The function of religion ?

[BADecker]

Religion is not what people think. Most people think of church, synagog, or mosque.

Religion is, really, the way of life. Each person has his own personal religion in the way he personally believes and lives.

Atheism is a religion.

Making up definitions is also a religion.

Not necessarily. Everything one does is part of his religion. But one particular thing, is only a person's religion when it overshadows everything else in his life that he does.

Noah and Daniel Webster wrote and compiled dictionaries. Their religions were religions of making up or modifying or clarifying definitions.

When you or I make up a definition once in a while, such is part of our religion, but it is not our religion.

[Astargath]

Religion is not what people think. Most people think of church, synagog, or mosque.

Religion is, really, the way of life. Each person has his own personal religion in the way he personally believes and lives.

Atheism is a religion.

Making up definitions is also a religion.

Not necessarily. Everything one does is part of his religion. But one particular thing, is only a person's religion when it overshadows everything else in his life that he does.

Noah and Daniel Webster wrote and compiled dictionaries. Their religions were religions of making up or modifying or clarifying definitions.

When you or I make up a definition once in a while, such is part of our religion, but it is not our religion.

''the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.''

''a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.''

You see, atheism does not worship anything, it also doesn't have any pursuit, it is in fact a non-belief, there is no goal, is just the lack of belief. That is the definition as well.
''disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.''

So no, atheism is not a religion and you should honestly stop making up definitions and words.

[BADecker]

Religion functions in such a way that it helps purify the soul of all of us believers. It is our guide so that as we travel life's journey, we may never be left behind or be afraid to walk forward because it is the light that brightens our path. It will never lead us to the wrong path. Religion is GOD. We may differ in our religious affiliations, but,  we all have the same and one true GOD.

Let's say that God has long white hair and a long white beard.

If I say His hair and beard are brown, but you say his hair and beard are short, we both are wrong about Him to some extent. We have made a simple mistake.

Somebody else says that God is really the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). He is not even close to being right.

If all of us say that we don't know for sure that our picture of God is correct, we might be worshiping the real God. But when we insist that our idea is completely correct, and only ours is, then some of us might be worshiping an idol rather than God.

At least you and I have made simple mistakes. The FSM guy is so far off that it is hard to see how he is not worshiping an idol. But only God can judge the heart.

The atheism religion suggests no God at all. Its believers are essentially setting themselves up as god over God, when everybody can see that God exists simply by looking at the marvels in the universe. Their atheism religion is a false one, since they as gods really have little strength at all.

[BADecker]

Religion is not what people think. Most people think of church, synagog, or mosque.

Religion is, really, the way of life. Each person has his own personal religion in the way he personally believes and lives.

Atheism is a religion.

Making up definitions is also a religion.

Not necessarily. Everything one does is part of his religion. But one particular thing, is only a person's religion when it overshadows everything else in his life that he does.

Noah and Daniel Webster wrote and compiled dictionaries. Their religions were religions of making up or modifying or clarifying definitions.

When you or I make up a definition once in a while, such is part of our religion, but it is not our religion.

''the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.''

''a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.''

You see, atheism does not worship anything, it also doesn't have any pursuit, it is in fact a non-belief, there is no goal, is just the lack of belief. That is the definition as well.
''disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.''

So no, atheism is not a religion and you should honestly stop making up definitions and words.

Now you are simply trolling. Why? Because you know that the definition of religion includes:

"something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice."

See: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/religion?s=t.

You continually prove that you are a person of bad faith, against telling the entire truth, except when it suits you.

But, thank you for giving me the opportunity to show forum readers this, about you.

[Astargath]

Religion is not what people think. Most people think of church, synagog, or mosque.

Religion is, really, the way of life. Each person has his own personal religion in the way he personally believes and lives.

Atheism is a religion.

Making up definitions is also a religion.

Not necessarily. Everything one does is part of his religion. But one particular thing, is only a person's religion when it overshadows everything else in his life that he does.

Noah and Daniel Webster wrote and compiled dictionaries. Their religions were religions of making up or modifying or clarifying definitions.

When you or I make up a definition once in a while, such is part of our religion, but it is not our religion.

''the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.''

''a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.''

You see, atheism does not worship anything, it also doesn't have any pursuit, it is in fact a non-belief, there is no goal, is just the lack of belief. That is the definition as well.
''disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.''

So no, atheism is not a religion and you should honestly stop making up definitions and words.

Now you are simply trolling. Why? Because you know that the definition of religion includes:

"something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:
to make a religion of fighting prejudice."

See: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/religion?s=t.

You continually prove that you are a person of bad faith, against telling the entire truth, except when it suits you.

But, thank you for giving me the opportunity to show forum readers this, about you.

Atheism is not a point or matter of ethics or conscience, people also do not believe in atheism, there is nothing to believe in so again you are WRONG.

[SirDwp]

You listed it) For myself I distinguish two functions: the presence of religion facilitates the control of society and makes it more predictable. And also it is a powerful support, a reference point for a believing person.

[panekerbalap]

all human beings have their respective religions whether they are derivatives or choices. religion as the foundation of every individual human life is not just a hundredth.

