Generally referring to things like westernized reiki, astrology, psychic mediums, clairvoyance, crystal healing, sound baths, westernized interpretations of Hinduism and Buddhism, and things like that.
Do you view any/all of these things any differently from historical or established religions?
Not passing any judgement on anyone’s religious/spiritual views, just curious to get more perspectives from women.
15 comments
It’s mostly bullshit, apart from the “westernised interpretations” of eastern religions, which are racist bullshit. IMO.
It’s all bullshit to me, historical/established religions included.
Its not something I can get into past the casual reading of my horoscope. I have a lot of friends who participate at a much deeper level and it seems to bring them joy, so more power to them. it’s just not my thing.
I don’t really view them as any different. I think they are all forms of prayer in some way or another. Some of it is definitely cultural appropriation and that is a whole other mess, but mostly I just let people do what they want. The mind is a powerful thing and if it helps them, great. As long as they aren’t trying to press anything on me.
i’m interested in open spiritual practices but i don’t think it’s ok to do certain practices if you are not actually a part of that religious group. i think people need to research and be respectful. i don’t identify with any religion but i do believe in a higher energy that connects all things and practices that help me tap into that energy i am drawn to.
TL;DR giant heaping loads of bullshit
There are benefits to some of these practices, but they’re all meaningless because no one really cares to research where these practices came from, what religions or gods they relate to, etc. Commercialism of crystals, tarot, and horoscopes just make it all worse and I think can mislead people into doing some sketchy things they don’t understand.
generally I think it’s fine to follow a religion or a spiritual calling but westernised is mostly a term to describe “racist people taking culture from other ethnicities and making it fit into their standards”. Like, it’s sad to see tbh.
To me personally Buddhism fit’s closest to my morals and beliefs but as a very white person, growing up in a predominantely white country, I’ve seen it used as a trend or decoration too much throughout the past years
To each their own. I personally think it’s bogus and most of the time, it’s used in a manner that’s incredibly shallow.
The amount of people I see with a Buddah head (just the head mind you) as a decoration to “connect them to their faith” is frankly disgusting and shows a serious lack of awareness for what they’re trying to represent/connect to.
I’m neither religious nor spiritual or anything else, though I believe not all of those things listed are on the same level. While I don’t believe in God or any other higher power I can understand why some people do. The concept of the big bang and matter being created out of nothing and for no otber reason than coincidence is incredibly hard to grasp and understand. Additionally it is very difficult to be okay with accepting that there is no point to life, it just is, so humanity has come up with things like higher powers and fate to explain situations and to give themselves hope when bad things happen. It makes life easier and less lonely.
However, in my opinion astrology and the like are just stupid. It makes no sense whatsoever to believe that the position of the earth during someones birth has an effect on their personality. And anybody claiming to be able to see into the future or to be able to ‘read cards’, heal someone with crystals or whatnot is just ripping people off.
I judge everything on a case by case basis. While I’m not religious, I do hold spiritual beliefs.
I think it’s ignorant to dismiss everything with a broad brush; even religions I dislike have small grains of truth or wisdom in them.
And as far as new age stuff, for example I like to use tarot as a tool for introspection – but that doesn’t mean I think it predicts the future or connects me with some ethereal force.
Like anything, take what you like and leave the rest.
As long as it harms none, people can believe whatever they like.
R’amen.
At best it’s nonsense, at worst it’s cultural appropriation. I have a real problem with how Buddhism especially is portrayed in the west, including how the concept of “karma” is used on this website.
It’s interesting as a cultural phenomenon and some of those are great examples of appropriating, repackaging, and re-mythologizing older religious and spiritual beliefs to better adapt to find a place in modern cultures or in different cultures that don’t share core understandings. Studying human cultures and spirituality beliefs is always fascinating.
It can also be very healing and comforting to those who believe in those things. It’s a nice idea to hold onto that there is something out there that is benevolent and powerful or that offers you special divine insight or control of your life – especially when your reality is feeling untenable.
However, I don’t believe in any of it myself. I don’t follow any spiritual paths or belief systems. I just don’t have the “faith” required to make the leap to believing in that stuff. As long as their beliefs don’t harm anyone, I don’t judge others negatively for their spiritual beliefs. I just don’t share those beliefs.
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