What is the point of religion?

Question

I believe in god, but not in a religion. I used to be a catholic, but I realized how pointless the religion is, just as any religion. There is a force greater then us, we call it "god", but what makes you think he requires you to do all these religious rituals? He only cares if you are a generally good person, no need to go to church or do any rituals. Also, I do not believe in hell.

Yes, most churches are corrupt

Answer 1

WOW! I feel the same way about religion.
I was also a catholic, until i noticed the fights that my parents got in because my mom belived that everyone should belong to her religion and if anybody didn't then that would be betraying her. Not only that, i was also informed of how corrupt the churches are, how they benefit from us and so much more.
Too many rich and powerful people in history have used it to control the masses and to silence them by putting lies into their heads using religion as their primary weapon. Too many wars have been fought over religion. I say it is pointless.
and it is basically used to divide the people.
Nice strategy for them, huh?

and unfortunately they still do, the only difference is that not many people know about it because it is hidden.

well, i'm glad you are not a follower
and that you can stay strong believing in God without the use of a church and especially the bible.

Answer 2

Religion is an ancient concept used to explain the mysteries of life and the world that a normal person cannot seem to fathom. As humankind has progressed and became more knowledgeable in the scientific understanding of life and the universe, religion has diminished greatly in importance in many cultures; in some cultures, unfortunately, it has siezed nearly total control of the everyday lives of the population. I don't believe in religion of any kind, all of it originates with the concepts of one or more individuals and is embelllished or revised seemingly constantly as the world changes and new ideas come to pass. I just answered a question about the "Mother of God" and the "fact" that Jesus had no siblings, which is unfortunately common beliefs with no factual basis in their own religious manuscripts! Mary is never held up as the Mother of god, but Jesus, and the bible clearly identifies a number of siblings of Jesus. Just another example that all religion is based on someone's concepts, and further manipulated to fit each individual's teachings and taught beliefs. If you raise a child without religion as an influence, he generally has no concept of religion, nor sees the basis or need for it. Hopefully in a few thousand years humans will finally evolve fully to caste off these ancient misguided concepts.

Answer 3

Control. Oh, it started out as a way of explaining things before science, but was quickly distorted into a power game.

Not that the first use was any better. There is no proof of any "force greater than us," at least not an intelligence, nor one with a gender or emotions like caring.

But you sound like someone growing out of the beliefs you were indoctrinated with, so eventually you'll realize that The Force is not with us either.

Answer 4

You sound as though you may be on your way to a higher understanding of spirituality as opposed to religion. When one questions one's previous beliefs, it is a sign that a new path is opening and one is ready to make a change to something higher. There are many excellent sources of information for the spiritual explorer, but a good beginning for someone coming from a Christian background is "The Jesus Mysteries" by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy, and follow this with their later books, "Jesus and the Lost Goddess" and "The Laughing Jesus". You will never look at Christian teachings the same way again.

Answer 5

religion has a point, thats why it's there. using the term loosely or strictly makes a difference in the answer you get.

you don't have to stop being a catholic to stop being religious. there are many non-christians in every "church".

no religion, church, sect, group, building, etc are "Christian" only individuals. Christ saved individuals.

a church/sect becomes religious when it starts being about works/duties as a opposed to grace:

Then they asked him(Jesus), "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

It's that simple. you want to "work" (be religious) for your salvation????? then BELIEVE in Jesus.

Answer 6

Once there is any evidence for a deity, I will immediately and tentatively accept that evidence, as will Science.

To posit a deity as religion does, is already intellectually dishonest. "We can't explain parts of nature, so GOD did it." But to then take the "God" and make it to be something very niched and specific like Allah or Vishnu, without yet more evidence is silly.

The universe may yet be discovered to have a cause that lies outside of its physicality and timeframe, but that cause is still natural, even if it is not concurrently present in this universe.

Answer 7

My Church and my calling is about service to others.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the hworld.

Answer 8

Unfortunately to many people in today's world believe the same way as you do. That's why we have all the corruption in the world as we do today, because people believe that they can do things on their own that they don't need God or religion in
there life. For one I don't know how you can believe in God if you don't believe in religion. Hell is real, the devil is real. The devil has you believing that you don't need to go to church to believe in God, that your OK just the way you are. He does not want you to have a real relationship with God because then he will loose you. There is a force greater than us thats for sure and we do call Him God, the creator of heaven and earth. The creator of life, the creator of you and me. The awesome mystery of God is that He has given us free will. He lets us chose to believe in Him or not. Some one that Loves us so much has given us the free will to leave Him and not believe in Him, but He never leaves us. He is always with us. He calls us to come to Him to worship and give thanks for our lives that He has given us. Jesus Christ suffered so much pain and misery for three hours on the cross, not to mention all the beating and name calling and torture He went thru for us. Why would you not suffer one hour one day a week to give Him thanks for all that He has done for you in your life. Just being a generally good person does not get you there.
We are all called to live our lives like Saints. We all are sinners and we need God's help and forgiveness and His mercy to help us out in our daily lives.

Answer 9

I agree with you, for the most part, I think that religion is a force to instill fear and contoll the masses, but at the same time belinging to a church gives people something to do with their time. It gives them a social outlet that they might not necissairly have, if it wernt for churches etc... for them to go out to they might not have a "life".

Answer 10

then, unless you come to The Truth, you have eternaly seperated yourself form God... you were as a Catholic any way... so nothing changed there... But you have the wrong understanding of God and His Word and Will for mankind.... almost evedry one "believes" in God... but very few have come to Him as He prescribes... and only those who do come to Him as He prescribes will enter Heaven.

You are correct in rejecting man invented "religion"... but unless you come to God and become part of The Church... you will soon learn the truth of hell... sorry...that is just the way it is... I am not "judging" you, you have made the choice yourself.