Is Religion Necesary?

[Tetsanosuke]

No offence up front to all who read this. Having my own opinion of religion, I'd like to read other's opinions on this topic with an objective view.

Do you think religion is necesary for human life to prosper? Do you think the belief of (a) divine presence(s) is one of the things keeping this world together?

If so, why?

If not, Why not?

I hope to read a lot of responces on this topic. ^^

[Prophet of Death]

Actually IMO religion is ruining the world...

[Sagat]

I won't go into detail cause I know better than that for these topics.

Suffice it to say, I think it's caused more problems than good.

...*sits back and waits for the top to pop off the can of worms*

[Rageling]

Religion is a good tool of control. Wiccan, Christian, Satanism, and all others serve the purpose of giving people something to believe in and a structure to live by. Even atheism is built around the solitary belief that there is no higher power. Basically religion is a belief which is necessary to live by. We may not all necessary need it, but we all need some belief system to live by and religion does serve that purpose.

That's as far as I go I believe in beliefs. Details and insignificant facts, those are what gives people excuses for close-mindedness. I believe that Jesus was our savior, God created the world, we are all forgiven from our sins through him, and anything else I don't care. I am uplifted by my religion, I don't let it weigh me down because I believe that it's entire purpose is to give me strength not take it away or make me behave in ways contrary to my other beliefs.

EDIT: Just saw this and wanted to point out that I stopped believing in Jesus as the messiah and most Christian concepts about a week after this post.

[Tetsanosuke]

Hmmm... Very interesting Rageling!^^
Let's continue!

[Eris]

Religion is a good tool of control. Wiccan, Christian, Satanism, and all others serve the purpose of giving people something to believe in and a structure to live by. Even atheism is built around the solitary belief that there is no higher power. Basically religion is a belief which is necessary to live by. We may not all necessary need it, but we all need some belief system to live by and religion does serve that purpose.

No, atheism is not a religion. By definition religion is the beleif in a higher being, or higher beings, deities. Atheism is a philosophy, and a philosophy is pretty much what you described; a way to lead and structure your life.

[Rageling]

That's what I was trying to explain, we all need a belief structure even if it's not necessarily a religion but that religion does serve that purpose.

[Eris]

Why does one need a beleif structure? Can't one have their own ad-hoc beliefs?

[Sasuke is God]

no it's only for those who can't find there own way.

[famous]

No offence up front to all who read this. Having my own opinion of religion, I'd like to read other's opinions on this topic with an objective view.

Do you think religion is necesary for human life to prosper? Do you think the belief of (a) divine presence(s) is one of the things keeping this world together?

If so, why?

If not, Why not?

I hope to read a lot of responces on this topic. ^^

well u see
i mean
do u think that all this perfectness happened by an accident
or do u think many different gods decided to work together
cuz if they did they would have ther OWN oppinions
so everythign would not be so perfectly created
lol
umn i beielive in only one God and non other but 1
not 3 not 3 in 1
but JUST 1
my oppinion
lol
or i mena my religion
hehehe
u have to suddy different religions and see the best one standin out
but only if u wan to change
if u want to talk more about the subject
if i can help
u can pm me
hhehe
we feidns right?
^^

[Rageling]

Why does one need a beleif structure? Can't one have their own ad-hoc beliefs?

Some people may be able to but in the end most people will develop an over all system of beliefs. It's only human nature to set up a consistant philosophy on life.

[famous]

well cuz if evryone follows somethign different
ther would be so much violence
more than there is in the world
if ppl only took the time to understand each other and eachother's belifs
lol
and not try to tak over the worl that
is
lol
htere would be so much peace

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

That's what I was trying to explain, we all need a belief structure even if it's not necessarily a religion but that religion does serve that purpose.

Everyone needs structured thoughts, not a believe structure. I don't believe in gravity because I read it in a book, I believe in gravity because I've never observed any reactions between myself and the earth that can't be explained with Gravity. I've never flown into the air, therefore gravity exists. However, the most important part of any logical construct is being falsifiable. If I fly into space for no reason, gravity is obviously flawed as a concept. That's my problem with religion. Un-falsifiable.

[famous]

r u so sure or have checked every reigion?
i know one
u need to read and research more

[Ollie]

Until we know for sure how life began and know for sure what happens and where we go when we die...yes. Because people need religion to explain to them what they cannot understand, and humans take comfort in knowing that we can go to paradise or start life anew after dying, and that we may have a purpose in existing.

