What do you think about Religion?

1. 60

   www-mywikistepposted 10 years ago

   What do you think about Religion?
   
   Does Religion help us improve our everyday life, or is it just a matter of belief to a higher being?

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2. 70

   thumbi7posted 10 years ago

   In my understanding religion has certain disciplines which if we observe must lead to our spiritual uplifting. But now people have attributed different meanings to these disciplines.and they are either full of superstitions or compulsions.
   People fight over religion.
   For these reasons I prefer to look at my fellow beings as spiritual beings beyond religious boundaries.

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3. 69

   A Happy Manposted 10 years ago

   Not a big fan of institutional Religion.  HUGE fan of faith.  This from a Christian.  Rock On!

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   1. 66

      Sundeep Katariaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Sweet, short and simple. Good one.

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4. 75

   AEvansposted 10 years ago

   On a personal level I believe it aides us with improving our every day life. Although we go through life's challenges having a strong belief can assist us with over coming obstacles in our lives.

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5. 70

   Kahanaposted 10 years ago

   You have a choice, to either merely follow a religious belief, or to actually live by your religious convictions.  If you choose to merely follow, then your everyday life will not be affected.  You will continue to do as you please, without hesitations, without acceptance of the responsibility of your actions, and that sadly is the state of mind of most people that say they are religious believers.  But if you live your religion, adhere to its moral convictions, highly regard the sanctity of life and truly believe you have a higher purpose in this world, then every day of your life will be viewed as an improvement.

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6. 34

   Jayesefposted 10 years ago

   Religion is a manual of instruction on how to use ourselves for a most meaningful life. It definitely leads to improved everyday life, and like every manual of instruction, it is not just theory or belief, but real how-to-live stuff.

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7. 79

   Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years ago

   The purpose of any religion is to improve our everyday lives, and help us live the best way possible.  Unfortunately, a lot of people get off track and resort to magical thinking, even becoming OCD about it.  This is what leads to disillusionment, cults, and even war.
   This reminds me of the poem by John Sexton:
   
   It was six men of Indostan to learning much inclined,
   Who went to see the Elephant (though all of them were blind),
   That each by observation might satisfy his mind.
   
   The First approach'd the Elephant, and happening to fall
   Against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:
   "God bless me! but the Elephant is very like a wall!"
   
   The Second, feeling of the tusk, cried, -"Ho! what have we here
   So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear
   This wonder of an Elephant is very like a spear!"
   
   The Third approached the animal, and happening to take
   The squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake:
   "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant is very like a snake!"
   
   The Fourth reached out his eager hand, and felt about the knee.
   "What most this wondrous beast is like is mighty plain," quoth he,
   "'Tis clear enough the Elephant  is very like a tree!"
   
   The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, said: "E'en the blindest man
   Can tell what this resembles most; deny the fact who can,
   This marvel of an Elephant is very like a fan!"
   
   The Sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope,
   Then, seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope,
   "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant is very like a rope!"
   
   And so these men of Indostan disputed loud and long,
   Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong,
   Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
   
   MORAL.
   
   So oft in theologic wars,  the disputants, I ween,
   Rail on in utter ignorance  of what each other mean,
   And prate about an Elephant  not one of them has seen!
   
   Case in point: All religions have some truth to them, but none have all the answers.  So skip the magical thinking, OCD, and war.
   
   P.S.  The first time I came across this poem was in a friend's Catholic Catechism class.

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8. 71

   Inspired 4 Uposted 10 years ago

   I think to much emphasis is placed on religion when the focus needs to be on a real and personal relationship with God, His will and His ways.  Religious centered people tend to get sidelined by church traditions, which are more man-made judgmental preferences that have been followed for generations rather than being bible-based. When we study to show ourselves approved, try the spirit by the spirit, work out our own soul salvation, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach, correct and guide us into all truth, we'll be a better representation/ reflection of God's love as the body of Christ. Religiosity creates division and keeps many would be/ could be saved souls on the outside looking in or running in the opposite direction.

