What is the purpose of religion/spirituality (for you)?

[mangalavara]

Why are you religious or spiritual?

I like the responses by @JustGeorge, @SalixIncendium, @Quintessence, and @beenherebeforeagain in this thread. I’m religious and spiritual because it is just the way that I am and how I experience things.

 

[osgart]

Spirituality is just recognition of realities that defy physical description.

Religion can be, and often is poison, such as the BS about God and the devil, but it doesn't have to be.

Good religion guides people toward treating others with care, and is a road to enlightenment, and fulfillment. For me I see and understand that enlightenment exists, but I just don't ever experience it's effect.

If there is no desire or need for religion it's best left alone.

The purpose of religion is to spread good will, and make it possible for life to flourish.

 

[The Hammer]

I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam.

 

[Nakosis]

Why are you religious or spiritual?

Are you religious because your religion is factual? Are you spiritual because it brings you inner peace? Are you religious because that is the moral choice?

Perhaps you simply cannot escape it, even if you wanted to.

The acquisition of mana for the realizations of my ambitions, as well as self improvement, is my personal reasonings for being religious. Though I try to escape it time to time, I find myself unable to.

Below describes what religion does to me

"Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles...
Other people are contented...
But I alone am drifting not knowing where I am.
Like a new-born babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.

Other have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool. Oh, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea.
Without direction, like the restless wind.

Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother."

Tao Te Ching, verse 20

What religion was for me was a learning about what others saw as the purpose for existence and the way to go about it.

You start out young, not knowing. Assuming someone is wiser, more knowledgeable than you are about these things. So you listen and try to understand so you can know how best to go about life.

Eventually, you figure out they really didn't know. They only assumed they did. That an a little bit of charisma makes them religious leaders. Out there ready to teach the rest of the world how to go about life.

If/when eventually you figure out they don't know what they are talking about, maybe you get angry but eventually you get comfortable not knowing these things since nobody else does either.

So you end up back where you started, ignorant but accepting of it.

 

[Secret Chief]

Why are you religious or spiritual?

Are you religious because your religion is factual? Are you spiritual because it brings you inner peace? Are you religious because that is the moral choice?

Perhaps you simply cannot escape it, even if you wanted to.

The acquisition of mana for the realizations of my ambitions, as well as self improvement, is my personal reasonings for being religious. Though I try to escape it time to time, I find myself unable to.

Below describes what religion does to me

"Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles...
Other people are contented...
But I alone am drifting not knowing where I am.
Like a new-born babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.

Other have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool. Oh, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea.
Without direction, like the restless wind.

Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother."

Tao Te Ching, verse 20

I simply discovered Buddhism basically comports with what I perceive to be the real.

 

[Spice]

Growing up in a protestant community I experienced the country-club vibe of religion but was most interested in the "why" there were so many "clubs" in such a small community, so I began comparing. Over time I was drawn to more and more of the theological/philosophical aspects that I ventured far, far out of my community to eventually discover I'm a believer, but not membership material for any established club. So, now I focus on community and dabble in club projects from here, there, and everywhere. I may use the service entrance, but I'm fine with that. It suits me well, and "most" have given up on my buying a membership. As long as I remain neutral.

 

[Kathryn]

I am basically religious/spiritual because it feeds my soul. It gives me something to lean into, to believe in when the going gets tough. And it never lets me down, even through the hardest times.