Why is it necessary to have organized religion? When I look at the answers for many other religious questions on this forum, they usually have a statement saying that all Gods are the same, only with a different name. Yet, in our history, we can see that so many wars have and continue to be formed around organized religion. Granted most of the atrocities for Christianity and Judaism were in the older times, but still they were there. I wonder if humanity kept its spiritual belief in a higher power, yet dropped these individual sects and separations, could our world in fact become a better and safer place.
2007-01-09 11:00:34 · 21 answers · asked by vanya_jbriere 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Organized religions can be a good thing provided that they adhere to the beautiful aspects of the theology in question. It's only when dogmatic intolerance comes into practice that the intent of those organized theologies goes awry.
Organized religions give people a chance to practice their theology in ways which will enable them to exchange ideas and to learn things that will enhance all aspects of their lives in a spiritual and intellectual manner. However, and all too often, many sects of organized religions come to feel that since their belief system is right for them, then it should be right for everyone else, and this is where the problems come in. It all too soon devolves into a childish game of "My God is better than your God," "My way is better than your way," and henceforth, all tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others is thrown out the window.
The three Abrahamic religions are a perfect example of this situation. Christianity, Islam and Judaism all have a common source as being traditionally descended from Abraham (Christianity through the Davidic line of Jesus). Yet, these three religions have often turned on each other, and they have perpetrated countless wars throughout history. If they would only recognize their common source; that is to say, the one God that is the same, but only with a different name; then perhaps peace and harmony could rule the earth.
2007-01-09 11:17:10 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Organized religion is precisely the problem. It soon develops into self-righteous hypocrasy causing divisions between men. The importance of the individual is lost. What started with Abraham has become disasterous from here on. Read the history of this up to the present. Organized religion always claim they have the solution, when solution is actually the very crux of the problem. They are enablers feeding into the sickness of the so-called Holy War in which I want no part of. It is their fight, not mine.
I find it much safer bowing to images of wood and stone rather than a set of ideas. The most dangerous idolatry is the worshipping of the so-called Word "OF" God, which is a set of ideas created by man. So we kill in the Name of God. St. Paul made some funny references to which "The Spirit that gives life and the Letter that kills. Thats how blind we are.
2007-01-09 11:48:15 · answer #2 · answered by what it is 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thank you for asking this question. i think that if we could all accept that all of our Gods are just one, that goes by many names, this world would be a MUCH more peaceful place. really, we just have different beliefs on how God will reward/punish us for what we do. Why can't we just accept each other? Why? Because our world is steeped in history and tradition...it is much easier just to think "my religion is right and everybody else's religion is wrong" than it is to think "We are all basically the same, with slightly varying beliefs".
I'm Pagan, and there is a debate on whether Paganism is an organized religion or a cult. i say that it is neither. My religion is NOT a cult, but you couldn't consider it an "organized" religion. Because Paganism is a religion which USUALLY supports multiple Gods, I have had much experience with the idea that all Gods are one. Listen to this, which is more or less word-for-word from a book I read:
"I like to think of God/Goddess/All-That-Is as a huge diamond with many facets. When put together, it makes a beautiful, sparkling diamond. Each deity of the world is just one facet."
Basically, it means that Jupiter, Allah, God, Venus, Apollo, and Diana are all the same being. However, each one has different qualities and attributes, and each is worshiped by a different group or sect.
2007-01-09 11:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by Shelby 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Organized religion is a way to bring God to the masses.
The wars are started by pride. The religion thinks they're the only right one and tries to go about converting everything that breathes. On the other hand, some teach tolerance for these religions and teach that all are equally true. :-)
But, the dropping of sects would make it more dangerous. Now you have each individual thinking they're right. Without any sort of organization, you wind up with a bunch of people who think they're right and the other 5,999,999 or so people are wrong.
2007-01-09 11:07:08 · answer #4 · answered by Wisdom Lies in the Heart 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People are social animals. Therefore, they need the interaction that organized religion can provide. Further, most people enjoy a certain amount of structure in their lives. Organized religion provides structure and ceremonies that allow people to organize their lives around. And some people, a VERY SMALL portion, I believe do need the influence that SOME organized religions can provide to be good people. However, I don't feel the need to belong to an organized religion. I go to a unitarian church to hear interesting speakers present rational arguments (something often missing from the "christian" churches I once attended) and to meet with other people.
Some people would not be happy without religion in their lives. For some people, feeling a part of an exclusive group allows them to feel good about themselves. They would be upset if their ability to feel self-righteous to other people was taken away from them.
2007-01-09 11:08:23 · answer #5 · answered by jenn_smithson 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Think really hard about it.
If religion isn't organized its extremely retarded. A person who is part of a religion that is organized believes a prophet long ago had the truth revealed to him. That takes faith, but okay. It's a possibility.
A person who just practices his own religion thinks he found the right way by himself without revelation and there are no other true believers in the world he should join with to form a communiy. Its narcisism and retardation comined in a steaming ball.
2007-01-09 12:24:08 · answer #6 · answered by Sammer (Jim W) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is only one reason, the world would never be safe. So a real Christians not those who call themselves Christians with their mouth but their heart are far from the truth, the real Christians do not await to change the world but our body and soul. We are the temple of God, the world would have an end and all of us will die, and the only thing we can give to our descendants is the hope of leaving this world and going to heaven. The world will be in a constant war until the end of times. So as long as we live here our fight is with the wrong mentality of those who love this world.
2007-01-09 11:15:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you figure that our world "could become a better and safer place to live"? No one does more in terms of helping the poor than the Jews and Catholics. They build and run hospitals, orphanages, colleges, and all kinds of stuff. Protestantism does quite a bit as well. No-one is fighting AIDS more in Africa than the Catholic Church. When the war in Iraq started in '02, the Red Cross left -- and the Catholic Church -- Caritas Iraq, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) -- rolled up their sleeves and went in.
Wars are "formed around organized religion" -- not because of the religions themselves necessarily but because of people's interpretation of what the religion requires. Look at Islam -- there are those that are moderate and those who adhere to a very strict interpreation of the Qur'An. In Christianity, interpretation does not lead to blood shed but rather to more than 22,000 different denominations! It's not about religion itself.
2007-01-09 11:13:12 · answer #8 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The war would be because of human arrogance, not letting in the later religion from god. It would also be war when the religion they believe have been changed towards their desire, and they don't like to go to the new religion since they would have to let their desire go away.
In case of arrogance would be Judaism.. they believe there would come a last messenger. However they expect that the last messenger would be from their race (jews). They didn't accept Islam and Mohammad pbuh because he isn't a jew.
In case of worldly gain would be christianity.. during the rome empire, christians upper class doesn't want to accept Islam because they're given high status and wealth in the community. If there is old testament and new testament, why not believe in the last testament (Al-Quran)?
2007-01-09 11:15:25 · answer #9 · answered by xazuru 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Organised religion isn't good for the people - it keeps the power and knowledge (enlightenment) in the hands of a few.
Who then dictate the rest how to do.
We need the people to become enlightened - not only a few top figures.
I think we should teach enlightenment - not religion - in ground school - that may in time improve the human race.
2007-01-09 11:07:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