What is religion to you?

Question

Religion is a sham to make people feel better, to keep them in-line, and to steal from them the whole time. Explain how what I have suggested is wrong.
Please do not quote biblical things I know enough religion please so some of your own thinking not others.

Answer 1

Tales and legends, mostly of middle eastern origin , used as you said.

With the exception of the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster of course.

Answer 2

Anthropologically, a religion is a combination of a myth (which in anthropology means: a story that interrelates man, nature, and the divine, without judging the truth value of that story) and a moral code.

Christianity's myth is the Bible and its moral code is the decalogue.

Islam's myth is the Qu'ran and its moral code is generally also the decalogue, though it also includes sharia and the hadith.

Judiasm's myth is the Tanakh and depending on the sect may include the Talmud, and its moral code is both the decalogue and the Laws of Moses.

Hinduism's myth is the Baghavad Gita, though I'm not familiar with the source of the moral code Hindu's follow, I believe it's in the Gita as well.

Answer 3

Excellent question. I assume we're talking Christian based religion as we're in the western world. Organized religion is a joke. Your statement is correct, but its presumption is not. Religion is not a sham, it's those in control of it that are. It is certainly fair to attack the distorted moral values of the individual, but the foundation for their belief should be saved from judgment just as we should be saved from judgment by them. Suffice it to say that Christianity has become so distorted that it is indiscernible as a religion, and has simply become a culture like Judaism. Sad. Our Christian Friends see religion as a means to control that which is uncontrollable, death. They believe that somehow all of the unfairness the world has heaped upon them will be atoned for in the afterlife, and they will receive retribution. Boy are they in a state.

Answer 4

I don't agree with many conventional religions. However, originally and ideally religion was and is supposed to be a good thing. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm saying now what? I still believe in a greater reality. Religion is an attempt to explain reality. If you take away religion, Reality will still be there.

Answer 5

Religion is a good thing, unless it harm others. Unfortunately, that is what happening around the world - it harms. Personally, I believe in God, but I doubt the religions were man made for control over the society.

Answer 6

I kind of think the same thing as you, but I try not to be jerk about it. Even though I think religion is mostly wishful thinking, who am I say that it can't help those who believe in it. It may not work for me, but it can work for many others. Sometimes, feeling good about your life is more important than being right.

Answer 7

It is a money gaining, power hungry machine. It controls the masses and gives authority to the most evil of people. It is an easy way for the uneducated to explain the unknown to the ignorant

Answer 8

Pure Dogma. I once heard a religious broadcast where for once the speaker spoke the truth. He said, and I quote "We as christians are emotional cripples who need the crutch of god to help us along the path of life"

Personally I dont care what people chose to believe, I just wish theyd keep it to themselves.

PS, If there is a god, looking at the state of humanity today.....hes one mean twisted sadistic bastard.

Answer 9

Religion IS to keep people in line.
Its nothing more than a cult of people
trying to gather more number for their following.

All bullshit.

Answer 10

Sounds like you hit the nail on the head.