What's the point of religion?
I DON'T MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE!!!
So going on, what is it's purpose? Religion has been the cause of so many wars in the past, as well as racism and sexism.
My teacher told me of some Christians that would beat up black people BECAUSE they were black (and I mean in today's time); they would still believe they would go to heaven, too!
Now, I'm not saying that all Christians do that, though. That was just an example.
Anyways, what IS the point of religion? It's been the cause of practically centuries of physical and mental suffering. Maybe it's because I'm "naïve", or whatever, so mind explaining?

quote:

LTR's right...

Damn striaght

quote:

I've read the intire bible as a matter of fact. Have you read 1984? Because even what you said sounds 1984ish to me too.

LTR's right...

quote:

Originally posted by letter11x:

Have you read the Bible? Or even parts of it? Mostly there would be a lot of loving and worshiping and being absolutely amazed by God. And joy.

I've read the intire bible as a matter of fact. Have you read 1984? Because even what you said sounds 1984ish to me too.

true, but it was getting there... (I thought it was, anyway...)

quote:

If the whole world did that it would get a little too 1984ish for me.

Have you read the Bible? Or even parts of it? Mostly there would be a lot of loving and worshiping and being absolutely amazed by God. And joy.

It wasn't even old...

quote:

whoa, why did this thread get revived?

It wasn't dead.

whoa, why did this thread get revived?

Ok, that whole Christians beating up an African American thing; There are bad people in every religion, just like there are bad people everywhere. That doesn't mean all christians are like that. As far as war, you're right, A LOT of Holy Wars did take place, which may or may not have been justified, but religion is something in a lot of people's lives and i hope you didn't post this thinkin, "i have yet another topic" b/c i'm sure you pissed a lot of people off acting like religion is nothing.

think about things before you try talking about them, please.

quote:

Originally posted by ImmortalFlames:
What's the point of religion?
I DON'T MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE!!!
So going on, what is it's purpose? Religion has been the cause of so many wars in the past, as well as racism and sexism.
My teacher told me of some Christians that would beat up black people BECAUSE they were black (and I mean in today's time); they would still believe they would go to heaven, too!
Now, I'm not saying that all Christians do that, though. That was just an example.
Anyways, what IS the point of religion? It's been the cause of practically centuries of physical and mental suffering. Maybe it's because I'm "naïve", or whatever, so mind explaining?

OH and btw those people beating up the black kids AREN'T christian because the two can't go together those are the most dangerous people. The people who THINK they are christian but are actually just mislead. Beliving in God 100% does not make you a christian. Even demons believe that.

and if humans didn't fight about religion, they'd just fight over something else.

every country, every society has always had some sort of religion or higher power or spirituality. It gives people hope, strength, and a belief that the world wont always be as crappy as it is now. Even if its just a dream, religion has inspired more people in the world than anything else and will probably continue to do so.

oh plus it provides a structure for "morality" [prolly not the best word] and ever since the beginning of mankind there has been a need for order. Par example, the second the pilgrims got to the " New World," before even leaving the boat, they made a compact. This compact set rules in order to be abided by everyone so that people wouldn't run amuck. They knew a structure was imperative for survival. Religion is a form of structure in alot of ways too...

hmm yeah babbling..

No wind favors he who has no destined port..- Benjamin Franklin

quote:

if the whole world were to follow the bible and it's teachings, it wud be a lot better place to live

If the whole world did that it would get a little too 1984ish for me.

The point of religion is to have a purpose in life beyond humankind. It takes the selfishness out of us.
(I was an agnostic who was swayed to Christianity/God in general.)

i dont mind ppl not being religious (to each their own) but dont u dare for one fucking second look down on ppl who are religious and the actions that ppl take in the name of the lord have no influence on religion, religion can bring peace and harmony to families and if the whole world were to follow the bible and it's teachings, it wud be a lot better place to live

all religions are basically the same you pray to a god or gods for some sort of salvation but its never free you have to pray, do good deeds or be enlightened. it dosent matter what u have faith in just so long as you have faith. the details of religion are what wars are fought over and the details are the least important parts.

all the fun of getting high, without the smelly drugs! wow!

Good. It's just a surge of neural opiates.

wow. this is making my head spin

So, are we purely sums of chemical equations, programmed by our genes and ignorant of our lack of control? Or, are we something more than just intelligent animals with some degree of purpose in our lives and/or control over our actions?

I stick with the former. My opinion basically sums up to believing that we have no control over our desires or impulses, but we can control if we act on them. If someone commits a murder, for example, we can't just say that person had no control over the murder. He had no control over his impulse to kill but did have the ability to override that impulse.