How well do you know your brain? I am willing to bet you have not put much thought into where your thoughts come from?
Religious people and Psychologists probably have a lot in common when it comes to understanding how the brain really works. I have seen entire concepts in psychology explained in one simple verse from Proverbs.
The source of our thoughts may not be entirely important, however recognizing the motives behind those thoughts are absolutely critical to changing behavior.
Call it the devil, or call it the amygdala the concept is identical. We should be sensitive, aware of, and able to handle communication from this source. Religion has a critical importance to society as it has always provided a framework to help people consciously deal with and handle primal instincts in a constructive and socially beneficial way.
Does the devil actually exist? I’ll let you decide that for yourself, but regardless of what you believe the truth is still there. You need a mechanism to work with, control, and ultimately overcome the natural man/woman.
I for one do believe in the existence of God, and I use that belief as a powerful tool to overcome my deepest challenges. I am currently using faith in God to wrestle with instinctual habits that I have. I am trying to overcome them and replace them with better ones.
I do believe that we should all aspire to something greater then ourselves, so that our society as a whole can progress.
Maybe this current cynicism regarding religion in our society will wake up and realize that over 20,000 years of dealing with the human condition actually taught us something important.
After reading the news this morning, I think the Devil is winning.
Guy Reams (169)
The 365 Commitment