What is religion?

[followalong]

By what I can gather on my very limited time here, It seems to me that the majority here are athiest or agnostic or whatever.
Pretty much that "religion" is a nasty word and puffed at.
So my question(s) to you is: (whoever wants to respond?)
What is religion?
When you say religion are you basically meaning christanity? Or all world religions? If your meaning christianty, are you aware of what Jesus stated about religion?
If all beliefs are a religion, then isn't athiesm?
Im honestly just curious as to what people believe, or think, when they say "religion".

[g0disd34d]

Religion is simply your spiritual beliefs. Atheism should be more considered a Not-religion. For there are no spiritual beliefs involved. (But then you could always turn to nihilism for the fun of it.)

[followalong]

I agree, but at the same time I don't. Im trying to over complicate it really. I would say its more your beliefs. Not always your spritual beliefs. In the sense that our "beliefs" shape our life. Evolution is a belief (based on science) that we came from evolving rather than creation, it takes the place of a spiritual belief, in my mind anyway. (just using that as an example, not starting a debate.) The same as athiesm is a belief of a non-spiritual world, no God. Like you said though, a non-religion. But yet that in the same can become a religion. Again, over complicating it. Religion is a double edged word. Christ taught against what some had turned religion into, an outward act with no inward change.

[louix858]

Hi I am 16; atheists and I can’t see why everyone gets in a big flap about what everyone else believes in.

I consider religion a way of life rather than a belief, believing in a particular thing might be part of that way of life. For example if I was to believe in god but I was just to conduct my life without praying or reading the bible or other such related activities, would you call me religious? I say no. Just because you believe in god dose not mean you are religious, it means you believe it is “true”. I do not know my origins, while I am curious as to what they are I do not think it is worth arguing over, creation, intelligent, designs, evolution, ect… in the end we will find out wont we? Who is right and who is wrong, but why waste are lives arguing over it? I respect that everyone has a view and that it is not always going to be the same as mine. I think some of there believes are quite ludicrous but then it’s there life and they can do what ever they want with it as long as they don’t bother me or anyone else. What really gets me annoyed is when certain religious people try and force you into believing what they believe or do what they do. What right do they have to dictate to anyone what that person should do with there life?

[sorom]

Religion is simply a defense/coping mechanism that happens to come in many flavors. I'm not saying that's a bad thing though. Faith is belief without evidence; illogical in itself but its use may be logical because we do/believe whatever we have to to get by, if only a means to progress. Most people need religion to explain unfortunate events, give them meaning, so that they don't feel hopeless and ultimately kill themselves. If you could prove a zealot wrong, they would have a ***tdown, because all the world's negativity would no longer be rationalized to them.

Our choice of religion is drawn from our personal needs, what we need to trust in to maintain a sense of order; it's not really a choice, but a matching. For the most part the organized ones are the same, so to stand with one and reject all others is really nonsensical. "Be good to/respectful of others and yourself" pretty much sums them up, so if you intentionally follow that you're probably religious is some aspect.

Regarding "Atheism should be more considered a Not-religion"...

Atheism is as much a religion as others, because it too holds faith; faith that there is/are no god(s). Just as no one can prove god exists, none can prove otherwise. The closest perspective to a lack of religion (although it still may be) is agnosticism, because it accepts nothing as absolute truth.

Topics such as nihilism, futilism, etc, can be considered properties, or subsets of the religion categories (mono/polytheism, atheism, agnosticism, etc.)

Personally, I don't need faith. I accept that life and all within it may be completely meaningless. I accept my misery; it too is a part of life as we think we know it. I am agnostic and generally act with good will towards others, but not mindfully, it's really just impulsive, probably embedded into personality from conditioning, so I maintain that I am hardly if at all religious. The closest I am to an organized religion is LaVeyan Satanism, which has nothing to do with being evil, btw.

Religious zealots/extremists are as such because they are of generally weak mind and therefore need to be so to survive at all.

