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Can Religion Exist Without God?

Can Religion Exist Without God?


  • Total voters
    27

Kharisym

Member
i recently discovered a little bit more about @Kharisym 's faith and it appeared to me to be almost identical to a religion that existed briefly in the 19th century. The Religion of Humanity. Auguste Comte invented that religion, established a few temples in France and Brazil, but never really did much with it and now it doesn't really exist anymore. Comte's ideas carried on as general Humanism, but Humanism by itself seems to lack of religious structure or organization towards it.

It seems to me that @Kharisym 's highest ideal is altruism, and Comte literally invented that word, altruisme, in French. And Comte's religion was literally described as, "Catholicism minus the Christianity." If you were in this organization, it was apparent that you were also atheist too - but not secular, or without religion. And there are other religious organizations, both past and present, that claim no God. Such as Confucianism and certain types of Satanism would fall into that category. Some Hindus are also atheist and Buddhism is a religion typically viewed without God.

However, while I do not speak for all Baha'is by a longshot, I think they would tend to think that religion and particularly, monotheism, are synonymous or nearly identical. And it appears apparent to most people that most people who believe in God also have a religion, and that most people who have a religion also believe in God. And it seems now more than ever with various restorationist movements in Christianity that God and religion are the same. Although, there are the "non-theist Quakers", which never made any sense to me given how spiritual Quakers tend to be.

I am creating a poll on this and intend on having three options. Religion can exist without God, Religion cannot exist without God, or somehow a combination of the two. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about this topic. Many people assume if you are atheist you are also not religious or spiritual in anyway, but there seems to be glaring evidence of faiths that had no God and are still considered religions to most people. So I would argue on the side that religion can exist without God. Someone can be important enough to follow with conviction without calling that person divinely-inspired, although placing divinity towards them might help place a certain degree of importance to them.

What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!

I would say yes. For me, I define a religion as not just a philosophy of life, but also a worldview or belief system that has at its core some tenet of faith. Its very easy to get to that tenet of faith with most formalized ethical systems because I suspect no ethical system can be completely self consistent--they will always reduce to a question of 'what is it that should be valued?' Beyond that, a veneration of some central aspect to the religion's philosophy.

In terms of my beliefs, I think Religion of Humanity is not really an effective comparison. The basic ethics are similar, but it would be closer to say my belief is... perhaps a transhumanist variant? Religion of Humanity does not establish a basis for an afterlife, and Altruanism does. Altruanism also ties the very existence of that afterlife to there being an altruistic society in the distant future, and hence towards its adherents working to make the world a better and kinder place.
 

Viker

Your beloved eccentric Auntie Cristal
i recently discovered a little bit more about @Kharisym 's faith and it appeared to me to be almost identical to a religion that existed briefly in the 19th century. The Religion of Humanity. Auguste Comte invented that religion, established a few temples in France and Brazil, but never really did much with it and now it doesn't really exist anymore. Comte's ideas carried on as general Humanism, but Humanism by itself seems to lack of religious structure or organization towards it.

It seems to me that @Kharisym 's highest ideal is altruism, and Comte literally invented that word, altruisme, in French. And Comte's religion was literally described as, "Catholicism minus the Christianity." If you were in this organization, it was apparent that you were also atheist too - but not secular, or without religion. And there are other religious organizations, both past and present, that claim no God. Such as Confucianism and certain types of Satanism would fall into that category. Some Hindus are also atheist and Buddhism is a religion typically viewed without God.

However, while I do not speak for all Baha'is by a longshot, I think they would tend to think that religion and particularly, monotheism, are synonymous or nearly identical. And it appears apparent to most people that most people who believe in God also have a religion, and that most people who have a religion also believe in God. And it seems now more than ever with various restorationist movements in Christianity that God and religion are the same. Although, there are the "non-theist Quakers", which never made any sense to me given how spiritual Quakers tend to be.

I am creating a poll on this and intend on having three options. Religion can exist without God, Religion cannot exist without God, or somehow a combination of the two. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about this topic. Many people assume if you are atheist you are also not religious or spiritual in anyway, but there seems to be glaring evidence of faiths that had no God and are still considered religions to most people. So I would argue on the side that religion can exist without God. Someone can be important enough to follow with conviction without calling that person divinely-inspired, although placing divinity towards them might help place a certain degree of importance to them.

What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!
Modern Satanism. The Church of Satan was established April 29, 1966 and isn't going anywhere any time soon. Then there's the Temple of Satan, they've been around for around ten years. Both comprise have established and have codified their perspective camps. Modern Satanism is atheistic, godless, etc.

There are atheistic Hindus, Buddhists and so on. Religion doesn't need a God or gods.

