I met a nice lady tonight who tried to tell us a bit more about her religion. I tried to push forward the following argument, that no matter what your set of beliefs is (whether Jesus was human, divine, in between, etc.) the main aim of religion is to encourage you to become the best person you can be, not to hurt those around, and, as such, be a good member of society. I was shocked by her relentless argument that, unless I shared her set of beliefs, I would be "condemned". What do YOU think? Is an aboriginal person doomed because they don't share "the methodology", her interpretation of "the handbook"? What is the main aim of religion? To be a good person or to obey a set of rules and ideas? Is God the same (at the core of every religion)? Are religions like programming languages or (neck) ties, everyone chooses the best for his/her case? Please include your denomination in your answer, to get an insight to your background. I'd love to know what YOU think. Thanks a lot. =)
2007-01-30 12:26:29 · 8 answers · asked by Devine L 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you have it completely right. Our aim in life should be to become the best humans we can be while also attempting to do good works, to do the best that we can for our fellow man. It should not matter which religion, which church, which book. If we serve mankind and are good people, God is pleased.
I am a Unitarian.
I find those who say that we 'must' live by this scripture and that law and believe exactly as they do in order to 'saved' to be self serving.
2007-01-30 12:39:47 · answer #1 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both and neither. Yes religions have rules or traditions that the follow. However, within Christianity the becoming the best person you can be doesn't begin until you have accepted Christ as Savior. There really is no methodology except, believe in your heart that Christ died on the cross to pay your sin debt and was resurrected and you will be saved. The steps are these, Gods grace, your faith in it, and then good deeds. We are save unto good works, not by good works. Though I personally encourage people to be good folks to the best of their ability even if they won't believe, while it may not earn them a way into heaven, it certainly won't hurt them either.
2007-01-30 12:33:18 · answer #2 · answered by HAND 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a manmade box to put God in. I hate the word because of its connotations. I am a follower of Christ. I believe that the goal is to strive to be more Christlike i.e. loving, caring , giving, serving others... To accomplish this, we must surrender our own selfish desires and follow only the leading of Christ.
Unfortunately, we are human, we are selfish, and dying to that daily is really hard. God gave us rules to help us, but obeying them is not salvation.
You mention the lady said that you would be condemned for not believing... Jesus said that He is the only way. That is the rule. But, for your aboriginal query, Romans 1 says that no one has an excuse for the evidence of God is written in nature, and the law on man's heart. I believe God is just and someone who never hears the name Jesus will be judged according to his heart. God knows the condition of our hearts. He wouldn't be so fair as to condemn someone who never had the chance to hear about Jesus.
2007-01-30 12:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being good is part of things, but its not the main thing.
Jesus answered your question.
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will." Matthew 7:21
The idea was repeated:
1 John 2:17 "he that does the will of God remains forever. . ."
Doing God's will is the purpose of religion ....or at least, should be.
What is God's will?
"that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. "
1 Timothy 2:4
2007-01-30 12:39:38 · answer #4 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definition of Religion; is an organized system of beliefs that generally seeks to understand purpose, meaning, goals, and methods of spiritual things. These spiritual things can be God, people in relation to God, salvation, after life, purpose of life, order of the cosmos, etc.
I am a Christian, I follow Jesus and Word of God through the Bible.
2007-01-30 12:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Jo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nicely, i'm Christian, yet i'm going to agree that she shouldn't say you have been "condemned" by potential of no potential. She has no say on your existance by any potential. everybody, or perhaps purely people like me have a various interpretation of the "training manual". i will in basic terms have confidence in how I see it and how it impacts my existence. the way somebody else sees it each now and then is purely too confusing and that i'm uncertain in the event that they are even on the spectacular web site. this is them, or could be me, yet till God comes to a decision to instruct me a various way of questioning, i'm going to shop what I somewhat have. On faith's objective, i think of faith itself is stupid. i think of of it extra as a religious strengthen in the direction of the form of individual you may maximum choose for to be. A coaching device to artwork out your person existance. whilst somebody pushes thier faith or interpretations on anybody else, i could evaluate it thoughtless and judgmental. that is okay to chat approximately it, yet to no longer tension the priority onto them. everybody replaced into made diverse and so as that they might desire to have thier differences without being coerced or judged by potential of anybody else. inspite of the shown fact that I do discover it suited to continually shop an open recommendations related to all evaluations or recommendations, you'll be able to ind something to help your self out.
2016-12-16 17:21:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you missed it. It is all about God and His desire for you to know Him. Jesus said if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto myself. God wants you to know Him. It is all about Him. Always has been and always will be. It is important for all people to know Him and to continue to know Him more and more. Good works thru obediance to God reveal God to others. It is for you to benefit
but it is for God's glory.
2007-01-30 12:33:58 · answer #7 · answered by justice 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion is the haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy and fanatical obsession with crushing that happiness.
2007-01-30 12:33:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