Why do you need religion?

[Cordoba]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm sure it has no purpose. But I'm not convinced it has a purpose, and I'm even less convinced that we're sharp enough to discover it if it does.

Hello MB:

We may not be sharp enough to discover it on our own, but if we're searching for an answer we'll find it from The Creator.

There are three main purposes of our life (from a believer's perspective):

1- To get to know our Creator, and to love Him as He loves us

2- To do good on earth during the years we're here, and to make this world a better place

3- To purify our souls and gain virtues which will bring us closer to Him

Life can't be without a purpose, and knowing this purpose is part of the answer to the question why do we need religion !

 

[Katzpur]

did explain what I meant. Religion is a man made construct with man made rules -- Catholicism, LDS, Jehovah's Witness, Muslim, Methodist, Episcopalian, or any of the Christian denominations and on and on. Man made organizations with man made rules based on their interpretation of their holy scripture (or some other agenda).

So how do you know that these are all man-made? Certainly it is possible for there to be a God-made construct with God-made rules? How can you be so sure there isn't one?

I don't concern myself with religion. My relationship with God through prayer and the study of Scripture is all I need. I don't need a priest, pastor, ministor, etc. telling me what God demands of me although I do read written works by such people and other knowledgeable people (on scripture) and incorporate it into my study. Then I pray...and I listen for God's answers.

Why bother with the scriptures then? Why bother with any religious writings if they are simply the words of men?

 

[joeboonda]

Religion to me is man's efforts to earn their way to Heaven by dead works, rituals, ceremonies, sacraments, etc., all things we do to earn our salvation. Christianity, true Christianity is repenting of our dead works and trusting alone in Christ alone to save us, and not Christ plus works, baptism, good works, our 'church', sacraments, covenants, etc. I believe when we do that, we are truly saved, and then can felowship and work with other believers all of whom make up the Church. Not to earn or keep salvation, but because we already have eternal life, we are already passed from death to life and cannot go back under condemnation, being bought and paid for by Christ's blood and having his righteousness imputed onto us in place of ours which is as filthy rags before a holy God.

10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(King James Bible, Romans)

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Please let's remember that this thread is for debating 'why do you need religion' and not for for furthering one's own religion.

 

[Cordoba]

Why does a car, computer or washing machine need a user manual and maintenance guide?

 

[pokmin100]

My complete and honest opinion is, that religion isn't needed, it's wanted, but not by all. some may see it as a way to strengthen themselves through beliefs and morals, others may use it as a scapegoat. it's how you look at it. one does not need to have one, but one may want to belong with others who share the same beliefs.

 

[Sunstone]

My complete and honest opinion is, that religion isn't needed, it's wanted, but not by all. some may see it as a way to strengthen themselves through beliefs and morals, others may use it as a scapegoat. it's how you look at it. one does not need to have one, but one may want to belong with others who share the same beliefs.

Welcome to the Forum, Pokmin!

Religion might be a boon to some, yet a mistake for others to practice, don't you think?

 

[joecrawford815]

Religion is not needed. Relationship is according to my Bible. One needs no religion to recieve everlasting life, John 3:16, John 10:10. This is not to push my relationship, beliefs or anything else, just my opinion regarding the topic. Religion gives people a set of rules, a set of beliefs, true or not, religion gives people a hope, whether that is for everlasting life with God, or a better body n the next life, the point of religion is to hope. But true hope comes from true religion (more correctly relationship with Jesus Christ, but that is for another thread) bottom line, religion is created by man for man and is not necessary for any means of afterlife, or reincarnation.

 

[Cordoba]

Would you then say that, for example, The Ten Commandments are not of relevance?

 

[joecrawford815]

No, I said that relationship, not religion is essential. Religion (according to me) is the organization run by man that follows certain beliefs and practices. The relevance of religion has nothing to do with the Bible or any other holy scripture for that matter. The religion is based on the writings not the reverse. So the established religion's relevance has little to do with the relevance of their scripture. I will use Christianity as an example (as it is the 'religion' known best by myself) there are many Believers who follow the Bible, but do not associate themselves with an organized church, or group, they believe, and follow because of their relationship with Jesus.

 

[Cordoba]

But do you really need to be associated to an "organized Church or group" in order to follow religion?

In Islam this is not the case.

As a personal example, I follow the religion of Islam without being associated to any group, and simply learn from the best Muslim scholars I am able to identify.

Take for example Hamza Yusuf in California, as one of the best American Muslim scholars, or Dr. Jamal Badawi in Canada as another leading scholar on Islam. Listening to their tapes or reading their books is a way to gain a better understanding of Islam, but does not mean one follows a certain religious group.

Basically, a believer needs to learn God's religion in order to get closer to Him.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Greetings!

>Why do you need religion?

Why? Very simple, as I see it!

As a Baha'i, I'd say that humanity's purpose here is twofold:

- As individuals, we are to acquire the virtues we'll need both in this life and in the Next.

- And in aggregate, we're to carry forward an ever-advancing, spiritually-based civilization.

And the purpose of RELIGION (and the role at which it's at its best) is to show us HOW to do these! Further, IME it's far better at doing this than are other methods....

Best,

Bruce

 

[bigvindaloo]

Being a logical person, I have observed various religions. I just don't get the importance of this aspect in anyones life. I see religion as manipulation of ones self and one more thing that ensures the separation of humanity. The main focus of some religions are "If you do not believe in what we believe you are evil". This is in my opinion wrong. Why do you need religion in your life, I certainly don't?

Religion is a beautiful faculty of our logic responsible for launching cultures and all that is aesthetically pleasing in this world. If you want to get carnal there is the opposite sex. That does not require abstraction. Religion is the possibility of ourselves beyond ourselves and the extent to which this is manifest on this earth.

 

[Melody]

So how do you know that these are all man-made? Certainly it is possible for there to be a God-made construct with God-made rules? How can you be so sure there isn't one?

Why bother with the scriptures then? Why bother with any religious writings if they are simply the words of men?

Katzpur,
If it can't be found in Scripture (Bible), then it is man made. I never said that Scripture was man made. I believe it was inspired of God.

 

[Melody]

Would you then say that, for example, The Ten Commandments are not of relevance?

I'm not sure why someone would find them irrelevant since they are found in the New Testament as well....just not in a neat little list.

 

[BruceDLimber]

>Why do you need religion?

Very simple: We all need it because it's by far the best and most reliable method of learning what we need to do and become to be fully human and to fulfill our spiritual potential! . . .

Best,

Bruce

 

[demonchild88]

Me Personally don't have a religion, yet I do know that we need religion in our societies. Religion is what keeps people in a calm state, if people though after death there was nothing, you were just dead then people would just think then whats the point of wasting my time here and kill themselves, and the whole world would probably just go into complette anarchy from the lack of care for human life.

 

[Green Gaia]

if people though after death there was nothing, you were just dead then people would just think then whats the point of wasting my time here and kill themselves

I'm sorry you feel that way. I think the millions of people who don't believe in any type of afterlife and who haven't committed suicide and who live happy and productive lives, would disagree with you.

 

[logician]

Actually, if you think this life is all you've got, you're MORE likely to spend it fruitfully than if you're just waiting to strum a harp in an afterlife.

 

[demonchild88]

That's where you are wrong see people need a purpose in their lives there wouldn't be any reason to live fruitfully to have your legacy not be remembered, which is how it would happen for a christian also, but they bleieve that after death there is peace and happiness and that bull**** when really it will only be there body burried 6 feet in the dirt.