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9. 48

   erorantesposted 10 years ago

   Religion  is good with moderation. You need to  Learn the basic, and you do not need to get too fanatic about things of religion.

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10. 66

    Sundeep Katariaposted 10 years ago

    Religion is a particular way of life suggested by a set of learned people (sometimes an individual also) from time to time and place to place.
    It has suggested and recommended path to Spirituality which goes through an individual, his life, his family and the society.
    
    That is why we have so many religions with different places of origin and dates of origin. These are best suited to the needs of the time. place and circumstances prevailing at that time.
    
    The good thing is that all religions are good, point towards good and have so many good suggestions and practices which are common.

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11. 0

    swilliamsposted 10 years ago

    To each his own is how I view religion. The worldly definition of religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods. Controlling power is what Jesus fought against. One should act in love and Love is not a religion. It is patient kind and everlasting. But most important love is non-judgmental . I believe in Love over religion.

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12. 36

    edhanposted 10 years ago

    Religion has guided me throughout my entire life. It presented help whenever I needed and made me a better person. It is knowing about the religion true meaning where it teaches goodness in us. I do believe when it is the right time for you, you will come to realize and learn the teaching.
    
    Basically, it teaches us to be good and kind to everyone.

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13. 59

    C.V.Rajanposted 10 years ago

    When I think of religion, several things come into mind:
    1) Time pass
    2) Business with God/ seeking solution for problems/ solution for prosperity
    3) Searching for ways of dumping my sins
    4) Fanaticism
    5) Faith
    6) Blind faith
    7) soul searching
    8) God searching
    9) seeking comfort
    10) Intellectual hair-splitting with scriptures
    11) "I am more right than you"
    12) "You are following the wrong path"
    13) Holier than thou
    14) God realization/ Self realization (if at all I am really serious!)

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14. 71

    Harishprasadposted 10 years ago

    To some, religion symbolises a particular religious text, set of beliefs, rituals and worshipping God as depicted in that particular religious text. It is also about going to church, synagogue, mosque, temple etc. and offer prayers there. To some, doing all this can be a way of their redemption from all kind of sins and getting a  blissful place called Heaven. Also, for some, religion is a way of improvement of positive traits in them and development as a better guy. It also enables one to enrich his/her life and experience some kind of enlightenment and insight to know God. In my view, all these reasons stem from the sheer selfishness and cannot be called a real purpose behind this deeper edifice that is called religion. In my view, religion is religion and worshipper is worshipper if one proceeds towards realization of true love, true love for God and for whole existence comprising all beings that is humans, animals, plants and even a particle contained in the universe. When a guy turns himself/herself into pure love and sees all as one as God, real purpose of religion is served then only and not before this. Having said this, I am also of the view that words are not sufficient to describe the true purpose of religion and limiting ourselves to books, rituals, symbols and words make us also limited. Being limited, we cannot comprehend or have a glimpse of the real icon of religion that is called God, Allah, Ishwar and so on. A true believer is that who does not discriminate on the basis of religion,creed,race,colour,birth,species and any other term. Only when these signs are visible in a guy, should one be convinced that religion is being followed truly. Following a religion and hating the adherents of alien religions is not a true way of worshipping God. Having said this, I can safely say that all this and all that which had been already said is also not religion as this is a evolving process and God has made the religions this way only. Perhaps, God wants us to explore Him incessently beyond eternity and see us on the sacred path of gaining a perfect insight to know Him and thus establish ourselves as true sons /daughters. So, my dear www-mywikistep, keep exploring and don't stop even when you get the best answer here.You have asked such a beautiful question that I cannot but to express my sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart. God bless you.

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15. 0

    JThomp42posted 10 years ago

    Inspired 4 u has basically said everything that I was going to say.

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16. 50

    Norine Williamsposted 9 years ago

    "Religion" as the world defines it, is the most misleading, traditional word known in society today!  The "ONLY" thing that will "help us improve our everyday life" and receive "eternal life" is the truth in the Scriptures!  II Timothy 2:16 says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, "rightly dividing the word of truth."

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