What is the difference between philosophy and religion? I am attending a weekly "Philosophy Class" but the group does not study any of the Philosophers or their works nor do we "philosophize", i.e. pick holes in philosophical statements, etc. We are read lines from the Upanishads and from the "teachings" of an Indian teacher and we are expected to accept these "teachings" as fact. The "teachings" include stories such as that of a woman had reached a high level on the path to realisation (after many re-incarnations of living spiritual lives) and had reached a state where fear was eliminated and she lived a life of bliss. Surely it would not be practical or possible to live a life where fear is eliminated. Is the emotion of fear not essential for survival? Also is life not a series of experiences of pain and pleasure? In any case if we question the teacher we are given his explanation of the story which we are expected to accept. Is this a Religion Class as opposed to a Philosophy class? We meditate...

I can't agree that it sounds a cool class. Indeed, if this is going on in a school or college, it is an intellectual disgrace. "Teachings" of any kind are only worth the arguments that support them: and refusal to engage in critical argument by their proponents deprives the teachings of any call on our respect. Sure, if this is an extra-curricular, non-school, class that you are finding culturally interesting or emotionally satisfying, carry on with it. Get what you can out of it. But whatever is going on doesn't sound like philosophy to me.

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