God and Religion..Any relation?

Question

Some say, " To follow a religion is to beleive in God".
Others say. "In human minds the God came before the religion, so the above can not be true".
It is also said that the religion is a political (sort of) arrangement to bring your ideology forward and even fight for that. That is why "more than one" religions (and sects) for "one" God.

What do you say??

Answer 1

I say God and religion are two completely different things. Religion is human, God is not. Religion can be wrong, God is not. Religion is an explanation, God is the reason.

Answer 2

Religion is more about empowering beliefs than actual speculation as to the nature of God.

For example, take the Judo-Christian requirement to praise God. Doesn’t the idea that God Almighty would require praise, seem profoundly unlikely? Ah….but praising God does make people thankful for what they have, and that my friends, is empowering.

Every good Darwinist should understand that Religion persists because it conveys a survival advantage on those who believe.

Religion is very confusing if you ask: “Why would God do that.”
But very simple if you ask: “How does that belief help the person who holds it?”

Religion doesn’t require God per se, but the concept of God is extremely helpful in the creation of Religious beliefs.

Answer 3

Regarding (born again) Christianity: You can say you have a religion which is a set of beliefs. However, the relationship you have with God is far more important than whatever you call yourself. God did come first and His followers called themselves Christians because the word "Christians" means "followers of Christ" (and Christ is part of the Trinity). A religion is more like a title for what you believe in and it is still important, but God, the one you are in a relationship in, is the most important.

Answer 4

I believe that religion is what messes up peoples belief in God. I know that doesn't make sense to lots of people but religious people should know what the Pharisees are. I don't mean to put down the very good loving people that read their Bible and love freely. What I have a problem with are the people who judge others according to their own personal beliefs. God knows the intentions of the soul.

Answer 5

Religion: (Whether you want to believe it or not!!!) Religion in this universe is setup as a believe system to make everyone know and understand that they have to follow a set of rules that are man made. So that people will follow for that set of rules and believe in it and then say these rules will save them from all their troubles.

God: God is not a make believe, because we are all a part of God. Matter of fact God is ourselves. Whatever we do we are the judge, jury and the convicter. Therefore, if there is a God to believe in, it is believing in yourself.

Answer 6

Some do find God in religion, others must walk a less travelled path, so I say it depends & it is not my place to judge another's relationship with God.

Answer 7

Believe in God?

Which God?

God is merely the human personification of a particular social group's values.

Each different social group has a different God.

Even Buddhism has the image of Buddha as a role model.

Answer 8

a religion is a doctrine /organization of believers. most believe in a God but interpret how they are going to follow the teachings by their religion . it is most important to have a spiritual one on one relationship with God. then find others in a church that believes as closely as you believe.

politics use religion because they want to appeal to the voting power. most of them (politicians) use the same tactics to any voting population they want to attract.

Answer 9

Find God before you go to religion.

That's just my opinion.

Answer 10

There is but one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ. (His only begotten Son.) Many seek to interpret. Many seek an interpretation to ascend their own doctrine. These actions of men are vain, and touch not upon the truths of life, and the Giver of life. For interpretations belong to God. Now as for religion, there is but one pure religion. It is not defined of men, but is the commandment of God accomplished through obedience of men. Pure religion and undefiled is to visit the fatherless and the widow in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. There is but one way this is done in righteousness. They that visit them through and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For they visit them in a holy touching, and are unblemished thereby. And that holy touching is according to the will of God, that those touched might receive an everlasting father, and an everlasting husband. That they should be comforted even in afflictions, that they should no more be persuaded of vanities, but that they be persuaded in love. This is pure religion, for it brings not a heavy burden, but a gift, an easy yoke, a light burden. And in that commandment is not bondage, but deliverance, freedom, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit of God. If I persuade men that they must bring themselves into a perfection, I persuade not in a true religion. But if they are persuaded in a truth, then the activity of religion toward them is not of men, but from above. The words of Jesus are spirit and life. The commandment of the Father is eternal life. Thus rather than fall to the left and to the right, as a blind man into the ditch; hearken to that which came down from above, and you shall know of the doctrine, and the religion enjoining you shall be made known in holiness. Amen