Is religion really just a social and culture based programming?

Question

Before anyone starts quoting their religious dogma in the form of scripture I will add that is futile as it is simply the source of your program and it will not answer the question for me. You must think this one outside the pages of the program. And all the vagueness based "that's where faith comes in", and the, "god works in mysterious ways" when a religion blatantly contradicts itself or logic is defied will not work either. Has anyone questioned your belief system? If so what brought you back to it again? Why do you believe in a particular religion over another? I believe in a universal power and intelligent design and so I am not an atheist, or agnostic. I recognize spirituality as real but religion for me is a massive man made mess. And please don't get angry. I am very sincere in trying to understand this aspect of human nature, and the need some have for a religion while others seem to have no need at all for religion but a strong belief in the spiritual.

Morality is merely the glue that holds societies together therefore for the most part the rule is universal and innate or at least common sense in dealing with each other Simply hurt no one on purpose for whatever reason Most laws are based on this Don't murder, and don't steal One of you stated religions help those who feel think they need to be directed The rituals beliefs of religions are only vicious cycles that keep them clinging to THAT particular religion. And I must ask where is the faith in your own nature that you will not be EVIL or at the least nihilistic I have a hard time believing The Creator made a creation it never intended to let growsup persay. A creature that never reaches a spiritual maturity where no more guidance is needed. When we have children we expect the child will growup move out and start their life after years of instruction from parents and family Religions have given us gods that tell us we are incapable of spiritual maturity without religious direction

I need no religion to guide my own innate compassion and empathy for humanity.

I didn't use punctuation on one post because I kept going over the character limit and had rather sacrifice punctuation for content. I trust everyone can deal with this without a English punctuation manual?

And finally the main reason I asked was not because of doubt in my own belief but to question why it is so necessary for many religions to push their belief system on others? WHY? This is one of the major problems with religions. This is what causes wars. Most religions promote intolerance creating a definite "US and Them" agenda within humanity.

Answer 1

it's mostly geological based programming. where you live, in a large percentage of people in general, determines what you believe in. Being raised in southern appalachia, why would i believe in Buddha? i've never been exposed to Buddhism. The same as the chance of someone in Japan being a Mormom or Freewill Baptist is slim. How can one religion assume that all other religions are wrong? All religions feel equally as strong about their reliefs. Religion, all throughout history, has done nothing but caused hatred, chaos, mass genocide and war and has seriously made me question the decency of humanity in general. There's a very strong chance if you had been born in another country (barring the ones that missionaries have robbed the people of their belief) you would believe in whatever entity was dominant in the geological area

Answer 2

The more you turn from "this scripture", and the more you choose to ignore the inevitable (Jesus's sacrifice for all of us), the more hardened your heart becomes. I'm not surprised you feel so confused and call Gods word "dogma." Jesus was a REAL and physical person, he is the Son of God. It takes a leap of faith, and all you have to do is pray, "Jesus If you are, who you say you are, than please reveal your self to me".. Brother, I promise, if you do that, soon, you will have absolutely no idea what "can" you just opened. Jesus will hear that and ruin everything you ever thought about religion and he will separate truth from fiction so far apart that you will no longer even remember how confused you used to be!!! Im 25yrs old and 2 years ago thought your exact same way. I said that simple prayer and had no idea what just hit me... See ya soon bud!!!

Answer 3

Your original question is a whole lot simpler than your elaboration of your opinions, beliefs, etc., etc.. A "religion" is often seen as the practice or reinforcement of one's beliefs or values. It is often a repetitive behavior with some additional outcroppings to reinforce ones belief. Oftentimes, as seems happened here in your question and further elaboration, people confuse religion and faith,or belief or whatever you want to call a spiritual focus. You may not like churches or the Bible or God or whatever lies in that direction, and I can say I'm not much on churches myself, broadly speaking. But my belief in God, specifically Jesus our Christ, requires that I repeatedly behave in manners that reinforce my belief in Him. The first is my faith, the second is my religion. My recommendation to you is that you develop a "religion" to reinforce your beliefs, whatever they may be. It helps clarify what you actually believe and don't believe. In that way your beliefs will change, either intensifying or changing and clarifying. And keep in mind the difference between religion and faith. God Bless you. Oh, that last phrase is a religious practice of my faith. God Bless you again. That one was my faith, superceding any religious practice I have.

Answer 4

i think it is an escape. People use religion when they need someone to blame, as a reason for fault in others (even if no such fault actaully exists), to defend themselves and their reasonings, as both a support and a scapegoat. They use religion to explain the unexplained, rather than to explore the world for themselves and formulate their own ideas and theories. Just as everyone has their own individual beliefs, everyone usues(and abuses) these beliefs in individual ways. I think Marx said it best. "Religion... is the opium of the masses".

Answer 5

The true religion given us by God (Christianity / Catholicism), is the guide for us, to use socially and in our culture(s); proper usage is beneficial to the body as well as the soul. The religion can also provide a deep spiritual bond with God, through which we may gain more of His graces, to strengthen us...

Answer 6

The principles of submitting to authority, selfnessless, and loving your neighbor make religion a perfect way to control a society, (cough) (cough) Communists!!!

no seriously i think when Constantine made christianity the religion of the roman empire it was a way to give the people a divine reason for listening to the gov't.

Answer 7

No certain faith has a position to play in the authorities structure, for this reason the first change that bans authorities from organising any faith because that is chosen faith. besides the indisputable fact that the the structure is depending on the theory that the peoples rights as given through God to us only because the Kings claimed their rights got here from God. And that because the peoples rights are unalienable and are sanctioned through God the authorities isn't authorized to violate them. And the powers authorities has is a grant from the Sovereign people and are difficulty to their will and command, no longer any incorrect way round. And the authorities has no top to inform people how or in the adventure that they are to exercising their faith or no longer.

Answer 8

I would like to recommend that you read translation of the Qur'an. Maybe you'll find something there, since you didn't believe the so-called "that's where faith comes in" and, the, "god works in mysterious way". After that, maybe we can discuss your findings (if you are interested to know)

Answer 9

Check this out: www.notreligion.com