsychologists (esoteric) – you can listen to just for fun. This direction nor to psychology nor to science is irrelevant. Parapsychology (esoteric) are rarely familiar with real science, the basics of rational thinking and basic logic. Often like to "speculate" about religion, mysticism, psychology, mysterious energies and the laws of the universe. While spewing banal verbiage and stinking with stupidity. Often it looks very funny to tears. Among parapsychologists more than 90% outright scams. The rest are either uneducated or have mental disorders.
the present scientific approaches to mysticism several. All of them are based on facts, on the study of natural phenomena and experiments. The involvement of God as the answer to unresolved issues is one unknown to another unknown. Scientist is not needed, it interferes with the development of science.
Science, developing, producing new knowledge and changing. Any faith and religion are static. It is sufficient to compare the changes in Christianity and science over the last hundred years, to question religious knowledge. All "miracles", which is based on faith and religion, for a long time have a rational explanation. The fact that many people believe in "still unproven by science" is the result of ignorance of the masses. Even today on earth more than a billion people do not know how to read and write. And those who can are rarely familiar with modern physics or biology.
the Expert on mysticism can only be a humanist. Religion, rituals, magical beliefs are socio-cultural phenomena, and scientific leaders rarely were able to understand them. Many wrestlers from pseudoscience are first-class scientists. But experts on mysticism to call them does not. When my friend from St. Petersburg state University wrote a thesis about lucid dreaming, then suddenly discovered that its scientific reviewers on the Internet wrote in pseudoscientists. Then, of course, he found justice. But these fighters with pseudoscience themselves very often he want such mistakes freshman (Humanities) that, except, "well, the techie that he had had to take" difficult to comment on their activities.
as the real specialists in mysticism call two names: Evgeny Volkov and Wouter Hanegraff. Wolves – a psychologist, a sociologist, a specialist in conflict resolution, expert on social influence and critical thinking. Hanegraff Dutch theologian and cultural historian, doctor of philosophy. Rarely an expert on mysticism decides to talk to the people. Too big gap in knowledge. But such experts exist. You can find their work in the library.
So when You hear talk about faith in God, or about mysticism, keep in mind the scheme of "who's who in the mystic." (forgive me for this simplification Humanities):
of Course, everyone in this schema finds herself at the point closest to the specialists. Better not only want, but also to work in this direction. And to make it better, moving in the direction of the nearest development, avoiding jumping through one or two points.
the Author - Takana Anton Anatolyevich
!
