Modified: What are your feelings on organized religion?

Question

I guess I need to clarify my previous question. I'm wondering more about the "organized" part of religion. Something more like this:

Should we work ourselves around a specific religion, or would that be ignorant? Is it not better to maybe grow up practicing a certain religion, and then to question it? In the end, we either find a religion that is more believeable, or are drawn closer to our original beliefs. How do we choose and truly believe "x" religion if we never question? In order for the belief to be true, isn't self-love and understanding a prerequisite?
Moreover, doesn't everyone have different beliefs? Some people believe in God, some people don't. Some people believe in Jesus, others follow Buddah. Then you get into a few of the complexities of teachings, and how each ought to be worshiped. But... is that it? Why do we draw the line on subdivisions there? Once that line is drawn, we're oppressed by the religious sophists and, whether one likes it or not, a damper is placed upon their spirituality.
In the sermon today, our priest stressed "the church vs passions". He said that in order for us to follow the lord, we have to be accountable. This is why the church tells us to fast on "x" day, and we should follow- irregardless of what we think.
But isn't that the greatest paradox of all? Apparently, there's no room for interpretation. When, to me, that's all religion is.

I am a spiritual person, and believe in many concepts of the Orthodox faith. But I'm starting to question ORGANIZED religion. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I don't need a "prescription" for faith...it's all about the "reality" and, from the reality, there is relationship...from this, there is more than your heart can hold...many religions do not offer "reality" or relationship...just going through the motions...following blindly a "form of worship" of who they do not know...it's all laid out for us...we need only to "ask" with our whole heart, and he will reveal Himself to us..in "Reality" (i have no reason to lie..) it makes no sense for me to follow a religion that offers nothing...if it wasn't "real" i truly would be waisting my time now wouldn't i... "Peace!"

Answer 2

I have read that the word "religion" comes from the Greek word "religeos" which means "to be with". In other words, to be religious is to be with God. Now, it may be that you might feel the need to have help interpreting God's word, but the truth is that organized religion (the Church) has deliberately changed the written texts that make up the Bible and chosen the epistles to make up the Bible to support what the leaders of the time wanted it to say. This is historical fact. Many things (for instance, reincarnation, the lack of need of priests to intervene on behalf of parishioners) were left out of biblical text because it was feared commoners would realize an all-Powerful Church wasn't really needed. The Reformation eventually reduced the power of the Catholic Church but simply fragmented organized religion. Other religions are also usually dominated by a ruling priest class that has power over the common people. Only the North American Indians have resisted a ruling priest class. Almost exclusively in this society, each person communes with the Creator on a personal level. Why should we all not do this?

Answer 3

IMO...organized religions, the rules or legalities of a religion are man made. I don't believe there is any "right" religion. As to who to follow, I believe it takes a long time and much questioning as an adult to confirm beliefs, if one is into questioning at all.
Most of the main religious philosophies are grounded in something similar to the teachings of the Golden Rule, helping others who are less fortunate, making the choice to do good, not harm to others, and following something similar to the 10 commandments.

Those precepts I believe are inherant in spirituality which exists beyond religion. I don't think any man is infallible, but that any "rule" about eating, fasting, ritual, or participating in things like movies, dancing, makeup etc are created by man.
Man creates ritual, fasting, those kinds of things in order to show sincerity, faith and love towards their beliefs, but it can be shown in other ways as well. Some need ritual in order to feel comfortable. Others feel just as spiritual taking a hike in nature.
So, I believe we all have to come to our own interpretation of what spiritual is to us and not take other people's word for it...even pastors, priests or rabbi's. What that little voice in our heart tells us is much more valid.

Spiritual leaders, like counselors, therapists, friends, can give us a sounding board, things to reflect on, suggestions on how to live,but in the end it's our responsibility to sort the "wheat from the chaff"
Just a P.S.
as a group of beliefs, I find the Unitarian Universalist Church to be fairly compatible. They don't teach a dogma, simply sharing spirituality, with an emphasis on service to others.

Answer 4

I think it's surprising if a lot of people can find similar enough beliefs to form a common religion, there always seems to be some unawareness of sin or acceptance that some amount of sin is the best any human can hope for; I haven't found any organized religion that fits my understanding of ethics, which should be strange in a world with so many people in it

Answer 5

Organized religion, in and of itself, could be a good thing. However, as it stands today, it seems to be used for more harm than good (as has been true for, oh, so long). It is a means of control. It is money driven. (Generally speaking.)