End of debate.
 

The Hammer

Skald
Premium Member
The religious practice of yoga is significantly different than the exercise. So much so that the former often resents the latter being called yoga at all.

Yup. Yoga actually means "Philosophy". It has nothing to do with exercise, such as Hindu Yoga Sutras.
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
i recently discovered a little bit more about @Kharisym 's faith and it appeared to me to be almost identical to a religion that existed briefly in the 19th century. The Religion of Humanity. Auguste Comte invented that religion, established a few temples in France and Brazil, but never really did much with it and now it doesn't really exist anymore. Comte's ideas carried on as general Humanism, but Humanism by itself seems to lack of religious structure or organization towards it.

It seems to me that @Kharisym 's highest ideal is altruism, and Comte literally invented that word, altruisme, in French. And Comte's religion was literally described as, "Catholicism minus the Christianity." If you were in this organization, it was apparent that you were also atheist too - but not secular, or without religion. And there are other religious organizations, both past and present, that claim no God. Such as Confucianism and certain types of Satanism would fall into that category. Some Hindus are also atheist and Buddhism is a religion typically viewed without God.

However, while I do not speak for all Baha'is by a longshot, I think they would tend to think that religion and particularly, monotheism, are synonymous or nearly identical. And it appears apparent to most people that most people who believe in God also have a religion, and that most people who have a religion also believe in God. And it seems now more than ever with various restorationist movements in Christianity that God and religion are the same. Although, there are the "non-theist Quakers", which never made any sense to me given how spiritual Quakers tend to be.

I am creating a poll on this and intend on having three options. Religion can exist without God, Religion cannot exist without God, or somehow a combination of the two. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about this topic. Many people assume if you are atheist you are also not religious or spiritual in anyway, but there seems to be glaring evidence of faiths that had no God and are still considered religions to most people. So I would argue on the side that religion can exist without God. Someone can be important enough to follow with conviction without calling that person divinely-inspired, although placing divinity towards them might help place a certain degree of importance to them.

What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!

Your understanding of the word religion is similar to the actual old meaning of the etymons. But now it's no more meaning that way. Yet, you have good points imo.
 

Exaltist Ethan

Bridging the Gap Between Believers and Skeptics
In terms of my beliefs, I think Religion of Humanity is not really an effective comparison. The basic ethics are similar, but it would be closer to say my belief is... perhaps a transhumanist variant? Religion of Humanity does not establish a basis for an afterlife, and Altruanism does. Altruanism also ties the very existence of that afterlife to there being an altruistic society in the distant future, and hence towards its adherents working to make the world a better and kinder place.

Ah, but if the Religion of Humanity was active today, do you not think they would espouse some sort of "choose your destiny" afterlife like you, I or other transhumanists do? All I was really trying to get across between us, Kharisym, is that we are very similar. In fact, the only major difference I see between us is I base my beliefs in pantheism and you base them in atheism. We both believe in altruism and transhumanism. I thought the bridge between us would be Religion of Humanity. Or maybe I am mistaken...

darth-vader-star-wars.gif
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
i recently discovered a little bit more about @Kharisym 's faith and it appeared to me to be almost identical to a religion that existed briefly in the 19th century. The Religion of Humanity. Auguste Comte invented that religion, established a few temples in France and Brazil, but never really did much with it and now it doesn't really exist anymore. Comte's ideas carried on as general Humanism, but Humanism by itself seems to lack of religious structure or organization towards it.

It seems to me that @Kharisym 's highest ideal is altruism, and Comte literally invented that word, altruisme, in French. And Comte's religion was literally described as, "Catholicism minus the Christianity." If you were in this organization, it was apparent that you were also atheist too - but not secular, or without religion. And there are other religious organizations, both past and present, that claim no God. Such as Confucianism and certain types of Satanism would fall into that category. Some Hindus are also atheist and Buddhism is a religion typically viewed without God.

However, while I do not speak for all Baha'is by a longshot, I think they would tend to think that religion and particularly, monotheism, are synonymous or nearly identical. And it appears apparent to most people that most people who believe in God also have a religion, and that most people who have a religion also believe in God. And it seems now more than ever with various restorationist movements in Christianity that God and religion are the same. Although, there are the "non-theist Quakers", which never made any sense to me given how spiritual Quakers tend to be.

I am creating a poll on this and intend on having three options. Religion can exist without God, Religion cannot exist without God, or somehow a combination of the two. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about this topic. Many people assume if you are atheist you are also not religious or spiritual in anyway, but there seems to be glaring evidence of faiths that had no God and are still considered religions to most people. So I would argue on the side that religion can exist without God. Someone can be important enough to follow with conviction without calling that person divinely-inspired, although placing divinity towards them might help place a certain degree of importance to them.

