• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Is there a need for religion?

*Anne*

Bliss Ninny
To clarify: I wasn't referring to charities run by the Church specifically. I was focusing on what I thought was the broader question: Humans working together for the greater good. (Which, now that I think about it, is straying off topic a bit. Sorry!)

Regarding churches and taxes, I don't know a thing about it.
 
Last edited:

Orias

Left Hand Path
To clarify: I wasn't referring to charities run by the Church specifically.

Nor was I.

I was focusing on what I thought was the broader question: Humans working together for the greater good. (Which, now that I think about it, is straying off topic a bit. Sorry!)

When everyone tries to do what they think is "good" and for the greater cause of humanity we a get a whole bunch of nonesense and violence. Simply because "good" is an unobjective stance that only relates to the person and not the whole.
 

strikeviperMKII

Well-Known Member
You obviously have some what of a biased opinion being that you are catholic. Your argument that religion is not based of off scientific ignorance is false being that there are more then one religions, therefore, unfortunately; someone is wrong.
In some way, we are all wrong. Just because there are many different religions doesn't mean that one is completely right and the rest are completely wrong.

If all religions stopped, and we documented it's removal, and accurately showed our descendants the errors and effects of it's way, religion would not resurrect. The only "religions" that would exist would be ones that are more of a way of life, like mine.

Yes it would. Because all religions are ways of life. That is the whole point. If you think that you know everything about religion, or at least enough to know exactly why it's wrong and how to explain to others why it's wrong, you know pretty much nothing about religion.

The argument that religion and humanity are inseparable concepts is lunacy. Would you say a tree is religious? How about a moose? What is its religion? If not, why do humans need religion and not any other species?

I said humanity. We are not trees. We are not moose. Why do we need religion? Because it speaks in a language we cannot explain, cannot fully understand, nor fully appreciate, and yet is as important to us as life itself. Why? If we do not have it, what makes us different than the trees or the moose?
 

Orias

Left Hand Path
In some way, we are all wrong. Just because there are many different religions doesn't mean that one is completely right and the rest are completely wrong.



Yes it would. Because all religions are ways of life. That is the whole point. If you think that you know everything about religion, or at least enough to know exactly why it's wrong and how to explain to others why it's wrong, you know pretty much nothing about religion.



I said humanity. We are not trees. We are not moose. Why do we need religion? Because it speaks in a language we cannot explain, cannot fully understand, nor fully appreciate, and yet is as important to us as life itself. Why? If we do not have it, what makes us different than the trees or the moose?


I would tend to agree, though the leaders of many major religions only sophisticate and condemn themselves with fundamentalism.

It is saddening seeing such separation among the ranks of Man.

It is possible to coexist with Opposition and survive, but the means are only justified by the end of all actions.

Man is too complicated to figure himself out :thud:
 

bob gill

New Member
there are many religions and beliefs but there can be only be one truth and this truth affects every one on this planet
 

Where Is God

Creator
You obviously have some what of a biased opinion being that you are catholic. Your argument that religion is not based of off scientific ignorance is false being that there are more then one religions, therefore, unfortunately; someone is wrong.
In some way, we are all wrong. Just because there are many different religions doesn't mean that one is completely right and the rest are completely wrong.



Yes it would. Because all religions are ways of life. That is the whole point. If you think that you know everything about religion, or at least enough to know exactly why it's wrong and how to explain to others why it's wrong, you know pretty much nothing about religion.



I said humanity. We are not trees. We are not moose. Why do we need religion? Because it speaks in a language we cannot explain, cannot fully understand, nor fully appreciate, and yet is as important to us as life itself. Why? If we do not have it, what makes us different than the trees or the moose?

Nothing, other than the fact that we are a different species separates us from nature. Humans are not special. I never claimed to know everything about religion. I used to be religious. When I refer to "way of life" I am speaking of is what you think the ideal way of life is, like my "religion" focuses on the survival and thriving of all living creatures, human or not. This is different than how main stream religions affect how you live and your actions.
 

Riverwolf

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi
Premium Member
Nothing, other than the fact that we are a different species separates us from nature. Humans are not special. I never claimed to know everything about religion. I used to be religious. When I refer to "way of life" I am speaking of is what you think the ideal way of life is, like my "religion" focuses on the survival and thriving of all living creatures, human or not. This is different than how main stream religions affect how you live and your actions.

Not really. Sounds rather like the physical aspect of the Yogic Yama (restraint) of Ahimsa. ^_^
 

bob gill

New Member
thats what im getting at riverwolf your belief is that there is a summit that you are destined for others might have the belief that they will be reicarnated others believe they will go to heaven still others believe that man will destroy himself and be exstinct like the dinosaurs with no god to save them how do you determine who is right and who is wrong therefore there can be only one truth the world and humans are destined for something so whatever happens it will affect all the moment of truth.
 

Witch9

Member
Quote:
If all religions stopped, and we documented it's removal, and accurately showed our descendants the errors and effects of it's way, religion would not resurrect. The only "religions" that would exist would be ones that are more of a way of life, like mine.
Quote:
Yes it would. Because all religions are ways of life. That is the whole point.
While it is true that religion is a way of life for many today, and it's thus unlikely that all religions will disappear any time soon, if they could (i.e. when they do) disappear there is no reason why they would have to resurrect. This is because there is a difference between religion and spirituality, and the former is not required for the latter. In fact, religion can interfere with evolved, Cosmic spirituality.

To cite Sri Aurobindo's The Divine Life, many humans create religion as a shortcut to dealing with moral dilemmas. Further, while they may be connected, religious codes are not synonymous with spirituality, which is "an awakening to the inner reality of our being, to a spirit, self, soul which is other than our mind, life and body" and brings about "a whole transformation of our whole being."

Aurobindo suggests that religion relates to "mental evolution", not to Cosmic evolution, and awakening of the spirit and integration of the fact that we are all one.

Because this awakening is not likely today does not mean it is impossible. In fact integral evolutionaries (and I'm not talking about Darwin) believe it is inevitable, and in fact is already manifesting in today's world. And it will bring the end of organized religions as they exist today.
 

kutulu

Member
religion exists because people wish to understand.
religion is basically a science. people establish basic truths and try to build upon them.
sadly people as a whole are extremely selfish and stupid and so it is often used as a weapon, or followed blindly without considering if the truths they are based upon are actually true
 

Riverwolf

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi
Premium Member
thats what im getting at riverwolf your belief is that there is a summit that you are destined for others might have the belief that they will be reicarnated others believe they will go to heaven still others believe that man will destroy himself and be exstinct like the dinosaurs with no god to save them how do you determine who is right and who is wrong therefore there can be only one truth the world and humans are destined for something so whatever happens it will affect all the moment of truth.

Every one of these beliefs is a certain level on the mountain, which is the final destiny of all Souls.

But who knows? Perhaps mankind will destroy himself before these bodies get the chance, and are replaced by less violent bodies for that chance. Perhaps heaven is one more step up the mountain.

Therefore, all of them become possibilities.
 

strikeviperMKII

Well-Known Member
While it is true that religion is a way of life for many today, and it's thus unlikely that all religions will disappear any time soon, if they could (i.e. when they do) disappear there is no reason why they would have to resurrect. This is because there is a difference between religion and spirituality, and the former is not required for the latter. In fact, religion can interfere with evolved, Cosmic spirituality.

Quite so. Yes, religions do interfere. But sometimes you have to interfere with something before you know it is there. Religion will exist, in one form or another, because it is a step in the process.
 

opuntia

Religion is Law
I was just wondering why religion is still around in the 21st century. Why is it still here? What purpose does it serve? Wouldn't the world be a better place without it?

The sad fact is that it USUALLY brings more bad than good. I am in NO WAY stateing that all religions bring harm and suffering. Many religions, in fact, bring much good. For example, Buddhism, which encourages people to bring love to the world. What does aggravate me is when religion is used as a basis of discrimination, hatred, and racism. The arguement that religion should be used as a foundation for morales is false. If that were true, gays would be killed, women would not be allowed to speak in assembly, and everyone would be damned to hell. The fact is that humans have a natural morale standard just like most animal species. Just wondering what you guys think.

Please be respectful of all religions and beliefs,
Love Brandon. :flirt:
If you assume that all people who practice religion understand it well you would be wrong. The reason we have so much trial and error with people of religion is that they do not understand religion as they should. If all those people truly understood religion they would be the most peaceful people in the world and those who are religion-less would be the blame for all the earth's woes.

People need guidelines, rules or some other form of restriction in order to produce some form of moralistic society. Unless there is something that says it is wrong to harm others, people will follow their own will and chaos will rule. There has to be a unifying factor, even amongst a secular society.
 

Riverwolf

Amateur Rambler / Proud Ergi
Premium Member
If you assume that all people who practice religion understand it well you would be wrong. The reason we have so much trial and error with people of religion is that they do not understand religion as they should. If all those people truly understood religion they would be the most peaceful people in the world and those who are religion-less would be the blame for all the earth's woes.

People need guidelines, rules or some other form of restriction in order to produce some form of moralistic society. Unless there is something that says it is wrong to harm others, people will follow their own will and chaos will rule. There has to be a unifying factor, even amongst a secular society.

Right, but religion isn't the only source of ethical and moral thinking and acting.
 
Religion is needed, much like a doctor is needed when we are sick. When we experience the unbearables in life or near death, etc we seek religions as a way to our problems - preceived or otherwise.
 
Top