To be holy is it necessary to follow any one religion?

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   Vegas Eliasposted 11 years ago

   To be holy is it necessary to follow any one religion?
   
   Can a person not following any religion be holy?

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   ASchwartzposted 11 years ago

   I guess it depends on how you define holy.
   
   One official definition I found was - "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness"
   
   In that case I don't think anyone can truly be holy, not matter what religion they follow, because no one is perfect.

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3. 61

   Rommeyposted 11 years ago

   Holiness predates religions: In our primitive-men's societies, those hunter-gatherer groups of our past, an individual whose actions were perceived as worthy to imitate by his fellows, would be considered very special and exalted among them. Thus the concept of holy developed. With the death of that individual, his example wouldn't disappear, and those individuals were the model that was made into gods. For as long the community kept imitating their example, it was expected that the community would thrive. The rituals came later, as a tool to present the example, the life to imitate, to the younger members who never knew the actual "holy" individual, and drive the understanding of what this example meant in their lives… This traditions became our religions of the past, a development that united the community in the adherence to the exemplary life. With time and as the life of the holy individual receded in the past, those individual were seen as the gods of the community.
   Primitive-men perceived spirits in the different manifestations of life and natural phenomena to which they were exposed by Nature. The exceptional individual who they found worthy of imitation was easily seen as somebody who was favored by these spirits, and the imitation had an added incentive. Now the imitated actions were good because the results, but also, they seemed to please those spirits, which evidently wasn't an inconsequential matter… From 'you better do it as he did', soon it became 'you should do it as he did', then 'you ought to do it...', and finally 'you must do it…'. The religious creeds were born.
   All this should tell us that holiness would and should be seen without getting religions into the consideration… Actually religions despise holiness, because it goes against their claim of 'do it as we say and every gift of our god(s) will bestowed unto you'. Holiness is a very hard work… first you must comprehend what's good for you, your fellows, and Nature, then what's negative to all, some, or even to the lesser amongst Nature's creatures and your world. Then you have to align your actions to promote the positive and prevent the negative, and, most important, you must be consistent throughout your entire life… As I said, holiness is hard work.

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      Vegas Eliasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Rommey,
      
      Thanks for the pains taken by you to jot down such a detailed reply. Your thoughts are very clear and worth appreciating.
      
      Do contribute more on Hubpages. I will visit your profile and read your hubs now.

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      Rommeyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well, thanks, V.E., I don't like smart-ass answers, rather I won't answer if I cannot find something sensible to comment. Re Hubpages, there are many subjects that I could bring up but first I have to be satisfied with them. They'll come in due time.

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   finewordsposted 11 years ago

   DO WHAT YOU LIKE you will realize at the end

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   d.williamposted 11 years ago

   Simply put NO.  Religions themselves actually serve little purpose in today's world, except to spread hatred and intolerance, and have something for people to fight over and use an excuse to pass judgment on others.  The mindless follow religion because they do not have the intelligence to think for themselves.
   The term "holiness" holds no significant value except in the minds of those who need someone to exalt.

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   rdcastposted 11 years ago

   http://www.audiobible.com/bible/john_14.html
   (put on your earphones and turn down the volume)

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      rdcastposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      JN 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
      
      The above scripture answers the question.

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   Nila saysposted 11 years ago

   In simple terms, Religion is just a tool/medium/guide which aids(which should ideally)  us in learning how to become holy at heart. Religion by itself doesn't mean holiness. Using it as a tool is up to a person's choice. Anyone can be holy as long as one doesn't hurt others by any means. Goodness has no religion.
   
   Our soul defines us and not the outer body in which it resides, although it may appears so. Soul exists even without it. So that being said, you can be holy even without following any religion.
   
   I would also like to add that the term 'holy' has lots of interpretations which are really individualistic varying from person to person,culture to culture and even different ages. The one thing which remains the same over the ages across the world in common is the preaching, ' Don't hurt fellow beings '
   As per me,following just this one thing makes a person holy.

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   1. 61

      Rommeyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Nila, one cannot make him/herself holy. Holiness is an award that is bestowed by those who come in contact with the person and see the result of that person's actions throughout its life. Lust for holiness will grant you not getting it.

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      Nila saysposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      HiRommey,Tnx for sharing your views. Pardon me,I don't understand your words.Pls explain.The eg of body-soul was to explain,religion is like the body we reside in.Holiness is like the soul.Even without body, a soul exists & holiness without relig

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   Broker-Tradeposted 11 years ago

   Three major religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, follow the laws of the one God, the God of Abraham. Holiness was/is a prerequisite to any close association with him. Man was placed here as a steward for God. "Be ye holy, for I am holy" was the directive given mankind. Religions complicate the simplicity of God's simple edit in respect to holiness.

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      Rommeyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Holiness and sainthood are meaningless badges when awarded by religions. The awards that count come from "we, the people" and the vote is expressed by we the people emulating the example of the life of that particular individual.

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