What is the meaning of religion? [Archive]

Jean-Baptiste

03-30-2007, 09:28 PM

Religions exist because God exists. Everyone thinks they know who God is, and so that's where all the varieties come from. But they're all about God.

I agree with Red here, but I'd like to say it a bit differently. I'd like to say that people know that something else exists. This is the inchoate lure of religion, that we know there is something else, and that it applies to this thing we have. This causes me to regard many things as religious, and refuse to divide the world into sacred and secular camps. I think a similar question is why do we have jobs. Why do we have goals? Why do we have societal norms? It is all going in the same direction. Religion is generally considered to have a focus on God, but I think the ultimate focus is on humanity.

hyperborean

03-30-2007, 10:50 PM

Religions exist because God exists. Everyone thinks they know who God is, and so that's where all the varieties come from. But they're all about God.

Religions exist because people fear death and they want confusing questions answered. To obtain entry into this imagined afterlife people live their lives by some made up "divine" standard. That's religion.

Jean-Baptiste

03-30-2007, 11:46 PM

Religions exist because people fear death and they want confusing questions answered. To obtain entry into this imagined afterlife people live their lives by some made up "divine" standard. That's religion.

No. There is no eschatology fundamental to the basic concept of religion. Religion is properly about living, not dying.

hyperborean

03-31-2007, 05:28 PM

Religion is properly about living, not dying.

If that was true then "a trip to heaven" or "the next life as a beetle" wouldn't be talked about.

Nightshade

03-31-2007, 06:31 PM

Religions exist because God exists. Everyone thinks they know who God is, and so that's where all the varieties come from. But they're all about God.

No. There is no eschatology fundamental to the basic concept of religion. Religion is properly about living, not dying.

Well you can look at it from more than the 2 main points of view Im about go into but bare with me a sec as this might get slightly convluted.
1) the basic assumption that God exsits.Lets assume you look at religion as pure religion it exsist becasue od gave it to us as the gift that would help us through our lives and sustain us with hope.
All very well and good but it doesnt actually explain the reason for so many religions, s here is the other reason....actually I might point out this the view I hold and that in a way my religion tends to back. God Created us and as a charcterstic of humans he gave us an awarness of somthing geatere than ourselves this promts the urge to search for this Greater thing, namly God and religion is a path to God in many cases a man made path they all basically come form the idea of people looking for the answer to the eternal question Why am I here? The question we are all born with, our religion is the way construct that answer. our life is your religion. By this defeition and I think Ive gone into this before everyone has their 'primary belief', for some its God, creation etc, for others its Science form some its money for others its love but the are all forces that sape our lives in thier ways they are all religions or rather creeds.

2)Of course your other stand point is God doesnt exsist then the simple explanation is religion is weilding fear and thus control but also it gives people who it defnse mechanisim against accepting the utter despair of registering that you mean nothing and that when you are born and when you die all the time in between means nothing on the grander scale, the humanity itself is meaningless.
:)

cuppajoe_9

03-31-2007, 07:09 PM

"Imagine an early man surveying his surroundings at the end of a happy day's toolmaking. He looks around and he sees a world that pleases him mightily: behind him are mountains with caves in them – mountains are great because you can go and hide in the caves and you are out of the rain and the bears can't get you; in front of him there's the forest – it's got nuts and berries and delicious food; there's a stream going by, which is full of water – water's delicious to drink, you can float your boats in it and do all sorts of stuff with it; here's cousin Ug and he's caught a mammoth – mamoths are great, you can eat them, you can wear their coats, you can use their bones to create weapons to catch other mamoths. I mean this is a great world, it's fantastic. But our early man has a moment to reflect...and then he asks himself a very treacherous question, a question that is totally meaningless and fallacious, but only comes about because of the nature of the sort of person he is, the sort of person he has evolved into...Man the makes looks at this world and says, 'So who made this, then?'"

-Douglas Adams.

I, personally, think he's on to something.

Religions exist because God exists. Everyone thinks they know who God is, and so that's where all the varieties come from. But they're all about God.That's a bit too simplistic, I think, even if your first premise is correct. What about Buddhism and Taoism and Confuscianism and all the other non-theistic religions?

quasimodo1

03-31-2007, 08:39 PM

For all those Christians who think they know about Jesus, what have you heard of the thirty years or so he spent with a sect called the Eseenes, of Quamran on the Dead Sea? Really a telling period of his life and the source of many of his teachings. RJS

.shuu.

