What is religion?

[GraceAbounds]

Well I don't know there are many churches that arn't an organised religion, yours sound like the first I've come across. I know plenty of people who are Christians though that arn't part of organised religion.

Ever heard of church in a box? It is where regular folk just get together at home or in a park and take a spiritual walk together? They get together, read and study God's Word together, love one another, encourage one another, help each other, etc.?

Don't you guys have stuff like that over there where you guys live? The church means the body of Christ. Believers are the body of Christ. Believers are the church, not a building or a hierarchy of men telling us how to live spiritually - which is organized religion in my book. Know what I mean? Make sense?

 

[All Else Failed]

Ever heard of church in a box? It is where regular folk just get together at home or in a park and take a spiritual walk together? They get together, read and study God's Word together, love one another, encourage one another, help each other, etc.?

Don't you guys have stuff like that over there where you guys live? The church means the body of Christ. Believers are the body of Christ. Believers are the church, not a building or a hierarchy of men telling us how to live spiritually - which is organized religion in my book. Know what I mean? Make sense?

the apostles

 

[Peter Parka]

I guess so, I've just never heard of it described that way before. Most people I know, if you use the word church, they would take it to mean a religious building or the organisation of a religion.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I guess so, I've just never heard of it described that way before. Most people I know, if you use the word church, they would take it to mean a religious building or the organisation of a religion.

I see. I understand.

 

[COOL_BREEZE2]

Well the meaning is in the name, isn't it? Organize: People getting together through planning, and religion: worshiping something they all agree on in a religious manner.

So what's wrong with that? People of similar thinking or wanting to know more have always and will always continue to meet together to share regardless of whatever label is given it.

 

[All Else Failed]

So what's wrong with that? People of similar thinking or wanting to know more have always and will always continue to meet together to share regardless of whatever label is given it.

Nothing as far as I'm concerned. I'm just trying to explain to grace that she's really a part of organized religion.

 

[COOL_BREEZE2]

Ain't no shame in dat.

 

[All Else Failed]

I'm....not saying there is?

 

[Godsloveapples]

Now, assuming that this is an accepted definition, we can understand exactly what religion is.

Religion is a set of beliefs.
Religion is a set of practices
Religion is organized around supernatural and moral claims.
Religion is also composed of traditions, culture, and history.

So, it might be said that a religion is the intangible concept written on paper on how a person should act, personally and socially with other people; it might also be orally passed on between generations.

If that is true, then it might be said that anyone could derive their own religion. There are many templates available for use.

I believe that the Bible was passed on orally from generation to generation before it was written. It might have changed a little because people couldn't remember it word for word- so, the Bible isn't accurate. In Islam, we (yes, I'm Muslim) believe that the Bible is also a word of God, who commanded that the Christains must follow the Prophet Muhammed after the Prophet Jesus but Christains loved the Prophet Jesus so much that they wanted to make him God. Since the Bible was passed down by word of mouth, Christains did not pass on the part where God said that they must follow the Prophet Muhammed after the Prophet Jesus so then they changed words in the Bible to make it seem as if the Prophet Jesus is God (No offence intended, please correct me if I'm wrong). The Quran, however, was passed down by text, thus it remained unchanged.

If that is true, then it might be said that there was only one religion back in the day.

If that is true, then what was before such a religion?

If such contemplation is fruitful, then it is not possible to exist without religion?

The answer: No. Religion has been ingrained into society to an extent that is irremovable. It might be said that society used to dictate what was right and wrong, which might be said of modern society, but most of what constitutes right and wrong is now left to a particular religion.

If that is true, then it might be said that one could create their own morals, and therefore be protected under such systems of laws of our own, providing such morals and practices of such morals do not infringe upon the rights of others to participate in the set of beliefs and practices of those beliefs.

So, here we are:

Religion is a set of rules.
Religion is practices according to such rules.
Religion can be made by anyone who so desires.
Religion cannot be taken away from the individual.
Religion cannot be forced upon others.
Religion is a decision.

If such is true, then it might be said that I fear for what the future might hold for humanity.

No, that is not true. Religion started with the creation of the Prophet Adam because God created him.

 

[Peter Parka]

I believe that the Bible was passed on orally from generation to generation before it was written.

How do you explain the dead sea scrolls then?