[k00d8]

I agree.. I think the function of religion is predominantly control and oppression. It stifles creativity, prevents people from voicing dissent. It's really sad to see so many people buy into those tactics. Shame is quite a powerful motivator, I suppose.

[Mihel60$1111]

Religion is a controller for human souls for the directed consciousness of the political elite of any state!

[Odik_sidik_04]

The function of religion, in my opinion, is a clue, where we will be directed to a good path, and keep away from bad things. Although I am not a religious person, I am also religion and my religion believes that life is temporary, so we live should be able to take the time to live the right way so that when we live again we live safely and peacefully.

[Seetheummerallyeah]

There are many things that a religion is supposed to do and it should help people.

[black indofod]

the function of religion is As a means of education, As a means for salvation, As the bridge of world peace, As a tool for social, As a new life ladder, As the spirit of creativity .

[squog]

I believe the function of religion is to keep in check the physically strong individuals in a group and balance it out with the weak. As we go on, we widened religion's function. Not only do we hold back the physically strong but we also hold back the financially and politically strong. We also put value on taking care of others rather than of self. But to really think about it, religion was made thousands of years ago to explain what we couldn't explain since science wasn't around yet

[AltBiting]

As for me, the most greatful function of religion is hope. People find a new sense of life, it gives them powers and strength, people find answers to many questions, sometimes it may give them a second wind, and that's awesome.

[patchinglets]

Religion is meant to make people love each other and become a better human being.

[icreative998]

religion is a spiritual place. Spiritual support for everyone. Each religion has a different spirit. The religion of each nation. Religion that teaches people is a good thing. Help people understand the value of life. Help people stay away from bad things. But there are also many who abuse religion to make money. And they have harmed the sanctity of religion. People should criticize religion. Believe and respect religion.

[wistfuljob]

The function of religion is to make the people happy and sensible and not the opposite.

[Akolade66]

to me the main function of religion is to guild our behaviour in the society.

[sparrowtins5]

Religion is supposed to make people united and together but rather its doing something else.

[tikalbong]

I'm an atheist and have the following standpoint:

 - All religions are hoaxes, making people belive in non-existing gods.

Religions serve the following purposes:

1. Making people have some comfort in their lives, having something else than themselves to pray to and look up to. This is mostly culturrally dependent,
most people adhere to the religion were they grew up, and what was ingrained in them from early childhood.

2. To keep uneducated people in control.

3. To keep power and control in a central position.

If religion was all about love to your God, and it was all a mental thing, there would be no need for churches, and all accessories that goes with a religion.

It's sad that a God-fearing man goes regularily to church to get closer to his maker. He could've been just as close to his God in his couch at home.

Many religious entities collect money, and are rather greedy, there are internal battles about power and control, just think of the Vatican.

I think it's rather sad that in 2012, so many people put their belief in something that doesn't exist. You may pray, and you may feel that your prayers were heard,
and things turn for the better in your life, but most of the time, the prayers are futile, and the only one that can change anything in your life is yourself.

States need to separate themselves from religion, and any religious society needs to take care of itself. Many religious societies does serve a good purpose in their
municipality, and there's nothing wrong with that,  and I do respect anyone that has their faith, but I don't think there's any God of any sorts, and people need to take
responsibility for their own lives.

Will the earth ever come to a point where people are so educated that they understand that science is the only true answer, and that everything else is fairytales ?

As much as I respect any Christian or any devoted religious person from any other religion (I may think his belief is a joke, but I would never say it to his face to force a confrontation in disrespect), I don't think any religions should have any special protection under the law.

Part of the problem is that Religion is so ingrained into the culture of most countries, that many people don't even question it.

Education will put the power in the hands of the people to learn about the world around them, and will remove the power of the leaders of their religion over them.

As an atheist, I don't think your religion defines whether you're a good person or not, that's more down to the person itself, and the values you've been taught in your upbringing, and what you've learned through your education.

Now, with the recent uproar about the 'Innocence of Muslims'-movie, people shouldn't get upset about it. If they don't like it, they should simply ignore it, and don't speak of it. Killing people, making riots etc. and claim that it's because of this movie, this is not right. People are always responsible for what they do.

If I were a Christian, and someone mocked my religion and called me a religious fool, and I got angry and burned down their house, that would be completely unacceptable by me, and I would need to take the full penalty for it.

Some people say we should not provoke 'islam' through cartoons, movies etc. And this may seem like the easy way out. But what if we continously bombarded Islam with this material, would they keep rioting every day of the week, every week, every month and every year, or would they finally sit down and say to themselves: "I'm tired of fighting, I can be a good muslim, no matter what any people say about my religion".

Islam doesn't receive more goodwill by having it's followers react like this, I would think most sivilized people just seeing this for what it is; outright crimes. Also I think a lot of the people that we see rioting in the streets, are only using this movie as an excuse for acting like they do.

Is there a single other Religion in the world were the members would've reacted like this over a movie ?

What do you all think ?

I have a very strange definition of religion. Religion is the one thing that divides and separates us from being brothers and sisters.