This is a delicate subject. Your views on religion?

Question

I usually don't talk about it, and when people start to talk about it I try and change the subject. I think it's all about which view you look at it from. What is your opinion?
(I thought this would be a good category to put this question, so I can get alot of answers from alot of different people)

Answer 1

Wrong category.

Answer 2

Religion is a difficult subject. A person's beliefs affect the very core of how a person views the world. Unfortunately, since almost everyone has at minimum a slightly different set of beliefs then the next person, this means persons with fundamentally different worldviews often come into conflict.

For instance, let's say that your religion teaches and you therefore accept that it is your duty to teach about Jesus no matter what any other authority says. A person with this core belief finds it acceptable to preach about Jesus and his message. Because to that believer, such behavior is an acceptable and fundamental fact of life. Since these are core beliefs, all other forms of behavior and actions are built upon that idea shapes their worldview.

Let's compare this to an Atheist, a person truly feels that spirituality and God have no place in modern thought and society. This idea of the non-existance of God has, in turn, shaped this persons entire outlook on life, how to interact with society and others, and what is acceptable. These persons will base their core beliefs on other things besides God -- social sciences, logic, philosophy, whatever. Now many conclusions about how to live may end up the same or similar to the person who believes in Jesus, but the Atheist will most likely not like being told about Jesus.

Do you think that the first person would get along with the second person if one or the other starts discussing their views on the fundamentals of their beliefs? No, they probably wouldn't. And truthfully, each person could probably state their case ad-nauseum and neither person would change their position. Why? Because it would require them to change their fundamental worldviews, a task not easily done.

Let me put it in a more simplistic way. If you knew that the best color in the world was green, and you built the way you interacted with the world under that notion (you always wore green, you have a green house, you have a green car, etc.) and you met someone who fundamentally knew that the best color in the world was red, and this person likewise build his/her life around red, the capacity for these two persons to communicate with their fundamentally incompatible worldviews is going to be very close to impossible.

So what's the answer to your question? Unfortunately, there can never be an answer. So long as there are different people there will be different beliefs. You'll get debates over fundamentally incomparable ideas. One person will argue that a life without Jesus is a life doomed to eternal misery. Another person will argue universal harmony and peace. Yet another person will argue the tenants of Quron and leading a devout Islamic life. And guess what? No one will listen to the other. Ever. Period. They've already determined their basic outlook on what the world is all about. It's not something that can be changed. -- And guess what, even that point will be argued by someone. Why? Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, the answer is, "Because."

Answer 3

There is a big difference between religion and christianity. Religoion is about choosing a denomination to follow. Christiianity is about serving the Lord, and somethims that gets lost in the shuffle because so many people are fucused on the denomination end of the spectrum, instead of serving the Lord the way he sees fit. Everyone has their own relationship with God and we should spend more time talking with him and less time seeking the opinions of others. People don't always know the facts. If you really want to knw the facts, go to God, and read the Bible, for that is how God speaks to us.

Answer 4

Religion is where you find it and what you make it. It is personal and your views don't need to affect anyone else, nor should a person be concerned about the views of others. As an aging hippie, here is my view on religion and life ...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Answer 5

existence is a direction that has been set out for you already. U can not are looking forward to whats' forward, basically walk alongside. there are situations whilst u come throughout the time of various forks on the path. here u might desire to make options which later impacts and determines ur commute. U have many different people who're significant to you alongside with you yet they are able to be with you in elementary terms for a particular quantity of time. As u walk alongside, u adventure distinctive stuff which permits you to extra useful understand existence extra useful.

Answer 6

I was raised going to Catholic school and church. Now, I still go to church, not as often, but I pray,have faith and try to lead a good life while not being perfect. But, I don't agree with everything the Catholic religion says you should follow or be damned eternally.
I'm no holy roller either...people will believe or not. It's not my job to "spread the word".

Answer 7

All religions revolve around the same simple rule: Be nice to people. Once you live by that, you shouldn't need religion at all. Any religion that doesn't believe in being nice to people, is a cult.

Answer 8

Well I'm a Christian. I don't push my views down other people's throats but I don't deny the fact that I love the Lord.

Answer 9

I think that a religionis incredibly intimate and that it really comes from within. However I do think it is lame when people avoid allegience to any religious beliefs in public but worship when alone (what for? to look cool?like being an atheist is so hot!!!)

Answer 10

I am a Christian and believe ''religion'' is one of the most abused words/issues in the world....people shouldn't have ''religion''...they should HAVE spirituality!

Answer 11

Its your decision who or what to believe in. we can agree or disagree. as long as it makes you a better person it is at least in some ways right. But why kill over it? maybe die for it but never kill.