Hmm...did I forget anything? Ah, well the Christians are usually the ones to try to convert you, I believe because they are the proudest, much like US Americans. Fuck if I know what there's to be proud of; we've tortured, killed many innocents, our economy is shit, our society retarded and often intolerant, the list goes on. If I could afford it, I'd get the fuck out.

[louix858]

^ agreed,

i think u may have just killed this thread with such a good response, bravo

[Wolkkkk]

Religion is something people sell to you. Religion is widely accepted insanity/madness.

[louix858]

wokk religion is not madness, it is a coping mechanism. there are some religions i have a grate deal of respect for, i would not and do not beleaave in any of them however. religion is a way of life that serports cirtain beleaves, for example beleaving in god dose not make you a cristain, going to a christain church, reading the bible and othere such christain activitys make you christain, not the beleave its self. it is not madness merly a way of life,

wokk if you state your opinion in this site you must be prepaired to back it up,

[Wolkkkk]

wokk religion is not madness, it is a coping mechanism. there are some religions i have a grate deal of respect for, i would not and do not beleaave in any of them however. religion is a way of life that serports cirtain beleaves, for example beleaving in god dose not make you a cristain, going to a christain church, reading the bible and othere such christain activitys make you christain, not the beleave its self. it is not madness merly a way of life,

wokk if you state your opinion in this site you must be prepaired to back it up,

Well what if i say that i have no respect whatsover for religions. Exept maybe the way that people pulled those religions off for hundreds of years. I give them that. Of course the major religions have some good trades and also they keep unmoral folk at bay. But i don`t think they are necessary. You see a lot of bull comes with the religions. Like hundred/thousand year old morals and teachings. An all knowing god which seems to be like a tumor to some people - making them more insane than they are. God to me is a neutral character. I don`t care if he is real or not. I just don`t believe in him. I find going to churches not necessary. There`s things to be done. Praying is not necessary - it doesn`t really do anything. Maybe in your head you get a warm fuzzy feeling that something right could happen tommorrow and bla bla. But mostly it`s talking to your wall with your crossed arms. I think children get an unrealistic image of the world when they are told that there is a guy watching them from the sky.

So i guess my main point is that religion is unnecessary

[TotalAnarchyUK]

^ agreed, religion is unnecessary.

[louix858]

incorrect, religion is completely necessary to those who have come to depend on it, with out it they would be at a loss, i am atheist don’t get me wrong i also do not believe in any particular religious believes (unless you count atheism as a religion)

BUT you should not dismiss something that you simple do not agree with as "madness" or "unnecessary" some religions I have alot of respect for Buddhism for example, "madness" no "necessary" no, but that depends on the context of the word "unnecessary", there are many religious people I know who I have a grate deal of respect for not for there religion but what they stand for and why they stick to it as well as quality of there character, tell me why it is you have no respect for them? do you comprehend what religion is?

anarchuk? i did not expect someone of your inteligence and understading to agree with such a daft statment, which you must surly aprecate can be so esaly argued agenst with very basic logic.

[TotalAnarchyUK]

Religion gets people to believe something untrue.

Religion makes people base the way they run their lives on a falsehood.

Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.

Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.

Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.

Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.

The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.

Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.

Religion obstructs scientific research.

Religion wastes time and money.

[Palmer]

Very nice. I especially support the notion that people aren't self-reliance enough. Gold star for you.

Self reliance?
I think someone should rely on their basic grammar book... *hint*
I rely on myself for most everything and by you saying that you are saying that all religions focus 'reliance' on something else which is highly untrue. i could think of many religions that aren't like that.
Maybe you should rely on a factual source instead of thinking you know everything?

@ OP:
What is religion?
A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices...
Question answered.

EDIT*
BTW totalAnarchyUK. Religion is not the only thing that causes war.
not to start another theism-based argument, but you are acting like that is the only thing causing all of those problems when I could easily say race, culture, beliefs (not just religion), location, etc. causes many of that. People will fight over anything to preserve their way over others'.

[TotalAnarchyUK]

Self reliance?
I think someone should rely on their basic grammar book... *hint*
I rely on myself for most everything and by you saying that you are saying that all religions focus 'reliance' on something else which is highly untrue. i could think of many religions that aren't like that.
Maybe you should rely on a factual source instead of thinking you know everything?

