definition of religion

talloola

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
AnnaG said:
To me, religions are just a foundation upon which people can carry on with life in societies. The foundation is formed by geological factors, climactic factors, etc. much like the actual physical and psychological makeups of the people. After all, religions are societies. Societies reflect the nature of the people in them.
Supernatural beings (mythical or otherwise) are simply parts of those societies and really don't have a bearing upon how well the societies work, but rather on how people perceive aspects of life.
Click to expand...
I totally agree with you, but I would just like to add a little more to the story,
as an atheist, I too, need to fit in to the society of life, in my way, and like
the believer feels secure and happy in his belief, I also feel those feelings
within myself as an atheist. In this life, we are just another facet of society,
who have found our niche, and go down our path in life, in a way which makes
us feel connected to the earth and it's surroundings, but not to a god, just
different choices for a good life.
 
MHz

MHz

Time Out
Mar 16, 2007
41,030
43
48
Red Deer AB
"What is your definition of religion and belief?"
Religion tries to explain why we are on this 3rd rock from the sun.
Belief is what you hold to be the absolute truth (in any and all matters that you choose to take up with others)
The Christians believe that their (reason for being Christians rather than part of 'the rest'. Today we can project molten copper, one step past that is tha ability to use iron instead of copper.
The home version are the steely water jets.
FEMA has broadband......trust the 'outsiders to show you it all. KJV1611
 
petros

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
117,855
14,419
113
Low Earth Orbit
AnnaG said:
That's pretty much it in a nutshell, JBG. :)
Except that we could omit the supernatural stuff and still develop a reasonable facsimile.
Click to expand...
What a past race considers supernatural my very well be common place technology today.

Magic is merely technology concealed.
 
L Gilbert

L Gilbert

Winterized
Nov 30, 2006
23,738
107
63
71
50 acres in Kootenays BC
the-brights.net
JBG said:
Not really.

Religion provides a structure to life, a sense of belonging to a community.

A community the size of Toronto, or the world, is not a relevant community for relationship purposes. It's too big.

I am Jewish. The religion provides a structure for the calendar year, ways to handle "life cycle" events such as births, deaths, marriage, etc. It provides a way to atone for sins and a way for people to get "second chances" in life when they've made mistakes.

Overall, it is comforting. Does G-d exist? I think so but I can't prove it. Nor is it necessary to validate religion.
Click to expand...
That sounds rational to me. I think Anna has a point, too; if one is atheist one can still be religious (holding beliefs in societies, and suchlike) without all the superstitious nonsense.
 
karrie

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
83
bliss
L Gilbert said:
Positive, pleasant, beneficial. :) How's that? ;)
Click to expand...

lol.. still pretty vague. When I sit and think about global cultures, it's hard to not see that definitions of 'good', 'positive', 'pleasant', 'beneficial', are pretty prone to fluctuation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom