So, would you care to answer some questions that aren't biased by faith? (this comment is neutral ground)?

Question

Before you assualt my questions realize that faith is an all encompasing term, meaning all faiths of all origins.

Do you agree that faith divides people, and i do mean all people, as in on the entire planet?

Would you say that many individuals follow a faith too blindly (not without reason, but for reasons that are illogical or simply because everyone else has the same belief)

Would you agree most people lose track of the entirety of their faith and focus only on certain aspects (especially those that affect today)

Would you agree some people believe that their religion is superior, based simply on the text they have of it?

Would say most religions are similar, perhaps equal in many ways?

If so would agree that a belief in something higher unites everyone?

Please anwser with yes or no, but if you are compeled to support your postion whether pro or con, i would be interested in a few good sentiments. I expect many to be blunt and biased, but i that is to be presumed.

I am receiving excellent answers!!! i am pleasantly surprised by how individualized some thoughts are, as well as some profound views created by individuals. I am also pleased that most biases were overlooked, but most that were not were logically defended and quite valid. Keep the thoughts rolling in!!!
By the end of this it will be quite difficult to determine the victor!

I also apologize for some minor typo's as well as not incorporating atheism...although since it is not a "supported religion" it is a tad bit of a technical definiton...

Also i should have put text as text(s) to incoporate religions based off of multiple sources, or some not, such as religions based off of word of mouth/or through family ties...although i am not currently aware of any that are dominated purely by word of mouth.

Anways...this is getting to be a long question...but then again questioning any section of faith always tends to be rigged with traps of words and technicalities.

Answer 1

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
No.

Answer 2

"Do you agree that faith divides people, and i do mean all people, as in on the entire planet?"
No. Sometime it brings people together. ( Perhaps a little more design to this line of questioning is in order?)

"Would you say that many individuals follow a faith too blindly (not without reason, but for reasons that are illogical or simply because everyone else has the same belief) "
Many individuals. Yes.

"Would you agree most people lose track of the entirety of their faith and focus only on certain aspects (especially those that affect today)"
Yes. I think that I know what you mean. I would say that they lose sight, or are not taught that they have to 'faith'. Rather they are taught that they have to live by certain rules, losing the point that they have to faith in order to be a Christian. To me, faith=trust. And that's the key to understanding what it is to be a Christian. ( i.e. the Fundies and their message against homosexuality, losing total vision of the Gospel.)

"Would you agree some people believe that their religion is superior, based simply on the text they have of it?"
Yes. But those that know God tend not to. 'Religion' for some of us is a dirty word.

"Would say most religions are similar, perhaps equal in many ways?"
Yes.

"If so would agree that a belief in something higher unites everyone?"
No. And I don't think that they are supposed to. The nature of religion is to eliminate the other ones. It's in their very own scriptures.

Answer 3

First let me state that I am a Christian. So you may expect certain answers, and then again I may suprise you let's see.

Do you agree that faith divides people, and i do mean all people, as in on the entire planet?
Yes of course it does. If there is distinct faiths there will be distinct divisions. Divisions of faith occur within a religion. Such as the various denominations in Christianity.

Would you say that many individuals follow a faith too blindly (not without reason, but for reasons that are illogical or simply because everyone else has the same belief)
Yes I would say there is many. I would even venture to say that in some circles this would be the majority of the adherents.

Would you agree most people lose track of the entirety of their faith and focus only on certain aspects (especially those that affect today)
I agree this can occur. However, I do not agree that it is most people.

Would you agree some people believe that their religion is superior, based simply on the text they have of it?
Yes, most certaintly. Isn't circular reasoning great?

Would say most religions are similar, perhaps equal in many ways?
Absolutely Not! Religions are nto similar. In fact the basic tennats of most major world religions are in direct conflict with each other. If you study the major world religions, this will be clearly seen.

If so would agree that a belief in something higher unites everyone?
not so.

Answer 4

Yes, faith divides people. I'm a firm believer that when the Bible says that God punished the people by forcing them to speak in different tongues, that it actually means different religions. That's the short answer on that one...

Yes, people often do blindly follow a faith. That can of worms has led to some of the best conversations i've ever had. You didn't ask for long explanations, so I won't offer one as it would take pages.

Losing track of faith relates directly to the previous question of blindly following. The lack of questioning your faith will often move you towards practicing the basic motions of it (ie ritual vs true spiritual practices)

The foundations of most religions are the same. Be good and be rewarded seems to be a consistent theme. Recall that most "newer" religions were spawned from old ones by people who didn't like a rule or two.

You would think a belief in something higher would unite everyone. Ultimately though, the fear of being wrong combined with the belief pounded into people who are blind followers creates a shell that translates into disdain for those who are different. I can't speak for other religious texts, but the Bible preaches love for all people as an ingredient for eternal happiness. It's funny how people can miss a huge theme and concentrate on single passages.

