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Calling all cultured aspies

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Prometheus18
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22 Jun 2019, 4:34 pm

Twilightprincess wrote:
Prometheus18 wrote:
Twilightprincess wrote:
My life could be described as a tragedy up until this point, but I still think there is much beauty and sublime experiences to be had in the here and now.

There's a melancholy about beauty and sublimity; they only ever point the way towards happiness, always leaving something further to be discovered. I've come to believe that that ne plus ultra can only be achieved by religious devotion.

There are shreds of happiness to be had here and there, but the balance of pleasure and pain will always favour the latter (for good biological reasons, if nothing else). The greatest happiness comes from devotion to our God on a personal level and, on an interpersonal level, striving not to bring pleasure to others (necessarily), but chiefly to rid them of their pain, which is far more preponderant. In secular terms, you can compare this to Popper's "negative utilitarianism". We must do all this in a spirit of humility and selflessness.


I’ve found greater happiness by adopting atheism but different strokes for different folks.

I enjoy finding my own meaning and purpose instead of one that has been supposedly prescribed for me. I have also enjoyed evolving my own moral code instead of following a set of beliefs that felt, at times, immoral to me.

I try not to overlook the small moments in life that have their own beauty and richness. I try not to take anything for granted.


I felt this way for a few years, after becoming disenchanted with the superstitious, New Age pseduo-religion I had embraced as a teenager. Just recently, I have returned to the conventional (RC) Christian religion I love. I don't doubt that atheists can be broadly moral, but there always seemed something empty about it to me, as though I were just going through the motions. Faith is something one feels with his entire spirit.

Given that we're on the topic of culture, I cannot recommend Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov highly enough; it was this that made me realise just what's lost when one abandons religion, and just how vital it is for psychic wellbeing. It's about the death of self-will and, in its place, the birth of a regenerative love that conquers hatred, both for oneself and for the "other", and reconciles one with his suffering as a force of the infinite compassion and mercy by which he can ultimately transcend that suffering. That's Christianity.

Whatever you choose to do or to believe, I hope it works out for you.



TwilightPrincess
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22 Jun 2019, 4:59 pm

Prometheus18 wrote:
Twilightprincess wrote:
Prometheus18 wrote:
Twilightprincess wrote:
My life could be described as a tragedy up until this point, but I still think there is much beauty and sublime experiences to be had in the here and now.

There's a melancholy about beauty and sublimity; they only ever point the way towards happiness, always leaving something further to be discovered. I've come to believe that that ne plus ultra can only be achieved by religious devotion.

There are shreds of happiness to be had here and there, but the balance of pleasure and pain will always favour the latter (for good biological reasons, if nothing else). The greatest happiness comes from devotion to our God on a personal level and, on an interpersonal level, striving not to bring pleasure to others (necessarily), but chiefly to rid them of their pain, which is far more preponderant. In secular terms, you can compare this to Popper's "negative utilitarianism". We must do all this in a spirit of humility and selflessness.


I’ve found greater happiness by adopting atheism but different strokes for different folks.

I enjoy finding my own meaning and purpose instead of one that has been supposedly prescribed for me. I have also enjoyed evolving my own moral code instead of following a set of beliefs that felt, at times, immoral to me.

I try not to overlook the small moments in life that have their own beauty and richness. I try not to take anything for granted.


I felt this way for a few years, after becoming disenchanted with the superstitious, New Age pseduo-religion I had embraced as a teenager. Just recently, I have returned to the conventional (RC) Christian religion I love. I don't doubt that atheists can be broadly moral, but there always seemed something empty about it to me, as though I were just going through the motions. Faith is something one feels with his entire spirit.

Given that we're on the topic of culture, I cannot recommend Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov highly enough; it was this that made me realise just what's lost when one abandons religion, and just how vital it is for psychic wellbeing. It's about the death of self-will and, in its place, the birth of a regenerative love that conquers hatred, both for oneself and for the "other", and reconciles one with his suffering as a force of the infinite compassion and mercy by which he can ultimately transcend that suffering. That's Christianity.

Whatever you choose to do or to believe, I hope it works out for you.


What I’m doing is working for me. I’ve finally found well-being. I feel as though I’ve come out of the cave. It’s a good feeling.

I don’t need religion to be well and happy.



cyberdad
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22 Jun 2019, 5:18 pm

wait...I thought this was a thread for "culture" not religion? can somebody draw up codes or a rulebook please....



cyberdad
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22 Jun 2019, 5:20 pm

I tried to get a discussion going about the "Nut gatherers" painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

The thread died once the discussion got too deep...



Prometheus18
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22 Jun 2019, 5:22 pm

cyberdad wrote:
I tried to get a discussion going about the "Nut gatherers" painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

The thread died once the discussion got too deep...

I was just talking about Bougereau in another thread! His Charity, the one in Birmingham, England, is one of my favourite paintings.



ASS-P
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22 Jun 2019, 5:23 pm

...Huh 8O?



Prometheus18
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22 Jun 2019, 5:24 pm

Religion and culture are most certainly not opposed; in fact, I think High Culture is invariably religiously based.



TwilightPrincess
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22 Jun 2019, 5:45 pm

cyberdad wrote:
wait...I thought this was a thread for "culture" not religion? can somebody draw up codes or a rulebook please....


Here’s some culture for you!



Prometheus18
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22 Jun 2019, 5:50 pm

Has anybody here been to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London? What were the highlights? For me, it was the selection of Rubens-es.



cyberdad
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22 Jun 2019, 6:46 pm

Prometheus18 wrote:
Has anybody here been to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London? What were the highlights? For me, it was the selection of Rubens-es.

On my bucket list along with the Natural History Museum and the Museum of London :)



cyberdad
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22 Jun 2019, 6:47 pm

Twilightprincess wrote:
cyberdad wrote:
wait...I thought this was a thread for "culture" not religion? can somebody draw up codes or a rulebook please....


Here’s some culture for you!



Nice :)



cyberdad
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22 Jun 2019, 7:20 pm

Well that finished quickly?

Look like the "culture" tap just ran dry :lol:



Fireblossom
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23 Jun 2019, 2:10 am

cyberdad wrote:
Prometheus18 wrote:
Has anybody here been to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London? What were the highlights? For me, it was the selection of Rubens-es.

On my bucket list along with the Natural History Museum and the Museum of London :)


If you have the time when you go, I would highly recommend checking out the Imperial War Museum as well.



traven
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23 Jun 2019, 3:00 am

broad


culture





cyberdad
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23 Jun 2019, 3:12 am

Fireblossom wrote:
cyberdad wrote:
Prometheus18 wrote:
Has anybody here been to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London? What were the highlights? For me, it was the selection of Rubens-es.

On my bucket list along with the Natural History Museum and the Museum of London :)


If you have the time when you go, I would highly recommend checking out the Imperial War Museum as well.

Will do! my daughter loves visiting air museums, are there any of these in London?



Prometheus18
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23 Jun 2019, 4:15 pm

Don't visit the major museums in London unless you're willing to spend at least half an hour queuing. The National Gallery, as well as being the greatest art gallery in the world after the Louvre IMO, rarely requires a wait at all.