Now for something completely different~!


What is the appeal in religion. Without justification or "proof" what is it you like about religion in general.


I like the concept of Faith because it is a surrender to the unknown and I think this really serves a purpose in humbling and connecting people.

I like the concept of Grace. This sacrifice done in the name of pure love.

I like the idea of the old Biblical stories as just stories and hearing tales from many many years ago.

Um....it makes for good fiction material.

Amen

I don't like much about religion... seems it's full of a lot of hypocrites...

I do, however, respect others beliefs no matter how ridiculous I think they might be.


edit: I should really learn to spell...

I like religion because the Aliens invented it.
You see that hologram in the sky depicting Mary and also
Moses departs the sea ? Without this things and other more there'll be no religion.
This is 2006 and we know better than before but still we won't believe,
even things outside religion.
That means we are all programmed on what we will believe.

About time!



...... .....Not much I can think of right at this moment.



Connect with people of the same religion.....it seems that the majority of religions has this strange phobia of other beliefs.



I have this......thing about a religion that does the human sacrifice thing.

Hard to see "pure" love in that.



Most old cultures have some interesting myths.

Before I answer, could I ask what definition of "religion" you are using? I'd just like this clarified before I start discussing what I find appealing about it.

Whats complicated about that?

religion
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

M-W online

Nothing's complicated with that. Except your final definition doesn't even require God or gods in the picture. An olympic athlete devoting themselves to their training could be considered "religious". And of course, the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary would like to add to that definition you gave: bond between man and the gods, reverence for the gods.

And Dictionary.com would add this to it: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

And the Bible also has its own definition of religion: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27).

Thus I wanted to know exactly what definition of "religon" was being used. I assumed the original post was referring to "Organized Religion", but I thought I'd double check, just so I don't end up rattling off on a track the poster did not wish.

Hope that clears things up

And we know just how the Bible twists words.

Zandore I admire "sacrifice" done in pure love. Not blood sacrifice or human sacrifice.


PA any religion. As I said this thread doesn't require proof. I am just curious why so many people choose religion when it is so evil. There must be something people like about it.

But the Bible has human sacrifice in it.

I like Psalms. First thing that comes to mind. I've been reading them a lot lately.

Thanks, truethat. But I think you misunderstand. But since you say "any religion", I guess I'll go by the definition I thought you meant - that of "organized religion".

Organized religion provides people with a sense of community. A place where people of similar beliefs can gather together to encourage each other, teach each other, learn from each other. It provides the social networking for those who would not be considered to "fit in" with society to attend and receive the necessary social interaction that we as a species require (we are, above all, a species centred around relationships, I think).

organized religion also creates an avenue for humanitarian aid, whether that be in the form of soup kitchens, or third-world relief funds, or natural disasters, or any such.

Furthermore, religion provides a place for spiritual guidance. When one is feeling lost or alone in a world that seems way to big for us, speaking to a religious person, whether it be a minister or a monk, can often put our problems into a different perspective, and help us overcome them.

They also provide a place of teaching and learning (of their specific Faith). Those same ministers and monks can provide teaching and learning for any interested in their version of spirituality.

Of course, I feel I must add a disclaimer to everything i posted above. While some religious groups do provide this, we can also pinpoint those that provide the opposite effect, where hate is bred instead of love, and where selfless leadership is replaced with selfish ambition. THis is of course the down-side to organized religion.

I'm sure I've missed out some points, but as I'm sorta rushing this post, this is the best I can do. Maybe I'll post some more tomorrow

Regards, PA

You don't "know", zandore. It is only your opinion that the Bible twists words.

As for me and the topic of this thread ("What do you like and respect about religion?").... I'd have to say there's not really anything I like about "religion". My beliefs aren't based on "a religion" but based on truth (and yeah, that's my opinion).

The thing i like about religion is the incredible architecture that sometimes arise from it. For instance some Churches, Mosques, Temples etc are incredible, however i have a slight dislike of the way that religion tries to lay blinkers on human thought and stifle growth, but at least there is SOME good

Just as it is your opinion that the bible does not?

That's exactly what I was trying to point out -- that we are ALL only giving our OPINIONS since none of this stuff can currently be proven to the world.

So much is stated as though it's fact on these forums... and I just wanted to throw in a reminder that we are all only giving opinions.