What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!
Love exists without rhyme or reason. Without a form.
 

rational experiences

Veteran Member
Does a planet and a heavens exist without a human. Is our truth. Yes it had does and did.

Therefore a human has to apply a teaching means of self reverence purpose to survive exist.

Basic family United natural order hierarchy schematics....human chosen behaviour in natural orders.

With the reverence of how a heavens remains holy and a planets mass support of life holy.

Knowing by natural law either is reactive and can cause life's death. As awareness where and how we live

Is a determined related term...other advices are involved in human life asides from basic knowledge to survive life.

As at my side terminology...asides.
 

RestlessSoul

Well-Known Member
I had some vegan cake the other day; no dairy. Cake without butter or eggs was recognisably cake, just about, and it served a purpose - it was a vegan’s birthday. Something was definitely missing though, there’s no denying that.
 

rational experiences

Veteran Member
When science is a religion owning it's science God earth mass. It isn't science without their god.

O planet as not a machine is the base support of families human mutuality. Life as a natural spiritual experience.

Humans built use machines by theme a powerful human self extension. To hurt us. By laws ours is natural says abuse of human rights legal family law life religion.

Known by all humans first. Sciences god is not spiritual religion.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
...
What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!

I think people have always something as their god and therefore god and people are inseparable. If it is not the Bible God, it is something else. Bible tells that God is love. But for many, their god seems to be fear, it rules them and it is what they serve.

We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
1 John 4:16
 

Secret Chief

Very strong language
I had some vegan cake the other day; no dairy. Cake without butter or eggs was recognisably cake, just about, and it served a purpose - it was a vegan’s birthday. Something was definitely missing though, there’s no denying that.
Are we in the right thread here? :D
Anyhoo, good vegan cake is indistinguishable from dairy/egg imo. People have been known to crawl over broken glass to get to my chocolate and cherry tray bake. :D
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
Modern Satanism. The Church of Satan was established April 29, 1966 and isn't going anywhere any time soon. Then there's the Temple of Satan, they've been around for around ten years. Both comprise have established and have codified their perspective camps. Modern Satanism is atheistic, godless, etc.

There are atheistic Hindus, Buddhists and so on. Religion doesn't need a God or gods.

End of debate.

I didn't know satanism is atheistic. In fact, I doubt it.

But you could have some truth in it that I don't know of. Is there any text that claims ontologically that Satanism is atheistic or godless? Or are you speaking of a fringe group?
 

Wildswanderer

Veteran Member
i recently discovered a little bit more about @Kharisym 's faith and it appeared to me to be almost identical to a religion that existed briefly in the 19th century. The Religion of Humanity. Auguste Comte invented that religion, established a few temples in France and Brazil, but never really did much with it and now it doesn't really exist anymore. Comte's ideas carried on as general Humanism, but Humanism by itself seems to lack of religious structure or organization towards it.

It seems to me that @Kharisym 's highest ideal is altruism, and Comte literally invented that word, altruisme, in French. And Comte's religion was literally described as, "Catholicism minus the Christianity." If you were in this organization, it was apparent that you were also atheist too - but not secular, or without religion. And there are other religious organizations, both past and present, that claim no God. Such as Confucianism and certain types of Satanism would fall into that category. Some Hindus are also atheist and Buddhism is a religion typically viewed without God.

However, while I do not speak for all Baha'is by a longshot, I think they would tend to think that religion and particularly, monotheism, are synonymous or nearly identical. And it appears apparent to most people that most people who believe in God also have a religion, and that most people who have a religion also believe in God. And it seems now more than ever with various restorationist movements in Christianity that God and religion are the same. Although, there are the "non-theist Quakers", which never made any sense to me given how spiritual Quakers tend to be.

I am creating a poll on this and intend on having three options. Religion can exist without God, Religion cannot exist without God, or somehow a combination of the two. I am interested in hearing what people have to say about this topic. Many people assume if you are atheist you are also not religious or spiritual in anyway, but there seems to be glaring evidence of faiths that had no God and are still considered religions to most people. So I would argue on the side that religion can exist without God. Someone can be important enough to follow with conviction without calling that person divinely-inspired, although placing divinity towards them might help place a certain degree of importance to them.

What do you think about this topic? Can you belong to a religion without the need for God? Or is God and religion inseparable? I am purposely putting this in RELIGIOUS DEBATES so you guys can debate amongst yourselves about this. Let us know what you think below!
No, religion doesn't exist without a deity, at least not what we usually mean by religion
If you just meant worship, people worship all kinds of things. But IMO any religion without a deity or a figure to revere is going to be short lived.
 
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