What is religion for?

what are all the religions for? why do people wish to follow religion? do they believe theres is true?

It fulfills us. . . did you know there are more people with mental illnesses with no religion than there is with religion.

of course they all believe thiers is true, but they can't all be right, lol. (MY THEORY)Religion was created to explain the unexplainable events thousands of years ago. earthquakes, storms, tornadoes. No one could comprehend the science behind it back then so they invented religion. GOD makes it rain, GOD caused that earthquake, how could they have known that everything had scientific explanation. So I really don't see how people are still religious. Religion has been used to brain wash people, how many people have died for their god. Religion created fearless warriors, and there is alway's someone who gains from a warriors death. Also to cope with some of the facts of life. The only reason I would like to be religious is because of death. Be able to see your loved ones lost after death, but that just simply aint true

Reasons are many. Some follow religion because it is a part of the culture they grew up in. Demographically, this is true for the majority of people. Others follow religion because it offers purpose and direction, or answers to complex issues. And some follow a religion because they have no choice or because of sheer coincidence.

Study up on the spread of Christianity through Europe during the Early Middle Ages. You'll find that many people converted because of reasons that had nothing to do with salvation or the promise of eternal life. Christanity's spread has been based more on the sword and on money, than anything else.

Can we say Crusades?

Can we say Indulgences?

All great points semi1900.

To paraphrase an old song...

God! - huh- yeah-
What is he good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Say it again y’all

I do not consider myself following any religion, as I feel that is man made. I try to follow the Spirit of the Living God, to share what I have learned of Him, and to offer hope to anyone that is interested.

I try to be loving and kind, in all that I do, because that is the way my Savior is. It is his will for his children to imitate Him, to the best of their abilities, and that is what I strive to do.

I have always been around people of faith, so, it comes easy to me, especially after having an encounter with God in 1985.

There is no life outside of the faith life for me. I am sold out, 100% to God. I do not need to look any further. I have all the evidence that I need, living within me.

Once the blinders are lifted off of our eyes, we can then, see the truth, even though it is all around us, every day of our lives. The god of this world, Satan, has blinded the eyes of multitudes of people, and continues to rob them of the joy that is available to them.

For a people to fight a loving God that gave them life, sustains that life for them, enables them to procreate and populate the earth, desires that they have abundant life, and offers them eternal life with him, in a place beyond their wildest desires, is beyond me. Satan has done his job well.

I believe religion is for those who are afraid of going to hell, and cannot guide their own lives, but create what they try to prevent. Religion is for people who need a pamphlet to guide them through life, noting is wrong with that, who am I kidding there is a lot wrong with that, allow "yourself" to guide your "own" life, yes I believe in the essence of God not the being of God, the being of God seeks Happiness, the essence appreciates it.

Religion is for giving people a sense of stability and purpose in a stable spontanious universe.

"For a people to fight a loving God that gave them life...is beyond me."

You answered your own question.

"I have always been around people of faith, so, it comes easy to me, especially after having an encounter with God in 1985. "

Perhaps not everyone has been so lucky as to have an "encounter with God". And perhaps having faith in a deity who gives absolutely no proof of his existence, in a world filled with suffering and countless alternative religions, doesn't "come so easy" to the rest of us.

The arrogance and level of presumption of some Christians does far more damage to the religion than who you call Satan (for whom there is also no proof).

Rneal,

Can you point us to a study regarding the mental illness/religion question? I would like to read it to see how the experiments were set up or the questions phrased.

"What is the purpose of religion and church?"

 
v Religion and church

1) The common purpose of religion is to aid the entity in its search for Truth.

2) Each entity's level of development and understanding is different.

3) It takes many different styles of religion to accommodate the growth needs of entities at various times.

4) The value of a religion can be judged by its operation and intended accomplishments.

5) Churches exist for the benefit of entities.

6) Churches are to religion what a bathtub is to water.

7) They allow the entity an opportunity to soak in the fellowship of like-minded entities.

8) Churches also allow an entity a method through which to share.

 

religion is a way to explain why stuff happens...esp' bad stuff.
it;s a fairytale that makes people feel better...like santa claus.

The great monotheastic religions were a necessary stage in the development of the humac culture. Religion was created to explain the unexplainable and now Science has taken that roll.

Science and religion both seek the same thing: Truth. There can be no reconciliation between the two. The collision of worldviews is well under way and worsening. Science has already refuted most of the core beliefs of the world's historical religions, bringing those religions into a state of turmoil.

I ask you to contemplate the universe that you know exists. Is it not, by itself, more awe-inspiring than any God concept offered by the historical religions? Science and faith can not coexist. One will destroy the other. Whichever it is, is up to you