Would we be better off if we gave up external forms of religion and kept our beliefs within ourselves?

Question

This could eliminate a major source of conflict in the world.
Let us have less show of religion.

Answer 1

I think external forms of religions like churches, mosques and temples etc., are like what homes are to a family. They are places that embrace people of the same faith. Keeping belief within oneself is a way of nourishing the spirit. We need both. What I don't like is the way religion is used as an excuse to commit atrocities.

Answer 2

No. While I believe that religion is divisive, I don't believe in keeping our spirituality within. I am grateful for all the knowledge I have acquired and all the opinions I have heard, so that I can make my own decisions about what and how I believe.

We are all on different paths to the same destination. One is not better than another or the only way, it is just another way.

Answer 3

I'm a firm believer in non-display of religion. I always feel that if I was religious, it would be between me and my god - not through an intermediary (i.e. priest, vicar, rabbi or malvi). I think religion should a very private affair and those who parade their worship are guilty of the sin of pride, "Look at me, I'm worshipping god, I'm a better person than you - I'll go to heaven and you won't, ha, ha." Without an organised structure, religion wouldn't be able to cause wars or hatred - it's man's interpretation of god's supposed word that causes all the problems, so yes, let's get rid of the organisation and the hierarchy and just let people worship privately.

Peace in the middle east!

Answer 4

Extermal forms of Religion do nothing but separate people. But then the whole point of religion--as opposed to spirituality--is to separate the goats from the sheep, the salt from the pepper, the "freaks" from the "normal" people...and well, I think that the world would be much better off without religion. It's religion, after all, that tells us that it's okay to do all sorts of horrible things, as long as we blame it all on some god.

Answer 5

But sometimes we need to show the good things in religion to others , just to prove that religion is innocent of what's going on in the world ,also sometimes a religion is so overwhelming,that it shows no matter how hard we try to keep it to our selves...

Answer 6

You mean religion goes underground. Show of religion is fine but use it stir up trouble is not acceptable. Islam and Christians are the worst culprits. We mustn't let the bigots get away with it.

Answer 7

I agree, I'll bet God gets sick of people getting together, and chanting the same prayers, week in, week out every sunday anyway, I would be if I was him. There would be no holy wars and we can view God as we see him individually. It's an ideal that would never happen, but could work.

Answer 8

religions need an external form as well as internal form to balance itself.

the thing is are people more difficult to distinguish right from wrong and wrong from right? if so, it could be an internal form that is not balanced well.

admirer

Answer 9

I think organized religion should be banned,and all places of 'worship' should be converted into housing the homeless,or used as youth centres,etc.I detest those people who knock at my door,with stupid grins,trying to con me into joining them,most seem to be Americans,Morons (Sorry,Mormons),why don't they f***off back to America,where there are millions of stupid,happy-clappy c***s willing to listen to their crap.

Answer 10

Religion should not be extravagant after all.
Simplicity and Peace should be practiced.
Conflicts could be eradicated this way.