what is the purpose of religion?

Answer 1

Well back when religion was amongst the cavemen it gave them explanations as to why certain natural events happen, such as floods and earthquakes. It led the way for scientific theory.

Now the purpose of religion is to give the government a way to control the masses.

Answer 2

It gives people an explanation for the world around them. It came about in a time when people didn't have the technology we have today. The only thing they had to determine how the world came about and why things are this way, was by using their five senses and their mind. That's it. When they looked at the world, the only way they figured such a vast expanse of life could have come about was by some all-knowing higher power. They assumed it must have been man-made, except... only by a very superior man.

Now, however, things are a bit different. Now, we have technology and many people think of it as science versus religion. I think this is a false opposite because they are not meant to be opposites. Instead of basing our ideas about the world on religion, now that we have the technology we do, we should be using science to explain how the world got here, therefore disposing of the idea that "God did it". However, the main reason people believe today is because it gives them something to look forward to. It turns a dreadful thing, death, into something not so bad. Also, it gives them something to live for. They aren't just wandering things in the world, they are "God's instruments".

I think that people are confused now. They think they have to reject science to accept religion, or reject religion to accept science. That is not the case. It's about choosing what you believe, and realizing that the Bible may not be EXACTLY what it is believed to be, and maybe everything in it ISN'T right. People need to think of religion as THEIR belief in whatever it is they feel is right. They can believe in a God, yet believe the world was created with the "Big Bang". Things don't have to always be so contradictory.

Well, there's my two cents. Actually... it was more like ten.

Answer 3

I think initially religions, or schools of spiritual thought were "intended" to help man learn about and accept his place in the universe (s). Because many of them arose in feudal times, they became a social service, and health care system as well.

Unfortunately, now many are just clubs for the insecure, who are afraid to seek a relationship with God on their own. Many need to have a group behind them to assert their beliefs. And, since these will conflict eventually with another, we have WARs

Many religions have been the indirect cause for the foolish, counter reaction towards atheism. Many "intellectuals" feel that there is so much hypocrisy in religious teachings, yet they dogmatically hold on, preferring to be right rather than happy.

If you look at the fragmentation of religions and their sects, the end result is back to the individual. None of us have exactly the same experience of life, therefore not exactly the same beliefs.

Many of us still think that 'religion' is equal to spirituality, and keep missing the point. God just IS, our relation to him/her/it, is optional

Answer 4

This is actually a good question. Many people have religion for the sake of religion. But most religions encourage moral behavior to the people of that belief. Religions also play a major role in our history and every culture. It gives the world more color

Answer 5

The purpose of religion dates back thousands of years as we all know, it attacks mans insecurity in themselves and has been a way for certain people to control the masses. To think that there is nothing after we die scares people s***less and they are therefore easy prey to control ie if you commit certain sins you won't go to heaven - again a total fabrication by man for man (and also woman for all you feminists out there) to control mans behavior. Lets face it if religion just started now do you think everyone would accept it ...... Nah I didn't think so

Answer 6

The purpose of religion is to have a relationship with God. God sent his only son Jesus Christ to die for your sins so that you can live with him in heaven. There is no other way to get to heaven other than believing that He died for your sins and took your punishment. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death". But he paid that for you so that you can live eternally with him. If you trust in God and follow Him, he will bless your life tremendously. I can't imagine living a day without him. How empty we would be.

Answer 7

A crutch for the realities of the world, to help protect people's fragile egos when going through troubles, and to be able to not take responsibility for their actions ("But I prayed for the kid drowning, then some guy ran in and saved him, so I must have saved him, god will save me now that I am such a good person for saving someone!") -- oh, and btw, that guy running in to save the kid, was me, a true story, strange how that works. (And no, i did not hear any voice telling me to run into the water, it was me thinking that the kid was in trouble and that people were sitting around watching him instead of acting on it)

Answer 8

You are focusing on the wrong thing. Don't focus on relgion. It can be twisted and manipulated into such a bad thing. Just follow Christ and dive into His Word. The purpose of that is to have a relationship with our Creator. He just wants us to Love Him and each other, unfortunatlly, we find that very difficult for some reason.

Answer 9

Religion has historically been used to control the masses.
Nowadays it's more like a social club.
Also makes a great excuse to kill people.

Answer 10

purpose of religion? there is no reason to why i believe. its not something i choose to believe, i actually believe it to be true.