A question for all religious people?

Question

Does being involved with religion naturally (somewhat) force you to compete with other religions? If so, isnt it sort of equivalent to race or nationality? I notice that races compete with eachother in a dogmatically bias(not all people) way , and battle to be superior/truer to thier rivals. Nationalism causes the competition between nations and causes wars, prejudice, and encourages hatred for your rivals. My question is, how is religion any different from nationalism or race when it comes down to the division of the human race through different beliefs/cultures?

Answer 1

Ignorance my friend. Ask that question in a thousand years and perhaps you may get a more suitable answer, for now though, it pure ignorance. k Edx

Answer 2

Nationalism and Racial differences don't create competition. Neither does Religion.

People create competition. People who will twist or distort the the goals of a nation, or the teachings of a religion.

Maybe it's natural to compete, and that may be the source of a lot of percieved problems. However I think religion can be a solution to these problems, if practiced properly.

Answer 3

All forms of fanatism is a twisted way of love towards something. Where a person cannot and will not accept anything than differs from there point of view... this can be seen, as you say, in nationalism, race, religion, sports, family... you name it.

How is religion different? It isn't. Religion is for the masses, and masses become fanatics.

What is different? Faith. Faith and religion are two totally different things. One thing that is taught in almost every belief is tolerance and love. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Shinto, almost each one believe in harmony and respect to others and your surroundings.

This is a personal journey each one must take, and hopefully people will understand why a belief system exists. It's not meant to be imposed on others... it's meant to bring out the best of each individual, give guidance, teach respect and above all, to give hope.

Answer 4

And, so along those lines we can coin a new name to call people. Religiphobe. And then, of course there would be the good, ole, anti-religiphobe. And there you go we just drove a further wedge into humanity. But so what? Goes with the times. And doesn't having a sister or brother, give you someone to be better then? In a family sort of way. Just a thought. But then maybe there shouldn't be any sisters or brothers, that way we can avoid conflict. Again just a thought.

Answer 5

Good question. Though I think the division of the human race is created more by human nature than by any of the specific vehicles through which humanity achieves that division.

Answer 6

For those religions that teach "our way is the only true way" I believe it does cause a sort of rivalry/competition. Just look at the Christian vs Muslim questions here on Y/A.

Not all religions feel that way, however, and are fine with others believing differently.

Answer 7

Religion or faith is not negative in themselves but rather offer a wellspring of strength to those whom believe in the said faith. It is also the people who manipulate and transform the words of the faith into something wholly different and grotesque.
I am a Christian and believe that there is one God. I believe that he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life. I also believe that God is just in his judgments and righteous in his ways.
As to whether I am competing with other religions...? It is difficult to say. Personally I believe there is no real competition and that it is indeed a battle but a battle between the Lord and the devil over the souls of men.

Answer 8

During our missionary efforts there is a sense of competitiveness with other religions, but as we worship we only focus on our relationship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We believe in letting people worship as they wish so long as no harm befalls our neighbors.

Answer 9

Religion can also be the source of unity for all humankind. Some religious leaders ahve taken religion has hostag of their earthly desires and power struggles. However in its essence religion is the way to peace.

"When the Messianic Star dawned, He declared, "I shall gather together the scattered tribes or flocks of Moses." He not only united the flock of Israel, nay rather, He was confirmed in bringing together the Chaldeans, Egyptians, Syrians, Ancient Assyrians and Phoenicians. These people were in a state of the utmost rancor; they were thirsty for the blood of each other; attacking one another with the ferocity of animals. But His Holiness Jesus Christ united them, assembled and cemented them together, established a bond of love among them so that strife, rancor and warfare were banished. Therefore it is evident that the Divine religions are meant to create a bond of love among humanity, and to bind the people together for no other purpose than amity. Divine religion is not a cause for discord and disagreement. If religion be the cause of discord and difference, then no religion is preferable, for religion is meant to be life to the body politic. If it be the cause of death to humanity, then its non-existence is preferable. Therefore, in this day religion is to be sought, for religious teachings may well be likened to remedies. If a remedy be productive of worse symptoms, the lack or absence of the remedy is preferable.

632. At a time when the Arabian tribes and nomadic people were in the utmost state of division, thirsty for the blood of each other, living in the deserts under lawless conditions, strife rampant among them, not a single soul enjoying composure, no tribe at ease; -- at such a critical time Muhammad appeared. He gathered them together and reconciled them toward each other, united and cause them to agree, so that no strife and warfare remained. The Arabian nation immediately advanced until their sovereignty progressed and extended as far west as Sprain and Andalusia. >From these premises we may conclude that the foundation of the divine religions is for peace and not for strife, warfare and shedding of blood. Inasmuch as the foundation of the religions of God is one reality, which is love and amity, these warfares and dissensions are caused by imitations which creep in afterwards. Religion is a reality, and reality is one. The fundamentals of the religions of God are one in Reality. There is no difference in the fundamentals. The difference is caused by the imitations which arise later, and inasmuch as imitations differ, strife, discord and quarreling take place. If the religions of this time should forsake imitations and seek the fundamentals, all of them would agree and strife and discord would pass away -- for Reality is one and not multiple.

633. As to racial wars, these are caused by purely imaginary racial differences. For humanity is one in kind, it is one race, it is one progeny, inhabiting the same globe, and in the original genesis no difference obtains. God has created all humanity. God has not originally created Frenchmen, Englishmen, Americans, Germans, Italians or Spaniards. There is no difference as regards creation and kind; all belong to one household; all are the leaves of one tree; all are the fruits of one branch; all are the flowers of the same garden; all are the waves of the same sea."

Answer 10

Ummm, no. I have never felt any kind of competition in religion. It sounds illogical. Religion isn't about competition, you believe something or you don't.