Why we need religion.

[MrKnowItAll]

Theory.

Religion was started by some form of "government" in the early times of governing. The idea was to create a "book of laws" according to what they thought was right/wrong. Now, remember, other then the fact that back then things were much different then they are now morally, in other cultures right to them could be very wrong to us. Some of the laws they wanted followed were things such as;

NO murder or HELL.
NO infidelity or HELL.
NO modifications to the body or HELL. (This would most likely have been because they wouldn't want people trying to trick authorities with disguises)
NO being gay or HELL.
NO committing suicide or HELL.

The list goes on. Then we get the idea that HELL is the worst possible place you could ever imagine. Many plot holes are in the Bible, which would be common for something created so long ago. The thing is, whether you agree with religion or not, we DO need it. Simply because it keeps the general population of people at PEACE. By this, I mean, many people don't murder others not because they are afraid of prison, but afraid of Hell. The distinct possibility that MAYBE just MAYBE God really does exist going through the back of our head, keeps us sane rather then savage. That little subconscious really does make a huge difference on how we as people act in current society. I think the suicide, homosexual, murder, etc. RATE would be much much higher, MUCH much higher without religion.

... The explanation of all the "other" religions out there, is simple, all connected with the original theory, every religion created was formed by that country or that "places" government of people. That's why there is so many religions because in the early days there was so many different colonies of people, villages, etc. that when they finally did get the idea of governing, they also got the idea of created a "book of laws" which we are still following those laws, today. Ironic.

Every religious book wants you to follow a line of commands, worship a higher authority, or you will end up in the worst place imaginable. Sounds very much like laws, government, prison, in early day terms if you ask me.

 

[cannabineer]

I think religion preceded complex government. If you look at primitive societies, either from oldest texts relating even older oral tradtiions ... or modern neolithic tribes, power was always divided among the two heads of the tribe:
1) the chief.
2) the shaman.
I feel that religion is as old as humanity, and older than civilization. cn

 

[MrKnowItAll]

I think religion preceded complex government. If you look at primitive societies, either from oldest texts relating even older oral tradtiions ... or modern neolithic tribes, power was always divided among the two heads of the tribe:
1) the chief.
2) the shaman.
I feel that religion is as old as humanity, and older than civilization. cn

Very nice. Thank you for that.

 

[Howard Stern]

Yeah I think religion is a good thing for stupid people! Keeps them inline and also gives them an excuse for their failures! "God has a plan for you at Wal Mart!" LOL It is funny how all our politicians have to say they believe or they wont get elected! Or that Bush asked god if we should go into Iraq. Religious people are crazy!

 

[dbkick]

religion is for those who can't control morals or ethics on their own without this belief/control, I've recently decided to fuck off most every religion there is.

 

[mak]

lmao i think like the OP's post..

also,where did karma come from?

 

[silasraven]

dude, you need to be spiritual fruit and not a religious nut.

 

[buddha webb]

I believe in all the above too.
I also believe religion was a form of business,a way of conditioning people and scareing people to step the line,the beginnings of capitalism were born from religion....

They would interpret the oracles in ways favorable to themselves and their order; they would proclaim themselves friends and confidants of the god, walking with him in the night-time, receiving his messages and angels, acting as his deputies in forgiving offenses, in dealing punishments and in receiving gifts. They would become makers of laws and moral codes. They would wear special costumes to distinguish them, they would go through elaborate ceremonies to impress their followers, employing all sensuous effects, architecture and sculpture and painting, music and poetry and dancing, candles and incense and bells and gongs:.....taken from The profits of religion..

 

[tip top toker]

David Cameron has just stated that we are a Christian country. We've been waging wars for the apst decade with 3 different countries, for no valid reason. Define "peace"

 

[SuperDaveJr712]

*Looks at signature and laughs*

 

[Carne Seca]

The fear of death is the catalyst for religion.


Or as my old anthropology of religion professor stated it, "The mystery of death brought about spirituality and eventually religion."

 

[buddha webb]

have you heard about the church of weed? something like that ,and they believe Weed is everything!!!temple 420 i think! confirm it is..Sotned

 

[purklize]

In modern times, religion is largely used to suppress the class struggle. "Don't worry if you can't feed your kids while working three jobs. I'll be burning in hell and you'll be feasting in heaven before you know it. Now put down that gun, Thou Shalt Not Kill, so I can kill you."

 

[MrKnowItAll]

David Cameron has just stated that we are a Christian country. We've been waging wars for the apst decade with 3 different countries, for no valid reason. Define "peace"

Looking at it from different perspectives as you have, will certainly make religion appear differently in different lights.
I like many of the answers I've seen here, including this one.
When I use the term "peace" I use it very lightly, what I was intending on was the simple fact that religion lowers crime rates.
When I say crime rates, again, I use the term loosely, because I'm not just speaking crimes, being homosexual is not a crime, but would be increased without religion.
Now, depending on what shade of light your observing the topic of religion in, it could very well be seen as more "dangerous" then "peace making."