03-31-2007, 10:22 PM

Mostly religion is an attempt to answer questions that man finds unanswerable:

What happens after we die?
Is there something more to life?
Why do things happen the way they do?
What makes things happen like this?
How did we get here/Why are we here?
etc. etc.

It is also a way to unify manking/teach them morals. Furthermore, it quells the fear that life is purposeless, one of our greatest fears. We like to believe that what we do here makes a difference somewhere, and that our good deeds are not forgotten, and are rewarded. Personally, I think everyone knows what is the right thing to do, and religion is an attempt to get people to have the courage to do it. Religious people do good deeds because on some level they think it will impact their afterlife and they will be rewarded for it. Personally, I feel you should do a good deed because you KNOW it is the right thing to do. Rewards and impact forgotten, I think good deeds done just because they are the right thing to do are the best way to go about it.

Domer121

04-01-2007, 12:07 AM

I think that religion is also a way that we find comfort, hope etc.... I think it does help us to grow outside of ourselves and maybe help others a little bit, I think that it is a place where we look for answers and a place where some find strength....

Shield&Sword

04-01-2007, 09:58 AM

As people claim that religion was created to find answers to existence and other matters or because people are afraid from death (in general non believers say these claims in order to show that religion is fake) we find that also non believers (people without religion) are searching answers for same questions because they simply cant stop asking, and it arrived to the point where they consider the theory (evolution) as fact, you never will see a person who doesnt believe in creation neither in evolution and if we consider that religion is fake because people invented it to answer questions then we can say same thing about evolution which people invented to find answers for same questions (if not then why we search in evolution if we know that it wont help in finding medicines or to help to improve human life, its a waste of time in others words but we find that people still working hardly to approve it even if they have to put some fake fossils is museums as happened in the begining of this century and i think will continue).
Religion is simply a way of life, to worship stones is a religion to worship one God is a religion, atheism is a religion. The one common thing between all these ways of life that they try to find answers to one question: Who made all this and why? Its the normal question that will come to every one who got mind and logic. My logic arrived to conclusion that in this life i wasnt born to die but was born to choose, to choose a way of life, a religion in order to live better and to die better and the religion that i choose is the best one who answer my question of who created this universe and why and in same time it make my life better.

billyjack

04-01-2007, 10:20 AM

"

That's a bit too simplistic, I think, even if your first premise is correct. What about Buddhism and Taoism and Confuscianism and all the other non-theistic religions?

a just question. the eastern's idea of religion is basically the opposite of the monotheistic ones. so religion does not exist simply because god exist.

cuppajoe_9

04-01-2007, 01:11 PM

Nobody said that the fact that religion was created to find answers automatically makes it untrue.

if not then why we search in evolution if we know that it wont help in finding medicines or to help to improve human lifeVaccinations would not work if we didn't understand the way that viruses evolved.

Religion is simply a way of life, to worship stones is a religion to worship one God is a religion, atheism is a religion.Standard response #1: if atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps must be a hobby.

Shield&Sword

04-01-2007, 02:53 PM

Mutation is the main target in viruses in order to find medicines, not the whole evolution begining with fossils and ending with natural selection and mutation (that contraddict with the theory of evolution). Do scientists study human genome and monkey genome and fossils in order to understand viruses or to seek for answers for questions they claim that religion was invented in order respond them? If i study mutations in human cromosoms it doesnt mean i am studying evolution that explain the begining of life and how people came from monkeys and how all were fish.
Not collecting stamps doesnt mean you have no hobby, as i collect stamps you in your opinion collecting stamps is not good but in same time you got another hobby, you think its better, the main aim in all people who do different hobbies is to do something they like and to kill empty time. The common thing between believing in creation and believing in evolution is simply because we both have the same questions and i answered them in my and you are trying to answer them in your you, you got your way and i got my way i got my religion and you got your religion, because simply the same reason for which religion exist is the same reason for which evolution and atheism exist.
That reminds me with the begining of evolution theory, Karl marx refused the idea of creation (he didnt like this type of hobby) but he didnt know what to do, he was without a "hobby" he didnt know how to explain the existence (the same reason for which religion exist), then when Darwin came up with his theory he was so happy he found finally a "hobby" and started to send letters to Darwin and the thing that made Darwin's theory grow is because there were idologies that needed such a strange theory not because of the scientific value of it, he began another religion.
Simply if you define religion is "believing in a creator", then atheism wont be a religion, but if you say that religion is the ideas that people built in order to find answers to questions then atheism is a religion too because their theories (which they consider facts) came trying to answer same question the believers asked.

