Why worry about following particular religions instead of simply following what

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   cherriquinnposted 11 years ago

   Why worry about following particular religions instead of simply following what we know to be right?
   
   I feel that so much of time is spent worrying about what religion practises what, which religion is true,which is more valid and so on and so forth. We understand what good values are in life and if we decide  to follow them then surely that is what is important ?

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   MilesArmbrusterposted 11 years ago

   In most religions the desire to do what is right is the result of the deeper spiritual reality. In Buddhism, the eight fold path is the set of directives to do what is right. But the reason a person follows the eight fold path is to free themselves from suffering, which Buddha identified as the central problem of man. In Judaism the point of obedience to, for example, the Ten Commandments was so that they could have a relationship with God. In Christianity obedience is both a demonstration of faith in Jesus and an act of gratitude for being saved by Him. Hinduism, through its belief in karma, makes obedience the way to deliverance from samsara; and a person's future reincarnations are determined by whether they do what is right or wrong.
   I am glad that most people follow some form of religion. The alternative is for everyone to determine what good values are according to, well, no reason, really. If everyone is free to determine right and wrong, we are in trouble. After all, Hitler thought it was right to kill Jews, and he convinced an awful lot of people that his view of right and wrong was worth following. After viewing history and the people I know, I have no reason to believe that people, on their own, will do what is right.

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   nihar2posted 11 years ago

   I believe the basic idea of every religion is to make people aware of 'the creator' i.e. GOD, and let everybody know what is a truthful way and what all bad things that should be avoided in life. Every religion talks about this and therefore there is difference only in various customs and traditions of a religion. If by changing religion someone feels near to GOD and find peace in life, then there is nothing wrong in it. But in my view there is no such thing as good or bad religion.

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thankyou for your simplistic comment. I agree.

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      ackman1465posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      nihar:  Your submittal infers ("insists" or "claims") that there IS "a creator"... What I disdain about religion(s) is that they postulate the existence of that "Creator" regardless of whether or not there is any evidence of him/her/it.....

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   cherriquinnposted 11 years ago

   MilesArmbruster, Of course you are right in pointing out that if everyone did what they thought was right we'd be in trouble. I just sometimes feel we make faith/religion/beliefs very complicated when I think all we need to realize is our relationship with God. If we have one then surely all the rituals, tradition etc are irrelevant.Our lives should be evident of this. I suppose I probably look at life simpler than most at times and although I advocate differences I'm sometimes guilty of forgetting just how deep those differences can be. What I feel is right may not be what another feels. I do though believe that there will always be people who have extreme views of right and wrong ie hitler, but I have faith that the majority of us accept and recognize goodness in the deeds and lives of others and wonder why this isn't sometimes enough.

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   Civil War Bobposted 11 years ago

   The worry part is about where one spends eternity, Cherri...
   If Christians are right, the rest of the world is skunked. 
   If Jews are right, I'm not sure what they feel will happen in the afterlife, since some follow the Saducees' thinking that there is none. 
   If Islam is right, then the rest of the world is skunked.
   If Buddhism is right, then everybody is skunked thousands of times until the end is reached; which I think is oblivion, but don't quote me.
   If Universalists are right, then nobody is skunked.
   If Atheists are right, everyone is skunked now.
   So, there are a lot of caring people "out there" (a lot of jerks, too) who really don't want everyone else to be skunked, so they proselytize folks seeking conversions, not, in most cases to "get scalps" so to speak, but to keep folks from, well, being skunked!!

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there CWB again. I actually understand what you are saying after reading your comments about roughly five times! I get it. But I wonder about those who proselytize to get a following. Why do they have so many fears about who is right?

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      Civil War Bobposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some who proselytize just want to accumulate followers. Some have a need to be the MOST followed, so have to get people to ignore other "leaders;" which means they have to be negative about others. Some folks just HAVE to be right...human nature.

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   mintinfoposted 11 years ago

   Doing that which is right and practicing altruistic living is seen as un progressive. It didn't get the Indians or the Africans anywhere. Progressive human consciousness needs the idealism of religion. By creating a MYSTERY where people strive for inclusion, the prospect of an eternal life of pleasure provides a sense of purpose rather than just living, especially for the less fortunate.

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree we've an insatiable desire for more as humans.If we put that energy into improving daily living for others then it may not seem unprogressive and those less fortunate would not have to look forward to eternal life for pleasure but live this 1

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   ryancarterposted 11 years ago

   I don't care a thing for religions. I know what I believe is the truth; my good values come from convictions. I wouldn't trust popular culture's take on good values, though. It's been a bit eroded here lately.

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ptosis cont..will ever stop learning in life but I do not feel that I need to be educated further on how to treat others. My maturity,my upbringing,my conscience,my KNOWING what is right and wrong and my faith have all hopefully taught and (con below

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   ptosisposted 11 years ago

   
   
   How do you get to the point that "we KNOW that we are RIGHT?" Are you telling me that you read and understand as a adult the same way as when you were 7?
   
   "Knowing" means no evolution of belief or understanding.
   
   That is what is meant by "If you meet Bhudda on the road - kill him!" because the road to understanding is never ending. Whatever your conception is -  it is not perfect understanding.

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for you comments. I'd like to say 'no' I don't read and understand as an adult the same way I did when I was 7. But I was speaking from an adult stance and from that I do KNOW what is right and wrong. I did not state that I..(cont caps below)

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   ackman1465posted 11 years ago

   Cherri:   This is a terrific question....  beautifully stated.  I'm following it so I can watch the replies that you get.... and watch those who are "in" to religion justify it and themselves.....
   
   P.S.  I'm not very good at what I "know" to be right.... but I try....

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      cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ptosis cont.guided me up until this point in my life.I do not feel the need for religious rituals to teach me what I already KNOW.
      
      ackman. Thanks for following.Had to use your capsule to answer above comment. I think we all try to do our best.

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    Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

    I am with you for the most part.  I think that people shuold focus more on being kmore peaceful, compassionate, understanding, generous, loving, caring etc, instead of worring who believes in what religion.  My experience tells me that it it not the religion that makes a person good, it is their actions, in public and behind closed doors. 
    
    Values are different among different people so what "good values" are may vary slightly.  I will admit that religion is a great way to bring people together to accomplich great things together as a group.   The reason is if GOd was really at the center and people checked their egos then we could have religion work really nicely in the society. 
    
    At present religions are making barriers rather than brining people together because of how the different religions have evolved over time. People at focusing too much on the differences instead of the main points. 
    
    Best wishes

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       cherriquinnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thankyou Darrell.I think that people should focus and recognize the good in others instead of the differences I feel we create barriers by looking for things we ourselves do not agree with. What a waste of energy that could be used for the good

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