What is religion?

Question

Hi there people, my question is rather simple really and part of a research project i am doing. I just want to know your various answers to this question, it can be as long or as short as you like and focused on just one religion or about religion in general. All answers are appreciated, Thank You

Answer 1

Hi, there, right back at you, Whiz. Welcome to Yahoo Answers. You ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE HOW INCREDIBLE THIS EXPERIENCE IS! You're going to love it. This is your first question. And, with this answer, I ASCEND! : ) ...I move up to level 5. As to your answer . . . religion is a morbid social perversion utilizing fascism and primitive magical-thought and fear-based paradigms of spirituality to subjugate, dominate and control the feeble-minded.

Answer 2

People are preprogrammed to look for higher meanings in things. It is this trait that allowed us to develop sciences. Before we discovered most of what we now know, however, these higher meanings were attributed to 'Gods'.

People got together and worked out why things were happening, and they came up with the ideas that formed the foundation of religion. Basically, they used a primitive scientific methid to determine the nature of these gods which had been theorized, which of course led to certain courses of action which would provide favourable outcomes.

A few powerbrokers come along, add some embelishments, make the theories more palatable to the masses, add their own agendas to the 'scientific' courses of action. Bam - you have a religion.

The modern interperetaion of religion is just a natural progression of the foundations. Lots of people start following the religion, it becomes recognized by human authorities, and everybody starts following the rules. Belief in the original assertions made by the people however many thousands of years ago is what ties the people together.

Of course, with the passage of time, new observations are made which challenge the original theories, leading to schisms, and all that other fun stuff. Different points of view all fight to be recognised, and people start realising that their set of rules prevents them from 'defending the faith' so they form loopholes which allow them to break the rules in a certain environment.

That wasn't very well structured was it? Meh, I think I got my points across.

Answer 3

Gee, haven't heard this question directly asked since back in college. But here goes if I can remember the prof's early lecture.

In order for early man to explain the world around him, his spiritual and internal relationship to it, he created religion. He developed gods and goddesses and gave them authority and power over him.

And in this way rules and laws were developed to rule his everyday life and appeasement through rituals and supplication.
Contemporary with the more sophisticated religions were the primitive ones. Although it can be argued that a shaman's ritual around dead bones is no more primitive then worshipping the sun god Aten, or carrying around the neck on a chain the torture and execution method of one's god.

In other definitions, religion can also be the means of returning back to God or godhead.Religion also is not inherent in everyone. Mr Marx wrote a book espoused by Mr Lenin who said "Religion is the opium of the masses" and influence countless millions of human beings. Another, two millinium ago came and said he was the fulfillment of an older religion and prophecy--and gained a following.

But the concept of religion was always meant for man to explain his internal self and a yearning to explain his spiritual side, and his relationship to his world and his god.

Answer 4

you can tell the type of religion by the type of society and you can tell the type of society by the religion. there are three major ways to gain control over others in any society which are religion, politics and military. having said this religion is a means by which any group of people ( society ) agreed on to explain the natural forces of nature in ancient times since there were not many scientific explanations available. as time passed people developed more scientific explanations for these natural occurances as well as a belief in what happens after death. this led to the ancient beliefs becoming myths and legends as society developed into a more developed one. leaders started telling the people when to plant crops, what rituals and ceremonies were needed to satisfy the GODS and as long as the leaders were correct they remained in power. when the leaders stopped being correct they were gotten rid of and new leaders took their places. when one society interacted with a society differing in their belief system exchange of information took place leading to a change in each society until eventually the societies developed into the various nations of today with their military, political, and religious belief systems.

Answer 5

Religion is simply a set of rules made up to keep people in check. It was used as a form of policing before we had the police force we have today. The 'God' character is there in order to add the element of fear to coerce people in to following these 'laws' without question, and because every functional society needs a 'front man'.

Answer 6

To me, religion is what makes me a better person. I follow Islam which is supposed to be a way of life rather than some silly rituals and you're done. Islam penetrates into every aspect of my life. Islam has financial rules, business rules, worship, rights of Human beings, rights of God, rules on ettiquettes and manners for example how to eat, how to drink. All these comes from the Creator. Since HE made us, he KNOWS whats best for us. So religion is a better life.

Answer 7

The Qur'an teaches us that the human race is given an innate spirituality are inherent in human existence,
but this spirituality can betray us if it is not led in the right direction. To depend on a merely human
feeling of the guiding Spirit is dangerous. Many groups, even cults, claim to be guided by the spirit or
by God or by revelation, yet these groups hold divergent, even contradictory, beliefs. We find people
behaving in contradictory ways who claim nonetheless that each is doing the will of God. "I feel," they
say, "that the spirit guides and directs me."

A credible source of revelation is imperative. Throughout history Allah has selected particular
individuals to convey His message, to receive His revelation and to exemplify it for mankind



God provides us with the purpose of our existence and if we seek to do good it is the same as seeking to do the will of God. Your belief in God only has value in so far as you live your life according to His purpose for you.



How then do we know what is the will of God? That is where religion comes in. GOD has revealed His will through prophets. To find out what this is you need to study the revelation.

Answer 8

Religion is the ultimate con, it is government protected, tax free and the product they sell doesn't have to be delivered until you reach a place that doesn't exist. No wonder so many people jump on this manured money wagon.

Answer 9

Religion is a belief system and for people committed to a particular religion, a way of life, a modus vivendi .

Answer 10

religion is a stupid , ediotic belive that there is some power which we cannot see , and later we will kill each other to say that my god is the right power and your god is not the right power. and finally we will kill each other and the f__king power is f__ed. All the religion's are stupid and if you want to research , research on finding a another plannet with apes.