cuppajoe_9

04-01-2007, 03:25 PM

Do scientists study human genome and monkey genome and fossils in order to understand viruses or to seek for answers for questions they claim that religion was invented in order respond them?Well, no, but that certainly helps us understand genetic disorders such as cystic fybrosis and sickle-cell anemia. All I'm saying is that to claim that there are no practical benefits to be had from studying evolutionary biology is absurd.

Not collecting stamps doesnt mean you have no hobbyWell, exactly. The point is that lumping all atheists together makes as little sense as lumping all theists together. Atheism is absolutely not a religion, it just describes a lack of one point of belief.

That reminds me with the begining of evolution theory, Karl marx refused the idea of creation (he didnt like this type of hobby) but he didnt know what to do, he was without a "hobby" he didnt know how to explain the existence (the same reason for which religion exist), then when Darwin came up with his theory he was so happy he found finally a "hobby" and started to send letters to Darwin and the thing that made Darwin's theory grow is because there were idologies that needed such a strange theory not because of the scientific value of it, he began another religion.Oh dear. Well, first off, Marxism isn't a religion either, it's a political standpoint. Marx's writings are not particularly grounded in Darwin's theories, and if the two had a correspondance (this is the first I've heard about it), I don't know what they would've talked about. Marx was a historian and a politician and Darwin was a biologist. Furthermore, Darwin's ideas were usually jumped on by the other end of the political spectrum: the capitalist business owners; the very same people Marx was advocating the violent overthrow of. Marx makes no mention of evolutionary theory in The Communist Manifesto (published the same year as Origin of Species), and though I haven't read Das Kapital, I have no idea what a controvertial biological theory would be doing in a book about economics. Furthermore, On the Origin of Species was in no way the begining of evolutionary theory. The idea of evolution goes back to the ancient Greeks. Darwin was the first one to postulate the theory of evolution by natural selection, as opposed to Lamarkian theories and the rest of the ideas as to how the processes of evolution are carried out. Furthermore, there were plenty of atheists before Marx and Darwin (Thomas Hobbes, John Wilmot, Baron d'Holbach, David Hume, et al.), so there is no reason to think that Marx wouldn't know what to do without a creator.

Simply if you define religion is "believing in a creator", then atheism wont be a religion, but if you say that religion is the ideas that people built in order to find answers to questions then atheism is a religion too because their theories (which they consider facts) came trying to answer same question the believers asked.Well, my dictionary defines a religion as follows:

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. [bolding mine]Atheism is not a set of beliefs. It is the lack of one belief. Again, lumping all atheists together is as absurd as lumping all theists together. The Dali Lama, Anton LeVay, Richard Dawkins and Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine are all members of the same religion, according to you.

Shield&Sword

04-01-2007, 05:17 PM

Mymy Claim is: as believing in God is religion and believing in stones or even denying God and believing in satanism are all religions (not same religion) same thing atheism which try to find answers (which influence the way of life) that believers in one God or stones or starts or spirits and believer in satanism try to find, they all are groups of people who chose a specific way of life, even the king of egypt when he denied God (a supreme power) and in same time he claimed to be god and people followed him this was a religion. Scuse me if i wasnt clear enough in my posts and made you think that the believers of creation are one religion and atheism all is one religion, there are people who dont believe in a creator neither in evolution like satanism, such group i would consider them a religion because they answered the always asked questions "who made this and why?" and chose their own way of life according to the ideas they built. Religion for me doesnt mean believing in a supreme power but : "a way of life that people choose influenced by the answers they came up for the questions concerning the origin of this life and its purpose".
When i talked about Atheists i talked about those who believe in evolution trying to show that evolution believers got their own religion when we compare them to the people who believe in God or stone or cow and so on.
I think its more a matter of personal opinion.

