What do you think attracts more people to religion -- what they teach, or what they imply?

Question

Christianity is supposed to teach love and forgiveness, yet it implies superiority and eternal reward.

Islam is supposed to teach complete submission to God, yet it implies bringing others to submission.

Wicca teaches reverance and respect for nature, but it implies receiving the ability to manipulate it.

Do you think that the teachings attract followers, and the implications happen over time? Or do you think that implications are what is attractive?

((((ZER0))))

Yes, I'm back. A week away was long enough. ;)

Answer 1

Religious folks are rare in my part of the world so I don't have much to go on, but it seems to me that the biggest factor in adherence to an organised religion is the sense of community - a shared set of values and morals, shared activities, being sociable, a shared identity, a sense of belonging... those things seem to be far more important than the beliefs and dogma, or any implications that may ensue.

Answer 2

I can only speak about my belief. Christianity of course. I'd say your perceptions are just that, yours. My guess is you're judging the whole lot by a few TV programs you saw.

Love and forgiveness are taught and the example is Jesus. I'm not sure what your expectation of those are. You have had to meet people somewhere along the way who are different than the rest. They don't bad mouth others, participate in nasty jokes, get drunk or use foul language. (not because they are trying not to do those but because they don't want to) They stand out from others without saying a word. I can tell who they are within a short time. There is no superiority with them. Unless offense is taken to their higher moral standards, then you have an argument. Why you would, I don't know. I'm sure you have also met the person who says with his mouth he is Christian but his life is no different than all other people around him. Maybe he acts just as your question implies. Who is the Christian in this case? The person who lives it or who only claims it?

But that doesn't excuse Christians from speaking up. We do not have to act like unbelievers to be accepted. If our lifestyle is offensive to others, so be it. We are to be different. This may appear as superiority but most likely is conviction. It just has to be that way.

Teachings do not attract us. Love does. Usually there comes a time in your life when you realize that nothing in this world is as fulfilling or satisfying to the spirit than God himself. He did create us after all. If we're created, and not evolved from soup, then I'd say the creator made us in such a way to have certain needs - Him.

Answer 3

Sheep are raised to be sheep, very seldom does a sheep realize it is more than a follower and blind idiot and evolve by asking questions

people go to where they feel comfortable, and if they are abused as a child, they will likely seek out a religion that submits them, bosses them around, use cruel logic of "god said so/daddy says so"

I have found wiccans to be a new trend, doubling every 30 months, and many just take the abuse from one religion and try to boss others and turn it into a heirchy as well and they didn't really solve anything save being a guru to tothers and manipulate nature or the seasons to fit thier views (I live with a wiccan, they vary in faiths and practice)

Answer 4

Hello, Sweetie.
You really are a rather observant and tuned-in girl; aren't you??

To be honest, Honey, I cannot speak for most religions.
Although I have learned bits and pieces of quite a few, I have not spent sufficient in-depth time for a Q like this for anything other than Christianity.
So I'll answer it as you've given it there.

I believe it certainly implies just what it teaches when properly understood.
Anyone living or truly endeavouring to live the Christian ethic would be practising love and forgiveness and non-judgment daily, in their lives.
That is really what it is all about: the living of a Christlike life.
... not just 'the spouting off' of one!
In fact, Jesus taught that "He who DOETH these sayings of mine, I will liken unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock", etc.
It is not a Gospel of 'talk'; it is a Gospel Doing - it is a Gospel born of peace through the 'doing of right' to others ... and of service and personal sacrifice for the better good of all.
JOY comes in service.

However, as we often try to present it today [I don't know about "superiority", but...], we often do, I believe, overemphasize the rewards of Heaven and of celestial glory; Yes.
It does sometimes concern me too.
We should be doing good for the love of doing good, or to make others happy, or simply, because we are in the service of our God, rather than acting after comparing the rewards of our different responses in life, and making decisions around those [apparent] rewards.

Answer 5

People manipulate religions. And still try to imply impossible things in today's conditions. Religion is good when it stays at home between the person and God.
Nowadays people use religion to get vote,to make a war and when you look at the books God never tells to kill millions of people.
According to me the most impotant thing is a good education,an open mind. Spiritual events like religion come after. First EDUCATION: history,science,geography... then other things.

Answer 6

Can I say that repulsion to religion, implies the desire to be your own god? It's not an accusation, it's an implication. People who reject God, may very well be implying that they are their own God, even though they teach no god.

It's a tempting implication, that draws disheartened people like fly's to a...

Answer 7

First, we are somewhat much less interested in atheism than an excellent style of alternative international places (see supplies). 2nd, i'm of the opinion that the three motives your people got here up with are unfounded. motives a million and a couple of do no longer make experience. people prefer money, so particular, in the event that they are able to win extra they could gamble extra. yet that has no longer something to do with "eternity". If atheists extremely needed eternity, then that they had be risking a extensive loss in the event that they did no longer try to acheive it, and does not be doing it willingly. in the event that they do no longer prefer eternity, then there is no gamble in any respect. and particular, people are lazy too. I *could* extremely win a cool million in a on line casino than ought to artwork complicated to earn it. yet back there is no dating to the universe as an entire. people think of the universe began by "possibility" using fact there is sturdy medical evidence claiming so, and since the creation debts laid out in countless religions texts do no longer trust science in the event that they are taken actually. reason 3 is closer to the reality, yet no longer lots. i'm not sure what this "beast envy" is. i do no longer somewhat care if i'm an animal or no longer, yet each and every thing science has arise with extra or much less helps the thought i'm no longer often diverse from the different mammal. particular, people have their unique features interior the animal worldwide, yet whilst it comes all the way down to it we are actually not that diverse than the the remainder of the primates. i do no longer think of all of us embraces evolution using fact it implies we are "purely animals." i do no longer. i need to be incorrect approximately different people regardless of the undeniable fact that. For regardless of it somewhat is properly worth, i'm an atheist using fact (a) science makes a heck of so lots extra experience to me, and (b) there is a lot extra sturdy helping evidence for science than there is for any faith.

Answer 8

Can't help with answer at all, I haven't a clue why people do what they do. Possibly the religion people choose has a better bake sale than others? Catholics have wonderful festivals/feast days, and we can dance to rock-n-roll! (you know what happens next - you have more Catholics!)

On side note:
You watched every movie suggested? A week off must be nice. Eye strain? Did you get outside at all?

Answer 9

Human beings are social animals, and any group that claims to accept you as you are has powerful motivating ability, especially for the weak-willed and those trying to "find themselves."

The need for people to belong is very strong, if you remember your high school years. Being alone is one of the biggest fears people have, and religion fills that niche with easy, canned answers to life's difficult questions.

For me, it's the things that I do not understand that make life interesting and fun. I don't want the easy answers, especially if I can't disagree with them when I wish.

Answer 10

I think the implications are what draw people to the religion, but it's the teachings that are used to outwardly justify it.