If I do not lie,
If I do not steal,
If I do not commit adultery,
If I do not disrespect my parents,
If I do not murder or hurt others, and
If I do not believe in Heaven or Afterlife;
Should I still need a religion? Why?
2006-07-23 11:12:27 · 36 answers · asked by peter p 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are two levels of silliness to your question. The first is your grocery list of virtues. Sorry, but no one on planet earth sticks to all the rules all the time. We all mess up at least now and then. Of course I don't know you and perhaps you are the exception?
>Should I still need a religion? Why?
And to me this is the silliest thing of all. Who am I to tell you why you need some sort of belief system. I can only speak for myself... my own short comings and my own needs. The only person who can answer your question is you.
If you feel yourself some sort of ethical giant (although I did notice that you prefaced each statement with the word, "if") and you don't have any sort of belief in an afterlife then don't have one.
One strange thing about your list though... you made no mention of love... caring for another's needs (in thought, word and deed) without considering any benefit toward yourself. You just rattled off a list of rules... Rules which in themselves just tell me that you "walk the line"... follow the letter of law without substance to the whys and wherefores.
I hope somewhere within the rules is Love, whose other name in many belief systems is God.
2006-07-23 11:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Grumpy Kansan 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I dont think u have to commit to a religion. I think if you are a good person and try to help others and do the right thing then you should still be ok. If you dont believe in an afterlife though... what are you worried about???
2006-07-23 11:16:21 · answer #2 · answered by Ashes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well then that would have to make you an athiest( atheist can believe in an afterlife, just not a god).
from an atheist( not my own, I am Agnostic) view i see no reason to do any of these.
not lie? why, its fun to lie and get away with things. follow below.
do not steal? they arent going to use it, they have no meaning and their rules are at best, a pathetic excuses for some purpose.
Adultery, why not, your an animal, you are meant to do more then simply stick to one mate, your made to have more.
Your Parents? they can only hold you back, their rules as well are foolish.
murder, you are an animal, you cannot escape this, its your duty as a being of a race to destroy your own, for one day humanity will destroy itself, and destroy all it has progressed to do.
all the rules above were made because of an after-life scenario.
Every person must choose his own path in life, it cannot be right or wrong we will only know in death.
2006-07-23 11:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Evan P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is never the answer. I believe religion is people telling you what to do.... what you need is a personal relationship with Jesus and all those things you listed above would be something you wanted to do and you would get to spend eternity in Heaven.
2006-07-23 11:16:52 · answer #4 · answered by Sheila W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, please read, thanks....
Religion is empty- an in vain attempt to work ones way to "God"....
Well, you may be agood person, but I know you are not perfect... you've done at least one or more of those things you listed countless times in your life...
No one is perfect.... we are all "sinners" if you will...
Now would you please open your mind for a moment and think about the afterlife.... in different views....
Ok so if you and I live a good life and die, and death is all that there is- the end- then good for us...
if you and I live a good life and die, and then re-encarnate, we won't come back as an animal but another human being...
if you and I live a good life and die, and then relize that there is a heaven and God does exist- But the whole Jesus thing isn't necessary then we are still good to go....
But if you and I live a good life and die, and then see that there is a God, there is heaven and hell, and that Jesus is the only way to God, because He was the only one that took away the sins of the world.... Well I am good to go...
But you are not.... because you still have sin in your heart, and you have rejected God and Jesus...
Well I can tell you that I am prepared, you however could be dead wrong.... You are gambling with your soul...
You see religion cannot bing peace or true joy, becaue that comes from God... since we are sinners, our sin keeps us from God, He sent His Son to bear the punishment for sins and save us If we would accept Him and believe that He died and rose again, and ask forgiveness for our sins...
good deeds don't erase sins....
Other things that cannot fill the emtpyness in ones soul are:...
friends, money, alcohol, drugs, studdies, success, wealth, things, religion, good works, power, cars, the whole world will not satisfy the human heart....
all of these things are empty and in vain... Only Jesus can filll the whole in your heart and give you true joy and peace, and salvation from your sins....
He provided a relationship with God and men.... I have that relationship- not religion- I know God as my Father, He loves me and I know it...
He loves you too, but it is your choice to accept Jesus or not, He is the only one that offers salvation, and a relationship with God....
It is your dessision, your choice, your call...
God is waiting for your answer with open arms....
I'm praying for you, God bless
thank you for reading...
2006-07-23 11:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Agappae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you know what is or isn't missing in your life. Have you given religion an honest chance so you can make an honest choice?
When so many people discover religion actually fills a need that was missing in their life, and somehow it all feels right, it's pretty hard to discredit what it is they have personally found as a truth.
2006-07-23 11:22:29 · answer #6 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a form of programming used to control the masses, go within your self and figure out who you truly are and go from there. I beleived in god at one time even though I didn't feel I needed god, it was because it was forced on me from birth, but I deprogrammed myself and never looked back. I now realize it was part of my journey or experience as a human. Life is a game played by energy beings or immortals playing as mortals. Spirits playing the game of earth life, like humans playing the Sims games.
2006-07-23 11:24:56 · answer #7 · answered by commonxsense2005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is just a bunch of people having similar beliefs. You don't have to a religion to have beliefs. Belief what you choose. No one can prove it wrong. If they could it would be fact, not faith.
Christian leaders need you to support them, that's why they preach so hard on TV for you money. Make your own decisions, follow others only if you choose to.
2006-07-23 11:33:09 · answer #8 · answered by quietwater 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being naturally good will not get you into heaven. Our Lord told us that in order to obtain salvation, we must follow His Church, the traditional Catholic Church. Only through Him can we be saved. You need baptism and penance to wipe your sins away. You need Our Lord's Flesh and Blood in the Eucharist to help you remain a good Christian.
However, if your goal is not to get to heaven then no, you do not need religion.
2006-07-23 11:17:26 · answer #9 · answered by oremus_fratres 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You lead a good life and if you don't want a religion then you
shouldn't have to. I know some things about Christianity seem
far fetched but I don't care because I choose to believe. If you
don't, I respect that.
2006-07-23 11:16:32 · answer #10 · answered by retrodragonfly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