Nightshade

04-01-2007, 07:35 PM

You know what I think you are both missing answer this question and without examples . What is YOUR defintion of Religion?
No quotes and make it short please.

I think youll find thats the differance you arguing based on a differant presumtion of what religion means.

billyjack

04-01-2007, 07:41 PM

. Religion for me doesnt mean believing in a supreme power but : "a way of life that people choose influenced by the answers they came up for the questions concerning the origin of this life and its purpose".
.

i think that is a good definition of religion. no god is needed to live a life religiously. i've heard goddfrey reggion (creater of the Quatsi trilogy) say in an interview that, "religion is life lived unquestioned."

we call actions religious actions all the time, even when it doesnt have to do with our normal idea of religion. for example, "he mows the lawn religiously," or "she looks in the mirror religiously." so maybe religion is just the opposite of questioning, maybe religion that which is unquestioned, that which has become habit...after all, religions tend to go against instincts (bodily drives labelled as vices)--so, since reason and instinct are disgarded with religion, maybe the only thing keeping religions afloat is unquestioning belief from the masses that has become a habit for mankind, like thumbsucking.

"don't mistake the finger pointing at the truth for the truth itself. . . monotheistic religions see the finger pointing at the truth (the bible) and they suck it for comfort." (watts)

quasimodo1

04-01-2007, 08:41 PM

I would define any organized religion to be a belief system based on some spiritual and historical figure the adherents of which speak without evidence of things without parrallel. Does not mean they are not useful to the believers in some way but I do think it replaces any insights or spirituality that individuals might find on their own. The nemisis of all religions is the need for and concept of re-evaluation. RJS

cuppajoe_9

04-01-2007, 09:59 PM

Shield: I do not believe that I am getting through to you. I don't have a definition of religion better than the dictionary one, but I think we can agree that a religion is a set of beliefs (plural). This does not mean that any set of beliefs constitutes a religion, but a religion must be a set of beliefs, agreed? Atheism is not a set of beliefs. It isn't even one belief. It's the lack of one single, solitary point of belief.

The reason I mention the Dalai Lama, LeVay, Dawkins and Wine is that all of those people are atheists. None believe in any god or gods. If atheism was a religion, then all of those people would belong to the same religion, but it isn't and they don't.

Similarly, atheism is not an attempt to find answers. Atheists sometimes do attempt to find answers to those questions, but the fact of lacking a single point of belief does not, by itself, produce any information. Scientific inquiry might qualify as a religion, by your definition, but being an atheist does not automatically make one a scientist, and not all atheists rely solely (or at all) on the scientific method to answer the questions you mention. Buddhists and nihilists spring to mind.

amanda_isabel

04-02-2007, 01:49 AM

i think religion is a lifestyle... i mean, when you are affiliated with a certain religious group, it does have control over your lifestyle. religion is not merely a bunch of things you believe in, because what you beleive in (or what you were taught to believe) does have an impact on the things you can say, do, and are comfortable with.

i do agree with the previous posts thought, that religion was formed by man because of resons like fear, or the need to have questions answered. clearly, though, it has become much more than this.

billyjack

04-04-2007, 12:28 AM

allan watts take on religion: (religion): Latin root which really means "a bond or rule of life." Therefore, the most correct use of the word religion is when we say of a man or woman that he or she has "gone into" religion; that is to say, has joined a religious or monastic order and is living under a rule of life or is living a life of obedience.

Shield&Sword

04-07-2007, 12:49 PM

Scuse me Joe for non responding, i got some problems these days and didnt have time to log in site. As night said every one has his point of view nothing else.

cuppajoe_9

04-07-2007, 12:58 PM

No worries, it happens to all of us. Best wishes, man.

setPhree

04-07-2007, 01:25 PM

All religion is a translation of the Truth. Much, indeed most, of the meaning can be lost in translation but enough of the original Truth is conveyed so as to allow some understanding. In the same way as I might understand French or Italian or Chinese in terms of English, we as a whole may only understand the Truth in terms of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Daoism, etc. Likewise religions are the windows by which we are able to see the greater Truth. So it is absurd for the Christian to say to the Jew my truth is better since it is the same truth they see from a different perspective.

