Define Religion

[The Middle Way]

Define Religion

TMW

[katia]

i suppose you want my opinion on religion and not the typical definition you'll find in a dictionary, yes?

religion is a morbid social perversion utilizing fascism and primitive magical-thought and fear-based paradigms of spirituality to subjugate, dominate and control the feeble-minded.

there. 

[The Middle Way]

i suppose you want my opinion on religion and not the typical definition you'll find in a dictionary, yes?

religion is a morbid social perversion utilizing fascism and primitive magical-thought and fear-based paradigms of spirituality to subjugate, dominate and control the feeble-minded.

there. 

Well, that is revealing, but it just doesn't help me here. Thanks all the same.

Hint: an operator such as is, might not be the best approach when you state an acute opinion like that. IE: I would tend to agree with a lot of your statement, but it doesn't work as an absolute, plus the topic title does use the verb define, not opine. Also, you've mostly given examples of what gets done by religion, in place of what it "is" or Might Be.

...a cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion doesn't refer to religion in the sense that it does with christianity. religion, in the context of this definition, would be used for exaggerating the significance of the enjoyment of a habit or activity in which one engages.

like "i love jogging... i do it every day religiously" or "watching "regis and kelly"  is my religion".

it's [not] meant to imply that "jogging" or "watching regis and kelly" or anything else applicable by the standards of this definition should be considered categorically equivalent to organized religion. 

Are these categorically equivalent to <religion> or religious activity per se, though? I think most of us understand what is meant by 'organized religion'.

tmw

[Lori]

Religion, the root of all evil.
It's the excuse used to do bad or ill things unto others.
It's the word oppression is based on
It's the idea that starts wars.

The ideology of it is good, but used by man it's the downfall of society.

[Pica Pica]

now i am not a religious amorphous blob of desire, but to call it the root of evil is pretty harsh.
I bet there is no crime committed in the name of religion that doesn't serve some other purpose to the person committing it. In fact it is such a good excuse because of the amount of good it does.

It is a self help group for the helpless, a community centre, a family for those without, a social network, a source of personal significance, an attempt at connecting with something else be it world, god or people, a way of structuring life, the birthplace of many thousands of charitable organisations and good ideas, one of the last forms of social cohesion, an excuse for a party, theatre, a common mode of expression and a living beacon of hope to millions.

Just a pity they are founded on bunches of silly stories that's all.

[Yvonne]

It is a form of worship. It includes a system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; they may be personal or they may be advocated by an organization, but these days religion means BRAINWASHED.

[The Middle Way]

Religion, the root of all evil.
It's the excuse used to do bad or ill things unto others.
It's the word oppression is based on
It's the idea that starts wars.

Let me try and be didactic here:

1) "THE excuse...", not an excuse, or "THE idea" that starts wars, rather than one idea... is less-than-reasonable in a philosophical discourse.

2) Please elaborate on the etymology: > religion > oppression, I rather doubt that it works quite that way.

3) when you use an absolute such as all evil, be prepared to have your post considered as readily dismissable.

twm

[Pica Pica]

Religion, the root of all evil.
It's the excuse used to do bad or ill things unto others.
It's the word oppression is based on
It's the idea that starts wars.

Let me try and be didactic here:

1) "THE excuse...", not an excuse, or "THE idea" that starts wars, rather than one idea... is less-than-reasonable in a philosophical discourse.

2) Please elaborate on the etymology: > religion > oppression, I rather doubt that it works quite that way.

3) when you use an absolute such as all evil, be prepared to have your post considered as readily dismissable.

twm

Stirrer 

[The Middle Way]

Religion, the root of all evil.
It's the excuse used to do bad or ill things unto others.
It's the word oppression is based on
It's the idea that starts wars.

Let me try and be didactic here:

1) "THE excuse...", not an excuse, or "THE idea" that starts wars, rather than one idea... is less-than-reasonable in a philosophical discourse.

2) Please elaborate on the etymology: > religion > oppression, I rather doubt that it works quite that way.

3) when you use an absolute such as all evil, be prepared to have your post considered as readily dismissable.

twm

Stirrer 

Hey it's my topic, I am merely trying to keep her on track. Also, last I looked, it said: 'critical thinking required', up top of this board. I don't think I'm stirring, just trying to nip some types of discourse - in a forum called philosophy - in the bud.

the middle troll

[Pica Pica]

having fun though?

