What does religion mean to you?

1. 64

   Wayne K. WIlkinsposted 12 years ago

   What does religion mean to you?
   
   With so much evidence supporting science these days and countless discoveries disregarding religion and proving it wrong, what does religion mean to you? Religion means nothing to me, personally. I am atheist and am happy being atheist and I am happy with religious people being religious if it makes them happy. I just want to know that given the modern 21st century discoveries and evidences in favor of science and not a single new breakthrough for religion, what does religion mean to you these days?

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2. 59

   thumbi7posted 12 years ago

   In my understanding religion gives certain guidelines for life. Certain norms and practices prescribed by religion if followed in its true sense will help in the spiritual growth of people.

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3. 70

   ScottLooganposted 12 years ago

   I grew up Christian, then I was an atheist for a long time. Now, I'm Pagan.The reason I'm not an atheist is because I've decided that no matter how much science explains, there will always be unexplainable things that are just deemed "coincidence". You can fit a lot of belief and faith in the large grey area of coincidence. I will always believe that there is something more to life than what we can see and quantify. It reassures me. If I'm wrong, it doesn't really hurt me any. If anyone's religion makes them a better person, and makes them feel assured, then more power to them.

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      moneyminditposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What has religion done for these people? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er1kTF3smOE

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4. 64

   Wayne K. WIlkinsposted 12 years ago

   Brilliant philosophy, Scott. Write a Hub on this.

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5. 80

   Taleb80posted 12 years ago

   For me my religion  is the most important thing.
   Continuously, I understand more how much I am happy because of it.
   My biggest problems have been solved because of my faith.
   Mr. Wayne, if you do not taste the natural honey, you will keep thinking that nothing can be sweeter than strawberries Jam.

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6. 78

   CloudExplorerposted 12 years ago

   I've answered this question many times on here in a variety of differing ways, but I'll take another stab at it.
   
   Religion to me is a formal way of showing others a means of a higher order of things, to provide a clear and concise pathway to follow or should I say a spiritual guidance.  Many people are born into such a pathway, and its purely inherited from parents, others may choose such a path towards potential enlightenment for a particular faith based belief. 
   
   There's countless others that can stand firm in their dis-belief and would be considered to be Atheist, and also appear to be Damned by those in which practice religious ways of life, and firmly portray to the world that those who don't believe in their ways are doomed somehow. 
   
   This to me is showing both sides of what religion truly is, but some scientific minds may look at it all as a form of control of the masses as well, and many others who have no concept of belief or disbelief entirely. 
   Whether its a matter of control or not, every person on this planetary surface has the right to believe in what they choose, no matter the consequences for such. 
   Many religions are at odds with one another and believe they need to extinct that of the others, but in my opinion this isn't the right way to approach things at all.  I think any ideology whether it is spurred out by a human being or any other being for that matter, should be handled with care, and given a chance, as long as it doesn't threaten the lives of all inhabitants on this precious planet, because everything we think of coming up with; has its potential value in it, including that of Religion or Science.
   
   Your non-belief is fine in my book, but I must say I'm a spiritualist myself, and I believe in all of the religions as a whole, and I fully utilize the scientific method as my tooling and upper hand for survival in scientific times.  So God is my saving power, and science is my sword of rescue.
   Great continual partition to your question, but evolution was inevitable, that's one thing for sure, so look at my perspective as such if you can.

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   Dave Mathewsposted 12 years ago

   As a "Christian" as a believer, my religion means everything to me. Neither Science, nor History has been able to teardown or destroy any of the teachings that have been established in God's Holy Word, The Bible. The thing is, thoughts that cross my mind trying to tear down my beliefs are destroyed themselves as I research the Bible for answers.

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   Millerclposted 12 years ago

   I think religion can be expanded or generalized to simply refer to a set of beliefs concerning the nature and purpose of everything.
   
