2007-12-26 10:59:47 · 7 answers · asked by MoPleasure4U 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, religion is human-made. Faith is the way.
2007-12-26 11:03:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anna P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humans have a natural tendency to spirituality. We are "hard wired" to find hidden meanings in things. Most religions seek for their members a measure of spirituality but I don't think spirituality is the main concern of religion. Buddhism and other mystic far eastern religions are certainly very concerned with finding inner peace and spirituality. Western and Middle Eastern religions place their emphasis elsewhere. Judaism is more concerned with guiding people towards leading a life of good deeds (mitzvot) and justice (tzedaka) than with "inner life" . Emphasis is placed in deeds rather than thought. Islam emphasizes a person's role in society and is most concerned with how a persons actions affect the community of Islam than how a person feels. Islam is a practical religion and does not have a positive view of spiritual or intellectual musings. There are many Christian denominations and each has its particularities, but again, I don't think that most denominations consider religious rites to be a system to attain spirituality.
There are within most religions sects (for lack of a better term) of mystics that are specially concerned with spirituality and that do in fact seek to find inner peace through meditation or special techniques (systems) that are specifically aimed at creating a spiritual or transcendent experience. In Judaism, Kabbalists have sought to find inner peace and proximity to the divine through specific intellectual and even physical routines. Some Catholics periodically withdraw from common day activities and "retire" to reflect on life's mysteries and find spiritual solace in the company of priests and other devout Catholics. To some extend these activities may qualify as a "systematic means for attaining spirituality" but evidently these activities do not fall within the mainstream of religious practice.
2007-12-26 20:07:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I consider religion to be a systematic means for beginning to learn about spirituality. My idea is that, after a certain point, when you have learned the basics, the trappings of religion should be abandoned.
2007-12-26 19:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by Chantal G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...What an interesting idea...but sadly all "systems" tend at some time to abuse their methodology.
Spiritual understanding arises through "surrender" to not knowing all or any "answers"...Formalized religions however tends to adopt the position that theirs is the only answer...
Religous narratives perhaps should be viewed similar to metaphysical poetry...as an "invitation" to discover rather that accept what one is told.
2007-12-26 19:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by AS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scripture would be that, religion is a systematic attempt at people control. also known as brainwashing.
2007-12-26 19:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is the practice of spirituality. It is one's own personal preference as to how they practice it.
2007-12-26 19:06:33 · answer #6 · answered by Old Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I consider it complete BS
2007-12-26 19:04:12 · answer #7 · answered by J K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