Good questions... I could go on for days...

Answer 5

"Do you agree that faith divides people, and i do mean all people, as in on the entire planet?" No -faith itself does not divide people because people often have 'faith' in many things, not just spiritual faith. Often times it is these senses of 'faith' that unites people.

Would you say that many individuals follow a faith too blindly (not without reason, but for reasons that are illogical or simply because everyone else has the same belief)? Yes there are some that do

Would you agree most people lose track of the entirety of their faith and focus only on certain aspects (especially those that affect today)? No, I know a great deal of people who personally seem to understand the fullness of the tradition they follow and do try to live them in their own life. I would say that those who have lost track of the entirety of their faith and only focus on certain aspects are more of a minority (although a loud/attention seeking minority in all the traditions) .

Would you agree some people believe that their religion is superior, based simply on the text they have of it? Yes I have known some people. The key word there is 'some', since I have met similar people from similar traditions who express and reflect the opposite believing theirs to be superior for only themselves and that others beliefs are superior for those other people.

Would say most religions are similar, perhaps equal in many ways? Yes, most of them do have similar ideals, values, and ethics at their deep cores.

If so would agree that a belief in something higher unites everyone? No, not necessarily because I know some people who don't believe there is anything "higher", but believe there is something unifying. And then I know people who don't believe there is something "higher" at all and no reason to believe that there is something unifying, or something controling, etc. I would say that we all seem to share a belief about whether there is or is not something higher and that that unites us.

Answer 6

Yes, faith divides people, which is too bad. There are enough differences in the world without people making up new ones.
Yes, many people follow their faith blindly.
Yes, many people focus too intently on certain aspects of their faith, losing sight of the true goal of that faith, whatever it may be.
Yes, many people believe their religion is superior to all others. If they didn't, they wouldn't follow it. Religion is another way to look down on and be separate from "outsiders".
No, I don't believe that most religions are similar or equal in many ways.
No, I don't think that belief in something higher unites everyone. Religion is incredibly divisive, mostly because so many believe that theirs is the only true faith and condemn and scorn those of other faiths.

Answer 7

yes - faith divides people, definitely. (And that is not necessarily a bad thing.)
yes - Many, yes. And that even applies to Christianity (I am a convinced Christian). Some believe because their surrounding people have taught them to believe, but don't really have a personal faith of their own. And they haven't reasoned out their faith.
yes - I don't know about most, but some
yes - some
no - I see large differences between religions. Especially between the Christianity of the New Testament and most religions. It has been said that religions are man's attempt to attain god. Christ is God attaining man.
no - People who believe in something higher does not unite everyone: Muslims are not united with Christians, or Catholics with Protestants for that matter. - or, if you mean everyone is united in the belief in something higher, I still say no, because there are convinced atheists.

Answer 8

1: no. i'm sitting here with my good friend. he's muslim and i'm catholic we are good friends. who gives a sh*t about what religion somone is or is not.
2: i don't think many do. yes there are some crazies(remember timothy mcveigh?) but that's the few, not the many.
3: yes probably some(see above)
4: unfortunately, yes. more than a few. not me though. we all go to the same heaven.
5: yes and no. Christians, Muslims and jews revere many of the same figures through history. but buddism is something else entirely, as is scientology.
6: i believe it could unite alot of people but there are people who don't beleive in it. there would be only believers and nonbelivers. in recent years i have seen people(alot of us) who says who cares what someone does or doesn't do.
that is how i feel.
i'm not being an a**. that's just what i believe. take it or leave it.
i just don't care.you asked me how i feel
THIS is what i feel.
it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me.

Answer 9

-yes
-many do, but others don't
-yes
- not all religions have a text, you're assuming all religious people are Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. But for those that do, Yes
- Not at all. Many religions have very different beliefs. Although Hindus believe in love of others, they also strongly believe in reincarnation. Most religions teach peace and love, but that is about it. Again, you're assuming all people can be divided into Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
- No. Buddhism doesn't even have gods and naturally people who don't believe in any god(s) wouldn't be included.

Answer 10

Yes, faith divides people, as do all subjective opinions.
Yes, many people follow their too blindly.
Yes, most people loose sight of their faith as a whole.
Yes, many people believe that their faith is superior - but not necessarily based on any religious text.
Yes, most religions are very, very similar.
Yes, a belief in a higher being unites all theists - but most of them refuse to acknowledge that fact.

Answer 11

If someone is soliciting for opinion/suggestion and not some thing that has a collection spectacular answer, then I dont think of its a probability to answer with out bias or judgement. all of us convey our very own bias in our comments. I do attempt to answer questions in an purpose way nevertheless, and say issues like "in spite of this..." or "...even nevertheless it didnt help me, i understand many people locate that clever". I do constantly answer questions surely and brazenly nevertheless. The nameless nature of Y!A provides that freedom.