What is Religion?

[blahblah18]

Now this isn't a religious debate, so untwist your panties.. .although i'l lbe starting one of those soonish. This is just something i've been discussing with a friend of mine who is a Religious Studies major for a while now.

what is religion? What does it mean to be a religion? what is it defined as?
He argues that people that dress upin the same garb every day to go to every red sox game and center their lives around it should be considered followers of that religion, whereas I feel that there needs to be some form of interaction or at least idea of a spiritual almighty, but then the more i thought of it, there are quite a few religions that have no mention of any supreme being (Janism, Buddhism to a lesser extent). So, what does it mean to be a religion?

[CaptainMorgan47]

Religion

1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

[blahblah18]

*Sigh* maybe people that have brains will read this at some point?

[pntballa18]

This stupid kid in my class wants to start a religion with him as king. See how many things you can find wrong with that. It's kinda fun.

[Tps222]

In my opinion, religion is defined as a major belief in something, with many others either following or believing in it. Whether it be God, the Yankees, the Jets, Pasta. If you consider it a big part of your life, and many others do, then it should be considered as one.

[Layla-Day]

I think of Religion as spiritual guidance to your life, and no that doesnt include Yankess or Red Sox.
Those stupid things arent Religion. Those are dumb reasons for everyone to think that they are running something, because they are scared of those who have rule over them, and they dont think it is fair, so they come up with that dumb stuff to make themselves seem more important.

This stupid kid in my class wants to start a religion with him as king. See how many things you can find wrong with that. It's kinda fun.

Your friend is a Jackass.

[ImEric12]

So what makes something like catholicism or christianity any better? At least what Red Sox fans worship is scientifically proven to exist, whereas what you're considering "religion" is just a blind following in a God that may not even be there.

[Tank101]

Exactly Eric.

The world would be so much better off if we all worshipped the same thing, such as a pair of pants for example. No one on earth could disagree that pants exist.

[Meteor858]

Blahblah I think that religion is different for every person because everyone has their very own views on things. For example most of everyone has their own views on things such as abortion, the legalization of drugs and such.

so i think that religion is the views of different people put together in sections.

[Cenright]

Of course, a religion with a person that all follow as they would a king (usually living) is considered a Cult.

[buttonkillerv2]

So what makes something like catholicism or christianity any better? At least what Red Sox fans worship is scientifically proven to exist, whereas what you're considering "religion" is just a blind following in a God that may not even be there.

well at least worshipping a god like the christian god will do good unlike something that would cause riots.

[Squeek]

Ok, so it was just an example. We could just as easily worship cows or ducks.

How does worshiping a being whose existance cannot be proved any better than worshiping a duck? I mean, I like ducks. They're cool and they go "quack".

~Squeek

[buttonkillerv2]

Ok, so it was just an example. We could just as easily worship cows or ducks.

How does worshiping a being whose existance cannot be proved any better than worshiping a duck? I mean, I like ducks. They're cool and they go "quack".

~Squeek

god is everywhere if you just open your eyes, let your spirit soar and become blind of science.

Anyways...

it isn't any better

[Cenright]

So what makes something like catholicism or christianity any better? At least what Red Sox fans worship is scientifically proven to exist, whereas what you're considering "religion" is just a blind following in a God that may not even be there.

well at least worshipping a god like the christian god will do good unlike something that would cause riots.

This is why I have trouble believeing that catholics are true christians. Look at Ireland, Catholics versus Protestants, They are murdering each other back and forth, with no end in sight. Look at world war 2. Catholic priests were blessing the weapons of the Germans. They also had Swasticas draped over the alters. Another part of the catholic church was blessing the other side.

I am not saying that a catholic will not be a good person. He still has a bible, and if he applies the principles that are in that book to his life, then he will be a "good" person.

[GuidoHunter]

Guys, Layla-Day pinned it:

I think of Religion as spiritual guidance to your life, and no that doesnt include Yankess or Red Sox.

And Cen, it was even mentioned in the "Ask the priest" section of our bulletin today that priests will act on their own measure to support what they believe to be right (in the case of the letter, it was about supporting Conservatism and politics in homilies).

And, of course, everyone had complete freedom in Nazi Germany, right? C'mon, anyone not following the Nazi way would surely have been killed then. That's not to say, of course, that there weren't Catholics with their views askew (you've surely heard of some of them today) but those are found in any sect.

You're making a generalization of a group on the actions of a few. Understanding the faith a little more would show you that we are true Bible-following Christians.

Oh, and the thread is over now that Layla-Day hit the nail on the head.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com