What is Religion?

[Cenright]

Jehovah's Witnesses are world wide. We are not part of any country. When WWII came around, Hitler put Witnesses in in concentration camps also, because of their refusal to fight, and their refusal to salute Hitler. These weren't people of Jewish decent. I am talking about people of all Races, even Germans.

They were the only group who wasn't taken by default. Jews didn't have a choice, Jehovah's Witnesses did have a choice. They just had to sign a paper and salute Hitler, and they were to go free. They refused, and many of them died for that belief.

Just as earlier, Jews had the wear the star of david, Jehovah's witnesses had to wear a purple triangle.

Just a little history for thought.

[Meteor858]

Wow canright i never knew that. They ACTUALLY DONT TEACH THAT IN HEBREW SCHOOL! *note that place is about as fun as taking a bath in dog shit* (2nd note i have never actually taken a dog shit bath so i guess i dont know how bad that is)

[zajac]

I believe that religion is something that people are devoted to believeing in... Something that people have faith in... Whether it being a Mormon or a Catholic and believing in J.C. & God, or being a Buddhist and believing in multiple higher beings, but not only that, but on a more spiritual plane with yourself... This can also touch on the idea of sports and that people can be so devoute to a team and believe in their team so much, that it is better than anyone elses' team...

But yeah... I believe that religion is just something for someone to believe or have faith in... What you have faith in is all up to you...

[ImEric12]

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

How is god everywhere? God is a personal opinion. If you choose to see him, you will. If I choose to see a giant, all powerful duck as being the reason to everything, I could.

And secondly, why would you become blind of science? If you want to become BLIND OF SCIENCE, stop existing. Every single aspect of everything relates back to science in some way or another.

[hydrojakep]

In the past, when times were poor, people used religion as an escape from reality. It caused them to believe if they were good, the gods would be pleased. They used it to explain the unexplainable back in times. They needed hope for a peaceful afterlife, since their lives were short, dirty and full of work all the time. Now it's similar. People expect too much out of this life, and when they dont get it they look towards the after life. How you worship doesnt matter. If i'm right, i dont know.

[pineapplesub]

...Seeming as this is not a debate, i will not bring up several points. As to the question- "What is religion", it really depends on what you are asking. The government states that a religion is any act performed regularly as incorporated into your belief system by a certain number of people. I believe the minimal amount is seven- I could be wrong. However, I believe a religion is anything that the person in question believes in, regarding life and death. In my (sometimes not so) humble opinion, religion is something that answers questions about life and death for you... A pair of pants by itself is not a religion. However, believing that that pair of pants has something do with your life, death, or after life- That is religion. Religion is something that gives a person answers about the after life, and the meaning of life... Athiests believe there is nothing after death. Thus, it answers a basic question that all humans ask. Christians believe they will go to Heaven, and non-Christians will go to Hell. Hindus believe they will be born again. Religion doesn't necessarily give you spiritual "guidance", per se. It is something you believe in to give yourself an answer to questions we all ask. Just because someone is not Christian does not make them a good person, no more than being a Satanist makes you a terrible person.

~valarie~

[Specforces]

Religion was created to control the masses by the philosophers of old.

Now repent sinners.

[blahblah18]

If it is answer to life or death a lot of religions would not be considered such.... if it involves just having faith, then you have to remove judaism, since the main basis of Judaism that any old teacher will tell you is that it is faith tempered by reason, and that faith isn't good enoguh reason alone to throw out reason.

Also cen, i never knew you're a jehovah's witness. I've always meant to ask a witness why you don't celebrate your birthday or personal celebrations

[Meteor858]

blah blah im offended im jewish and what you just said aaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa wrong...

[blahblah18]

*yawn* stupid people.. I'm jewish, I'm smarter then you, and I just heard a lecture on the matter, so *yawn*

[FlashStinger]

Religion is a set of values that affect your life and thought of life and life after death. You don't have to believe or have faith in a higher power. You don't have to accept all of the beliefs that are put out by your religion. A religion is a guideline to how you think about your life. Churches, Sinagouges, Temples, and Mosques are just a few of the places one can choose to practice a few aspects of their religion, amongst others with similar beliefs. Not all jews have the same idea of religion. Everyone brings their own beliefs and experiances into the group, but it is very similar to what the torah says. Faith is not essential to all religions.

Consider for example, what religion is actually about. The word religion comes from religio, which means "to bind back or very strongly to Truth". Thus the heart of religion is about experiencing Truth - not holding onto a specific set of beliefs. All religions have beliefs, but these beliefs should only be backed up by direct experiance.

[whatever2900]

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.

I totally agree. Religion is what you believe in. Its as simple as that. Whether you believe that your life is controlled/changed by a higher power/higher powers or you believe that the Cubs will win the world series (go cubbies!) that is religion. It exists as long as one person in the world believes. it may not exist for everyone but it exists for that person.

-Bibliophile2900-

[mica3gold]

i think a religion is just something to believe in. people need something higher than themselves to see the significance in their lives. without the promise of an afterlife people wouldn't be able to get through reality.

[whatever2900]

religion is a state of mind. if you really believe in something then it does exist; maybe it will not exist for everyone but it will exist for you. trying to discuss religion too deeply will tie your brain in a knot. no more questions asked.

[HappyHippy123]

Man, Religion should be a way of life, not just something that you do on sundays. It's crazy... these people call themselves christians, but what do they do besides go to church just to be able to lable themselves. I thnk that religions should be the basis of your beliefs, but you should also read upon other religions and incoporate some of their ideas. It should be a personal thing between you and God.