what would a new religion have to be like to replace all the other religions?

[Freedomelf]

Buddhism and Hinduism are both far older and have a less violent history than the Middle Eastern religions. I agree with Otherright that Buddhism works well. I think Hinduism is much more encompassing; when others came to conquer them and force other religions down their throats, Hindus did the only sensible thing: they incorporated the conquerors' beliefs into their own religion and went on their merry way.

As far as the OP goes, I think that any religion, in order to work, must be flexible enough to accommodate the inflexibility of others. That's a tall order, and one size does not fit all. I think of the major religions, Hinduism comes close. So does Buddhism.

[predavlad]

I think that the next religious-related trend is lack of religion

We started with Polytheism, and at the moment the situations stands something like this:
20% Polytheists ( 1+ gods )
60% Monotheists ( = 1 god )
20% Non religious ( = 0 gods )

So the inclination to move towards 0 gods is pretty clear.

[Freedomelf]

I believe that people have a need for God or Gods, whatever he, she, it or they happen to be. Without God, people would not be as likely to sacrifice for one another. But, I also believe there are more atheists now. One of my sons is an atheist.

[DreadFish]

Unimaginably awesome and both instantly gratifying, as well as in the long term, with a wide scope so as to satisfy everyone's widely varying desires and inclinations while still uniting everyone under the banner of one religion.


Maybe secretly using some kind of drugs on everyone so that everyone feels just plain great and friendly as well as willing to follow one teaching without question.

Or maybe we can all agree that chocolate is greater, more transcendental and imminent than all the gods and teachers and make that our universal religion

The main reason why "Hinduism" can come closest is because there is a general acceptance of each individuals path as being legitimate in the long run, as all rivers run to the ocean. But "Hinduism" is not a single religion, and not all "Hindus" accept others paths as being legitimate. So really, we just need to adopt a universal philosophy that states that each religion is legitimate for the persons following it and serves it's purpose to them in the long run because we are all bound to end up in the same place.

As far as an actual single religion, even chocolate is not liked by everybody.

[Freedomelf]

Originally Posted by DreadFish

So really, we just need to adopt a universal philosophy that states that each religion is legitimate for the persons following it and serves it's purpose to them in the long run because we are all bound to end up in the same place.

As far as an actual single religion, even chocolate is not liked by everybody.

That's exactly what Calyr believe; that each religion is legitimate for the persons following it because we all wind up in the same place (if we strive for good). I'm glad you put it so succinctly.

[shivadas]

people think that a new religion has to sell something new...
As if its any different of a goal than there predecessors..

A new religion forms when people need a new way to be with God (or become enlightened)

Its just fresh so it wont have as much Bull ****..

One notable characteristic of new religious movements (compared to older movements) is that they focus more on personal experience rather than temple duties.

[bulmabriefs144]

To replace all other religions? It'd have to be open.

Paradoxically, because human beings want to control each other, the older religions would immediately oppose this religion (this is what happened in Maryland, Calvert founded the state based on religious freedom, and was a Catholic. Years later, the Protestants took power and made it illegal to be a Catholic except in one's home).

So you'd have to make some sort of thing where "you can believe whatever you want, but technically, you're part of my religion."

We started with Polytheism, and at the moment the situations stands something like this:
20% Polytheists ( 1+ gods )
60% Monotheists ( = 1 god )
20% Non religious ( = 0 gods )

So the inclination to move towards 0 gods is pretty clear.

Yes, but I think as people realize they now don't have an excuse to get out of work, this might start to reverse.

[Shiranui117]

I think Buddhism's the best choice. It has values every religion can agree on (awareness, lovingkindness, patience, peace, compassion, respect, honesty); it's not so concerned with the "why" we're suffering so much as the "how" to rid ourselves of it; one can insert their God(s)+Saints+angels as a source of help and assistance; rebirth can be interpreted any number of ways, including both literal "we have multiple lives and we're reborn as different beings" and metaphorical "each 'life' is just a new state of mind"; Buddhism can also jive with about any cosmology and way to salvation you want, if you work with it for a little.

[Ketoujin12]

Originally Posted by Shiranui117

I think Buddhism's the best choice. It has values every religion can agree on (awareness, lovingkindness, patience, peace, compassion, respect, honesty); it's not so concerned with the "why" we're suffering so much as the "how" to rid ourselves of it; one can insert their God(s)+Saints+angels as a source of help and assistance; rebirth can be interpreted any number of ways, including both literal "we have multiple lives and we're reborn as different beings" and metaphorical "each 'life' is just a new state of mind"; Buddhism can also jive with about any cosmology and way to salvation you want, if you work with it for a little.

Shiranui,
An excellent synopsis - I believe much the same way. Whether one calls oneself a "Buddhist," "Hindu," "Christian," "Muslim," "Devotee of the Most Holy Pink Flamingo," or whatever, if one is refraining from evil, doing good, and purifying the mind of its defilements, which would include keeping some basic ethical precepts well, then I consider them of "my" religion....I suppose I think of it simply as a religion - or rather a philosophy more accurately - of good people.....regardless of the precise label avowed by any particular person.

As for reincarnation, I was listening to a recent talk by Ajahn Brahm - a Buddhist monk in Australia - and he was deconstructing ideas of rebirth and the issue of conditioned existence specifically. He said that in his view and the view of Theravada that the self is really non-existent as it constantly changes with every new life so the "self" is always a processional entity and not an unchanging one.

Overcoming suffering is the root of the issue for all of us I think no matter if one self-identifies as a polytheist, pantheist, mono-theist, atheist, or agnostic.

Best,

Gunnar

[Freedomelf]

Originally Posted by Surrealist Monk

If that was the case then religion would be dying off instead of thriving and multipying. everyone wants to believe in something... whether its believing in a god or believing they are awsome, we as humans use this technique in order to explain the unnatural and cope with defeat. they use this in order to keep themselves from thinking of the worst

Many religions are dying off. Atheism is growing by leaps and bounds, especially in Europe, where traditional Christianity is dying out.

Yes, there is some growth in some areas. Buddhism, Wiccan and New Age religions are gaining followers. Islam is growing as well, mainly because the birth rate of Muslims creates more followers. Hinduism is maintaining its base. Christianity is among the few religions who are losing followers in a big way worldwide, despite the fact that some churches see an upsurge in members when they switch to rock music. Statistics show that the music attracts people, but it does not hold them. The statistics are very clear; Christianity is dying off and it must change to survive (and I do believe in Jesus, btw.)