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Our Culture compared to Other Religions |
There are many ways that Church of Reality culture is like the culture of other religions and also many ways that we are different. We like to think that we have all the good stuff that other religions have, plus a few new traits, and reject all the bad stuff. That is at least where Realist culture should be and if we aren't what we should be, we then we should change.
For the most part we recognize that all religions share a desire for people to be "good people" and do what's right. In that respect we are like them. The difference being that we rely on logic and reason as opposed to faith and holy books to determine right from wrong. It is also part of our culture to think things through and to change and adapt. If we realize that we are wrong, we change our minds. If we are faced with a new situation, then we reason it out.
Where we tend to differ is that we are an includive, rather than an exclusive culture. Although most religions welcome anyone who converts, they have no respect for the nonbelievers. Our culture is that we are surrounded by people who believe differently than we do, but we don't condemn them, we include them, listening to their good ideas and sharing our good ideas with them.
Realists put science and logic first, so we value using our minds. Our values include being curious, the desire to learn, to explore, to want to understand everything. In other cultures that appreciate these values, they don't have the same level of importance that we place on them. In fact, many other religions look down on reality describing it as the "material world" and should be considered to be inferior to the "spiritual world". Our worldview is that the material world is all we have and we have to do the best with what we have to work with. We don't believe in a deity that will fix our mistakes and bail us out when we get into trouble. So we have a higher sense of responsibility and appreciation for the benefits and consequences of our actions. Instead of praying for something, we work hard to get it.
The Church of Reality sees the future as improving as a result of our commitment to the Principle of Positive Evolution. We see ourselves as the stewards of our planet. We look at this rock in space as our home and that hard work and good choices will result in a brighter future. Many other religions see the future in terms of the end of the world. Our view is that how you look at the future makes a difference in how you treat the present. We value the future. That's why we call the future the Sacred Direction.
Looking to the future also help us embrace change. We assume that a lot of what we believe is wrong or at least can be improved. Other religions look to the past where current events are interpreted against ancient texts that are essentially static. In our view evolution is something we can and should embrace and use to better ourselves.
We look at reality as "our world". Many religions focus on "the next world" and look down on the "material world". We feel that having a positive attitude towards this world is better than having a negative attitude towards this world.
We are a Monorealistic religion meaning we believe in one reality. There is only "this world". Other religions often believe in "other worlds" creating two sets of realities with one set bound by physical laws with the other being the realm of the supernatural where "miracles" occur. Our view is if someone real doesn't do it then it doesn't get done. This causes us to put more focus on personal responsibility.
Many religions put belief ahead of behavior. They refer to their holy books that can and are read in a way that say anything they want. In the Church of Reality we look at what you do. Our worldview is that what you do is what you believe. Although we are forgiving, we are not "forgiven". We don't blame our behavior on the influence of deities or demons that control us. We put value in accountability. We do what we do and when it's done we did it.
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