What is religion.
What is the use of religion.
Has any one every benefited from religion.
Take a long hard look at the world now and in the past and please tell me what the hell religion succeeds in achieving.
acer1
WHAT IS RELIGION ?
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Jayhawker Soule
- Sage
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Post #21
Geographer Yi-Fu Tuan defined religion as
- "the impulse for coherence and meaning"
Post #22
Hey Jayhawker!Jayhawker Soule wrote:Geographer Yi-Fu Tuan defined religion asIn the same vein I would suggest that religion is a transformational quest for wholeness seeking a coherent, integrated, and personal sense of cosmos and ethos.
- "the impulse for coherence and meaning"
How ya' doin'? Good to see your post. I like this idea.
It looks pretty sound to me. I just posted this on another thread. I think it might apply here also."In the same vein I would suggest that religion is a transformational quest for wholeness seeking a coherent, integrated, and personal sense of cosmos and ethos."
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 153#146153
Since true religion is a matter of personal spiritual experience, it is inevitable that each individual religionist must have his own and personal interpretation of the realization of that spiritual experience.
True religion is not a system of philosophic belief which can be reasoned out and substantiated by natural proofs, neither is it a fantastic and mystic experience of indescribable feelings of ecstasy which can be enjoyed only by the romantic devotees of mysticism. Religion is not the product of reason, but viewed from within, it is altogether reasonable. Religion is not derived from the logic of human philosophy, but as a mortal experience it is altogether logical. Religion is the experiencing of divinity in the consciousness of a moral being of evolutionary origin; it represents true experience with eternal realities in time, the realization of spiritual satisfactions while yet in the flesh.
Peace Jayhawker!
Good Will be with you. Nice meeting you. -
OnceConvinced
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Post #23
So you don't believe that you should pray, read the bible regularly, go to church, worship God, or anything like that? Because those are religious activities and rituals. Do you not see baptism and communion as important parts of being a Christian? Because if so, those are also religious rituals and activities. Do you speak in tongues or regularly stand in a congregation and quote the Lord's Prayer? That is relgious mantra.Klemp wrote:Acer
I believe that religions is "man trying to pull himelf up to God." These are man-made religions. In these religions, man believes he has to do something to get to God--tithe -- chant -- be baptized -- sacrifice-- etc.
I believe Christianity is God reaching down to man. God has done the work for us. All we have to do is accept it.
I see no difference between that and the things other religions practise.
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World
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Antagonist
- Student
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dreveryday
- Newbie
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Post #25
I think some people find productive meaning and direction through religion. Surely, there have been serious atrocities throughout the ages because the misapplication of the religions and belief systems that they espouse. But to say that their beliefs, which seem to be on the most part about being a good person, i.e. helpful, kind, understanding, are responsible may be a misapplication of understanding on our part.
However, I recognize that there are many, indeed, very many who live in a way contradictory to the religion with which they associate themselves. In fact, most seem to. (But then again, most people struggle to not offend, to be civil, to control themselves, etc. These religions are full of people as equally fallible as you and I.) To complicate the issue, there have been many religious leaders who seem to forget their own tenets of honesty, kindness, love, etc and steer masses of people away from more hopeful and tolerant messages that the religions should be teaching according to their various sacred writs.
So, I readily acknowledge that religions have been a serious scourge on humankind throughout history, but I suggest that the majority of that is probably from individuals' misapplication of their various creeds and tenets.
I would like to suggest the idea that religion itself is not inherently disastrous, but rather it is the misapplication of these faiths that is troublesome. Insofar as religions are espousing bigotry, closed-mindedness, hate, revenge, oppression, enforced poverty and ignorance, or other equally dangerous practices, said religion is likely misapplying its own belief structure.
I cannot uphold all religions under this exemption, but I have read sufficient portions of the various religions' religious texts to know that the negative side-effects of religion aren't explicit in their doctrines. Usually, those are individual misrepresentations of beliefs. However, the question remains, can religions be void of these side effects? I argue yes, but it would be difficult.
It is difficult because it is demanding that a person behave, let alone a congregation, let alone a nation of people.
Most people seem to share common ground: we all, on one level or another, don't understand other people and make judgments on them based on our narrow insights. Some feel threatened by religion, because what it often does is takes a number of people, who understand and share the same judgments, and groups them together. That grouping could cause a great force for good, a great force for bad, or a neutral body. The most interesting things to report on throughout history (and today) are the atrocities, or the things that we look at and say, "That is horrible."
Though I can't say if I agree with all the things the following blogger says, I think they do a good job at treating people fairly. If you're interested in the topic of open-mindedness in religious discourse, I think its a good read:
http://thinkersaccord.blogspot.com/2008 ... dness.html
However, I recognize that there are many, indeed, very many who live in a way contradictory to the religion with which they associate themselves. In fact, most seem to. (But then again, most people struggle to not offend, to be civil, to control themselves, etc. These religions are full of people as equally fallible as you and I.) To complicate the issue, there have been many religious leaders who seem to forget their own tenets of honesty, kindness, love, etc and steer masses of people away from more hopeful and tolerant messages that the religions should be teaching according to their various sacred writs.
So, I readily acknowledge that religions have been a serious scourge on humankind throughout history, but I suggest that the majority of that is probably from individuals' misapplication of their various creeds and tenets.
I would like to suggest the idea that religion itself is not inherently disastrous, but rather it is the misapplication of these faiths that is troublesome. Insofar as religions are espousing bigotry, closed-mindedness, hate, revenge, oppression, enforced poverty and ignorance, or other equally dangerous practices, said religion is likely misapplying its own belief structure.
I cannot uphold all religions under this exemption, but I have read sufficient portions of the various religions' religious texts to know that the negative side-effects of religion aren't explicit in their doctrines. Usually, those are individual misrepresentations of beliefs. However, the question remains, can religions be void of these side effects? I argue yes, but it would be difficult.
It is difficult because it is demanding that a person behave, let alone a congregation, let alone a nation of people.
Most people seem to share common ground: we all, on one level or another, don't understand other people and make judgments on them based on our narrow insights. Some feel threatened by religion, because what it often does is takes a number of people, who understand and share the same judgments, and groups them together. That grouping could cause a great force for good, a great force for bad, or a neutral body. The most interesting things to report on throughout history (and today) are the atrocities, or the things that we look at and say, "That is horrible."
Though I can't say if I agree with all the things the following blogger says, I think they do a good job at treating people fairly. If you're interested in the topic of open-mindedness in religious discourse, I think its a good read:
http://thinkersaccord.blogspot.com/2008 ... dness.html
Post #26
Hey dreveryday, Good to see you my friend. Welcome.
I liked your post. Thanks for the link.
I posted this a few days ago and you might find it interesting because of what you said in your post. If you find find others like you they might find it interesting to.
Bless you friend.
Clash of Christian Swords
click here
I liked your post. Thanks for the link.
I posted this a few days ago and you might find it interesting because of what you said in your post. If you find find others like you they might find it interesting to.
Bless you friend.
Clash of Christian Swords
click here
