Religion

[Ryos]

Since I find opinions on this subject to be very interesting, I thought I'd go ahead and revive the thread Armedar killed off a while back.

Why is religion such a universal phenomenon that it is? Why do people live their entire lives according to faith in something that cannot be seen? Why have there been so many wars fought over such an issue like religion? Why is this one topic among so many considered so controversial when it is found as the basis for a number of crucial elements in any society, even those now primarily considered as atheist?

[Xeven]

people look for answers to questions which nobody can seem to answer.. these things they put it all to faith. Although I believe there is something beyond human life, whether it has something to do with religion... i have no idea.

[Betamax]

I have to agree that there must be something greater out there. Whilst I'm no theologist, there are noticable trends in most religious beliefs to discount this possability. Unfortnately these similarities are often overlooked because we as a species are dominated by our suspicion, hatred and jealousy over the petty differences.

BTW Happy St Patricks day!

[oishisakana]

People need to justify the nature of things, an example would be blaming a particulalry bad day (or good day) as luck.

Why have there been so many wars fought over such an issue like religion?

There are two answers. One is that according to these religions (and i am speaking in a very general statement) most other religions are inherently evil. Second are the people who were threatened a sword (and later gun) point to change their religion, so they worshipped out of fear.

Just think that if all religions were true, and more than one suggested that people belonging to another religion were going to hell, and people cannot have more than one religion, then everybody must go to Hell.


edit* Happy Saint Patrick's day *edit

[Ryos]

It's interesting that so many religions overlap and yet almost all of them claim exclusivity. For example, look at the myth of the flood. Almost every religion and local culture has a story about this great flood, and there is evidence to suggest there was a flood at some time. And yet people still fight over religious differences when there are so many similarities.

[oishisakana]

well, not to really shoot down the idea but most of the religions that suggest a flood, suggest a flood because the current geographical location denotes that floods could in fact happen.


Now a flood in the desert, now there's something for religion.

[Strider]

Religion is a creation for humanitys need to explain things, it is also there because we need rules and boundaries and faith in our lives, and hell, if the 10 commandments aren't rules what are?

[oishisakana]

The laws that countries come up with?

If properly created and enforced properly then they should be enough to keep boundries on people. Unfortunatly could never reproduce the zeal with which people follow religions.

[Kane]

Originally posted by Strider
Religion is a creation for humanitys need to explain things, it is also there because we need rules and boundaries and faith in our lives, and hell, if the 10 commandments aren't rules what are?

I agree with that. People long for structure, deep down. Religion provides that, and also provides hope for those in dispair.

[Jonys]

religion is something made to explain what is beyond our material existence....supposing that we are not just dust after we die...where do our soul goes.....But the man found some way to use the religion for his own pourpose and then, used the divine...the "gods" to manage the human brain saying that u don't need explainable reason to follow the religion...u just do it cuz someone in the skyes is watching u...and ,some way is in the control of your destiny.....
I think we are just dust after we die....no soul...no reason....

(maybe i hope i go to somewhere i wanted to be when i was living...inside a RPG world where i can meet all the characters...or some anime world i could go to hinata inn....hehehehe........well i will keep dreaming...)

[oishisakana]

I agree with that. People long for structure, deep down. Religion provides that, and also provides hope for those in dispair.

I also agree, I myself would love to have the complete beliefe in something, because the assurance that what you did, or any event is justified would be comforting.

Ah well.

[Betamax]

In the case of similarity you can't get much closer than the protestant or catholic faiths, yet there has been a deep inbred hatred in Ireland between these 2 religions for over 300 years. Which brings me onto hypocracy. Why is it that for some religion and faith is important... as long as they get something in return. Does this not contradict the whole notion of faith?

[Kane]

People want to beleive that thier life has a purpose. Religion can be a purpose, and can result in bloodshed (As Beta mentioned)

[Jonys]

>In the case of similarity you can't get much closer than the protestant or catholic faiths, yet there has been a deep inbred hatred in Ireland between these 2 religions for over 300 years. Which brings me onto hypocracy. Why is it that for some religion and faith is important... as long as they get something in return. Does this not contradict the whole notion of faith?

Good point....Religion is good in some ways but every exaggeration isn't healthy....that's why i can't stand those guys war and those priests screaming the bible in the middle of the streets.....

[oishisakana]

Deutoronomy 22:11 (don't qoute me on any of this, I'm not completly sure of the exact wording.)

"Thou shalt not wear any clothes of unnatural or mixed clothes, such as that of wool and cotton"

According to the bible, the clothes you may be wearing, are made by the devil.

[Jonys]

Bible say a lot of things...some of them are just like some other rules....some of them just are a little exaggerated....and most of them are fine but ppl use to modify the way they want....like this site here: http://www.geocities.com/for_purity/

[Kane]

The Bible can't completely be taken literaly IMO. I think you have to see it as an allegory.

[oishisakana]

But it's only funny when taken literally.

and I would also like to clear up that, in the old testament alone, there are around 220 comandments, excluding the main ten.

[Jonys]

Yep...Bible IS one of the most important records of the Cristhian religion, and its what the religion followers use as a base to most of theyr decisions...(at least the ones that use to go to the church)...But we still have to remember it tells a history and have chapters...and characters just like the other books....

[oishisakana]

But we still have to remember it tells a history and have chapters...and characters just like the other books....

Quite right. it is a book of historical value, because it is one of the oldest records in existence.

That doesn't mean parts cannot be funny. (I apologize to anyoe who may take offence to that, but hey just believe in the karma of God and everything will seem a lot better )