In your opinion, what is the point of religion?

What does it do for you?

I'm just going to try very hard to keep my mouth shut on this subject.

Alan Smithee wrote:I'm just going to try very hard to keep my mouth shut on this subject.

RobbieFTW wrote:What does it do for you?

It annoys me.

(Hey Alan & CeCe )

I have no problem believing in God and the bible and, while I don't belong to a church (at this time), my faith sustains me and keeps me grounded.

There is no point to delving into specifics because I honestly don't think people on here care to read it, anyway.

If you find solace in yours, then more power to you. Religion is not necessarily a bad thing. Whether you believe it or not, it does keep people grounded. I'm far from religious.....I can barely quote you any scriptures and I don't go to church, but I do recognize the good in it. And the bad. The only problem is that there is no balance.

i think there are hypocrites either way... those who claim they are "saved" or "spiritual" and act like asshole (like my cousin)... and those who claim to be athiests who call out to a god when placed in certain situations.

im not a church goer... but i read my bible. there is enough historic truth in the bible to question what is possible and what is not. As far as praying, i have indeed prayed in certain situations... which makes me one of those damn hypocrites. i dont do it regularly... but when i have prayed for things... i usually get it. some will say that it is the process of visualization and self-actualization... but whatever it is... it makes me feel better. I would rather believe that my sister is happy in heaven somewhere riding her harleys and strutting around in bikinis wrestling in coleslaw--- than to think she just isnt anywhere but in the bag of dust on my tv

You don't have to go to church to have faith, believe in God, and have a relationship with Him--that's my opinion.

To control the masses.

The 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00

I suppose it depends on how we define "religion." There are so many definitions to it, I can write books on what the point of each is.

As for what it does for me, it's not about that. I'm a firm believer in truth. I believe in my religion because I believe it's truth, and the only "religion" that is true. What I get out of it is secondary, at best. My goal is to be on the side of truth and do what I believe God's asking of me. (Not what best fits in with what I'd prefer.)

I am a non believer, however I think some people need to believe in god and the threat of hell to behave like decent people. In which case all power to them. My experience with too many Christians is that they do everything the bible warns them against and then claim they are saved so it is ok. I remind them that the bible says that not all who cry lord lord will see the kingdom of heaven.

I don't think religion is a bad thing. If it's used correctly, it can be a beautiful thing.

My problem is with the extremist. That goes for the religious zealots and the atheistic zealots. To me, they both one and the same.

Suzi wrote:I am a non believer, however I think some people need to believe in god and the threat of hell to behave like decent people. In which case all power to them. My experience with too many Christians is that they do everything the bible warns them against and then claim they are saved so it is ok. I remind them that the bible says that not all who cry lord lord will see the kingdom of heaven.

And that's very true--the term "Christian" is thrown about all the time and very loosely interpreted. Not everyone claiming to be "Christian", actually is, and you'll know the ones who truly are, by their actions. Those who talk the talk, but don't walk the walk, are indeed the very ones being referred to in the passage about not everyone gets a free pass to the Kingdom. Rude awakening for some, someday. . .

Hyacinth Girl wrote:

And that's very true--the term "Christian" is thrown about all the time and very loosely interpreted. Not everyone claiming to be "Christian", actually is, and you'll know the ones who truly are, by their actions. Those who talk the talk, but don't walk the walk, are indeed the very ones being referred to in the passage about not everyone gets a free pass to the Kingdom. Rude awakening for some, someday. . .

Don't I wish that I could believe they would have a rude awakening, but fact is I don't think there is anything waiting for them other than the grave. They will have spent their lives being the nastiest of people and never have to pay for it, other than in others memories.

Suzi wrote:
Don't I wish that I could believe they would have a rude awakening, but fact is I don't think there is anything waiting for them other than the grave. They will have spent their lives being the nastiest of people and never have to pay for it, other than in others memories.

I truly believe there will be that rude awakening for some, though I don't wish it on anyone. As nasty as people can be, no one is ever completely hopeless in God's eyes. I've heard it said that God is the God of second, third, fouth, chances, and so on. Personally, I think there's a lot waiting for all of us other than the grave--so much beyond that, afterwards, we can't comprehend it from an eternal standpoint, because those of us who are still alive on Earth, haven't experienced eternity yet.

That's the whole basis of faith, for those of us who believe--trusting in what you cannot see, trusting in what's promised to come along. Where's the hope of anything if all there is, is the daily grind here on Earth, then nothing after that? All that we've worked for, strived for in our lives, blown to nothing when we die? Seems like a crappy deal to me--life sucks then you die.

I'd rather believe that there is so much more than this, and our time spent on Earth is just a stopover, and training ground for what's to come. It gives me hope and something to look forward to, knowing that everything I have done, am doing, and will do, is not in vain, or not for a purpose.

Religion is like fire. A useful tool for some but very dangerous in the wrong hands.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:You don't have to go to church to have faith, believe in God, and have a relationship with Him--that's my opinion.

I feel same way.

tmontyb wrote:I don't think religion is a bad thing. If it's used correctly, it can be a beautiful thing.

My problem is with the extremist. That goes for the religious zealots and the atheistic zealots. To me, they both one and the same.

Personally, it's all about inspiration and motivation. It gets me excited! I don't know the whole bible by heart, and I don't walk around quoting bible verses. But I love to listen to and study the Bible. It gives me something to hold on to when everything else is going to hell in a hand basket, and I must say that things have gone MUCH smoother since I've incorporated it more into my life.

I'm not the "model Christian" but I'm cool with that right now, because it doesn't sound like something I want to be. I still tell people God ain't through with me yet right before I cuss them out. I go to church sporadically and if I don't feel like jumping up and down with everyone else...fuck it, I ain't gonna do it. I go to listen and learn and recharge spiritually, not act a fool in the name of Jesus. Growing up I wasn't a church fan because of the stuffy nature (and one bad experience at a sanctified church ) but now that I've found a good church, I leave feeling much better than when I walked in. I think that's what's most important.