• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 28 subscribers
  • Views 68 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Books for those of no fixed religion but want 'life guidance'

Marianne72

I tried and failed to find the thread asking people's favourite philosopher, hence this new post. I'm near the end of my journey [on earth] and seeking decent books on spirituality not allied to a particular faith. I wanted to share books I've found useful for day-to-day living, with all its difficulties and stressors.

I've joined a lot of different 'styles' over the years - Christianity, Quakerism, Vedanta, Black Baptist.. They each have merits, not least social opportunities, inclusion and support. But I lost belief in a God, and sliding toward being humanist and a Stoic. I want to live a moral life but not chained to a formal faith.

For the last 7 years I've followed the books by modern philosopher, Ryan Holiday, who follows Stoicism - The Daily Stoic. I've found daily Journal writing really helpful, particularly when recovering trauma or my tendency to ruminate on past hurts and abuses.

I am also fond of modern philosopher Alain de Botton. The one I'm reading now is, 'Religion for Atheists' - by turn amusing, amazing and thought-provoking. He puts forward an interesting idea that ditching formal religion as a whole is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater; that  precepts of major religions have a lot to teach about how to live. So, why not use these to form a religion for atheists [those who do not formally believe in a God but want 'morals' to live by]. With the loss of church power and nothing to take its place, Botton makes interesting reading.

Parents

  • I don't have any books or philosophers to recommend, but interested in the book you mention by Botton so might check it out some point. I am not religious, I don't want to offend anyone, but I find so often they are used by some people to persecute those who don't share the same faith (or even within it, tp create inequality and privilege, such as by gender). I know many use religion as a source for doing good, which is beneficial to the wider world too, so I don't think they are bad in general.

    I've always preferred to live by my own moral code (basically be kind to everyone), or as you suggest, find the good bits and leave out the parts I find troublesome. The world itself is troublesome, so I can see why still having some guidance is beneficial.

    EDIT: I think there is some philosophy that Bill Gates and his wife follow, which involves philanthropy, and they are busy trying to make sure all their money is given away and want to live modestly. (Their foundation has issues, but the idea bilionaires don't need to sit on billions is good). I think things like this help us see the value in life over materials, which is counter to the way the world is run.

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing
    Cinnabar_wing said:
    I don't want to offend anyone, but I find so often they are used by some people to persecute those who don't share the same faith (or even within it, tp create inequality and privilege, such as by gender).

    Exactly! Some religions have marginalised 50% of the faithful by gender alone. For too long women have been written out of the history of religions. Religion has been used to control populations and influence those who have political power or civil control. I recognise though that some religions have done a lot of good but I don’t think it’s possible weigh up the arguments for and against religion to reach a credible conclusion one way or the other. Many people will have a personal opinion on that. 

    Man made God in his own image (The Golden Bough, Frazer)

Reply
  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing
    Cinnabar_wing said:
    I don't want to offend anyone, but I find so often they are used by some people to persecute those who don't share the same faith (or even within it, tp create inequality and privilege, such as by gender).

    Exactly! Some religions have marginalised 50% of the faithful by gender alone. For too long women have been written out of the history of religions. Religion has been used to control populations and influence those who have political power or civil control. I recognise though that some religions have done a lot of good but I don’t think it’s possible weigh up the arguments for and against religion to reach a credible conclusion one way or the other. Many people will have a personal opinion on that. 

    Man made God in his own image (The Golden Bough, Frazer)

Children
No Data