Why Religion?

loverofhumanity · Jun 13, 2019

siti said:
By God! There must have been millions of 'em by now!

According to our beliefs since Adam there have been about 9 Manifestations or Mediators Who received a direct revelation from God. As ordinary human beings are incapable of direct contact we believe God created pre existent souls able to withstand a direct revelation and prepared Them in another world before entering the human world. Although They were born from a womb here Tyey were actually conceived first in that world unlike humans who are conceived here. That is why They had a power that no human has been able to emulate or copy fully.

David T · Jun 13, 2019

Willamena said:
If you believe in god, meaning that you have a personal relationship with god, what need do you have for religion?

Isn't it essentially other people telling you how you should have a relationship with god?

Isnt that like asking why people go to concerts when they have spotify?

George-ananda · Jun 13, 2019

TagliatelliMonster said:
So how can one distinguish an "advanced" soul from a "non-advanced" soul?

My own judgment based on innumerable things and my own gained knowledge and wisdom.

George-ananda · Jun 13, 2019

joe1776 said:
Can you offer an example or two to illustrate how they are influenced?

The examples and teachings of people like Jesus and Buddha and other Saints influence people even if they don't identify with a particular religion.

Vee · Jun 13, 2019

Willamena said:
If you believe in god, meaning that you have a personal relationship with god, what need do you have for religion?

Isn't it essentially other people telling you how you should have a relationship with god?

Because people function better as a group than on their own. Religious groups encourage and help each other. That sense of belonging, of community, gives strength to people that otherwise wouldn't have it. Being with others who we share feelings and beliefs with makes us stronger and happier.

Scott C. · Jun 13, 2019

Willamena said:
If you believe in god, meaning that you have a personal relationship with god, what need do you have for religion?

Isn't it essentially other people telling you how you should have a relationship with god?

God speaks to the individual directly and through chosen prophets. That is my religion.

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

George-ananda said:
The examples and teachings of people like Jesus and Buddha and other Saints influence people even if they don't identify with a particular religion.

The character Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird has influenced many people as well. So, fictional characters, unattached to religion, are created that are good influences on people . In my opinion, religion, on the whole, good and bad taken into account, has been a force to divide rather than unite humanity.

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

Vee said:
Because people function better as a group than on their own. Religious groups encourage and help each other. That sense of belonging, of community, gives strength to people that otherwise wouldn't have it. Being with others who we share feelings and beliefs with makes us stronger and happier.

The negative aspect to offset that positive is group prejudice: Our group is superior to their group! Group pride and group prejudice are flip sides of the same coin. And group prejudice has been the cause of nearly every war in human history.

George-ananda · Jun 13, 2019

joe1776 said:
The character Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird has influenced many people as well. So, fictional characters, unattached to religion, are created that are good influences on people . Religion, on the whole, good and bad taken into account, has been a force to divide rather than unite humanity.

The good side of spirituality and its teachers have been the most positive and important influences on my life. I’m sure that’s true for many. That’s the gist of what I was getting at.

stvdv · Jun 13, 2019

Willamena said:
If you believe in god, meaning that you have a personal relationship with god, what need do you have for religion?

Isn't it essentially other people telling you how you should have a relationship with god?

Most babies don't know so much ... so teachers are useful to learn things (mother is first guru, father second guru etc) ... so religion can be useful
Some religion indeed evangelize and belittle other religions and some even don't teach personal relationship with God
Those are good to learn the valuable lesson "use discrimination and run away if it feels bad"
Or to practice "stay centered in the midst of the storm"

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

George-ananda said:
The good side of spirituality and its teachers have been the most positive and important influences on my life. I’m sure that’s true for many. That’s the gist of what I was getting at.

I don't doubt you're right.

However, I think that if those influences from religion not been available to you and others, you would have found them from other non-religious sources, fiction or philosophy perhaps, because your life is set on a course to become a better human being.

George-ananda · Jun 13, 2019

joe1776 said:
I don't doubt you're right.

However, I think that if those influences from religion not been available to you and others, you would have found them from other non-religious sources, fiction or philosophy perhaps, because your life is set on a course to become a better human being.

Above I think you are trying to create too much of a dichotomy between 'religious' and 'non-religious'. All good and positive spiritual messages are used by people without concern for the labeling put on the source.

TransmutingSoul · Jun 13, 2019

SalixIncendium said:
These two statement appear contradictory.

If God is unknowable, how can a messenger know God?

They also can not know the Essence of God. All we can know about God is the Messenger and the Message they were given. They are the appointed 'Self of God' unto us.

Regards Tony

LuisDantas · Jun 13, 2019

joe1776 said:
The negative aspect to offset that positive is group prejudice: Our group is superior to their group! Group pride and group prejudice are flip sides of the same coin. And group prejudice has been the cause of nearly every war in human history.

While that is certainly true, it does not have to be true.

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

George-ananda said:
Above I think you are trying to create too much of a dichotomy between 'religious' and 'non-religious'. All good and positive spiritual messages are used by people without concern for the labeling put on the source.

That comment though is unlike what you wrote in Post 5 which seemed to credit spiritual thinkers only.

Perhaps in very modern times with the advance of education and worldly exposure more people are thinking for themselves and not following the traditional religions. But they are typically influenced by spiritual thinkers that came before and not totally inventing the wheel.

If only spiritual thinkers had such influence then religion would be necessary for moral progress.

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

LuisDantas said:
While that is certainly true, it does not have to be true.

I can't think of a notable exception. Can You?

The Reverend Bob · Jun 13, 2019

Vee said:
Because people function better as a group than on their own. Religious groups encourage and help each other. That sense of belonging, of community, gives strength to people that otherwise wouldn't have it. Being with others who we share feelings and beliefs with makes us stronger and happier.

Sort of like Alcoholic Anonymous

Skwim · Jun 13, 2019

READ HIS LIPS

LuisDantas · Jun 13, 2019

joe1776 said:
I can't think of a notable exception. Can You?

How notable is notable?

We all should value the candles that light the darkness. All the more so when they are few and far between.

joe1776 · Jun 13, 2019

LuisDantas said:
How notable is notable?

We all should value the candles that light the darkness. All the more so when they are few and far between.

So... you couldn't think of a notable exception either?

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