Devon_Marie07

04-11-2007, 09:14 AM

I am going to be very blunt, religions exist because people want something to believe in and they are scared of not having any hope. There could be a God or not and there would still be religions. I personally am a Christian, I have no basis or proof that Christ rose after he died, actually I have the opposite, science telling me it is not possible. But none of this will change the way I feel, no those things not scientifically possible, but as it says in the bible, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'":Mark 10:27. I know God, and I know there is a God. That is not because I am afraid that there is no life after death, it is because of the feeling I get when I am close to god. :)

Lote-Tree

04-11-2007, 09:32 AM

I am going to be very blunt, religions exist because people want something to believe in and they are scared of not having any hope.

What is more powerful than belief?

Truth?

And if Truth does not offer you any hope then what can?

Wallflower01

04-11-2007, 10:04 AM

I believe that religion exist for two reasons, and I sincerly hope that I am not rehashing the same points that others have posted. As stated in another post, religion exist because God also does exist. My second reason is relates to the different religion. There is just one God out there, but due to the different cultures, lifestyles, and languages of people around the world, each culture has it's own style of worship, and name for their 'god'. Where we run into problems, is when human nature kicks in, and the 2nd grade mentiality of "I am right, and everyone else is wrong.", comes into play.

Layka

04-11-2007, 10:18 AM

Zirkle2007

04-11-2007, 10:20 AM

Where we run into problems, is when human nature kicks in, and the 2nd grade mentiality of "I am right, and everyone else is wrong.", comes into play

There is no second grade mentiality when Jesus Christ says:

From John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Wallflower01

04-11-2007, 10:43 AM

There is no second grade mentiality when Jesus Christ says:

From John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This is true, but if you look at many of the religions through out the world, you well see this common tread that is seen every religion. I hope that I do not step on anyone's toes but saying this, but it is because of our inablity to accept other's religions and trying to prove who is right, the important message and main point is missed. And that point is simply that there is a God, he does exist. Personally,I think it takes more faith to believe in nothing then to belive in something. Anyone else have a view on this.

Zirkle2007

04-11-2007, 01:55 PM

This is true, but if you look at many of the religions through out the world, you well see this common tread that is seen every religion. I hope that I do not step on anyone's toes but saying this, but it is because of our inability to accept other's religions and trying to prove who is right, the important message and main point is missed. And that point is simply that there is a God, he does exist. Personally,I think it takes more faith to believe in nothing then to belive in something. Anyone else have a view on this.

While I do share your view on it taking more faith to not believe anything, I have to comment on the rest of your post. I believe there is a fine line between tolerating and accepting. I tolerate the different religions, but I don't have to accept them. When Jesus says that he is the only way to the Father, there is no room for the other gods other cultures have created.

Zirkle2007

04-11-2007, 06:15 PM

Many people think that Christianity and other religions are fundamentally the same and superficially different, but in fact, the opposite is true. Christianity and other religions only look similar on the surface.

Devon_Marie07

04-12-2007, 08:54 AM

I sincerely apologize, but I have recently lost my belief in religion. I don't think prayer works, because it didn't work for my request. I had a very special person taken away from me all too early. Am I angry? Absolutely.

I understand what you are saying. But God answers ALL prayers, it's just sometimes we don't like the answers. There is a reason for all the things God does, and even though you don't see it now there is a reason, a time, for all of us to die. You have all the right to be angry. Just remember that He gives and takes away, not to be an unjust horrible God, but because of his plan. God is in no way unjust to us, we are more so to him. God created us, God loves us, he asks us not to do one thing, one worthless thing do not sin, what do we do? Sin. I am sorry you lost someone, but don't lose God too.

Devon_Marie07

04-12-2007, 09:00 AM

What is more powerful than belief?

Truth?

And if Truth does not offer you any hope then what can?

If you believe and accept the truth, then it offers all the hope in the world. I didn't mean there was no hope, I meant that even if there was no god there would be religions. Luckily we don't have to worry about that.

wrestle-135

04-12-2007, 09:23 AM

Religion is based on your faith. Many people try to pick and choose how they want to live. Too many people pick the bible apart and only follow what they want too. This is why there are so many different religions. The original beliefs come from the apostles doctorine. This is found in the book of acts after the upper room experience, The day of Pentecos

kilted exile

04-12-2007, 12:47 PM

cuppajoe_9

04-12-2007, 03:35 PM

As stated in another post, religion exist because God also does exist. My second reason is relates to the different religion. There is just one God out there, but due to the different cultures, lifestyles, and languages of people around the world, each culture has it's own style of worship, and name for their 'god'.And what about Buddhism and Daoism and Confucianism and all the other non-theistic religions?

