Not totally convinced that The Law of One is a religion, any more than Buddhism is. From what I have read, labeling Buddhism a religion is a misrepresentation of what it is, often made by those who are not familiar with it. From the Buddist's point of view, Buddhism is less of a religion and more of a way of living your life. I'm not sure if the Buddhist / LOOist comparison is completely valid, but it's good food for thought.
At any rate, lets go through that definition:
This is sort of a tough one to nail down, because the Law of One teaches that we are not separate from God, we are God. So who exactly is worshiping what again? Also I think that through reading the Law of One we can see that the supernatural is nothing more than another aspect of the natural. But we can at least entirely refute the "commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance", for the Law of One (at least as given by Ra) does not suggest that one has to do any of those things.
Certainly not an 'institutionalized system', but maybe a set of attitudes / beliefs? As to practices, the Ra material goes over some tools, but I think there is great emphasis put on the fact that any practices are just tools, and none better than another.
Don't think these really apply either. "Conscientiousness" maybe?? But that's pretty subjective, right? Conscientious to who, others? Or how about yourself? (the STS path, no less valid than the STO path?)
Certainly not a cause... Maybe a principle. System of belief? Not sure on that either, but could be. Held with ardor and faith, well only if so chosen by the individual.
If anything, the last set of definitions are the closest. But as compared to other religions which hit all of them 10 for 10, I think it fails the definition. But I suppose these are only words that do no matter so much. Maybe it is a religion, I'm certainly open to that. But I really think the better word is "spirituality" or how about "a system that may or may not be helpful to the individual in understanding him/herself, nothing better or worse than any other understanding of the same"?
LOL!
Back to the intent of the thread, is The Law of One better than religion? I would say this is only definable for YOU, the individual. For me, as I understand the term "religion" (which I might suggest, is more than a definitional word but a thought-form that has many thoughts / emotions built in to it) I would say yes. Certainly better as far as I am concerned. But again, it begs repeating that this is as subjective as it can get, since we're all different aspects of God at the moment, and not exactly the same. Two people will see the world differently, even if just by a smidgen.
How has the Law of One helped me? I've always been an idealist, and I've always been a little confused how God could love one group of people while damning another. Later on in life I would read about the philosophical 'Problem of Evil'. It is in clearing up these issues that TLOO has helped me understand the greater reality best.
At any rate, lets go through that definition:
Websters Dictionary Wrote:1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
This is sort of a tough one to nail down, because the Law of One teaches that we are not separate from God, we are God. So who exactly is worshiping what again? Also I think that through reading the Law of One we can see that the supernatural is nothing more than another aspect of the natural. But we can at least entirely refute the "commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance", for the Law of One (at least as given by Ra) does not suggest that one has to do any of those things.
Websters Dictionary Wrote:2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
Certainly not an 'institutionalized system', but maybe a set of attitudes / beliefs? As to practices, the Ra material goes over some tools, but I think there is great emphasis put on the fact that any practices are just tools, and none better than another.
Websters Dictionary Wrote:3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
Don't think these really apply either. "Conscientiousness" maybe?? But that's pretty subjective, right? Conscientious to who, others? Or how about yourself? (the STS path, no less valid than the STO path?)
Websters Dictionary Wrote:4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Certainly not a cause... Maybe a principle. System of belief? Not sure on that either, but could be. Held with ardor and faith, well only if so chosen by the individual.
Quote:Having read these... the Law of One qualifies...
If anything, the last set of definitions are the closest. But as compared to other religions which hit all of them 10 for 10, I think it fails the definition. But I suppose these are only words that do no matter so much. Maybe it is a religion, I'm certainly open to that. But I really think the better word is "spirituality" or how about "a system that may or may not be helpful to the individual in understanding him/herself, nothing better or worse than any other understanding of the same"?
LOL!Back to the intent of the thread, is The Law of One better than religion? I would say this is only definable for YOU, the individual. For me, as I understand the term "religion" (which I might suggest, is more than a definitional word but a thought-form that has many thoughts / emotions built in to it) I would say yes. Certainly better as far as I am concerned. But again, it begs repeating that this is as subjective as it can get, since we're all different aspects of God at the moment, and not exactly the same. Two people will see the world differently, even if just by a smidgen.
How has the Law of One helped me? I've always been an idealist, and I've always been a little confused how God could love one group of people while damning another. Later on in life I would read about the philosophical 'Problem of Evil'. It is in clearing up these issues that TLOO has helped me understand the greater reality best.