can one be a religious person without holding any beliefs in the God concept?
2007-02-22 07:35:34 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As explained above in another answer, no they are clearly not synonymous and in fact one can be "religious" and not believe in God or gods although most people would find that quite strange.
The Oxford dictionary has a number of definitions of religion, two of which are as follows:
- belonging or relating to a monastic order or other group of people who are united in their practice of religion
- treated or regard with a devotion and scrupulousness appropriate to worship
The major problem we face is that there is no single accept definition of "religion". I spent an ENTIRE semester in a class just to debate the definition and learn about new ideas of the word. When is it no longer a cult and if they followers consider it a religion, who is an outsider to decide it is not?
Religion in the most common sense of the word implies a belief in God or gods however one could have a religion that does not believe in a greater power but instead believes in a natural process of occurence being the root cause.
2007-02-22 07:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by David M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The term "religion" means "fear of God"
"God" quite obviously means "God"
To be religious without holding a belief in the concept of God is kind of an oxymoron.
2007-02-22 07:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by Maverick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Most "religious" people don't hold to any beliefs/teachings about God.
Religion has to do with acting in honor toward whatever they think is powerful for them. This could be money, looks, approval, another person, themselves....
2007-02-22 07:49:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes...Buddhism (one off the top of my head)
It is listed as a religion but doesn't hold any belief in God.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-02-22 07:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not synonymous, but "religion" implies a belief in some sort of god.
2007-02-22 07:40:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as far as I know, Buddhism has no God concept and there are religious Buddhist people.
2007-02-22 07:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by Caity S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Better fit would be spirituality and god.
God does not like religious nuts but likes spiritual fruits.
Based on general definitions, a person has to believe in god to be considered religious.
2007-02-22 07:42:22 · answer #7 · answered by bestofthebestusa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no to both
2007-02-22 07:41:22 · answer #8 · answered by matowakan58 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