But the fact of the matter is, whether wars are fought over religion or not, religion certainly saves more lives then it does end.
But I completely understand that it DOES end a good number of lives as well.
I think about religion in a radical sense rather then traditional sense.
I think all religions should be observed through a radical mind, because radical thinking clearly brings out better results.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Theory.

Religion was started by some form of "government" in the early times of governing. The idea was to create a "book of laws" according to what they thought was right/wrong. Now, remember, other then the fact that back then things were much different then they are now morally, in other cultures right to them could be very wrong to us. Some of the laws they wanted followed were things such as;

NO murder or HELL.
NO infidelity or HELL.
NO modifications to the body or HELL. (This would most likely have been because they wouldn't want people trying to trick authorities with disguises)
NO being gay or HELL.
NO committing suicide or HELL.

The list goes on. Then we get the idea that HELL is the worst possible place you could ever imagine. Many plot holes are in the Bible, which would be common for something created so long ago. The thing is, whether you agree with religion or not, we DO need it. Simply because it keeps the general population of people at PEACE. By this, I mean, many people don't murder others not because they are afraid of prison, but afraid of Hell. The distinct possibility that MAYBE just MAYBE God really does exist going through the back of our head, keeps us sane rather then savage. That little subconscious really does make a huge difference on how we as people act in current society. I think the suicide, homosexual, murder, etc. RATE would be much much higher, MUCH much higher without religion.

... The explanation of all the "other" religions out there, is simple, all connected with the original theory, every religion created was formed by that country or that "places" government of people. That's why there is so many religions because in the early days there was so many different colonies of people, villages, etc. that when they finally did get the idea of governing, they also got the idea of created a "book of laws" which we are still following those laws, today. Ironic.

Every religious book wants you to follow a line of commands, worship a higher authority, or you will end up in the worst place imaginable. Sounds very much like laws, government, prison, in early day terms if you ask me.

This looks like 'why we need the Abrahamic religions' to me.

 

[medicalmaryjane]

i dont need religion to b a peaceful person. i hate religion and i have a very difficult time taking religious people seriosuly. if you can believe that crap, u could believe anything.

i do like spirituality but not organized religion

 

[MrKnowItAll]

This looks like 'why we need the Abrahamic religions' to me.

Not just "Abrahamic" religions my friend, research some of the oldest lasting religions, some of the earlier works, as well as some of the revised or reconstructed religions.
Most, if not all, revolve around the same plot.
Although Abrahamic religions are of course the most followed that we know of, there are certainly many many more, revolving around the same ideas.
But I was primarily focusing on the religion put in place for most of us.
Simply to give a better understanding for people reading.

It would be very silly for me to use an example of religion that nobody really knows, heard of, or follows.
I picked the most popular & easily understanding one & went with it lol.

 

[MrKnowItAll]

i dont need religion to b a peaceful person. i hate religion and i have a very difficult time taking religious people seriosuly. if you can believe that crap, u could believe anything.

i do like spirituality but not organized religion

Agreed. I don't believe I need religion to stay peaceful either.
As I am a very non-religious person, I am very open to the idea of almost anything as far as creation.
But you would be surprised at how many people actually live there life based off religion.
I'm not talking about people who ARE religious either, I'm talking about atheist as well.

I wish I could find the study conducted, but one time they did a study & it found that our subconscious & how it relates religion plays a huge role to how civil we are.
You may not even KNOW that religion is what keeps you at peace.
The reason many of us are like this is because since we were born (most of us anyway) we have been told of some form of religion.
Within that religion, we have been told there is a God & a Hell.
Whether or not we grew OUT of believing this, it still resides in our subconscious because of how long it has been fed to us.
Not fed through us by parents necessarily, but by TV, radio, friends, billboards, etc.

Our mind is constantly thinking about things in it's subconscious state, every second, making last minute, split, & long-term decisions for us without us even knowing!
Ever go to a Mc. Donalds thinking your going to get a Big Mac but then end up getting something completely different?
That in itself can be caused by your subconscious wanting something different.
That simple decision was made by another part of your brain that you didn't even know you were using.

Now apply that same theory to religion.
You went from wanting a Big Mac to french fries.
You went from wanting to kill someone, to not.

Subconscious is a very underutilized tool in our brains.
If only we had better understanding of the brain & how to work certain functions at will.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Now apply that same theory to religion.
You went from wanting a Big Mac to french fries.
You went from wanting to kill someone, to not.

[video=youtube;obCZKHvUoBA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obCZKHvUoBA[/video]

 

[UncleBuck]

...NO being gay or HELL...whether you agree with religion or not, we DO need it...I think the...homosexual...RATE would be much much higher, MUCH much higher without religion.

what a surprise!

a religious person who uses their stale set of beliefs as an attempt to justify their bigotry.





sounds like you've got it all figured out.