2006-07-05 11:24:28 · 9 answers · asked by carpediem3000 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In many instances, yes. It's not about faith anymore. I can only speak for the religions I'm familiar with Paganism and Christianity. I gave up on Christianity years ago when I realized that the symbols had more meaning for Christians that what they represented. Sadly I'm seeing this among new Pagans. It seems all they care about are spells and magic. I think some of them may have no faith in the Goddess and God beyond what they can get from Them. I honestly think most people who see themselves as deeply religious would be lost without the trappings of their religion.
2006-07-05 11:38:02 · answer #1 · answered by finnegas2001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are asking whether organized religions have replaced simple feelings of worship with organized rituals, then yes. They have. It is a natural evolution of a religion.
A typical religion starts out as a cult. It begins by having an influential leader or spokesperson that draws people in. They are usually charismatic and give emotional appeals to people. They stress how wonderful it feels to be in their god's (or gods) grace. They have people pray or meditate about these feelings. A good hypnotist could probably tell you that suggestion and concentration on feeling something can easily instill those things in the people concentrating. These initial stages of a cult are what you are referring to.
Rituals are quickly instituted next. They provide a means to consolidate (gather together) members with a communal activity that focuses on the cult. Group prayers, group confessions, holding mass, and baptisms are all examples of this.
Rules usually develop after that. Rules focus members back towards the cult and discourage people from leaving. If you are tempted to break the rules, then you must pray... making a member self-reinforce their beliefs. Rules against sexual thoughts and actions are very effective because sexual thoughts/feelings are instinctual (everyone experiences them), yet they won't cause physical harm if repressed. Rules requiring fasting work on the same principle.
So, in answer to your question: True religion (simple worship) has been replaced with rituals. This is because of how religions naturally develop.
2006-07-05 11:56:15 · answer #2 · answered by imrational 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all there's no such thing as a "true religion" there are many different gods the world has created. No I'm certainly not an Atheist. I'm a Christian but Christianity is THE TRUTH not a type of truth. For those many religions there form of worship came in countless monotone rituals. But not to completely defend Christianity for the true Christian Faith has not been replaced. But many people have taken GOD and changed HIM into something completely different that is no longer even GOD. They molded HIM and squished HIM and changed HIM to fit there standards and fit in their comfort zone. Which like I said before makes HIM not even GOD in HIS true brilliance and holiness. It's amazing how completely holy and wonderful HE is in HIS true form. Which you can only see if you get involved with a personal relationship with HIM.
2006-07-05 12:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
John Dewey actually makes a point that we should seperate the religious nature (actual spiritual stuff that bring us to Truth) from the rituals and other things that he calls extraneous in each religion. He says that the actual spiritual stuff will help us become better humans and can actually bring us together, no matter what religion we belong to.
However, I disagree with his point. I think that the rituals and such of a legitimate religion are not extraneous, for they help true participants become more spiritual and ultimately reach Truth about the universe, God, etc. Sure, if you're doing mere rituals just for the sake of doing rituals, then you've done basically nothing, but if you do them with purpose, then you've helped achieve true religion.
Often, people who don't care about their religion much who wouldn't be able to participate in the spiritual stuff per se anyway don't care much about the rituals. They just pretend to do them half-heartedly. I think they give bad names to their religions and those rituals.
2006-07-05 11:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by Captain Hero 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not replaced....other churches have been formed out of thin air, by man's agenda, but the True Church remains One after 2000 years.
2006-07-05 11:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by Shaun T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely... It's all about going thru the motions.
2006-07-05 12:34:52 · answer #6 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Creatures of habit. Same place. Same thing. Same church. Same God. Same bible. Same BS.
2006-07-05 11:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by Kenny ♣ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess. peeps just aren't as into it as a long time ago.
2006-07-05 11:30:19 · answer #8 · answered by taytay 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah I think so...
2006-07-05 11:29:00 · answer #9 · answered by simpleplan0013 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