'Til all those needs are filled in scientifically or no longer needed by a majority, we need religion. Not me personally, though.

r u so sure or have checked every reigion?
i know one
u need to read and research more

Uhm, no? It's not necessarily. Religion is faith; you don't need proof and almost every time you can't prove something either way. You just believe in it.

[Eris]

Until we know for sure how life began and know for sure what happens and where we go when we die...yes. Because people need religion to explain to them what they cannot understand, and humans take comfort in knowing that we can go to paradise or start life anew after dying, and that we may have a purpose in existing.

'Til all those needs are filled in scientifically or no longer needed by a majority, we need religion. Not me personally, though.
Uhm, no? It's not necessarily. Religion is faith; you don't need proof and almost every time you can't prove something either way. You just believe in it.

We're never going to know for sure. It's like asking how it feels to kiss own your back. We can make more or less plausible theories, but you're never going to know for sure---it's simply impossible to say.

[saskie]

Um... When you have no knowledge or people to turn... The only thing you have left is your beliefs. That's what my teacher told me =P and I agree. Therefore I believe it is necessary.

[Masali]

The question is "Is it necessary". The Answer is No. No discussion is needed. If it were necessary, all atheists would be extinct.

[Ollie]

We're never going to know for sure. It's like asking how it feels to kiss own your back. We can make more or less plausible theories, but you're never going to know for sure---it's simply impossible to say.

Which means it's going to stay necessary. Yep.

[Death~Alchemist]

Matters.
I look at religion to be stepping stones to help guide you through life.(I am a buddhist and a Shintoist)
Life is a very hard/dangerous/scary place, but we all have to face it and ourself.

[Cantelope]

Whether any religion is right or wrong really doesn't matter, but in all major religions today, in each one lies an important factor. Religion, in my opinion, is made by man, as an attempt to instill morals, and the interest of the greater good into all people. Now, humanity doesn't NEED religion to survive, but it certainly helps. As long as people believe they'll go to hell if they rob a bank, and murder folks, I'm fine with it. BUT, religion DOES cause problems, when beliefs begin to conflict, and taking things to the extreme. But WITHOUT religion, people MIGHT be less hesitant to do things that are morally wrong.

Of course, that's when FEDERAL LAW comes in. I believe we'd be better off without religion, but apparently there's a huge need for people to believe there is a higher power controlling their lives, and they'll get benefits for being a good person, and will occasionally have their lives saved, or something. Get real.

[Tigris]

The real question here is not 'Is Religion Necessary?', but 'Is This Topic Necessary?'.
Sorry for sounding likae a jerk, but you need to search the forums more. The multitude of religion threads are...out of control. They make me sick. Not because of the topic; it is because of the lack of competent users and the fact that every single one catches more fire than California's woods...

As the topic questions...
I belive religion is as necassary as it means to you. Churches are compositions of wood and stone. They are not God. I believ as long as you do what is right, then you will go to heaven. But I am Catholic. Maybe I am wrong and the Satanists, or the Muslims, or the Lutherans, etc. are right. I do not care. All I know is what I believe and whatever the consequences/rewards are, I am ready to accept them...

[viewtyjoe]

The basic goal of religion is to set up a system of virtues such that the people who believe in this religion continue to thrive in the world. Example: What's the first command from God in the Bible? "Be fruitful and multiply." If that ain't setting up a system of self-propagation, then I don't know what is. What's dangerous is when people ignore what their religion says in order to use that religion for immoral acts. Example: according to the Koran, Jews and Christians are also believers, although not true believers like Muslims, and therefore are to be treated with respect and equality. When people ignore important things like that, then religion suddenly is responsible for a lot of the nastier things that have happened in the world.

Is religion necessary? Probably not. Is it useful? Heck yes it is. How were the "barbarians" in Europe conquered? They converted. How did Western civilization manage to make it out of the dark ages? Catholicism, oddly enough. What is most of the great Renaissance arts' subjects? Religious figures. If religion served no purpose, it would have died during the Enlightenment.

[White Wolf Of Solomon]

do you think that you your being your actions your good deeds are all spawned from your brain?,or do you think it goes deeper and that you have a soul?,if you think that it is only your brain than your being will die with you

[KIBAX]

I don't think it is neccesary for life to prosper. I am not really religious and I seem to be fine. I think that it is definatly holding some of the world together. People do need something to believe in to keep them going(I am not saying that God is not real), and sometimes God is all they have left to believe in. I am a christian just not a very.....powerful believer? I do try to do whats right but sometimes I just do what is easy.