Spirituality and Opium

Karl Marx once famously stated that "religion is the opiate of the masses." What Marx meant by that is that religion is a place that people flee in times of hardship instead of actually doing something about it.

Do you think that is true? Does religion hinder social progress? Does faith keep us sated while inequality runs rampant? Are we too doped up by spirituality to see the reality around us?

Join us at Shorts Brewing tonight for an interesting conversation on whether faith inhibits or initiates positive societal change.

Religous Rudeness

This story drove me crazy (click here).

i don't really want to get into the idea of Lord's Day in Christianity or Sabbath in Judaism. Instead, I want to focus on why so many religious people use their faith to be rude, inconsiderate, and nasty. It seems to me that our faith ought to lead us to be more loving, better customers, and down right nicer people.

What do you think? Have you heard about this kind of behavior?

Doubtful

You know, one of the things that faith traditions fear most is doubt. For some people, doubt is debilitating and difficult. It can crush a person's spirit.

However, other people find a lot of depth and insight by exploring their doubts. Some spiritual seekers can learn more about life and faith through questions than answers.

Where are you at? Have you ever struggled with doubting your beliefs and values? Is doubt a good thing?