What thinking tools does Religion have?

Question

Science and math have equations
Philosophy asks questions
Psychology has tests

Whats the thinking tool behind the logic of Religion?

Does it even have a thinking tool, or is it just listen and believe?

Answer 1

You gave examples for Science, Philosophy and Psychology but when you asked for thinking tool of Religion, I have to think for a while. I think it is;

Religion has interpretation.

Interpretations only, I believe, as when it comes to really difficult questions, they default to another tool which is faith - and faith is far from being a thinking tool. Proof doesn't seem to be much of a concern as it's hard enough to come into agreement of which interpretation is correct.

Answer 2

I can only speak for Christianity.

The basics are so simple, and elegant in it's simplicity, that a child can easily understand it, yet there are ample material that challenges the mind, and stretches the capacity of very learned people, and occupy them a lifetime of study and discovery.

The New Testament letters have tests in the same way that Psychology has. Readers are presented with tests to determine the authenticity of the meaning of intentions of others, tests to determine true prophecy, tests to determine true love.

It also has questions, like philosophy. In the Old Testament, the second half of the book Job asks several questions about the intricacies of creation. Ecclesiastics (itself nothing but Philosophy) questions the meaning of life. The books of James and Hebrew in the New Testament, while not asking questions, give detailed explainations of the meaning of Christ, and explains much of the meaning of Hebrew symbolism that preceded Christ.

The Bible is worth a read, if just to appreciate the build up of the rich symbolism, from the creation narrative, the exodus of the Isrealites, the Davidic Kingdom, the excile, all pointing to the need and the circumstances of the Messiah. Isiah 53 and the Gospels are extremely intelectually stimulating, to read together. Some of the analogies are mentioned in the Bible, such as the meaning of the lamb, it's blood, and the meaning of the sacrifice, the 3 days of Jonah in the fish, all with reference to the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet others are left for the reader to delight in discovering them, such as the star from afar predicted in Numbers 13. There is also much to delight in, in comparing Daniel with Revelations, and to see how open symbolism in the Old Testament are given their meaning in the New.

Speaking of Daniel, some interesting maths, predicting an event 577 years in advance, can be found here:

http://www.gotpetsonline.com/greatest-time-prophecy-in-the-bible.shtml

In my opinion there are thinking tools galore..

Answer 3

Thinking? Tool? Religion? I don't see the association between the three.

Answer 4

I can't think of tools; maybe teaching and learning...There's no logic though. It works in a way that you learn it, believe in it, then think it. Also, not religion: religion is not the same than belief: belief is acceptance of a teaching, while a god is different for everybody, there are so many gods, choose yours!

Answer 5

The most sincere religious people would probably say 'meditation' - but actually it is suppose to be Eastern meditation aligned with the original Buddhist (and not later derivatives such as Tibetan..etc) Indian source - that is actually the method that produces significant results...

Being cynical - I would say, that the creators (and maintainers) of religion(s) have donned their thinking caps so as to produce a self substaining religious organisation (that refuse to die) that prevents their followers thinking for themselves - otherwise they (the followers) would realise their religion is false, and it is only because of the insiduous nature of rituals, etc that the illusion of their religion is maintained.
Common sense will tell you most religions are false (especially those which "preach" to you continuous - as in their so-called Holy Text - and daily thought processes.)

Answer 6

Its thinking tools include

Setting up bogus science firms to try to rationalize creationism
Using violence
Bribing politicians with money and soul-saving
Repeating oneself
Changing the subject to salvation and damnation


If all else fails: Make a comment about Satan and how they're going to hell to burn while they'll have ice cream in heaven

Answer 7

Religion's thinking tool is Ignorance.

Answer 8

Religion is a philosophical endeavor -- it seeks to understand the world. Thus, it also has questions as its tool. But unlike modern philosophy, it also has answers.

Answer 9

enthusiasts are purely kit for their very own reasons and justifications. normally, they do no longer care what their scriptural texts might desire to declare with many matters, all they care approximately is furthering their very own agendas that are in many circumstances opposite to usual ideals. like the Taliban mandating that ladies won't be in a position to show any area of her physique-- the place is that interior the Koran? all the Koran says is that a women might desire to keep hijab, or modesty, and canopy their hair. yet even that decision is between a female and her God. enthusiasts are nevertheless human beings regardless and in basic terms care approximately their very own agendas.

Answer 10

It depends on the tradition. There is a thing called theology that involves looking at and understanding the meaning of spiritual ideas.

Some traditions practice it... some don't.