What is the 'Purpose' of Religion?

[blackout]

Another thread raised the idea that there is a general 'purpose' of religion.

Is there a general purpose to/of religion?
Does the 'purpose' of a highly doctrinal religion
belong to the individual practitioner?
or the authority/tradition/doctrine itself.

Is there some "over-arching" purpose
that all 'religions' share?

What is the point of religion?

What is it for?

 

[Skwim]

To quell the fear and ease the pain.

 

[blackout]

To quell the fear and ease the pain.

Do anxiety meds also count as 'religion'?
Visits with the psychiatrist?
As they serve the same purpose.

Ritual Nights out with friends at the bar?

 

[Skwim]

Do anxiety meds also count as 'religion'?
Visits with the psychiatrist?
As they serve the same purpose.

Ritual Nights out with friends at the bar?

Not in my book.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Religion is a form of culture and government, creating and quelling fears in those who follow them.

 

[blackout]

Not in my book.

Not in your script?
(script'your)

 

[blackout]

Religion is a form of culture and government, creating and quelling fears in those who follow them.

Certainly than secular government serves the very same purpose.

Can govt. also then be considered religion,
or religious in nature,
in that it's purpose is the same?
(for those who follow them)

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Certainly than secular government serves the very same purpose.

Is this also religion, in that the purpose is the same?

On many levels, yes. I would not call it the same thing though, due to their origins.

 

[blackout]

On many levels, yes. I would not call it the same thing though, due to their origins.

Would you mind explaining/elaborating?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Would you mind explaining/elaborating?

Governments are rarely claimed to be divinely inspired or the words of a Buddha. Religions rarely claim to come from the collaboration of average men.

 

[Riverwolf]

Governments are rarely claimed to be divinely inspired or the words of a Buddha. Religions rarely claim to come from the collaboration of average men.

The Tirukkural was written by a weaver. ^_^

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Religions also seem to be focused at the emotional level of people, whereas governments are focused at the practical level.

Keeping people socially well vs keeping people safe.

 

[Riverwolf]

Religions also seem to be focused at the emotional level of people, whereas governments are focused at the practical level.

:biglaugh:

Seems like they're both aimed primarily at the emotional level of people. But religion focuses on giving people elation, while governments focus on giving people hatred for someone else. (And I fully admit that religions have served that purpose, too.)

 

[blackout]

Governments are rarely claimed to be divinely inspired or the words of a Buddha. Religions rarely claim to come from the collaboration of average men.

The meaning of 'divinely inspired' will vary greatly depending on one's 'religion'.
Christian, Deist, Hindu/Pantheist, Pagan, Setian, Secular humanist...
According to some of these
it could be said that (a) government was/is divinely inspired.
(and in fact that ALL things are divienly inspired)
It could also be said just as easily that (a) religion was/is not.

Many would say that Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin
were not average men.

Some would say some things,
Others would say other things.

Constitutions are framed, thoughts are framed, outlooks, ideas and beliefs
are all framed. By someone.

 

[blackout]

Religions also seem to be focused at the emotional level of people, whereas governments are focused at the practical level.

Keeping people socially well vs keeping people safe.

So in your view,
what both have in common
is "keeping people".

Is this 'someone's' purpose?

ie- there must be a 'keeper'.

 

[blackout]

The Tirukkural was written by a weaver. ^_^

I will have to look that whole thing up. :cover:

Unless you'd like to explain? :flirt:

 

[Riverwolf]

I will have to look that whole thing up. :cover:

Unless you'd like to explain? :flirt:

The Thirukkural is a Tamil text on religion, ethics, love, the usual stuff. It's my personal favorite Scripture at least in terms of structure.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

So in your view,
what both have in common
is "keeping people".

Is this 'someone's' purpose?

ie- there must be a 'keeper'.

The keeper is ourselves, whether alone, in collaboration, or through the lens of a deity.

 

[blackout]

:biglaugh:

Seems like they're both aimed primarily at the emotional level of people. But religion focuses on giving people elation, while governments focus on giving people hatred for someone else. (And I fully admit that religions have served that purpose, too.)

I don't know. Some religions seem to offer many things to fear.
Others are more about walking directly into your fears and facing them,
or unveiling them.

Religions that offer many things to fear, as well as the antidote to those things,
are VERY similar to government in my mind.
You need to fear this this this and this,
and let us take care of it all for you/show you how to take care of it/
create a law telling you how you MUST take care of it
(for fear of some other 'bad' repricussion).

We'll fill you with fear,
then make you feel better.
(while at the same time ingraining the idea that you NEED 'us'. to be ok.)

They both act as the authority.
They tell you what to fear,
and what must be done about it.

Not every religion is dogmatic however.
Is every government dogmatic?

 

[blackout]

The keeper is ourselves, whether alone, in collaboration, or through the lens of a deity.

I like that answer.