What is religion to you?

What does the word religion mean to you? What kind of connotation comes into mind when you hear the word?

I see religion as early, primitive sciences. It's an explanation to the early history of the world because empirical explanations wasn't completely developed. I think the reason it's still largely alive today is because people are afraid of the uncertainty that science cannot fully explain the nature of the afterlife.

It's also kind of funny to me... Some religions today imply that if you're not in their religion, you're going to Hell. Does that mean we're all going to "Hell?"

 

Kinda seems like you're comparing it to Mythology... which I can understand your motives for doing so lol

OT: To me, faith in a God offers reassurance at times when I need it most and can't think of who else to turn to. However, there are some aspects of religion that I do not agree with, such as the one you mentioned about "if you're not in their religion, you're going to Hell."

 

I am unsure about others but for myself I believe religion is to have faith in God. That God sent His only son Jesus down to Earth to save us from our sins. Those who are true-believers will be able to enter the gates of Heaven. God did not just create Jesus, but he created the Holy Spirit as well. The Holy Spirit is meant to guide us in our lives.

That is just a basic summary of my beliefs. I would just like to say that I do not believe it is better than any other religion or that those who think religion is false are going to Hell. We all have our own beliefs.

 

means something ur faithful to in words of following

 

I simply see it as a unnecessary nuisance.

 

Religion in my opinion is a sort of culture and belief that people form to guide them in their lifestyles. In my opinion, religion is pointless. But for many people, it has a provided them a reason to live. It's also given people good morales, but has also influenced people in negative ways. People often have trouble with decisions or goals, so they rely religion to help them. I just think that it's pointless because you're really not praying to anyone in my opinion (no offense to anyone who is religious here) and even though you think that your god(s) are helping you, you end up doing the goals that you wanted to happen by yourself. So in my opinion, just believe in yourself and the things that you want to do will happen by your own efforts.

 

A belief in an entity or entities.

 

Religion to me is brainwashing....Im saying this because my grandmother is a devout catholic and she is always trying to force her religion in me saying that i need salvation at this young age. She is always saying that homosexuals, lesbians, femenists, are going to hell because of their different likes and dislikes for example about the guy that predicted the end of the world yesterday saying that he was the anti-christ and that he was the devil trying to cause discord in the earth (as if there isn't enough chaos as is) and that marijuana is the leaf of the devil and that it will lead you to the gates of hell. She also says that having sex is a sin and a girl in bikini is pornography and its blasphemy. I have come to hate religion because of her :/

 

The world's most widely believed story books.

 

It gives people "hope" if you want to call it that. That there is a higher purpose to this life.

For some religions it is re-incarnating into something better, other religions its a life of test, where depending on how you do, your rewarded/punished in the afterlife.

Religion gives people a set of rules to abide by, how to live their life in accordance to what is right to them. It's like a guidance for many people, which is an attractive thought (it is why people turn to religion or pursue to follow it). Until Science can disapprove God (which is basically explain how the universe came about), religion will continue to flourish.

 

I believe religion is a symbol that is taken as differently to people depending on their perspective. Some people would call RastafarI or Hip-Hop a religion, but in it's more pure form are a way of life. People from many beliefs do Kundalini meditations, or use sacred geometry's, or discuss 2012 & the revolution.

 

I think religion is the world's most successful scam. Evar.

 

scape goat.

Man put in jail for life with no chance at parole turns into a devout Christian. Guess what, every church is behind him and he gets his parole hearings.
Just an example as it implies to every believer in different ways.

 

Basically I see religion as dumbification and weakening yourself, rather than strengthening yourself.

I was recently invited to a "Grill the Pastor" night by a work colleague, where you are there basically for "free food" and to ask the Pastor any questions you have about Christianity.

I decided against it, as I had already given a former employee doubts within himself as to whether what he believes in is correct or incorrect. And this current colleague is really annoying and will probably here for ages, so I don't want her on my back about religion.

 

I keep my religion and my ability to use reason and logic separate. I dare anybody to say I'm a less intelligent or more ignorant individual because of my beliefs.

Moving on..

Religion to me is being able to look towards the brighter side of things. Knowing that no matter what happens, it could always be worse and WILL always get better. It's where my bottom line morals come from.

I attend church regularly and it's not necessarily because I'm a Jesus freak or anything, but because I see it as a good thing to be around positive people with a common interest. They're family to me. Family that I wouldn't have unless this common interest brought us together. Intelligent individuals that I enjoy talking with and learning from. No, it's not all about God and The Bible. It's about fellowship and friendship as well as a feeling that you belong to something bigger.

But hey, Kill me for it and try to change my beliefs because they're different than your own.

 

I have quite a few problems with religion.

First off, I don't think our beliefs should be static. In the past, humans changed their beliefs based on what they thought at the time. For example, in Greek/Roman mythology, Mars (God of War) was considered horrible by the Greeks - someone you wouldn't want to meet. However, by the Romans, he was adored and it was even considered honorable to die in battle. The fact (and I'll use Christianity here) that we use a religion that was created 2,000 years ago to help us in the modern world is ridiculous.

Humans/Science also has proved many/all religions wrong to some extent. We've all heard how Galileo was punished for his findings simply because they did not relate to the Church and because they were going through "hard times" and could not risk the additional threat. Well, that's dumb. I'm all for believing in something that makes us feel good and prosperous or whatever, but if you're going to put someone on house arrest for not agreeing with... I mean comon, there has to be a line somewhere. Science continues to prove religion wrong and I just don't understand why many of us still believe in these religions.

I will say one positive thing about religion. It gives up hope. Although it is not necessarily correct, the Bible (again, using Christianity b/c I am familiar with it) does teach those who read it many valuable lessons on how to improve character and become a better person within society. Also, for those who fear death/need the idea of an afterlife/something more than Earth, religion satisfies that.

I see the uses of religion; I don't see why we believe in these specific, static ones when in the modern world. We can think up something much better.

 

Now I am not a religious person at all, but I would not call religion primitive. To me, religion is a way of coping with the unknown. It is a smart solution. Religion to me is a good idea in theory, but it has evolved out of control. It isn't how I believe it should be unfortunately.

Religion should motivate people to do good for others and to help people. If you do these things now in this life, then in the afterlife you will go to heaven to enjoy eternal bliss. If you don't, you endure eternal suffering. Well, I don't know about you, but I would rather go to heaven. I would think that most people would. I don't care what other beliefs or values the religion holds. As long as one primary value is to help others and not cause harm, I will appreciate and respect that religion.

The unfortunate reality is that so many religions have evolved over the years that do not meet my standards. Some promote extremism and violence. Once you cross that line from neutrality to death and destruction, I do not even consider it a religion. It is more of a cult or organized gathering. They may be worshiping some sort of deity, but if a deity was meant to cause pain and anguish, why even create a heaven? Why even create life? Why not just torture our souls in hell from the start?

 

It's more a belief and idea than anything.

Religions don't fully explain everything but then again nor does science

 

I see it as a belief in a higher power and a polarizing figure in people's lives.

 

A Religion is a word that means Fiction.
To sum it all up.
I dont get why ppl choose to fallow fake things but then again 1/4 of the world is retarded so i can understand.