Can you be a happy person if you are constrained by religion?

Question

I only ask this because as a Humanist I believe that all man/woman are born equal. Without manual indoctrination we have the ability of Natural Law. This tells us that we should not harm another being, steal from another being etc. It is within us to know Right from Wrong so why do we need religion to guide us?

Answer 1

When you are absolutly sure in what your personal beliefs are , you can find happiness .
Religion is a "tool" that some opt to use.
Others do not need it as they are able to find inner peace.

Answer 2

I am extremely happy and I do not feel constrained by my religion at all - which is probably looked on as one of the most strict. I am Mormon.
This is what I think: No one is perfect, we are in constant need of "reminding" of WHY we should do the right things. It's true, we are all born with the light of Christ, our conscience. Just because we know what is right and wrong, if there are no rewards or consequences, what is there to make us choose right or wrong? I do what I do, and I live the way I do because I have a testimony that if I live the way I am taught, I will be rewarded (besides the fact that I know it is right). I will get to be married to my spouse forever, not just here on earth. I will get to be with my family forever, I can become a goddess and create my own world with my husband. I have spiritual and temporal blessings, and I can live with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever in the Celestial Kingdom.

Answer 3

Ufortunately your conjecture of "humanist natural law" cannot be tested because we cannot find subjects that are outside the realms of the religious morality teachings of our forebearers.

You'd have to either go back in time before there was religion and find out whether the natural human inclination is to God or not. My bets would be on us finding exactly that . Unfortunately my thesis cannot be impartially tested either.

It would be a nice experiment though.

Hmm. Or maybe you can try Detroit.

P.S. Your so called natural law... it's actually more towards jungle law. Without God, isn't everything permisible after all? Stealing, cheating, killing, chicanery etc.?

Answer 4

This is soooo true!!!!
I now follow the Inca Shamanic tradition that accepts God and Mother Earth, these are our providers and we should honor all life, including the earth!
I went to church all my life and became a born again christian. These teachings have their place because without them I would not be who I am now, however they are limiting in that they are man made! And when we are within them we are like spiritual children at kindergarten and know no different.
You dont need religion to guide you but you might benefit from a wider understanding of Great Creator and your own Spiritual connection to the whole. Though this may not be essential to your purpose for being here.

Answer 5

Most religious organizations have produced bad fruitage. It is not the fact that groups are organized that is bad. But many have promoted forms of worship that are based on false teachings and are largely ritualistic instead of providing genuine spiritual guidance; they have been misused to control the lives of people for selfish objectives; they have been overly concerned with money collections and ornate houses of worship instead of spiritual values; their members are often hypocritical. Obviously no one who loves righteousness would want to belong to such an organization. But true religion is a refreshing contrast to all of that. Nevertheless, to fulfill the Bible’s requirements, it must be organized.

Heb. 10:24, 25: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (To carry out this Scriptural command, there must be Christian meetings that we can attend on a consistent basis. Such an arrangement encourages us to express love toward others, not only concern about self.)

1 Cor. 1:10: “Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (Such unity would never be achieved if the individuals did not meet together, benefit from the same spiritual feeding program, and respect the agency through which such instruction was provided. See also John 17:20, 21.)

1 Peter 2:17: “Have love for the whole association of brothers.” (Does that include only those who may meet together for worship in a particular private home? Not at all; it is an international brotherhood, as shown by Galatians 2:8, 9 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.)

If you would like further information, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 6

I'm not humanist ... is that what self righteous people call themselves now.. have similar beliefs within reason .. but don't put tag on it ...religion was formed to bring order into chaos's you might not agree to it but it has worked for centuries ..and yes lots have died in the name of religion but lots more might have ..and makes many people happy in their beliefs and it works for many ..so natural law is that survival of the fittest then hope not if you caring loving person ...we need rules or anarchy sets in and that's all religion is rules well some of them you also have free choice and will ..so go with conscience .

Answer 7

I've tried the religion thing... many religions and denoms. All I ever got out of it was guilt and fear. I never found any peace within religion. So I'm not sure why people feel the need to be guided by religion. Most of the people I know who stick to it are arrogant and usually ignorant. I prefer to keep an open mind and try not to look too stupid. ^_^

Answer 8

What you are talking about is the soul. And a man left his own devices will do wrong to another man. I agree that religion is not necessary but a relationship with God is. Humans are born with the sin nature and they will do wrong that is predictable. It is also a part of survival of the fittest. We need God to guide us and remind us to be kind and gentle.

Answer 9

Perhaps a definition of what religion truly is, and what is accomplished by joining, or not. Natural Law works in our lives without any thought. Religion is a community of people to worship an understanding of God. It is our natural spirituality that actually changes and/or enhances who and what we are and become.

Answer 10

Religion is not a constraint. Also Natural Law is a nice concept but look at it seriously from a Historical, Sociological and anthropological point it doesn't hold up.

Answer 11

Religion is only there to make us live in harmony with others but we have laws that punish us when we break this harmony. This because there are people who are just ignorant of the laws.