Having said that... I think that if people want to believe in something and they want a place to feel connected, having an organization of those who think and feel the same is good for them. It is safe that way.

In its current state, I do not support it nor do I like what it represents to me.

As far as questioning goes... I think people should question everything, not just organized religion. Questioning is the first step in "progress."

Answer 6

Religion, in it's philosophy, is a system of practice that attempts to bestow upon the practitioner a sense of purpose, order and security through adherence.to certain practices and moralistic behaviors
Religion, in its practice, appears to exist simply to maintain its own existence.

Organized religion is a fine thing as a vehicle for faith to express itself, but I agree that one should question it. Blind faith benefits neither the religion, nor the individual. I believe that it is much more constructive to examine the aspects of the religious constructs in order to establish compatibility with its assertions.
As far as the rituals and dogma of organized religion are concerned, judgement in those areas is an individual matter.

Answer 7

My take on it is simple.

*Most of the time*, we simply don't need it anymore. A lot of the things that churches were responsible for historically, are now being taken care of to at least some degree by public schools, political parties, and good-old Science.

You know, the stuff that figured out how to make your computer work? And maybe even get it to talk to other computers, so you can ask this sort of thing on the internet? Or how about the stuff that figured out how to put electricity to work?

But I digress. My point is...as others have said here, the keyword is "Organized". Meaning it's an organization that *people* made, a roof *people* put over their heads so that they could speak and pray and sing in peace. Anything beyond that basic, *basic* goal--providing the roof, the space for like minded and like hearted people to gather--stinks of the kinds of control-freakishness that is common in other organizations made by *people*.

Really. One of the few biblical lessons that was taught to me, that stuck, was this: If two people can get together and worship the Almighty as they see fit, it's a church. It's a place of worship just by virtue of the behavior and the *concord* or peace between people. They worship, show their love and respect, not just for the Almighty as they best know it, but also for *each other* likewise.

And frankly....the peace is missing. The concord and love and respect between *people* is missing. It sets a poor example all over when people say they "love their God" out of one side of their mouths, and then out of the other *hate one another* and attack one another and act like they don't even *know* what love means. It sets a poor example for people outside of the "church" and it sets a poor example for any Almighty that might be there. With "love" like this, who needs homicidal psychosis?

So as much as I hate to say this....*Most* of what passes for organized religion these days is a menace. It's a menace and a threat to the human race on a par with Organized Crime or worse. And I am saying this about *all* of the larger faiths really: be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hinduist, and on and on. So long as a "church" lets its fanatics out in the wilderness *raise literal Hell on earth*, and ruin the peace and concord for other people....it's not a church. It's not a real faith, because real love, peace and respect aren't there. If they aren't there for the people a church *hates*, they can't *possibly* be there for an Almighty that sits in *judgement* over them.

And in the meantime, sane, rational people like myself lose more and more hope, and more and more can't tell the difference between the bystanders and the fanatics. This isn't good.

So yeah. Organized religion these days has outlived most of its social purposes as an *organization*, and it's completely *failed* at its one real purpose as *faith*. It doesn't let people in....the violence and callow disregard and political control-freakishness turns the best of us away *every time*.

But hey, what do I know? I just live here on this mudball, you know?

Answer 8

Very good Question, All religions start from Faith.but all religions start wondering about day to day activities. For example Catholics believe in confession prostestants don't. Who is right? Neither it is up to the individual do decide, there are bible scriptures to support either view. St Paul said if it is a sin to you then it is sin. Not thatSin is somehow a universal reality. You should always questions your faith because we have free will

Answer 9

Organization in any form has one goal; control. When you 'organize' your surroundings, what are you attempting to do? Control them. Any organization of anything puts it under someone or somethings control. Once organized, it must be maintained. How is it maintained? Method and orthodoxy passed on by tradition to proselytes.

All religion is fraud as it attempts to answer questions that have no answer nor require an answer. You are life. What else is needed?

Answer 10

I consider myself to be a spiritual person and I have no use for organized religion...

I have attended many different faiths and find them all to be lacking and materialistic..