Topic: The function of religion ? - page 6. (Read 18646 times)

Now you are simply trolling. Why? Because you know that the definition of religion includes:

"something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice."

See: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/religion?s=t.

You continually prove that you are a person of bad faith, against telling the entire truth, except when it suits you.

But, thank you for giving me the opportunity to show forum readers this, about you.

''the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.''

''a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.''

You see, atheism does not worship anything, it also doesn't have any pursuit, it is in fact a non-belief, there is no goal, is just the lack of belief. That is the definition as well.
''disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.''

So no, atheism is not a religion and you should honestly stop making up definitions and words.

Religion functions in such a way that it helps purify the soul of all of us believers. It is our guide so that as we travel life's journey, we may never be left behind or be afraid to walk forward because it is the light that brightens our path. It will never lead us to the wrong path. Religion is GOD. We may differ in our religious affiliations, but,  we all have the same and one true GOD.

Not necessarily. Everything one does is part of his religion. But one particular thing, is only a person's religion when it overshadows everything else in his life that he does.

Noah and Daniel Webster wrote and compiled dictionaries. Their religions were religions of making up or modifying or clarifying definitions.

When you or I make up a definition once in a while, such is part of our religion, but it is not our religion.

Making up definitions is also a religion.

Religion is not what people think. Most people think of church, synagog, or mosque.

Religion is, really, the way of life. Each person has his own personal religion in the way he personally believes and lives.

Atheism is a religion.

I'm an atheist and have the following standpoint:

 - All religions are hoaxes, making people belive in non-existing gods.

Religions serve the following purposes:

1. Making people have some comfort in their lives, having something else than themselves to pray to and look up to. This is mostly culturrally dependent,
most people adhere to the religion were they grew up, and what was ingrained in them from early childhood.

2. To keep uneducated people in control.

3. To keep power and control in a central position.

If religion was all about love to your God, and it was all a mental thing, there would be no need for churches, and all accessories that goes with a religion.

It's sad that a God-fearing man goes regularily to church to get closer to his maker. He could've been just as close to his God in his couch at home.

Many religious entities collect money, and are rather greedy, there are internal battles about power and control, just think of the Vatican.

I think it's rather sad that in 2012, so many people put their belief in something that doesn't exist. You may pray, and you may feel that your prayers were heard,
and things turn for the better in your life, but most of the time, the prayers are futile, and the only one that can change anything in your life is yourself.

States need to separate themselves from religion, and any religious society needs to take care of itself. Many religious societies does serve a good purpose in their
municipality, and there's nothing wrong with that,  and I do respect anyone that has their faith, but I don't think there's any God of any sorts, and people need to take
responsibility for their own lives.

Will the earth ever come to a point where people are so educated that they understand that science is the only true answer, and that everything else is fairytales ?

As much as I respect any Christian or any devoted religious person from any other religion (I may think his belief is a joke, but I would never say it to his face to force a confrontation in disrespect), I don't think any religions should have any special protection under the law.

Part of the problem is that Religion is so ingrained into the culture of most countries, that many people don't even question it.

Education will put the power in the hands of the people to learn about the world around them, and will remove the power of the leaders of their religion over them.

As an atheist, I don't think your religion defines whether you're a good person or not, that's more down to the person itself, and the values you've been taught in your upbringing, and what you've learned through your education.

Now, with the recent uproar about the 'Innocence of Muslims'-movie, people shouldn't get upset about it. If they don't like it, they should simply ignore it, and don't speak of it. Killing people, making riots etc. and claim that it's because of this movie, this is not right. People are always responsible for what they do.

If I were a Christian, and someone mocked my religion and called me a religious fool, and I got angry and burned down their house, that would be completely unacceptable by me, and I would need to take the full penalty for it.

Some people say we should not provoke 'islam' through cartoons, movies etc. And this may seem like the easy way out. But what if we continously bombarded Islam with this material, would they keep rioting every day of the week, every week, every month and every year, or would they finally sit down and say to themselves: "I'm tired of fighting, I can be a good muslim, no matter what any people say about my religion".

Islam doesn't receive more goodwill by having it's followers react like this, I would think most sivilized people just seeing this for what it is; outright crimes. Also I think a lot of the people that we see rioting in the streets, are only using this movie as an excuse for acting like they do.

Is there a single other Religion in the world were the members would've reacted like this over a movie ?

What do you all think ?