NOTE: 1)With some additions and subtractions I have made here, most of this material is covered on Chapter 4 of my book “Ercian Testament, the Teachings of Proligion and Ercian Philosophy.” 2) The Ercian Religion is an exception to the general rules that normally apply to other religions because it accepts aspects of PROLIGION as part of its doctrine. Therefore, Ercian Doctrine is flexible and will change if new information or new logical arguments "prove"that part of the Ercian belief system is in error. Click on the tab "BECOME AN ERCIAN" to get a full picture of the tenets of Ercian Religion.
PROLIGION VS RELIGION
Proligion is the name I give the concept of recycling our old religions. Notice that this recycling does not lead to a predetermined doctrinal product. We are free to speak our inquisitive minds, and we are free to reach our own conclusions. In Ercian Testament, I speak my mind and tell you my conclusions. What you do is up to you. If we all do our part, I believe proligion will help us learn to live in peace with one another. We should find the knowledge that our God or Source (if you are an atheist) is the same for all, regardless of the name we use to address our ultimate reality. We should also find that our needs are very similar, regardless of where we live in this planet.
Proligion seeks the functional unification of peoples of good mind and will regardless of their religious, agnostic, or atheistic backgrounds.
The term “proligion” breaks down as follows: “Pro”, the first part of the word means for or forward, and. “Ligion” comes from the Latin ligare (I believe and if it does not mean that, I do not care. That is the meaning I am giving it), and to me it means to bind. Therefore, the definition I want to use for proligion is to bind forward, as opposed to religion, which I interpret as meaning to bind towards the past, to our God or Ultimate Source.
What are the main differences between religion and proligion? I will try to explain how I see them.
Religion is like an upside down triangle. The base is on top rather than on the bottom. The apex is on the bottom rather than on top. The wide top represents all the different people in the world and their religious beliefs. The point at the bottom represents God as Source.
Proligion is like an upright triangle sitting on top of religion’s inverse triangle. The wide base at the bottom represents all the different people in the world and their religious beliefs. The apex on top represents God or Fate as Goal, God or Fate as Destination.
Religion arrogantly and equivocally presumes to know (not just believe) the nature of God. It tries to bind people to a narrow-minded concept of our Source from the past.
Proligion humbly knows it does not know the nature of God. It tries to bind people towards that certain Destination in the future with an open-minded approach.
We are all going to die. Eventually, we will find the truth either by being conscious of another reality in an afterlife, or by sinking into a mindless oblivion.
Would it not make sense for all of us to cooperate in our search for the true God or for our true ultimate source? Should we not travel that road side by side, like good brothers and sisters? Why fight or kill each other over dubious beliefs? It is so unnecessary and so unwise. Truly civilized species in other planets and universes would rightfully think we are still in the dark ages.
Religion places its faith on men of the past. Their words supposedly came from the holy source, God. Therefore, we are not to question the teachings and commands they left us.
Proligion places its faith on people of the past, of the present, and of the future. Their words came, come, and will come from a worldly source, the human mind. Since any possible transmission of ideas from God to a human being (any inspiration) falls outside the realm of proof, all arguments and ideas are approachable, subject to examination and discussion. Holy book or not, should not make a difference.
Religion prescribes the codes of conduct people should follow.
Proligion allows the free discussion of moral and ethical issues and lets people choose their own code of conduct. Ultimately, each person is responsible for his or her behavior and for the social or legal consequences that follow.
Religion usually sets down only one or a few number of books as the prime source or sources of religious doctrine.
Proligion places no restrictions on the number or nature of books or educational materials used as possible sources of knowledge, moral, spiritual or otherwise. There is no stipulated proligious doctrine.
Religion may censure works of art, literature, music, films, or other media considered obscene or undesirable and forbid followers to use these black list items.
Proligion leaves censuring decisions to each adult individual. Minors do need the guidance of parents or guardians. Otherwise, people should have the freedom to buy, read, see, listen or otherwise use what they like, as long as discretion is used. If doing something in public infringes upon the rights of other people then do it only in private. If it is illegal, then do not do it, or change the law, or do it and be willing to pay whatever penalty your choice carries.
Religion sometimes seeks to integrate Church and State, and to impose its beliefs on the rest of society.
Proligion opposes the integration of Church and State. At the same time, proligion supports the education of citizens on civic, moral, and ethical issues. Such teachings should become part of the required curriculum in the public school systems. Well-designed courses could teach students “the law of the land” as well as expose them to different moral and ethical worldviews. A debate program would allow the young to learn firsthand the meaning of democracy.
Outside of schools, society in general should become part of this learning process. The government, religious institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations and professional associations should coordinate efforts to provide the forums and means necessary for developing a civilized and well-educated citizenry. If we want an improvement in the character and behavior of those with whom we share the planet, then we have to support and work for the free propagation of ideas. It is more desirable than having to work against the free proliferation of weapons, especially those of mass destruction.
Religion proselytizes. It attempts to convert a person from one belief or faith to another. To be fair, this may not true of all religious sects or groups, but there are definitely some that are very active spreading their gospels and working to recruit new members.
Proligion does not proselytize. Converting a person from one belief to another is like exchanging an apple for an orange. You still have a fruit. The proligious goal is to convert belief to knowledge. Except for believing in democracy, freedom and other good ideals, proligion has no established faith. NOTE: The Ercian Religion proselytizes claiming it has KNOWLEDGE of the nature of the Infinite Source and Ultimate God.
Religion is structured. A leader or hierarchy of men of the cloth provide guidance and sometimes dictate what the faithful should do.
Proligion is unstructured. It can consist of a single person or a group. In a group, a diversity of ideas and beliefs is welcome. If an organization is set up for the promotion of proligious values, except for the purpose of following established rules of order, no person or group should dictate what others should believe or do. The moment that happens, it ceases to be a proligious organization. Guidance should come through the free discussion of different views and options available to each person.
In summary, if proligion is a higher form of religion, it is not because it claims to have the whole truth, but because it is open to the whole truth. The main problem with fundamentalism of any kind is that one can be fundamentally wrong. Yes, I know that one could also be fundamentally right. Regarding religious beliefs however, what is the likelihood that is the case? Have you spoken to God lately? Honestly?
If you gamble your money away, there is a chance you can make a comeback and recuperate your losses, but if you gamble with your soul, your loss may be irrecoverable. Prudence is in order.
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