Oh the irony, a person who belives in god telling me to rely on factual source. FAIL.

Once again you are twisting what I say, thats a bad habit palmer.

you are saying that all religions

Show me where I said all religions.

BTW totalAnarchyUK. Religion is not the only thing that causes war.
not to start another theism-based argument, but you are acting like that is the only thing causing all of those problems when I could easily say race, culture, beliefs (not just religion), location, etc. causes many of that. People will fight over anything to preserve their way over others'.

Once again, I never said religion was the only thing that causes war, just that some wars are fought over religion.

Next time you want to reply to me, actually read what I say and dont just assume things.

[Palmer]

Oh the irony, a person who belives in god telling me to rely on factual source. FAIL.

Once again you are twisting what I say, thats a bad habit palmer.



Show me where I said all religions.



Once again, I never said religion was the only thing that causes war, just that some wars are fought over religion.

Next time you want to reply to me, actually read what I say and dont just assume things.

I'm going to lay down one single line that will destroy everything you've just said there.
Are you ready?
... I wasn't talking about you.

haha! I quoted that other dude.
The moron is saying that all religion relies on a single God. Ironic because he isn't using a very reliable source- because he is too self reliant on himself.
another ironic point, he also misused 'self-reliance.'


but about what you said. I've said this many times already. There is no proof of the origin of everything.
And I don't recall any war that has been about just religion itself.
There might have been, but who knows how long that could have been.

[Akhyll]

Religion is just another way to dominate people.

[Palmer]

What is religion?
A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices...
Question answered.


Religion is just another way to dominate people.

How does it "dominate" people?
Please, explain... I'm willing to hear this one...

[Buddha]

Very nice. I especially support the notion that people aren't self-reliance enough. Gold star for you.


Can I have a gold star?

[Palmer]

PALMER

I'm so sorry that I have an occasional typo because I have multiple thoughts at once.

I made no ties between religion and reliance. I was supporting the idea that people aren't self reliant enough in general. I never said nor implied that anything relied on any number of gods. You have thoroughly misread and twisted the things I have said, and being so hypercritical of everyone, if anything here is ironic (by your false definition, Wikipedia the term "dramatic irony"), it is that you have mistaken others, furthermore, as being ironic.

I do not assume I know everything, I assume that I, as well as everyone else, know nothing.

This discussion was mildly friendly till you showed up and made personal attacks, "Mr. Perfect".

And like TA said,

uhm... Like HE said?? I actually read through it. It was almost an entirety of a sentence... I don't know if you realize this, but some comebacks just don't go with certain situations.

No one said anything about a 'number of Gods' I don't know where the fuck you are seeing that.
It's Ironic because you are saying that religious people need to be more self reliant, but you are talking about all religion in general, you rely too much on yourself and your own beliefs because you're an arrogant cunt.

If you think personal attacks are friendly, you must have extre***y fucked social skills and find yourself alone a lot...

and you say: "Very nice. I especially support the notion that people aren't self-reliance enough. Gold star for you."

So I read this WHOOOLE sentence (which seems to be a fucking essay to you or something). Moron, you are saying that people aren't self reliant and put too much on religion- and not all religions involve people praying and putting their belief in a God (or multiple Gods) and now you are trying to evaluate it even there is no way to argue it.
Don't fucking try that "Mr. Perfect" sarcastic tone bullshit on me, you are the one analyzing everything, idiot. You have no idea what you're talking about, You don't understand anything about religion, so don't even try to fucking argue it.

[TotalAnarchyUK]

and you say: "Very nice. I especially support the notion that people aren't self-reliance enough. Gold star for you."

So I read this WHOOOLE sentence (which seems to be a fucking essay to you or something). Moron, you are saying that people aren't self reliant and put too much on religion- and not all religions involve people praying and putting their belief in a God (or multiple Gods) and now you are trying to evaluate it even there is no way to argue it.

No he didnt. All he said was that he supported the notion that people arent self reliant enough. Once again palmer, your just assuming things.

