Question for followers of all religions? I constantly see questions from atheists, Christians, Muslims, etc..?

Question

I hardly ever see questions from people that claim to have FAITH, but don't affiliate with an organized religion. By definition, ANY organized religion claims to be the one true religion of God (I think, there may be some that do not however I am not aware of them). And all of these religions say that you have to join this particular faith in order to understand the one true God. So I would like to get the opinion of followers of different faiths concerning people who believe in God, but do not affiliate themselves with an organized religion. Since religion is nothing more than FAITH, why is it that in order to believe in God, you must actively join an organized religion? From my examination of religion, no one religion can offer a view that is valid for everyone. So if someone believes in A God, lives a good moral life, and accepts/respects a power greater than them, aren't their values valid? In other words, would the world be better if religion was personal rather than social?

It is kind of like partisan politics. Republicans will always vote republican, and vica versa. Surely there are people associated with certain faiths that do not support all of the views put forth by their faith. What do you think?

JEWISHGIRL..I am not generalizing, and your answer is invalid. If your religion really viewed an individual's personal faith as the most important thing, then it wouldn't be an organized religion

Answer 1

the world would be much more peaceful if people were not divided into religions, nations, tribes and colors.
but most people need to belong to some organization, flag or god.
you can see the origin of this need from the behavior of chimpanzee troupes.
maybe if humans evolved a little more in the brain area, this need will disappear

Answer 2

For me, “God” is the term that encompasses everything which humans have yet or cannot understand. “God” simply cannot be defined, that is why we have the term; to represent what we do not know or understand….

I think it is a mistake to believe in any religion which claims itself to be the ‘true faith,’ especially if a reward/punishment system is involved. Also, I find it very irritating that a lot of people equate religion with morality. If history has shown us one thing, it is that that it is clearly not the case. A great deal of human misery has been caused by organized religion, perhaps if it were a more personal thing the world would be a better place.

Answer 3

you are generalizing. my religion is an "organized religion", and says that it is true and divinely created by G-d, but we do not say that you have to belong to our religion to have a relationship with G-d, and we encourage people to develop their own personal and unique relationship with G-d instead of converting, although they are free to convert if they sincerely want to. the main belief is that we do not have a monopoly on G-d.

EDIT

"if they don't believe in heaven/hell .. then they believe God is unjust"

are you insane? you think that G-d is just if he sends people who sinned in a few decades of lifetime to burn in torturous hell for ALL ETERNITY? i think you need to re-examine your idea of justice. justice is NOTHING unless it is tempered by mercy. a god who condemns non-believers and sinners to hell is not merciful, and is therefore not just.

EDIT

"JEWISHGIRL..I am not generalizing, and your answer is invalid. If your religion really viewed an individual's personal faith as the most important thing, then it wouldn't be an organized religion"

no, we do not view an individual's faith as the most important thing. we view right action as the most important thing, and faith is secondary. we also view a difference of expectations between jews and non-jews. to us, jews have to follow all the 613 commandments, but non-jews are not obligated to and they don't have any punishment for not doing them either. G-d doesn't care if a non-jew eats shrimp or pork. he does care if they murder or steal, because that breaks basic laws of ethics. so yes, judaism has all the trappings of an organized religion, except maybe a spiritual leader, but, as i was saying, not all organized religions fit into a narrow view where its either "believe as i do or burn in hell." an organized religion is a complex system of beliefs that a large social group of people adhere to. there is no part of the words "organized religion" that states that the organized religion in question must have certain views about an afterlife and punishment of non-believers or whatever.

Answer 4

I'm Jewish; while we believe that a person who leads a moral life (of any faith) is doing what is right, it is sometimes easier to BE a good person when you have the encouragement and support of other good people. That's one reason I belong to a synagogue. Another advantage of belonging to a religious organization of any sort is in the ability to work together to do good for other people; it can help to understand the different strengths and weaknesses of individual members, and use those abilities where they will best help others. Religion also helps people to be with others who believe similarly, and I think that all people need companionship from time to time with others of similar background and belief, without necessarily limiting themselves to only their own group. Ultimately, I believe that the best belief system allows for social interaction while allowing individual growth and spirituality. For me, that is Judaism, but I believe every person must follow his/her own path in life, no matter what faith that one follows.

Answer 5

Its kinda of Sarcastic question....Religion is an identity...there can b only two types of ppl - one who beleive in God n those who dont.....

If there were no religion the world wud have been more barabaric .....the problem is serious when each religion start to boast that their religion is the Best.......

Answer 6

if they don't believe in heaven/hell .. then they believe God is unjust .. since all ,good and evil are equal
If they don't then again God is unjust as he will burn people without sending them any message to tell them what they are supposed to do (a silent God)

EDIT

So your God will make Hitler like people devoted them selves for God? how crazy.

[32:18] Is then the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked? not equal are they.

Answer 7

Muslims don't believe that you have to follow Islam to be guided, God guides whomever calls on him, he does not discrimate against believers. Infact Muslims believe that you don't have to even call yourself anything to be a believer
Infact, according to Islam, that's what Abraham was just that, a pure natural believer, one whom search, then submitted his life to God. Religion is a way to guidance, not a free pass.

Answer 8

thank you for asking question decently. truthfully it rather is a marvel for me that a western person can ask question approximately Islam is one in all those good way. you have difficulty-unfastened crucial called freedom for human beings, the approach of stay and enable others stay. first of all, in jap international locations, that would contain even non-muslim international locations like India, the social values are diverse. For us icons of society and faith are significant and we at the same time are too sentimental approximately them. As freedom is greater significant to you which of them should not be sacrified at any fee, honour of admire personalities are much greater significant to us. we've not got any concern discussing logically and decently approximately easily everybody, yet expression of insult is a few thing we won't tolerate. forget approximately Prophets, we won't take somebody truthfully in the event that they communicate undesirable approximately our mum and dad. So, you are able to think of that your freedom is greater suitable, yet by ability of an identical concept we've freedom to think of that honour of our Prophet is greater significant then the liberty of that instructor. BTW, the question no rely if she rather meant to disrespect Prophet Mohammed PBUH, is altogether diverse. What I truthfully have pronounced above is the rationalization in the back of our reaction. i do no longer think of that she meant to particular any dishonour to Prophet. Her mistake became that even after being in Sudan, she did understand approximately how muslims feels approximately their Prophet. heat regards.

Answer 9

more athieis lived in social life in union or assciate with their life same as with other religion org. No diferrent at all.

Answer 10

Most people ask questions want to ask questions that pertain to their own religion. That's probably why you see questions from specific groups.