Architecture and art. Doesn't matter which religion, it's all cool. Cathedrals, triptychs, illuminated manuscripts, all are amazing.
Except Buddhas, they are cooler than anything.
Between my wife and I there is a Buddha or a frog on just about every flat surface in our house.

Then why is it stated as fact that if we do not accept Jesus as our savior......we will go to hell?

If the Bible is just an opinion.....

On these forums I've always stated that as my belief, not as fact (even though in my mind it IS a fact). If others have stated it as fact, I can't help that. I've been trying to raise awareness among folks on these forums that we shouldn't state our beliefs as facts, since NO ONE (regardless of what they believe) can prove anything to others.



Well I didn't say "the Bible is just an opinion" (that's certainly not my belief). I said that whatever people choose to say on these forums is only an opinion... since no one here is able to prove their beliefs to anyone else. Maybe everyone thinks their beliefs are the 100% truth, some have their own personal evidences -- but are unable to prove it to others (like Christians have personal evidences for God's existance and that the Bible is His word), but we're unable to prove it to others -- so we can only state what we know as truth as only mere opinion on forums such as this -- I was just saying the same applies to other people too (Atheists, Deists, Buddhists, Islam, Jews,... whatever anyone's beliefs are -- none of it can be proven to others -- therefore it can all only be stated as opinion on these forums, not as fact (as fact can be proven to others).

So if I decide to look at your past posts I will NOT FIND anywhere you stating an "opinion" as a "fact"?

Are you really that desperate to argue with me, zan? LOL.
I'm sure I may have slipped up here and there and forgot to add "it's my belief" or something to that affect on occasion. I'm human, I'm capable of mistakes... so, no, I'm not going to claim my posts have been perfect, although I do try to make sure what I say is stated as belief and not fact.

Do you not agree that everyone should not state their beliefs, regardless of what they are, as fact? That we are ALL only giving opinions? Do you not agree that none of us here can prove what we believe to everyone else here?

My spirituality and religion are two different things. My spirtuality is Christian. I do not have a religion, I believe religion is a tool to control the masses. I do not go to church, or follow any particular doctrine, dogma, or leader, pastor, etc. I do like some of the old stories in the Bible, real or not. Some, at least can be looked at , by believer and skeptic, as literature or moral plays at the very least.

I like the uplifting message of hope. That there is life after death. Basically, to me...not being alone. That a higher power actually would care , even just a tiny bit, about me , that I would matter in the greater scheme of things. I do picture a loving and forgiving God. I do not see a vengeful God full of wrath, condemning sinners to an afterlife of hell. I believe that vengeful people wrote and distorted a collection of works to their own benefit. To control those that they saw were weaker, and prey upon their frailties. For me I believe that God would be anti religion. Those are my own beliefs , not meant to insult anybody else.

Glancing at your posts......"slipped up here and there and forgot to add "it's my belief" or something to that affect on occasion"......once in awhile you add it.

Rags post history

Talk about a line of "male bovine manure"!

My answer was HONEST, zandore.

The whole reason I brought up stating opinions as opinions and not as fact is because when I FIRST started posting to these forums, I got jumped all over for posting my beliefs as fact. I was told not to do that. Okay -- so I thought well, then everyone must follow that same guideline here and I have no problem with following it either. So I have tried very hard to state that my beliefs are just my opinion and not to state it as fact (except for in some instances where I am actually stating fact). So then when I see others stating their opinion as fact, I think it appropriate to give a reminder that their opinion is just that -- an opinion (and why does that bother people? That's what I don't get. We ALL KNOW it is only our opinions). Anyway, someone yesterday mentioned that we all already know that everyone is only giving their opinions so there's no need to point out that it's opinion. Okay -- so if that's the way it is, then I am no longer going to try to remember to stick in words like "this is my opinion" or "it's my belief". I'm just going to state my thoughts and let that be it just like the rest of you do, ok. That's only fair.

Your story.....

Yes!
And God knows the condition of my heart (that's what matters to me).

I am very anti-religious, but for some reason i love having alot of religious items around me in my flat.
It's stuffed with Buddhas, crosses, shivas and most of all ancient religious figurines from cultures all over the world.

I guess it's the old saying of "know your enemy" that fits in all of it.

I believe religion is what happens in the human mind, when it gets stressed by too many questions and too few answers.

I think it's hurtful to the younger generations philosophical development to be fed with fictional answers, passed on as knowledge.

A red light to science and knowledge.

But woops this thread was about what we LIKED about it... Sorry for the little ramble