Bliss (Blogophilia 52.6)


Bliss.

Such a strange word.  "...is a stage which is above any emotional state that is characterized as peace or happiness (feelings of enjoyment, pleasure, and satisfaction)."

(Thanks, Wikipedia)

In the context of the challenge, the word is set up as a carrot, urging the asses down the path, nobody realizing the distance between us and utopia never changes.

Religions of all types use Bliss as an incentive. Follow this tenet or that and have everlasting ecstasy or something.  Not surprisingly, some people rebel against this. Thomas Paine was one of these. He railed mightily against organized religion stating: "All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." He wasn't quite an Atheist, but had such a large distrust of religious aritifice that "represented" God to the people. But then, he was suspicious of societal and government structures in general, believing they existed for the enrichment of those in power. Paine was an individualist.  His mind was his church.  And if you didn't like that, you could just get out. 

So, what is the bliss I follow? I gave up that chase a long time ago.








Comments

  1. Tyler MyrthFebruary 17, 2014 at 8:07 PM

    I share much of his distrust of institutions and the motivations of those running them

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2014 at 8:09 PM

    I think bliss is like the 3 bears, except you hardly ever have a just right bear. Too much bliss scares me, I don't want to be on a park bench for years, blissed out. But I'd like some bliss... -David II

    ReplyDelete
  3. StevenFebruary 17, 2014 at 9:42 PM

    Like Tyler, I have a mistrust of those same religious institutions. As for bliss....I used to chase a false bliss but we all know how that has worked out. I don't know if real bliss exists.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2014 at 11:28 PM

    The mind is where all things are conceived. It creates, alters and intensifies. Worship should be a personal choice and one must always follow what he trusts most, which is his own mind. If one can find bliss it would be from within.

    8 points Earthling! )

    Marvin

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2014 at 11:39 PM

    I suppose religion means something different for everybody. Whether you believe or not, it's up to the individual.

    ReplyDelete
  6. sueFebruary 18, 2014 at 12:10 AM

    What a fascinating tie in - the quote and bliss. The problem is - well one of many - is the false bliss ie Steven's and tangible bliss which a few people seem to experience. I don't know if these folks are truthful or not ....and I don't know if true bliss is possible, for any extended period of time. for me though, it ain't through religion

    oh dear it's babbling brook sue again -- and I am not blissful after trying to print something sent to me for class.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sallon NewloveFebruary 18, 2014 at 2:26 AM

    Sallon says - Have you given up on porn?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeFebruary 18, 2014 at 5:50 AM

      Ultimately boring. I can see how people devolve into the more degrading versions.

      Delete
  8. XFebruary 18, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another Government EmployeeFebruary 18, 2014 at 5:23 PM

    See the other blog for my answer.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Colleen Keller BreuningFebruary 21, 2014 at 6:11 PM

    Very true analysis. I believe bliss is a temporary state....it is fleeting and not sustainable for long. To think otherwise would be delusional. I do believe in happiness, but have learned so many different times, and the hard way, that nobody and nothing can MAKE you happy. It comes from within.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 22, 2014 at 12:30 AM

    Eloquent and powerful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. trevFebruary 22, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    you bring up a very well worn argument here Christopher...
    my belief is it the religious bodies that dream up versions of hell and heaven to keep there believer in line all the time.... and anyone who escapes their net are branded as non believers... people need to follow something because of the alone factor we all live with when you look at the greater picture with endless empty space for as far as we can see... we are alone and it can be scary for some people.. so the idea of an all powerful force out there you can worship is a brilliant comfort zone to be in...
    whether its right or wrong .. he cares if it serve a purpose of good over evil...
    its when the situation in exploited for monetary and power gains I have my doubts about such organisations ... the Christian Church here in the UK is the biggest landowner in England today... and there lies the problem in my eyes...
    but you must not give up on your bliss pal... you never know what might happen in the next second or in the next few years... so hang onto you hat Christopher and enjoy the ride my friend... :-) ... loved the read and the debate you invoked pal... :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Government EmployeeFebruary 22, 2014 at 12:23 PM

      I would have thought the Windsors were the largest. But Church of England does have quite a lot of legacy holdings.

      Of course, in the US it is the large corps and municipalities that have the largest holdings. It doesn't matter who is holding the gold. If they hold it, they have the power.

      Delete
  13. DiaFebruary 23, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    I think a lot of us struggle with religious beliefs. There are some like in the Jewish religion (which is what I am) where they're so stuck in their ways, they're not willing to bend in anyway on accepting change. So when you don't have a religion, you're suddenly an "Atheist." I've rambled. Great post! :)

    ReplyDelete

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