[Wolkkkk]

Religion gets people to believe something untrue.

Religion makes people base the way they run their lives on a falsehood.

Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.

Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.

Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.

Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.

The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.

Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.

Religion obstructs scientific research.

Religion wastes time and money.

Agreed.

Faith: not wanting to know what is true.

God is a thought who makes crooked all that is straight.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

[Akhyll]

How does it "dominate" people?
Please, explain... I'm willing to hear this one...
I mean some men create and use it to dominate people.

[Wolkkkk]

Whenever someone chooses to follow someone or take orders from someone - It`s a great beginning of the world of control and domination.

[sorom]

You're now on my ignore list now Palmer, so cry to someone else. And I deleted the posts you had trouble comprehending; they can't hurt you anymore. I don't understand how one could possibly misunderstand a few words so thoroughly, consistently, and continuously though. I feel the urge to pity you, but I am not capable of pity.

You got one, and one thing only, correct; my social skills are fucked, because the human race is a plague, and you're a shining example.

No offense the the other, more civil folks here.

[Palmer]

You're now on my ignore list now Palmer, so cry to someone else. And I deleted the posts you had trouble comprehending; they can't hurt you anymore. I don't understand how one could possibly misunderstand a few words so thoroughly, consistently, and continuously though. I feel the urge to pity you, but I am not capable of pity.

You got one, and one thing only, correct; my social skills are fucked, because the human race is a plague, and you're a shining example.

No offense the the other, more civil folks here.

OMG you blocked me and rated me negatively! Ohhh no!!!

I am not even arguing it any more.

And you can't even say the 'human race is a plague' because for one- cheap line rips don't work here.
You are the kind that make everything worse. "oh no, my life is spiraling downward into the black abyss *slash* *slash*"

Don't even say you are being "civil" because you started off by talking about something you don't understand...
If anything, YOU are the plague...

[Palmer]

I like to blog about how my life is spiraling downward into the black abyss. *sniffle*
my social skills are fucked because no one will ever sit by me. I am such a freak and everyone refuses to sit by me at the lunch table at my middle school, even if I bribe them with my lunch money.

If someone isn't exactly like me, then they are a "plague." I'm so different and unique in my own little way but if people aren't like me then they are just bad. I can't accept that other people are different then me and the fact that I am not the 'center of the universe' so everyone is just a plague except me.


This was made for morons like you-
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0182769/

[Wolkkkk]

A lot of internet badmouthing going on here..
Can`t we just get along =)

[sorom]

A lot of internet badmouthing going on here..
Can`t we just get along =)

Yeah sorry guys, I hate talking shit. I don't care what peoples' views are, but when someone starts calling me moron, idiot, et cetera, I bust a fuse pretty easily. But I'm done since I can't see his posts anymore. I'm guessing the last two were nasty though :D

[sorom]

O_o and noticing the Nietzsche quotes up there, here's a couple from my neglected facebook page.

After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

The earth has a skin and that skin has diseases; one of its diseases is called man.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Can I have a gold star?

Why not.

[Palmer]

Oh, haha... He's a Wisconsinite.. that explains it.
hahahaha...
What a retard... he doesn't understand that it wasn't 'MY' beliefs... he just doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. lol.
Oh well, he can't see it so it will just build on to his massive ego thinking he was right. that's why he blocked me. XD

[Wolkkkk]

Oh, haha... He's a Wisconsinite.. that explains it.
hahahaha...
What a retard... he doesn't understand that it wasn't 'MY' beliefs... he just doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. lol.
Oh well, he can't see it so it will just build on to his massive ego thinking he was right. that's why he blocked me. XD

Relax palmer. gee. its only internez

[sorom]

Lol, Wisconsin does suck balls, but I'm a poor example of the residents seeing as they're well-weathered drinkers for the most part. My **massive** ego lies with not drinking myself stupid.

Keeping it to religion though, my pride comes from not being a zealot, clinging to threads of a fairytale to rationalize a shitty existence. Misery is just as important as the rest.

[Palmer]

Relax palmer. gee. its only internez

I run the internetz...
(lol)