How do we personally define 'Religion'?

[geoseph]

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Hi Everyone,

I was taught back in college (Philo 1) that two debaters can actually be correct at the same time, given the definition each one holds. It may help us better understand each other, and just a important, better understand our own beliefs, if we can share our personal understanding of our terms.

I hope very few of us would quote from dictionaries or similar sources, unless it happens to honestly match the definition one holds. It may be good though, to quote other person's personal definitions. If it may help, other related terms may also be defined.

It is possible some of our personal definitions may not be agreeable to others but, that's where respect comes in.

For this thread, how does one define 'religion'?

Thanks. :mrgreen:

[geoseph]

To start, my personal definition of 'religion' is what one actually practices in daily life. Because I'm assuming, what one does is what one actually believes in. And so behind our practices would be a body of beliefs one actually holds (which may not be the same as what one professes).

In contrast, I define 'church' (besides the literal temple) as organized religion, that is, a body of beliefs a group of persons hold together.

[Sinyalan]

frankly speaking, religion is the mother of all f*** ups. Sorry for being so blunt.

[mariox]

religion

re·li·gion [ri lÃ*jjÉ™n]
(plural re·li·gions)
noun
1. beliefs and worship: people's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life
2. system: an institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine
3. personal beliefs or values: a set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by
4. obsession: an object, practice, cause, or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by
The danger is that you start to make fitness a religion.

5. christianity monk's or nun's life: life as a monk or a nun, especially in the Roman Catholic Church


[12th century. Via French < Latin religion- "obligation, reverence"]


-re·lig·ion·less, adjective
get religion (informal)
1. U.S. to stop flouting the rules, regulations, customs, and expectations of society
2. to become a believer or join a religious organization, and, usually, start to lead a life that follows its teachings

Microsoft® Encarta® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


hehe... IMHO, religion is (mostly) more of a "culture thingy", were into it because mao na ato namat an ug bout. mao na namat an sa atong parents, grand parents and so on and so forth... we fight, kill and die for it bec. mao na ato namat ag bout...

ang pagbalhin sa laing religion, will mean--- you dont like your culture, your family, the way youre raised, etc... you'll most likely be an outcast...

[geoseph]

Thanks for sharing mariox bai.

Thanks for contributing Sinyalan sir.

[Sinyalan]

TAOISM - Crap happens
HINDUISM - This crap happens before
ISLAM - If crap happens, take a hostage
BUDDHISM - When crap happens is it really crap?
7TH DAY ADVENTIST - Crap happens on saturday
PROTESTANTISM - Crap won't happen if I work harder
CATHOLICISM - If crap happens, I deserve it
JEHOVA'S WITNESS - Knock, knock... crap happens
JUDAISM - Why does crap always happen to me
HARE KRISHNA - Crap happens rama rama ding dong
AETHEISM - No crap!
T.V. EVANGELISM - Send more crap
RASTAFARIANISM - Let's smoke this crap.

source: Leftwing Mentality Resources and Stuff You Don't See. (184 pages, 3rd ed. MGH, NJ)

Basically my definition of Religion is - A sociological institution that's true purpose is to protect the family structure (by alienating homosexuals) through guilt, self-doubt and fear by spouting the dogma of a man-made God in order to increase the reproductive rate of pre-industrial or medieval civilizations, which in turn increases a species overall chance of survival. Up until about two hundred years ago religion was needed in order to keep high birth rates and control the masses; however today, religion is used as a tool to make war, confuse and psychologically damage people and promote hatred towards diversity. To name a few;

1) The source of most of the world's problems (ei-discrimination, holocaust, homophobia, terrorism, etc...)
2) A common belief by a large group of weak minded people in an imaginary being that helps them cope with the fact that their miserable lives will end eventually
3) Hypocrisy
4) cults and a form of brainwashing

[geoseph]

Thanks for sharing Sinyalan sir.

[potterboy]

actually, my definition of religion is everything opposite to sinyalan's.

[geoseph]

Thanks for sharing potterboy bai.

[Sinyalan]

I'll add another from a friend of mine:

Religion: Is a complete waste of time. The ultimate social tool; convincing people that there is someone constantly watching them and they will be punished for everything in the end. Provides a guideline for life for people who can't think for themselves. Provides a precise moral handbook (yes, it literally is a book- because all the lessons that life has to offer can be condensed into book), for people who think life is just easier when there is a clear-cut right and wrong. Brainwashes people. Gives people an excuse to avert their eyes from reality. Allows people to justify anything in the world under the guise of righteousness. Helps people who can't handle the truth get through the day. A massive lie that people waste their entire lives on. Responsible for destroying countless cultures and killing millions of people. Now remember, Jesus saves...

Religion is holding everyone back.

by: Dan Atli