Is it possible for a religion to exist that doesn’t force adherents to believe in absurd concepts?

Question

Or is it that the very act of believing in absurd concepts makes religion what it is? So in other words, religion can be defined as, ‘the belief in absurd concepts which can’t be proven?’ So why do theists till insist that atheism is a religion? Do you think this is a little….absurd?

Answer 1

I think theists consider it absurd *not* to believe in God. They think it is absurd *to* believe in evolution. So, that must be why they consider atheism a religion.

But seriously, folks, accusing atheism of being a religion is a way of leveling the field, in their minds. They can't stand the rational high ground that atheists enjoy, so they attempt to DIScredit atheism by saying it's as irrational as their faith is. It's a kind of Hermannesque theo-logic: "I'm rubber, you're glue. It bounces off me and sticks on you." Y'know?

Muslim by choice, the very definition of faith is logical fallacy. It is a belief in something that has no basis in reality, no evidence of its existence. That's illogical.

Answer 2

I don't think the word you're looking for is 'absurd' concepts, maybe 'illogical' fits the bill better. The 'illogical' concepts are what make most religions what they are. The followers of the religions have faith, which makes the 'illogical' concepts fairly logical to them if not 100% clear. Atheism could be or could not be considered a religion, it depends on who you ask. Do they have a defined set of beliefs?
-Some Atheists believe there was a big bang and suddenly everything began.
-Some Athiests think that there is no higher power out there, we're just here...for no reason?
-Hindus believe in a variety of (arguably) strange-looking Gods that are all actually considered to be one.
-Muslims believe that (not unlike Judiasm) God spoke to a man Muhammad/Mohammed (Depending on how it's translated, I believe) in present day Saudi Arabia and had him tell everyone the new commandments, of sort.
-Jews believe God spoke to a man named Abraham on a mountaintop and gave him a set of commandments for the world to follow and that God would give a son one day to forgive the world its wrongs.
-Christians believe that, in addition to the Jewish beliefs, said son was born, Jesus Christ, and performed a series of miracles and preached God's word.

I know I left out Buddhists and Shinto-Buddhists, but they'd prefer not to be labeled or confined to a certain set of beliefs anyway.

So if you look at it this way, all religions believe in illogical concepts. But illogical lies in the eyes of the beholder, not the one practicing the religion, really. Because faith makes people believe what you'd consider absurd.

Answer 3

religion shoulden't exist look at all the conflict it has brought all the hate all the war all the killing all the problems or thousands of years and give me evidence of great things to come out of religion that could not have been produced any other way what good could come out of religion that nothing else could offer, maybe some but not enough to tip the scales. religion would be a great thing in a perfect world but humanity isn't perfect and humans are pretty disgusting creatures when you look at everything what we do and why we do it.

life and people would be better without conflicting beliefs biased on what people say. nothing is "true fact" everything we now and believe to be true is just that a belief but the beliefs that provoke little to no conflict are the ones biased on evidence and something real. hope is poured into religion hope, effort, love and faith all waisted on something that has yet to prove its worth so much has been focused on religion where it could have been used to improve the whole of society and humanity in a significant way.

Answer 4

I think where your logic fails is what you define as able to be proven? A person gets proof of the existence of God in their own lives. The problem with most people is that they want to satisfy their own needs and don't ever take into account their Creator for direction.

As for absurd concepts, it's funny that someone like yourself finds the concepts absurd, yet a short, meaningless life makes sense...interesting.

Answer 5

Absurd to believe there is something outside of our universe? Then explain the complexity of DNA. Also, while your at it, why not say Mount Rushmore was made by erosion and weathering. That would be more believable then everything from the position of our planet in the solar systen to the lining of amino acids all came about by chance. That, my friend, is an absurd concept.

Answer 6

sure. the religion could present its absurd concepts and tell the adherents that they can disbelieve them all and break them all if they like, just as long as they don't claim to be the only one playing on the spiritual playground.

This is called paganism.

Answer 7

The concepts aren't absurd to the people who follow them

Answer 8

Unitarianism Universalism is an unusual religious organization. Unlike most religions in North America, it does not require its adherents to adhere to a specific set of beliefs.

Answer 9

It really would depend on what you consider obsurd.
If by that you mean verifiable facts then you are talking about Christianity. Take time to do a real study yourself and not go on things you've heard from those "who know" whatever it is they know. This includes any pastors you listen to. Always check what you hear against what scripture says. This will keep you centered and on track.

Answer 10

The Lord never forces anyone to follow him. Only Satans agents do that.
Gods wants us to worship and obey him out of love, forced worship is no worship at all.