Religion, a matter of sacred beliefs?

[Kalki Saga]

First of all lets define the word "religion", there's really no globally accepted definition of religion but the most common charecteristics involves the belief of a higher truth, deity or force that either created and/or drives the world forth. Religion usually includes some form of praying, rites or similar as a mean of showing ones devotion to whatever god or truth you believe in, it also tend to include a varying mass of regulations and such openly saying or simply giving you a hint of how to live a right and proper life etc more than once it's claimed that this also can lead you to some sort of paradise in the afterlife... or hell if you do not follow these teachings.
Religion always seems to orbit around something sacred or something that cannot be totally explained without certain tools gained through worship or thoughtful consideration around these "sacred truths" or gods.
Personally I think that religion simply is a way for people to explain their existence or the forces of nature around them as we humans have always feared what we cannot understand. Seeking to explain it in some way would mean that it's no longer totally unknown to us and thus giving us less reason to fear it unless it's explained to be the work of some hideous demon or that the big "truth" is that we're all living inside the stomach of a giant fish or something...

You're more than welcome to post replies and enlighten me with your opinions about how to define the word "religion"

 

[kai]

ritualistic magick, results dependent on the performance of ritual

 

[wednesday]

Without religion leaves too many questions unexplained. With religion leaves too many questions with too many answers.

 

[Francine]

Without religion leaves too many questions unexplained. With religion leaves too many questions with too many answers.

Sometimes, seeking answers is more satisfying that having those answers provided to you.

 

[rsdx]

You're more than welcome to post replies and enlighten me with your opinions about how to define the word "religion"

Interesting question, define "religion." I'm at a loss for words, being as I'm a Unitarian Universalist, but also a "spiritual atheist" (for lack of better words...LOL) Most folks accept that being religious means believing in a god (or gods).... I'm "religious," but my religion doesn't require that - UU's are encouraged to seek out the truth on their terms, and not accept dogma or creed at face value. Although I may sometimes consider the use of the "god" word, in my case it references the spark of life in all living things, and the spirit of love.... nothing larger than that. I was actually pleasantly surprised to find "liberal religion" when we moved down here to what has been referred to as the "buckle of the Bible Belt" I was afraid I'd left it behind in MI when we headed south to Tennessee.
Religion, to me, is folks congregaing together to improve themselves and improve this world(locally and globally), not hand-wringing about whether we'll get to Heaven or not.

Sometimes, seeking answers is more satisfying that having those answers provided to you.

Indeed !!!!! And very much along the lines of my religion

 

[zenzero]

Friend Kalki Saga,
Firstly am sure you know who is Kalki?
Anyway since you brought about the same topic had taken up sometime back as majority people are not clear about what is religion.
Religion is simply a WAY or a PATH by following which one attains enlightenment.
Picture this. Humans evolved and then slowly became enlightened and then left the method of how they achieved enlightenment which became religion.
It makes no difference which path one follows or the various paths / ways /religions he follows as finally they all reach the same place.
Love & rgds

 

[crystalonyx]

The premise that religion "only" is needed to "get anwsers" is false.

 

[Somkid]

In Buddhism that is to say in the way the Buddha intended the practice to be not necessarily what it has become there is no dogma no rites nothing mystical and most of all nothing sacred. We hold that the teachings, the teacher and the community (The Buddha, The Dharma and The Sangha) are worthy of homage because they are virtues. Buddhism doesn't explain our existence 100% but the percentage it does explain is logical, rational and scientific in nature. We don't worry what happens after death because that would prevent us from living nor do we worry about living after death because well, that wouldn't be logical. Living in this moment is the best we can do because this is all we have the past is finished and the future hasn't happened now is all we have.