Just looking for opinions.
2007-05-02 07:59:28 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you give a bible passage reference, please give your own opinion as well.
2007-05-02 08:00:17 · update #1
Yes. But knowing this, does it diminesh its purpose? No.
Every one has a right to their own coping skills and religion is probably the biggest coping skill out there. Just imagine how bleak life would be if one didn't have faith.
2007-05-02 08:11:02 · answer #1 · answered by AthenaGenesis 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Religion, philosophy, science, all are attempts to answer the question of existence, purpose and meaning. Every culture has had those questions and most have included "god" as at least part of their answer.
The real question is whether man is simply "inventing god", or is he really out there, and man is designed to search for him. When you begin to compare the different religious beliefs of the world, you will find that there are many things they hold in common. Perhaps because there is a "real" god that they are all tapping into.
It is like the all story of the blind men who wanted to see an elephant. Each felt a different part (an ear, a foot, the trunk, the side, or the tail) and each cam away with a different picture of what the elephant was like (a fan, a tree trunk, a hose, a wall, or a snake). Each had a part of the truth. Had they been able to put it all together, they could have gotten the whole picture of what an elephant is.
Every religion has felt a part of God. Some have gotten better pictures then others, but all have at least a part of the truth.
If you read through the Bible, you will see that even the people in there learned generation by generation. For example, Noah never learned about circumcision. That came with Abraham. Abraham never learned about the 10 Commandment. Those came with Moses. Moses never learned about the Psalms. Those came with David. And so on. Each generation building on the knowledge of the one(s) before, and adding their own part to it.
It finally reached the point to which enough was known that God Himself was able to come into the earth as a man, named Jesus Christ and he would be recognized. The laws and prophecies were in place so that both his character and accomplishment would already be known.
So unlike science, which can only use what is known in the physical, or philosophy which can only use what is know in the mental realm, the Christian religion can also use what is know and revealed in the spiritual realm to help answer the question of existence.
2007-05-02 08:16:37 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Religion these days is a way of doing exactly the opposite of explaining why or how we exist or should exist. Since it is easier for most to live according to what someone else says, there are plenty of volunteers when it comes to setting up their kingdoms each with slightly different sets of rules as well as followers to help them along. There is no limit to what people will go along with to avoid having to verify anything.
This is just my opinion and I admit that the price of verification can be high. The result is worthwhile. Joy is the answer. Cheers!
2007-05-04 07:15:13 · answer #3 · answered by canron4peace 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although the Bible gives an explanation to how we humans came to be, religion does not stop there. It teaches the believers the way to live a righteous life. Faith helps man survive through challenges, gives him strength and guides his idealogies. Whatever one's religion is, he learns how he was created, why he is on earth and what he can expect when he dies. Religion is not merely a theory about creation.
2007-05-02 08:12:09 · answer #4 · answered by Tammy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Word of the Living God IS AN EXPLANATION of why we exist, why we are here in the flesh, where we were before we were born into the flesh, what we did then, what we will be doing in the next earth age.
All of it is explained if a person cares to do just a bit of study. God does not give you the mysteries of God in a list. Its up to you to be a student of the Word; those who truly care will study. Those who don't really care, won't. Its just that simple.
2007-05-02 08:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes lot's of people feel the need to justify thier lives in this manner instead of questioning the status-quo and seeking truth.
2007-05-02 08:05:56 · answer #6 · answered by Bob 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Man is a social animal. When he has an idea and others tend to agree, they form a society or group. Religions are formed in this way...concepts of right, wrong, God, etc.
2007-05-02 08:02:13 · answer #7 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe a long time ago it was.
Now it is more about dictating answers and discouraging inquiry. It is an institution that self-propagates through emotional manipulation, including childhood indoctrination.
If you want to find real inquiry into why we exist, look to science.
2007-05-02 08:01:34 · answer #8 · answered by nondescript 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Religions were originally created to 'control the masses'
and what better way to do it that to connect it to your existence here ... genius really
2007-05-02 08:04:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes, before the existence of science.
2007-05-02 08:04:02 · answer #10 · answered by MoPleasure4U 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