What if we all just kept our religious beliefs to ourselves?

Question

If no one told anyone else what God they worshipped or which book they follow, or even if they believe in a Divine, would the world be just a little better? I've always seen spirituality as a very personal affair and wondered if people just kept thier noses in thier own business, would it solve a lot a problems.
Of course asking this question, I'm doing the same thing, but it's a hypothetical question. I'm just wondering if people have had the same thought.

I guess I stated that wrong. Let me put it this way. I think that lying is wrong. Stealing and cheating is wrong. Murder is wrong. You should help those in need, treat others as you would like to be treated. Family is important. Violence is bad. We should stop world hunger.
Everyone for the most part agrees with me, right?
So far, I'm on the same page with everyone.
Now I say I am a Pagan.
I just lost half of you simply by giving myself a category. Now some of you are thinking. 'You're going to hell' 'Satan is your king' 'Religion is bull' or something along those lines. All that just cause I gave myself a label. (And thanks to those who don't)
Imagine what we could do if we weren't caught up in labels?
I know we'll always argue about something or other and there's no helping that, I actually like it. Freedom of thought is one of our most precious commodities, but what I practice or you practice or don't practice and who's right is just one arguement I think we could do without.

Answer 1

That would be a miracle. No more religious debates and wars.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 2

I think this question is commendable in view of the religious conflicts we see around us. If we just keep our religions to ourselves then we should see less conflicts. But let's extend the argument further, why do we only focus on conflicts generated by religious beliefs? Why don't we extend it to all other conflicts? Why don't we just keep ALL beliefs to ourselves so that conflicts of ANY nature be considerably reduced? That would even be better, wouldn't it? While this idea may seem ideal, it is hardly practicable in real life. Why? Because the belief that keeping our beliefs private will lead to world peace is also a belief that I should keep private in the first place!

On the other hand, whether a religious belief should be kept private should be a matter of what that religion teaches. Jesus taught that we should preach the Gospel. Muhammad taught his followers to spread Islam. So those who do so are only obeying what they are being taught. Unless a religion teaches that its beliefs not be publicised, adherents are simply doing what they are being commanded to do. So while we can possibly keep religious beliefs to ourselves, we would not be good followers by doing so.

Answer 3

I think we should share our beliefs and, at the same time, respect others for their beliefs instead of acting hateful or high and mighty.

We should mind our own business (unless we are friends and we allowed into someone else's business), but that should not keep anyone from sharing what we believe.

We just should not let those who feel being offended is a right to have everyone shut up in a Nazi fashion keep us from sharing. Sharing our words and beliefs is the First Amendment in the United States Constitution and I believe there is a reason our forefathers put it first.

Answer 4

it would be awesome. Of course, tricky scenarios would arise: people who believed that the Bible/Koran condemns homosexuality wouldn't support gay marriage, but if they couldn't or didn't mention their religious beliefs, how would it work? Actually, if that was the only argument they had, we could just ignore them (or they would be silent in the first place, muttering to themselves about how the world's gone to hell). Now i'm even more in favor of that, in addition to the peace and quiet and realization of most shared values we all have, we could also easily dismiss anything based solely on religion! This can't lose!

Answer 5

I'm a Christian, and in my belief, some where in the Bible, (don't know where) it says that the world would not end, and we will not go to heaven until everyone knows. This will happen eventually and there is no point in stalling it. Also, why should we disadvantage and reduce the people in heaven by not telling them?

And... what is the point of believing in a 'Divine' if no one knows. It seems greedy, keeping God all to ourselves.

AND even more... people wan't to share their stories about their salvation. if they didn't... there isn't much point in that happening.

Answer 6

Absolutely!!!!

I think religion is just as personal as sexuality. I fail to understand why so many feel the need to "Spread the good word" etc, etc, etc. Contrary to the belief of many people in many religions, most people are happy with their current belief system. Why should people go about, trying to recruit others into their religions? I think a lot of wars would never have started if people would have minded their own business.

Answer 7

That's one of several liberal and tolerant *sounding* propositions which in practice would be a tyrannical universal imposition.

It imposes a *restriction* on what people may believe, namely, the belief that faiths and beliefs can or should be proclaimed, shared.

("We demand your nation become a liberal democracy"
is a stance neither liberal nor democratic)

*You* see spirituality as a personal affair. Others see it as a social and community affair, and others as very much a matter of life and death.
Why should your views prevail?

Answer 8

I agree with your thoughts, but in today's soceity that isn't so. You go out into the wide world, and on the streets await Christian preachers who are dying to get their "message" across to everyone. At university, free bibles are given out to everyone in the hopes that it will make more people come into the so called "Light of Jesus Christ" and "save" them. And what about Jehvoah's Witnesses who take on door to door preaching by giving out free magazines? I'm not saying that they shouldn't, but unofrtunately religion isn't really a private affair. It is exposed alot to us in society, even the Hare Krishna socitey has taken this to use by preaching their books of Lord Krishna in hopes to let people gain some "enlightenment". Religion should be a private affair, but people within its faiths are scrutinising it by spreading their religion into other peoples territory, hence the reason why people come onto this forum and openly discuss their views.

Answer 9

Out of respect for people, you do not bring up certain topics, without a clear invitation. Religion being one of them. That includes Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age, etc. You cannot club people into submission. People who do this get avoided, whether it is an obnoxious Christian or a self glorified Guru.

Answer 10

I think it would be VERY difficult, because people have to preform rituals, and mostly outdoor rituals.

Like Wiccans, we are supposed to observe our holidays outside.

EDIT:

But there is a such thing as "The Living Room Syndrom" thats where wiccans stay inside to celebrate the Holidays.

And Jesus told Christians to pray behind closed doors.

Answer 11

This is one of your idea that you want others to know and be like that. Every one have their own idea and belief which they think is best and want others to knwo and be like them. Every one is doing a good job but result end up in bad for many.