   Those who would espouse science as the only rational way to understand everything reveal their religion when they bump up against something they don't understand and say, "There must be a scientific explanation."

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   Apostle Jackposted 12 years ago

   Religion means "personal agenda" , of different founders and organizers .CHRISTIANITY, on the other hand,is from Heaven given by God through the spirit of Jesus Christ.
   
   Humankind created religion because they did not agree with or was not close enough to God not to add another name to the fold. The world just want to eat the fruits without being one of those that sowed the seeds.
   
   When it is all said and done ..."Happy New Year".

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    ablissfulskinposted 12 years ago

    This is my opinion and don't mean to offend anyone out there, if I do, my apologies in advance.
    
    I believe in all religions and yet in none. Let me explain, I believe in a Higher Power, love, kindness, acceptance, and forgiveness, all religions have the same essential rules which guide individuals to become a better person; however, people like to label themselves and feel part of a particular group, (more power to them), but that's not what religion means to me.
    
    I feel we are the creators of our lives and we cannot blame others for our reaction to events, we have the power to change for the better, by doing so we can add to society by loving and accepting others regardless of their believes, ethnicity, gender, or views.
    
    Do we really need to "label" one another? Why not believe we all are part of one religion called humanity? Yes, I do understand is far fetched, but why not begin with ourselves? Let's be the change we want to see in our world

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    LORD ENKIposted 12 years ago

    The biggest SHAM ever! Fear based and designed for controll over the masses!!

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    NiaLeeposted 12 years ago

    a method to connect with spiritual beings and practices that are regulated. It makes a group that shares a covenant.
    I actually had a discussion this morning and was almost sorry to realize that I really can not stick to somebody else's spiritual experience and repeat whatever some wrote or said. They were like lunatics sadly... lifeless, robots repeating. i was so sorry and felt a lot of compassion. I can not stick to those stereotype and discriminating systems. I leave on the side the personal agenda of the leaders: money and total control of the bodymind of millions of people. It is very scary.

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    oneblockeastposted 12 years ago

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for ,the evidance of things not seen .Hebrews n 11:1-3 religon is not something you can see ,feel touch or be submissive to , its faith in the Son of GOD , It don't demand proof, it demand faith. And everyone has a right to enjoy every faith they believe in ,My best friend is athiest, i never try to change him .I am a christian and i will live a christian even after my body returns to the earth, And Wayne i hope you enjoy your beliefs, as i depends on mine , May GOD bless you and keep you as he is doing right now , You asked about it which means you are interested  , its for real Brother believe me

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    mintinfoposted 12 years ago

    Religion would be useful if it was used solely for moral guidance. Humanity learns as it goes and the universal experience of life and living is passed down as Wisdom. The problem is some of us are thought/indoctrinated to believe that we need an Idol to comfort our Souls(living flesh). The free Spirit(abstract energy) needs no such comfort because we know that we are a part of the Dark Energy that has always existed. Life is only a temporarily Time bubble.

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    jasper420posted 12 years ago

    When I think of religion I think of someone who is affraide to go to hell in my opinon religion and spirtualty are two diffrent things thoose who claim to serve god should do so because they love and respect who ever it is they worship not because they are affraide of suffering or think they will benifit from it.

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    GoldenBirdposted 12 years ago

    Very often, religion acts like a medicine that helps people to cure themselves from the neurosis caused by science. Apart from that, it does not have much benefit for human beings.

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    pojamehtaposted 12 years ago

    for me my relagion is everything and realigion is the set of set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a group of people. These set of beliefs concern the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, and involve devotional and ritual observances. They also often contain a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. http://deluxepages.blogspot.com/

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    seattleamilehigh1posted 12 years ago

    Religion to me is ones ability of a colective of people to believe in something bigger than them. Whether that be a kitchen stove, or Jesus Christ, that is what it is. I don't know I believe in God, but I believe that there has to be something bigger than the world we live in. The ability to believe in something is something I think is great, that is what inspires hope, that is what helps the underdogs of this world, hope. I think religion can be all about how you see your world, not which god you praise.

