why do we let religion define us instead of humanity and good deeds??

Question

Why is it that people say oh i am a muslim or i am a christain or i am a jew....i mean religion is suppose to be personal and spritual..its not there so you can force your believes on people and tell them what to do and stuff we are doing today.you never hear people say i am a good person because i volunteered at a hospital. instead we hear people say i am going to heaven becuase i am a christain or muslim or jew or any other religion. we pay more attention to God (who we can't see) then normal day to day stuff like helping people or not hurting nay ones feeling and stuff like that.WHY??

I asked myself what I believed. I had never prayed a lot. I hoped hard, I wished hard, but I didn't pray. I had developed a certain distrust of organized religion growing up, but I felt I had the capacity to be a spiritual person, and to hold some fervent beliefs. Quite simply, I believed I had a responsiblity to be a good person, and that meant fair, honest, hardworking, and honorable. If I did that, if I was good to my family, true to my friends, if I gave back to my community or to some cause, if I wasn't a liar, a cheat, or a thief, then I believed that should be enough. At the end of the day, if there was indeed some Body or presence standing there to judge me, I hoped I would be judged on whether I had lived a true life, not on whther I believed in a certain book, or whether I'd been baptized. If there was indeed a God at the end of my days, I hoped he didn't say, "But you were never a Christian, so you're going the other way from heaven." If so, I was going to reply,

You know what you are right!"

Answer 1

I agree. I never define myself by religion. I measure myself by how I live my life, how I interact in the world, how well I treat others... my empathy, compassion, and actions. I do not need to refer to lines in text or listen to another's words to know how to live a responsible and spiritual life. I also hold myself responsible for my deeds. Life is much more honest that way.

Answer 2

Just because a Muslim prays does not mean he is a good Muslim or will be rewarded, just as a person doing a good thing does not mean he/she is good. There are some people who volunteer at the hospital because it is required to get into medical school. Others may want others to tell them, oh wow, what a great person u are (low self-esteem). Such statements from others give them confirmation of what they percieve themselves to be or want to be, but not necessarily the truth of who that person is. The same thing can be applied to believers. In Islam, the intention of the believer is as important if not more than the action.

From what I understand u say, is that you believe that there might be a God. People have always asked themselves the same question, because it is a natural tendency, when looking at the universe, at all things around us, that all this could not have been created solely by chance.

So if there's a God, what would He want from us? Research time!!! That's where Allah says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 256]

So why would someone go to hell? Because they have denied the truth, because they choose to be arrogant when putting themselves above their Creator. Yes, they may have discovered the medicine that saves a million a year, but they have neglected the truth that made everything possible. Imagine a man, who successfully worked hard to provide for his family and children, and discovered a cure to AIDS, but neglected and denied the rights of his parents upon him. In the eyes of the world and his family, he's awesome. Yet his parents will be damning the day they begot him. Why? Because all the son cares about is his himself, his reputation, and the things that affect his standing and well being at home and in his community.

Answer 3

Because people have translated humanity and good deeds into Religions and if you say that you're this religion or that religion, people can get a small understanding of where you come from and how you were raised. For instance, Catholic families are very intense and Catholic schools can permanently mess kids up. A Jewish family is very loving and caring and the children usually get a great education. Christian familes are the same as Jewish families, except education isn't the same high priority and the kids wind up trying to convert other people. Muslim families weaken women's self-esteem and raise men to be a little too religious.

Thats why people tell other people their religion.

Answer 4

Because that's how people are. Nowadays in the chaotic opening years of the twenty-first century, religion is all that matters (just take a look at the Middle East; Hezbalah, Islam, we're looking at you). I highly agree with you, especially on the last two sentences. I know what you mean. But sometimes things left unseen hold more meaning than things revealed and exploited. As I say, words at times hold more meaning and value when left unspoken. I believe the same could be applied to God. Now let's not all be Doubting Thomases and say "before I believe in God, I wanna see him!" Just because it isn't visible does not mean it doesn't exist, but then again, something not tangible and before your very eyes may not hold the pure truth. My oh my, what are we to do in these crazy times? Bless you; finally, a human with a thing that's becoming more scarce every day: COMMON SENSE. ^_^

Answer 5

Because since the appearance of civilization wars were fought with the Gods or by the order of the Gods,, there was no single war made by mortals without involving the Gods,, in the past they even thought the Gods fight between themselves, as in the Illiad the God Zeus and the Goddess Ishtar helped humans to fight each other,, so how can the war profiteers eliminate the Gods which are their most important pretext to wage wars and to convince the stupid masses to fight each other,, religion would always define a person and polarize the masses

Answer 6

Anyone who is a true believer in Christianity is, by definition, one who is involved in humanitarian work and good deeds. It goes with the territory. I'm not talking about the "I go to church every time the doors are open," or the "feel good" christians (lack of capitalization intentional). I'm talking about the Christians who quietly go through life doing what Jesus, not the fire-and-brimstone preacher, taught. I don't really care what your beliefs are, and would never approach you with the intent of shoving my beliefs down your throat. If you read the Bible, Jesus was the original do-gooder, and never sought credit for His miracles. Those who follow His teachings should be the same way. When you've finished the good deed, leave quietly.

Answer 7

I will answer this only for myself, no one else. I define myself as a Christian because that is what is most important to me. This temporary life is not my main concern; my future eternal life is. I do desire to be the best person I can be, as outlined by the Bible.
My goal is to be Christ-like, which would mean that, among other things, I would participate in the type of activities that you mentioned.
But, when it comes right down to it, what I do is not as important as what I believe. The day to day stuff, which we are not supposed to worry about anyway because God will take care of that, is a distraction. Not specifically helping people, that is Christ-like. But, as for not offending people... Sometimes that happens even when we do the right thing. In fact, often when we do the right thing, as a Christian, we offend people. Then we are persecuted, hated and insulted. That I can handle.
Regarding religion being personal; yes and no. It is a personal decision and dedication, but on the other hand we as Christians are called to spread our faith. We are not supposed to keep it to ourselves. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all time and we are to share Him with everyone.

Answer 8

Why is it that non-religious ppl always complain about us religious ppl????

Okay okay okay. I'm calm. Well... hmm.... that's a good question. I never had the choice of growing up to believe in something or not to believe. I was born Catholic and I made the choice to stay Catholic because I believe in a higher power than myself that can comprehend the universe and existence in a miniscule second.

There's different set of believes. What I believe doesn't comply with Christians or Muslims. Do I force it on others? No but I will glady help them understand my beliefs. Just as my friends tell me about their religion so I don't misunderstand them.

Am I going to heaven? I doubt it, maybe purgatory =)

Answer 9

Let's look at the facts we have about ultimate things. I only see 3 of them:
Fact #1) There is a God. Everywhere we look we see design and where there is design there must be a designer. Anyone who could design a universe must be a God.
Fact #2) You are going to die. Sooner or later it's going to happen. I'm still waiting to see the 1st person to live 1000 years. Death comes to everyone sooner or later.
Fact #3) You do have a religion. It's the religion of good works. Just by listening to what you say, you believe that by being a good person you'll go to heaven.

How do you know that that's the way to get to heaven. What if you're wrong. You living by chance. You're playing russian roulette with eternity. You're like a person who wakes up inside of a building and you don't know how you got there. The building is on fire and the smoke is so thick that you can't see even when you go to the window. So you jump out the window, hoping you're on the first floor and the window is just 5 feet above the ground. How do you know you're not on the 10th floor. You don't. It's just a leap of faith. You're whole life is a leap of faith. You have no way of knowing what's on the other side of death. You have a religion, just like the christian, muslim, hindu, jew or budist. Just as they say that there's a certain way to get to heaven, you do the same. Your way to get to heaven is by living a good life. Also, how do you know what good is? Maybe, you're definition of good is different than the way God defines good. How does God define evil. Maybe the little things like little white lies, and gossip and even bad thoughts and hurting someone elses feelings are evil to God. Maybe all your good deeds are negated by a ton of little evil things that you overlook. That's my problem with your religion and all others except christianity. You have no way to deal with sin. Your way is to do good deeds to make up for your sins. At least christianity has a way to deal with those sins. Christ died for everyone of them. At least under that plan, when times comes to stand before a Holy, Righteous God, you stand before him clean.
There is a God. Look at the history of man and you'll see that man has an inherent desire to know about God. It's logical to believe that God didn't create us with a desire to know Him but no revelation of Him. I believe that revelation is the bible. I've examined the historical evidence for the bible and have come to believe that it is Gods revelation.
You're probably saying, you're just a narrow minded christian. I say we're a lot alike. I have my religious worldview which I believe is true. You have yours which you believe is true. The difference is my worldview came from intellectually examining a book that I think is from God and I came to believe there was historical evidence that this was from God. Your worldview came from you reasoning out in your mind things that you have no way to prove.
If I'm wrong, I've got nothing to lose because being a christian has forced me to live a good life so even under your worldview I wouldn't have anything to lose. If you're wrong you've got everything to lose.
I don't have a doubt that you are a good person. I just don't think the criterion for entering heaven is to be a good person. The criterion is to have your sins paid for. http://www.ankerberg.com

Answer 10

Well, the positive things that you mention doing are amongst the things which the apostle Paul refered to as "the fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23). One who is truly saved and has the Spirit living in and through them will be doing these things, and they will not be seeking recognition from men for it. More on WHY they are not seeking recognition for this in a moment...

Religion IS personal and spiritual, but it is NOT secret. As much as some have tried to warp the concept of freedom OF religion into freedom FROM religion in this country (the USA), no such thing was ever intended in the constitution and no such thing is commanded by the Bible (nor for that matter the Quran nor any other holy scripture of any major religion that I am aware of). See Luke 8:15-16. Communication of ones religious beliefs does not constitute "forcing them" on someone, it is simply free speech as protected by the first ammendment (no laws to be made giving official "state church" status to any religious organization, no laws to be passed prohibitting the free excercise of any religion, and no laws to be passed restricting the freedom of speech of private citizens).

Christianity teaches what Jesus taught -- that we are not saved by works. Further, he taught that people who do good deeds in order to be seen by men and praised, have no reward in Heaven coming (because they sought their reward on earth) --- see Matthew 6:2-4. Christianity teaches that we are saved by one thing and one thing only, that is the atoning death on the cross of Jesus himself. Agreeing with God that we never have been and never will be WORTHY (that is to say, deserving) of this sacrifice but accepting it as offered is the only way to be restored to fellowship with God.

Most other religions (including an alarming number of pseudo-Christian cults) teach that we can work our way to heaven. That if our good deeds outweigh our bad ones, we will go to heaven. This is a misinterpretation of the forgiving nature of God. Under the Mosaic laws (the laws of the "Old Testament" as Christians call it) you were not justified before God by having more good deeds than bad -- a sacrifice still needed to be made to atone for those bad deeds, and it was only sufficient if the sinner was truly repentant. This was carried forward in Christian faith, with the sacrifice being Jesus himself and still only being effective if the sinner accepting that sacrifice is truly repentant before God -- you can't just say "I'm sorry" but you must actually BE sorry (an oversimplification, but hopefully you get my meaning).

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Ooops, I must apologise because I really have to run and I wanted to tidy up this post and include a couple other points, but I don't have time right now. I hope I can get back to my computer this weekend before this question closes, to complete this response for you.

If I don't manage to do so, please at least remember this: true Christians try to tell you about their faith because they love you and want the best for you. Sometimes what they have to say is hard to hear, and the more set you are in your own beliefs the harder it becomes to hear. But the Christian who is trying to convince you of their beliefs is doing so because they love you and want the best for you.