I keep hearing "it is not religion that causes this and that". But?

Question

Is it not true that religions are nothing more than an extension of those that practice the religion? Further, those that practice the religion, whatever religion it is, are FOLLOWING what the religion teaches?

How can one claim that religion causes nothing, when in fact a religion is really nothing more than those, the people, that follow the religion?
In other words, is a religion what its practitioners make it? Further, the practitioners are following whatever tenets are laid down by the religion. Thus the religion and practitioners are in reality one in the same.

It is abstract and takes some thought but it is a logical progression.

Bigpappa, but it is those people that make the religion what it is. I am insinuating NOTHING. I am trying to discern whether or not a religion is an extension of its followers. If it is then is not stating that a religion is responsible for something, the same as stating a group of people is responsible for said event?

Answer 1

Relilgion defined by the world not religion. If we had true religion there would be a lot less hurt in the world.

James 1:
26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27.PURE RELIGION and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Isaiah tells us even more of what God wants from us. He does not want us doing anything for show(fast)
ISA 58.
4. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5. Is it such a fast (religion)that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
6. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
9. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Do not let man's definition of religion cause you to be sour on God's definition.

Answer 2

I may be able to look through the fog that is your question.

There are many kinds of people in various religions, that they follow. But, people are defined by more than religion.

OK, I am Roman Catholic. This particular church is fairly similar to how it was 2000 years ago. Although, it has become "more free" if you will. I won't argue that it is perfect. I will say that many churches allow pastors to interpret the bible as they will. I have to disagree. I don't think reading a 1900+ year old document by yourself and deciding it means what you think it does without consulting your source is a bunch of crap. Muslim extremists do the same thing.

So, I will say, some moreso than others. There are churches that don't teach about hell and barely mention sin. They still claim to be christian, even though they cater to an audience that can't stomach anything harder.

The idea of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that they were founded by Jesus Christ, so they are different. You can easily tell that they are different.

The religion that is most sculpted by its followers is atheism/agnotisism.

Answer 3

I think you have to differentiate between the name of a religion like Christianity or Buddhism, and say.. being religious where you attend services and live strictly according to the tenets of that religion. I don't think any religion teaches violence for destructive purposes.
The problem is when the man-made religious institution becomes corrupt or skewed. Being a prominent figure in a world-wide religion is a powerful position, and power corrupts.

Answer 4

Hey Billcompugeek.....

I had a dream..... Back in 1995... 2Timothy 3:16. I did not know it was in the Bible until I told someone of the dream and that person showed me the scripture. Pretty cool, eh? Also it was 2 part scripture. The other one is in Matthew 23 or 24.

Answer 5

What you don't understand is not clear.

If you are referring to wars and terrorism in the name religion than it really is not the fault of religions. None of the religion promote wars of aggressions and killings of innocent people. It is the people who has interpreated their religion to justify all their wrong deeds and majority of the wars and terrrorism comes from the traditions not written in scriptures.

The politcians have figured this out that religion is the easy way out to rally majority of masses around for all their atrocities. They will not question them because majority of the people don't really have the knowledge of their own scriptures.

Answer 6

religions are what people make of it, afterall religions are fictions created by men.

each religion is interpreted in all different ways to suit the purpose of the persons who is in the position to wield the power -- the power to control the weak and ignorant followers of that particular religion.

Answer 7

People practice their religion, and they can never get it quite right. I always heard that practice makes perfect, but where have you ever seen a perfect religious thing going on? They never attain perfection, and they'll be practicing til they're blue in the face.
What was your question? Could you repeat your question please?

Answer 8

Religion is the embodiment of the beliefs of society at the time in which that religion is created.

Answer 9

Asking religious folk to follow logical, abstract thought is a bit much. They only seem to understand black & white, cut & dry - that is unless it serves them to do otherwise.

Answer 10

Your reciprocal theory about scripture being written by man and then believed and preached by man is lame-o. In scripture is says that God commands the writing of it and controls what is said.

http://www.mechanicsburgnewchurch.org