Do you think religion is necessary for one to live a good life? What qualifies as a good life?

Answer 1

No, I do not think religion is necessary for one to live a good life.

Inner peace. I personally think your level of inner peace will let you know how well a life you live.

Answer 2

In general, I don't think religion is necessary for one to live a good life, although I think it all depends on the individual.

For some who are weak-minded and seek answers to life and/or their misery, religion can provide profound meaning and answers, even if those answers aren't the correct ones.

However, these people can also end up relying too heavily on the hypocritical rules involved in many religions. After all, all religions are man-made and you're just following someone else's opinion on how to live your life and why certain things are the way they are in life itself.

As for what qualifies as a "good life": as long as you live a life the way YOU want to, you have fun doing it, and you don't directly hurt anyone else in the process, you are already living a "good life" that is worth living.

Answer 3

Yeah, depends on what you call a good life. If you enjoy following instructions and not using your brain, then religion is definitely great for you. In fact it was invented for you. You will have a great life because you don't have to question yourself. After all you'll have a free ride on the back of JC to heaven, and meanwhile if you are just sufficiently ashamed of yourself, nothing can go wrong. So you do need religion for that.

On the other hand if you dislike being lied to, and have difficulty believing outright nonsense without any discernible proof, then religion is not for you. You can still live a fairly good life, but you will be bothered by the idiots you encounter all over the place. Plus you will have to make do with one life and no promise of eternal bliss in heaven. You can still be a good person, only your goodness will actually come from the heart, and not from being blackmailed by threats of lakes of fires, devils, and other utter nonsense.

Answer 4

I try to avoid the word "religion" because of the way mankind has defined and redefined it's meaning. So, before I answer your question, let me share this definition:

Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Wow, I even had a time selecting one of the SEVERAL definitions of the word. Anyway, given THAT definition, the next question would be this: what does the individual consider to be "good"?

Is "good" self-defined? If so, the answer to your question is NO, religion is not necessary. An individual can set their own standard.

Is "good" defined by what one considers to be a higher power (which would qualify as "religious")? If so, the answer to your question is YES, religion is necessary. An individual would have to live by the standard set by that higher power.

Peace to you!

Answer 5

Religion is not necessary for one to live a good life but living for GOD IS.
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Answer 6

No, I don't think religion is necessary- You can be a spiritual person, and still have a very happy life. Not everyone needs to find religion. I think a good life is being happy with yourself, and the people you surround yourself with.

Answer 7

Yes, religion is necessary to live a good life and a full life. Religion is our human expressions and response to God. All the rituals and doctrines define and exhibit just what we understand about God and living according to His gospel. They demonstrate our gratitude and praise of God. This is for our sake. God does not need religion, we do in order to shape our responses and worship of Him in a communal way.
Fundamentally, all people have the desire to worship. Athiests may say they do not, but then again such a desire remains pent up and they begin to worship other things besides God (e.g.) human reasoning, science, etc. etc.
All in all what qualifies as a good life is being able to freely speak only the Truth, do good unto others, and worship the God who made us and gives us life. And a good life is being able to do this no matter the opposition. If man cannot do these things then he invents other ways of doing them (e.g.) alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, etc. etc.
And so, religion directs and defines that human desire to worship rightly, which is only to worship God and no less. If that desire is stunted then you have what I already explained above.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

Answer 8

No, I am living a very meaningful and content life with my son and boyfriend. For some religion works, for me, no.

But I think overall that religion is not necessary to have a good life.

Answer 9

I personally think it is not. Because too many people takes religion and follow it word for word. Religious text are meant to be guidelines for a person's life. A good life is able to going through the good and the bad time. Able to obtain everything you could imagine and be emotionally and spiritually fulfilled.

Answer 10

No, religion by itself will not guarantee a good life. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ has given me a really good life. And to answer your last question: a really good life is a life where you follow your dreams completely no matter what, you're surrounded by people you love and that love you unconditionally. And that when you make mistakes, you learn from them and move on.