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    KrystalDposted 12 years ago

    Religion is something man-made and man-ran. I struggled with how much religion asks followers to conform. Don't even get me started on how it has been used to oppress others!
    
    What I have learned to embrace is spirituality. I get to have my beliefs without all the rituals, judgments and labels that man uses in religion.
    
    I have found this comfortable and liberating! To thy own self be true

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    medicaljournalposted 12 years ago

    I have faith in my religion, and I think every religion only ask to make people happy. Help others and try to solve their problems as much possible. Definitely, first you will see your family then others but be generous with others as well.

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    richiericoposted 12 years ago

    my religion is my guidance of my life. in my holy book, there are rules about what we can do and what we can't do

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    enwholesale-oyangposted 12 years ago

    Faith. Many things that science can't answer for us. But human imagination infinite
    
    I hear that from
    uudeal.com

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23. 69

    joeroseposted 12 years ago

    Religion is an orderliness followed with the guidance of spirituality. If someone doesn't follow religion, he is unreligious, not an atheist. Atheist is a fool who is so proud and arrogant that he questions God, does not respect even his parents and forefathers, and doesn't care about life and its source.
    
    Science is a weapon which is used for development purposes as well as destruction purposes -- on the nature that God has created and given into our hands. Science is like a sword which can be used to establish a kingdom or to fight against it. God's kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting.
    
    History is an incomplete recording of the actual happenings, which may appear differently from different perspectives. It will never exhaust so long as there is time.
    
    So, Religion, Science and History are right in their own places, having nothing to do with one's foolish thoughts against God.

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24. 0

    writeronlineposted 12 years ago

    Less and less as time goes on. It's the arrogance and certainty that so many religious people display, while proclaiming some kind of moral superiority and gentleness of spirit, based on *their* faith in a higher spirit.
    
    For example, here's an out take from one of your respondents right here, "Atheist is a fool who is so proud and arrogant that he questions God, does not respect even his parents and forefathers, and doesn't care about life and its source."
    
    Charming. Wonder which religion espouses that. Insulting generalisation, offensive language, ridiculous conclusions - all built on arrogant self-certainty. Not love. Not respect for one's fellow man. Certainly not proof.
    
    If you choose to believe in imaginary friends, that's entirely your right, and I respect that. Please respect my right to choose not to believe.
    
    You know what? if there is a God, he'd respect that.

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    mcals71posted 12 years ago

    ... and yet Jesus Christ attended the services at the local synagogues, He respected the Jerusalem Temple as His Father's House, and He exhorted his followers to observe the Law. Furthermore, at the Last Supper, He broke the bread and passed the cup of wine saying "This is my Body, this is My Blood... do this in remembrance of Me." Religion and Spirituality go hand in hand. We need Religion because we have a physical body, and we need Spirituality because we have a soul. The two are not separate and we must honor both by giving God our whole selves, not just our spirit.

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    Lorena Gondomposted 8 years ago

    To me, religion means my past.
    To me, religion means division.
    To me, religion is so much more than wars and beliefs.
    
    A lot of religious people ask me why I am so insistent in them "converting" (you don't convert to atheist, you go back to being one, you were born one). Its pretty simple, I am protecting myself and my loved ones.
    Today many muslims kill for the sake of their faith, but in the past so did the Jews and Christians. History repeats again and again, yet some chose to be blind. Religion means a lot to me, means danger and fear, means oppression.
    
    I live by John Lenon's song, "Imagine", and I hope, someday we all become dreamers, the world would be so much better that way.

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    stas karimovposted 7 years ago

    Religion is the same thing  for all people on Earth! Religion is the path to freedom from suffering! If you love God then God will love you. If you serve God then God can take you to Paradise. There is no other way to get rid of suffering! Jesus does not know what is suffering. Nobody in the world does not know what is life without problems.

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