what is the true purpose of religion?

Question

Is not it that every one live in harmony and peace? Then why are we fighting over religion? if mine is different then yours then SO WHAT? more heaven space for you right?

I mean except giving us something to talk about on yahoo answers!

Answer 1

I personally believe that organized religion is so that we, as mankind, have a sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves. It it a way to connect to others, have a unified explanation of things we otherwise couldn't explain, gives power, justifies our actions (for some), etc. Historically, I find, the religion has always been the justification for terrible things such as waar, murder, territory expansion, power struggles, etc.

But above all, I think that religion is around because it alows us to feel a sense of goodness in a very unjust and negative world.It also gives guidance. Without religion and belief systems, this world would be a very lonely place, probably peaceful in the Middle East, but lonely.


That's just a guess.

Answer 2

There is a difference between religion and spirituality. Religion is an organized group and I wonder about it's purpose myself. I find little use for organized religion. Spirituality, on the other hand, is what we all should have. If everyone would be spiritual and realize we are all here together and all part of this universe and that we are really all the same inside, maybe we could all find it in ourselves to love one another and the world could be the perfect place it was meant to be. Egos and competition seem to drown the spirit and mankind looses site of the importance of the spirit.

Answer 3

I hope that we are not, in fact, fighting over religion here on Qs & As, but rather having a discussion of differing philosophies; currently, there are surely enough on-going conflicts in the world which are based upon religious differences as there have also been throughout the history of humanity!

My own problem with organized religions is that I view them as attempts by those in authority to control the minds and behaviors of their adherents; they are centered upon theologies which require the "faithful" to obey certain "laws" or proscriptions or dress-codes, thereby isolating them from the "infidels" or those with other "beliefs". They demand their congregants' observances of various rituals and holy days and threaten their transgressors with damnation or worse!

When I was young and idealistic, I believed in the essential goodness of the church which I attended, so perhaps I have become cynical presently, but as a politically conscious agnostic, I deplore the Religious Right's endeavor to legislate Christianity into the Constitution for the purpose of controlling the lives of the populace against our wills.

Answer 4

Religion has many meanings:
–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
—Idiom9. get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

There are also many purposes for it. I won't post those, but you can see it in history as doing things that serve mankind. Both good and bad. That's why I seriously do not like religion as a term that defines me. I am always uncomfortable when someone asks, " You are religious, what can you tell me about your religion?"

I hate that. There are too many assumptions about those who trust God, and they are listening to the answer with a filter that they developed over the years. Some of those filters are destructive in the way they hear what I am telling them.

That being said I know something that most Christians do not ever bring up, or even reject when they hear me say it, "God does not want everybody." There are those who are interested in knowing God. And according to the Bible they are the one's he's calling. The one's who have no interest in knowing God are the one's that ask really lame questions. They have no interest in the answer, but are trying to get a point across, as if we didn't know that they reject the mere existence of God.

Answer 5

Control

Answer 6

we never fight with religion, but for religion. As muslims,we are obligated to stand for justice regardless of race, religion, etc. even it be against fellow so called muslims.
but most especially, as muslims, we should give so much concern for our environment, this earth, as the prophet,peace be upon him, was a staunch environmentalist himself.Allah has created mankind to be the vicegerents of this earth, the caretakers-2:30.Allah loved not wasters.So let us join hands in doing good and prevent evil in the name of religion.

Answer 7

The true purpose of religion is to control people. The true purpose of spirituality is to help people. Unfortunately the christian church is a religion and a business and not spiritual.

Answer 8

i don't be attentive to if there is one genuine purpose. faith began as a manner for human beings to describe the mysteries of what surrounded them. if that they had a terrible harvest or particularly tough iciness, they assumed they disillusioned something (even if if or no longer it is gods or mom nature or perhaps in the event that they beleived in). So at that element, yea it may desire to be approximately a thank you to stay their existence to delight their deities (one deity got here later). in some unspecified time sooner or later faith grew to grow to be corrupt and it grew to grow to be approximately power. the upward push of Christianity replaced into very political....purely as most of the smaller pagan tribes have been political. It replaced right into a count of survival. Now, i think of its distinctive. specific some human beings choose it to set some ethical barriers. i think of human beings purely are too used to having a beleif equipment in place (no longer all, yet some). For me, its a count of completeness and being appreciative for what the gods and goddesses have offered me with.

Answer 9

1) Heaven isn't about space. it's temporary anyway. God doesn't desire the death of a sinner but that all come to repentance. He wants all to come to Him, so why try and hinder God?

2) people who have something good wanna share it. just as muslims wouldn't hinder a person becoming a muslim, so (most) Christians wouldn't hinder someone becoming Christian. of course some people are confused on the requirements, but still.

3) people fight usually for underlying reasons under the guise of religion. for example, Hitler of course was a racist, yet still refered to "God": why? because back then you couldn't blame him for that; you could blame him for being racist to God's first chosen, but atleast one or two people could say something slightly positive about him.

Answer 10

The purpose of religion is to provide a forum through which we can worship God, learn of Him, and be accountable to Him.