[The Middle Way]

Is that not the point of all of this stuff?

Yes.

tmw

[Pica Pica]

good.

[The Middle Way]

I am about as anti- as one can be, when you get down to what gets down in the name of God, by religions.

My whole thought is that when you get to where you won't argue reasonably, because you are going by a belief system that has become dogmatic, you are becoming part of the self-same problem.

TMW

[Lori]

You said "Define religion"

That is pretty open.

I defined it how it is how I have seen it, not how it should be. Every bigot I have encountered has used religion to attack me or others I know. Christians and Muslims have been fighting each other since the beginning of time and guess what? They are fighting now killing each other in the name of God.

I can say religion is the root of all evil. You did not specify what religion or who's belief system to define.

I believe man created god not the other way around. Man also created evil, for without man there would be no evil.

[tinkerbell]

The dictonary definition is such:

1.) A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
2.) An institution to express belief in a divine power.

To me, religion in the true sense means the pure love of our souls for God.

The ideology of it is good, but used by man it's the downfall of society.

Indeed.  Religion is not evil per se.  The people who organize it tend to be.  I think that people in general have done so many atrocities in this world and absolved themselves of sin by using the name of God and the church. If you are familiar with the Spanish Inquisition, you will know what I am trying to say.  The slaughter of the Latin American tribes was all perfectly okay according to "Jesus". That's the trick, I think, God and man shouldn't mix. No one should be able to tell you what God thinks, for everyone needs to make those decisions for themselves, including the people who are being (were) killed.


tink

[cindianna_jones]

I believe that religion is a way of life that looks beyond our mortality to explain our existance and continuation after our death.  It sets basic ground rules for morality and decency.  It promotes a faith in a deity who has some control over our existence.

Religion on its own is benign.

Religion often provides the conduit by which those seeking power control the masses.  Religions have a loyal following already... why not sieze it to do with it what you will?

Cindi

[Renae.Lupini]

Religion is the most widely accepted alternative to reality.

[David W. Shelton]

Guys, is it possible to post your thoughts as to the "definition of religion" without attacking all religion or religion in general? Do try to remember, that many members of this forum hold to just as many religious traditions and beliefs.

Please remember that we need to respect everyone, including those of faith. The Philosophy forum is not going to digress into a religion-bashing forum.

Thank you.

[Renae.Lupini]

Guys, is it possible to post your thoughts as to the "definition of religion" without attacking all religion or religion in general? Do try to remember, that many members of this forum hold to just as many religious traditions and beliefs.

Please remember that we need to respect everyone, including those of faith. The Philosophy forum is not going to digress into a religion-bashing forum.

Thank you.

I do not see it as we are bashing religion at all. The point of this post was to give our own unique definition of religion. For some of us, religion is seen more as a hindrance than a help to society. We are not saying anyone is wrong for believing in a particular religion so I think it is only fair that we be allowed to not believe.

[David W. Shelton]

It's no more "okay" for a person of faith to post that their belief is that all (blank) go to "hell" than it is "okay" for someone else to post that they think that all religion is the "root of all evil."

Please keep that in mind. Stick to the topic. Thanks.

UPDATE: This thread has been moved to the Spirituality forum.

Religion, the root of all evil.
It's the excuse used to do bad or ill things unto others.
It's the word oppression is based on
It's the idea that starts wars.

The ideology of it is good, but used by man it's the downfall of society.

Is this your opinion or a statement of fact? Please clarify.

THANKS

i suppose you want my opinion on religion and not the typical definition you'll find in a dictionary, yes?

religion is a morbid social perversion utilizing fascism and primitive magical-thought and fear-based paradigms of spirituality to subjugate, dominate and control the feeble-minded.

there. 

:: DUCKS :: Well, let's just say that I see it a little differently. However, I do think you have a point. "Religion" in general is definitely used to control in some cases. And that's as tragic as it is wrong.

I'm just glad that there are those of us who utilize faith and compassion to reach out with love-based paradigms of spiritality to heal, serve, and encourage everyone from the "feeble-minded" to the brilliant.

I do think that it's a little unfair to imply that people of faith are all feeble-minded. But that's just me!