What's the purpose of religion?

Answer 1

to comfort death and give you a way too live by

Answer 2

Religion is said to help to satisfy the human need for spiritual fulfilment. This at once raises the question of what spiritual fulfilment is. One description of spiritual fulfilment is the need to feel comfortable with things that are beyond human understanding. Thus the need to believe in a god or gods arises from the inability to understand the origin and purpose of life. Note that the need relates to things beyond human understanding, rather than personal understanding. Thus, in a technological society, the fact that a person does not understand the principles of television or inertial guidance systems does not give rise to a religious explanation.
Given the need to come to some understanding of things that are not understandable within society, it becomes clear that the birth of religion was a consequence of the gradual realisation by the human race of its awareness of cause and effect. This can be seen from the perspective of early mankind. How do natural phenomena occur, what causes them, where did we come from, who made us, why are there good times and bad times? These must be just some of the many questions asked by the emerging human race.
At both the societal and individual level, religion also has another considerable consequence. Because it depends on a belief in the divine, it encourages a belief in divine intervention. It is somehow thought that prayer to the divinity will change the course of events. In that respect it is a substitute for action and decision. Religion can also be used as a tool of suppression. It is easy to maintain order and nullify dissent by citing religious grounds.
At a personal level religion fulfils the role of accounting for a lack of knowledge and offering hope in the face of difficulties. It also offers a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, these personal attributes of religion are all too easily swamped by its societal consequences. Thus it can be reasonably argued that religion, although claiming to lead people towards truth, actually leads them in the opposite direction. It nurtures censorship, suppression and domination of the majority by a few. Indeed, it is not unreasonable to claim that religion is at best self-gratifying and, at worst, thoroughly evil.
VR

Answer 3

David,
The purpose of "Religion" is to regulate a certain set of precepts in order to gather those that are of a likemind, in order to observe certain things about God, and to worship God in one accord. There are also religions that do not include a God like Atheism, which are not centralized and have within it's ranks those that seek to supplant all other religions.

The nature of religion is to eliminate the other religions.

I am a Christian, and have noted before that Jesus never said,"Become religious, and be saved." Rather He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me." So Jesus has set a pemise for us to follow that could be called religious, but rather is more personal, He calls us to be focusing on Him, not the religious establishment.

Answer 4

Religion was created to help make sense of the complex Universe we find ourselves existing in. That is why many religions claim to have ALL the answers to life, death, eternity, our purpose etc.

Fortunately the scientific method was created years later. This has proven to be the most effective method of making sense of the complex Universe we find ourselves living in. But it also makes Religion look outdated. But like any outdated technology some people hold on to it and claim that it is better. Science does not make moral statements on HOW one should live their life. This is a problem for many who can't think for themselves. So they have Religion tell them what is right and wrong. It's easier. They can go on sleeping that way.

Kind of like the people who still have Record collections and old record players!

Answer 5

Some people need a framework of doctrines to underpin their beliefs and institutionalised religion gives them that. The problem is, that as the Buddha realised religion can only be a means to achieving an end, yet for many the dogma becomes the end in itself so paradoxically it becomes a barrier between them and God.

Answer 6

God created us, and in every moment of our lives we're being blessed in one way or another, so the only thing we can do to show God that we're greatful is by praying and doing any other thing that God ordered us to do and stay away from every thing God forbid us to do, because (i believe) that God created us and will only do what's best for us...even if for the moment it didnt seem like its good, you can be sure that God did it for a good reason, so i guess what im tryin to say is that religion is for the farewell of all people...cuz by believing in God everything turns out for the best...and whats believing in God without relgion?!

Answer 7

Give people a Belief Structure and creates order from a potential Anarchistic Uprising!

Answer 8

The People who came up with those things (religions) know.
Reality is Believing in Jesus.
Jesus is the Truth.
The Truth will Set you Free.
religion mostly puts you into Bondages.

Answer 9

The purpose of religion is so we can fellowship with the authors of life.

GOD the father, GOD the son, GOD the Holy Spirit.

May GOD richly bless ya.

Answer 10

I see we have a new lady-boy with the same old religion question. If you have'nt got religion, then you won't understand

Answer 11

Control.