Redzeppelin

04-12-2007, 03:49 PM

And what about Buddhism and Daoism and Confucianism and all the other non-theistic religions?

I think those would be more accurately described as philosophies as opposed to religions.

cuppajoe_9

04-12-2007, 04:04 PM

I think those would be more accurately described as philosophies as opposed to religions.

I do not imagine that their adherents would take kindly to that analysis, particularly the Buddhists.

Redzeppelin

04-12-2007, 05:04 PM

I do not imagine that their adherents would take kindly to that analysis, particularly the Buddhists.

Well, that might be so - of course, if you wander around the forum threads here in the religious texts and philosophical texts, you'll hear far less generous appraisals of Christianity.

I'm at a loss as to how non-theistic belief systems would be insulted by the term "philosophy." Here's why I said what I said:

phi·los·o·phy –noun, plural -phies.
1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. 2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
6. a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.

re·li·gion –noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

They're not identical, granted, but without a god, I'm not sure I see the distinction.

Dante Wodehouse

04-12-2007, 05:19 PM

I sincerely apologize, but I have recently lost my belief in religion. I don't think prayer works, because it didn't work for my request. I had a very special person taken away from me all too early. Am I angry? Absolutely.

I don't understand why you would lose your faith in religion because someone died. It makes you able to say "They went to a better place", whereas without religion, you can say "At least they don't have to do taxes anymore". It would be exceedingly difficult for me to deal with death if I didn't have hope in an afterlife.

dramasnot6

04-12-2007, 10:22 PM

Well, that might be so - of course, if you wander around the forum threads here in the religious texts and philosophical texts, you'll hear far less generous appraisals of Christianity.

I'm at a loss as to how non-theistic belief systems would be insulted by the term "philosophy." Here's why I said what I said:

phi·los·o·phy –noun, plural -phies.
1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. 2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
6. a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.

re·li·gion –noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

They're not identical, granted, but without a god, I'm not sure I see the distinction.

I have always considered religion to be a type of philosophy, or a set of actions and devotions based on a philosophy. In the second definition of religion you present the example of buddhism . Definining religion is a very debatable issue,but I see no problem if one has a set of values and beliefs based on their faith and considers it a religion, even if that religion does not have a god. The concept of religion revolving around theism is more a western phenomenon, I see no limits to considering something a religion if it is based on faith.

cuppajoe_9

04-12-2007, 10:28 PM

Well, that might be so - of course, if you wander around the forum threads here in the religious texts and philosophical texts, you'll hear far less generous appraisals of Christianity.Entirely irrelivant.

I'm at a loss as to how non-theistic belief systems would be insulted by the term "philosophy."I'm sure they wouldn't be insulted by the term 'philosophy'. What they would be insulted by is the insinuation that their religion is not a religion.

Adolescent09

04-12-2007, 10:44 PM

I've always construed religion as a strive towards "truth". When alluding to a theologian belief and affiliating ourselves with a direct pious path we have to take into consideration what we are trying to find. What is religion? It is widely conceived as a cause to seek a means. Who is Providence? The being brought to earth in flesh, omnipresent in spirit and according to Christian belief, “a reckoning of truth”. Some people seek physically conclusive and direct scientific explanations for the existence of such a phenomenal being as God, and since proofs have not been validated to determine His existence they have a feeling of ambiguity which results in atheism. Theistic people on the other hand argue that...:

"To those that know God, no explanation is needed. To those that do not know God, no explanation is possible."

All in all, beliefs are simply a paradox which have resulted in nothing but animosity (theologian hostility, most notably evident through Nazism), lack of assurance (for virtually no substantial proof of his existence), prolific war (all of the religious conflicts ensuing in the Middle East with no deterministic end in sight) and corruption (ministers who purloin the money of God). I have my own, personal reasons for indulging theism but I won't give an explanation because I am not keen on arousing controversy...

This is just my simple point on this matter.