This question assumes that you do in fact want something out of a religion. If the answer is "nothing" then you don't need to bother. I have nothing against those who are anti-religion; I'm just looking for positive answers to the question.
In part, my motivation is to find some new issues to write about for my web site, Planet Baha'i (planetbahai.org). But I'm also just curious about what people look for in a religion.
2006-12-14 04:14:36 · 13 answers · asked by lehket 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My religion has led me to a faith that has proven to be enriching spiritually, nurturing in both human and spiritual terms, socially fulfilling, and comforting in times of life's difficulties. My religion is only the path that guides me to the source of my faith. I am getting out much more than I put in to my religion, which i prefer to call "my faith". I have gotten healing from emotional, spiritual, and physical impairments. I have gotten an alternative world in which there is unity in diversity, the fulfillment of the promise of the Kingdom of God on earth and the opportunity to take part in the building and caring for that process. I have gotten stability in my life and forgiveness for incredibly unseemly behavior. I have gotten a world-wide family, that never could have been found otherwise. I have gotten unconditional love from fellow members.
I have gotten assurance through the Writings of Baha'u'llah that God cares about His creation including me, and His Hand is open for all to take hold of if they so choose. He has helped me in small miraculous ways every day for the past 32 years, which at this point is more than half my life. What did I give for all of this and more...... the words " I believe that Baha'u'llah is the Messenger of God for this day and will abide by His laws".
2006-12-16 00:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by Badger B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What people want and what they need from a religion can be two different and mutually exclusive topics.
Perhaps so many people have such negative views of religion because they confuse the teachings of the followers of a given religion with the teachings of the Founder of that religion. There is a world of difference between, for example, Christianity and "churchianity."
Religion, much like the water in a flower bowl, must be refreshed from time to time in order to sweep away the pollution man has added to it.
I think many people would be surprised and even shocked to learn that much of what their own religion teaches comes not from the Teachings of the Prophet-Founder of that religion but rather from what His followers have added to it.
2006-12-14 12:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by robinsheppard@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's more of what I found rather than what I was looking for. I was looking for the truth. I found that but what I received was the knowledge that my body does not have a soul...it's my soul that has a body!!! The body is going to give way to death. The soul never dies. What I've found in my faith; "Christianity" is that in the forever there will be peace. Right now I have the certainty love,forgiveness, understanding, and the presence of God in the future for all eternity.
I hope this helps you in your endeavors and tweaks your spirit into looking towards this more intimatly.
2006-12-14 04:26:55 · answer #3 · answered by the old dog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Helping people from various backgrounds to live peacefully together, showing the way to both the spiritualn and material progress of humankind along with inspirations and guidance in order to heal the environment which has been destroyed by the generations gone.
2006-12-14 07:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Reindeer Herder 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a voodooist/hoodooist...who practices New Orleans Voodoo.
What I want to get out of religion is....
A calming and satisfying routine that allows me to grow spiritually on my own time and on my own terms. My path will change and grow with me. I want to have faith in God, my dead ancestors, and the Saints, and know that they are there to help me, if asked and provided for appropriately. I want a religion that is free from strict guidleines and rules, as I feel I can pray for myself, and do not need guidance. I want a religion that allows me utilize the plants, oils, and materials around me, to perform ritual...things that are easy to obtain but also MEAN something.
Hope that helps.
2006-12-14 04:18:56 · answer #5 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The one and only thing I miss about religion is the social aspect, the frequent gathering of a community of (theoretically) like-minded people. I actually never had that sense of 'belonging' to a church but I know others who do, they have social events and do volunteer work and such. It's a lot more random out here for us atheists without a 'community'.
2006-12-14 04:29:54 · answer #6 · answered by zmj 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
honestly, I know you didn't ask for a nothing answer, but hear me out..
I don't want anything from RELIGION. It's nothing but the rules men have made to constrain my relationship with whatever higher being I have chosen to follow.
What I want from my personal spirituality is a feeling of being a complete person who is doing good in my life and in the lives around me.
2006-12-14 04:18:11 · answer #7 · answered by bensbabe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i am a Baha'i and i want Unity in Diversity , Peace out of my religion and some day this will come true
2006-12-15 02:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by Sarethor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life, love, and happiness. Three keys to living, three keys to dying. I look for eternal LIFE in my Lord Jesus Christ. I have so much LOVE shown to me by my heavenly father that I overflow. and I the HAPPINESS that God gives me everyday is enough to keep me going for my life without ever uttering another word.
God bless and merry Christmas
2006-12-14 04:18:26 · answer #9 · answered by Kat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think most people want 2 things: answers to questions "Why are we here? What are we meant to do?" and guidelines for living.
2006-12-15 03:28:45 · answer #10 · answered by coquinegra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