I just read this poem by Emily Dickinson and it had a profound effect on me. It caused me to question why we really need religion to appreciate God. Enjoy.
"Some keep the Sabbath by going to Church-
I keep it, staying at home-
With a Bobolink for a Chorister-
And an Orchard, for a Dome-
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice-
I just wear my wings-
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton-sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman-
And the sermon is never long.
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last-
I'm going, all along."
I know, it's deep. It took me a while to pick up on certain things.
2006-12-06 11:41:47 · 7 answers · asked by Hmmm... 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
P.S. I don't think this poem attempts to answer our pressing questions about God by any means. I think she is just saying that she appreciates everything around her and by doing so she appreciates God, because he created it.
2006-12-06 12:06:07 · update #1
there is no god
2006-12-06 11:45:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Brooke 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, it sounds like you are an educated person so I will address you as one.
Knowing God is a matter of relationship and not simply religion. God has revealed himself to mankind from the beginning of creation through his spoken word, his written word, and nature itself. Developing a relationship with him is a matter of being willing to obey our parents. God is not only the ruler of the universe and the soon coming judge of all mankind, but he is also personal. Mankind has always tended to disobey God and indulge in sin, but God provided a way for us to be reconciled to him. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, came to teach, and to pay the price for our sins. All we need to do is receive his vicarious death and payment and be willing to become acquainted with him. The Bible has much information that we can use and churches everywhere offer the opportunity to exercise our faith through ministry, fellowship, and giving of our time and money. I suggest that you begin reading the New Testament since that is where we are in history. Attending a good church is also vital. You need to be around people who share the same lifestyle. Don't worry too much about being perfect, dressing a certain way, or anything else. Just attend church on Sunday and mingle. No one will bite you. The purpose of life is to serve God. People come from all walks of life. Some live quite commendable lives, while others are in deep trouble. God, our father and confidant, is where you will find the meaning and purpose of your life.
Come you who are thirsty and heavy of heart and he will give you rest.
Hey, I wasn't born a Christian. I, too, had to choose whether I would answer the call or not. I have never regretted it.
Sincerely,
Mr. M on "religion."
2006-12-06 19:55:01 · answer #2 · answered by Humberto M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In one sense religion is whatever relationship one has with God. I suspect that what your are asking is whether one needs an organized religion. Dickinson writes of seeing God in nature and worships privately by observing and appreciating same. But she uses organized religion for her metaphors. She compares aspects of church to aspects of nature so in a way, organized religion gave her a place to start, a frame of reference.
Religions and/or religious thinkers/writers give us many of our ideas. I think that many of us would not be aware of God if we didn't learn from someone else. In a way we all need to start somewhere and existing religions can point the way. On the other hand many religions have become overlaid with tradition and practices that veer away from or obscure the truth. The problem for the seeker is to find the truth amidst all that.
I also think that the truly enlightened go beyond any existing religion but that is a difficult state to achieve and a lonely one.
2006-12-06 20:07:47 · answer #3 · answered by rethinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's cute - but does it really come anywhere close to answering questions like: "Who am I?" and "How did I get here?" and "Where am I going?" or "Why is there death?" or "If there is a God, what is He like and what does He expect from me?"
To be sure there are things we can observe in the natural order of things that to the seeing eye disclose many wonderful things about the glorious being who created us, but we are still in the dark about many things unless God discloses them to us, and thank God He has disclosed them to us by giving us a collection of writings that reveal things we could never know by our senses. He has perfected the revelation in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ: "Who is the radiance of His(God's) glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...(Hebrews 1:3)
2006-12-06 19:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and believe that 'religion' is bad. Religion in the sense that it is doing things. It is religious to go to church because you 'have' to. It is religious to pray because you 'have' to. This is basically Dogma. I believe that relationship with God is the key to being a Christian, and then perhaps you will actually do those things because you want to and they bring you closer to God. Just going to church in no way means you will go to heaven. Hope this helps.
2006-12-06 19:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because religion is from Allah (God). Through the knowledge of religion you can appreciate and understand Allah (God). If you have no such knowledge then how will you appreciate God? If you do not even know Him how can you beocme closer to Him??
2006-12-06 20:08:16 · answer #6 · answered by Badra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need religion to appreciate God. That's why non-denomination churches are becoming so popular.
2006-12-06 19:50:21 · answer #7 · answered by Kharm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