 

[Godsloveapples]

I'm sorry but I too have to disagree with original statement that religion isn't violent. World history proves otherwise. You also mention that the books such as the Bible which the religion comes from dosen't encourage violence. I would suggest you read it some more as it certainly does. God committed genocide by wiping out most of human kind in a flood, the Israelites were told to make war on other nations, slaughtering men, women and children and stealing their land. There are numerous other examples in the Bible which encourage violence and intolerance too.

It's not religion that is violent, it's the people who use it wrongly for their own corrupted needs. I haven't read all of the Bible, just a portion, so I can't argue with you about it.

 

[Peter Parka]

It's not religion that is violent, it's the people who use it wrongly for their own corrupted needs. I haven't read all of the Bible, just a portion, so I can't argue with you about it.

Well by that logic, you could also say Nazism wasn't violent, it was just the people who used it wrongly for their own corrupted needs.

 

[Godsloveapples]

How do you explain the dead sea scrolls then?

The Dead Sea Scrolls were written 1,000 years ago, Christianty formed 2,000 years ago. The Bible wasn't written down right away.

 

[Godsloveapples]

Well by that logic, you could also say Nazism wasn't violent, it was just the people who used it wrongly for their own corrupted needs.

No, Nazism is racism. (Hey that rhyms!) So people didn't use it wrongly...they used it correctly, which means that Nazism itself is corrupted.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I believe that the Bible was passed on orally from generation to generation before it was written. It might have changed a little because people couldn't remember it word for word- so, the Bible isn't accurate. In Islam, we (yes, I'm Muslim) believe that the Bible is also a word of God, who commanded that the Christains must follow the Prophet Muhammed after the Prophet Jesus but Christains loved the Prophet Jesus so much that they wanted to make him God. Since the Bible was passed down by word of mouth, Christains did not pass on the part where God said that they must follow the Prophet Muhammed after the Prophet Jesus so then they changed words in the Bible to make it seem as if the Prophet Jesus is God (No offence intended, please correct me if I'm wrong). The Quran, however, was passed down by text, thus it remained unchanged.

Jesus was not a prophet. So yes, you would be wrong. Jesus fulfilled so many prophesies (can't even count them all) from the Old Testament that were already in writing. He was and is the Messiah. The New Testament was written by people that knew Christ, or were eyewitnesses, and first generation disciples and apostles. There was no one that was to come other than Christ after Christ.

 

[Peter Parka]

No, Nazism is racism. (Hey that rhyms!) So people didn't use it wrongly...they used it correctly, which means that Nazism itself is corrupted.

You really need to look in the Bible as the many examples of violence being used as supposedly a good thing to realise that it is no different.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were written 1,000 years ago, Christianty formed 2,000 years ago. The Bible wasn't written down right away.

Wrong, the dead sea scrolls are about 2,000 years old.

 

[GraceAbounds]

You really need to look in the Bible as the many examples of violence being used as supposedly a good thing to realise that it is no different.



Wrong, the dead sea scrolls are about 2,000 years old.

Some of them are actually over 2,000 years old; more like 2200 years old.

Everyone was not walking around with an OT scroll in back then. People couldn't afford paper and someone to write it for them; it is not like they had printing presses. They memorized what we know today as the Bible. They used these writings and memorizations passed on orally in educating their children. They used it to learn to read. Many parts of the Bible are written in poetry form which purposely allowed for easy memorization. Children were raised and educated in this way and their methods of memorization and story telling were very accurate. I don't know about you guys, but my kids could probably recite all of 'Toy Story' word for word ... LOL.

And I agree with Peter there are examples of violence in the Bible. Some I don't understand, but I am not God and I do not pretend to know all of His will. All I know is what I do understand - and that I know he loves and blesses me.

 

[Godsloveapples]

Jesus was not a prophet. So yes, you would be wrong. Jesus fulfilled so many prophesies (can't even count them all) from the Old Testament that were already in writing. He was and is the Messiah. The New Testament was written by people that knew Christ, or were eyewitnesses, and first generation disciples and apostles. There was no one that was to come other than Christ after Christ.

Everyone has different beliefs, and I believe that my God can not be human.

 

[GraceAbounds]

And I believe God is all powerful and can do anything He wants.

 

[Godsloveapples]

You really need to look in the Bible as the many examples of violence being used as supposedly a good thing to realise that it is no different.

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that when I said religion, I was talking about Islam.

Wrong, the dead sea scrolls are about 2,000 years old.

I did more research, turns out that you're right about this part...guess I'll only stick to defending the Quran from now on.