Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 56 replies, 56 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 4 months ago by
.
- Posts
Yes, I believe religion is necessary. Many humans believe that not all power can be seen or explained. Many of us have a deep need to find meaning in life, death and the world/universe around us. We attribute these things to a higher power. As for uniting all in a single way to follow Christ, for Chrisitans that is a good thing. But it leaves out the vast majority of humans. Christ is not the central figure in most of the world’s religious beliefs, Christ is central only to Christianity. A single method of following Christ still leaves out the majority of humans, Buddists, Muslims, Jews, Hindu’s, Taoists etc would still have differing religious opinions.
User Detail :
Name : M. Weisman, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : mobility impaired, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 51, City : Royal Palm Beach, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : RN, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,One encounters ambiguities when reading the Bible, particularly the New Testament, as a way to guide one’s life and spiritual development. This would be true even if one were to ignore all but the red-letter instructions in an attempt to ‘follow Christ.’ By ‘ambiguities,’ I mean questions of how far we should take a certain instruction. For example, we are encouraged in the Gospels not to think for tomorrow because God will take care of us. Does this mean we are in sin because we plan our lives in terms of financing, etc.? Or is it just a maxim stating in strong terms that we should trust in God’s provision? Ideally, we would all be guided to the same conclusions on these questions, but we are not and are not likely to be anytime soon. As long as these differing ‘beliefs and guidlines’ persist, it would be difficult for one church to ‘unite all.’ People are fallible, and if strange or false doctrine presses us, we need somewhere else to go. Note that this does not mean that there can be no larger, catholic sense of ‘the church’ in that we acknowledge as Christians those who profess to the most important tenets. It’s just that a real ‘unity’ of people following differing doctrines would be meaningless.
User Detail :
Name : Traugott, City : New Glarus, State : WI, Country : United States,First, you should understand that not all religions connected with Christianity are Christian; it would be very hard to unite even THOSE religions under one banner, much less to unite ALL religions under one banner. And even if you could unite all religions, why assume they’d be united under Christianity? As a fellow Christian, I suggest you try looking at this question from outside your own religious bias. How would a Jewish person feel about this issue? A Muslim? An atheist? IMO, a yearning toward God is a natural part of the human psyche, so yes, religion is necessary – for our species as a whole, though not for every individual. And it would be next to impossible to unite us all under ONE religion.
User Detail :
Name : Karen A., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 37, City : Columbia, State : SC, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,We could not establish a single or central religion if it was organized around the idea of Christ for several reasons. First, the majority of the world’s population do not believe in Christ (think of the two most populous countries in the world–China and India–and recall that Christ-centered religions are rare or unheard of in those countries). Second, this would run counter to deeply held and legitimate beliefs in religions such as Islam, Judaism, Shinto, etc. Maybe we’d all be best served by focusing on how people with differing religious beliefs can find ways to peacefully co-exist.
User Detail :
Name : Alexandra, Gender : F, Religion : Jewish, City : Detroit, State : MI, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College,Your question seems pretty one-sided. How about those of us who don’t believe Jesus died for our sins? How about those of us who aren’t Christian? Besides, how would you suggest that everyone follow Christ in the same way when everyone has different beliefs and interpretations? Shouldn’t people be able to celebrate Jesus in a way that suits them and fits their faith?
User Detail :
Name : Alison, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 16, City : Elyria, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class,Most religious organizations have produced bad fruitage. It is not the fact that groups are organized that is bad. But many have promoted forms of worship that are based on false teachings and are largely ritualistic instead of providing genuine spiritual guidance; they have been misused to control the lives of people for selfish objectives; they have been overly concerned with money collections and ornate houses of worship instead of spiritual values; their members are often hypocritical. Obviously no one who loves righteousness would want to belong to such an organization. But true religion is a refreshing contrast to all of that. Nevertheless, to fulfill the Bible’s requirements, it must be organized. Heb. 10:24, 25: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (To carry out this Scriptural command, there must be Christian meetings that we can attend on a consistent basis. Such an arrangement encourages us to express love toward others, not only concern about self.) 1 Cor. 1:10: “Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (Such unity would never be achieved if the individuals did not meet together, benefit from the same spiritual feeding program, and respect the agency through which such instruction was provided. See also John 17:20, 21.) 1 Pet. 2:17: “Have love for the whole association of brothers.” (Does that include only those who may meet together for worship in a particular private home? Not at all; it is an international brotherhood, as shown by Galatians 2:8, 9 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.) Matt. 24:14: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (For all nations to be given the opportunity to hear that good news, the preaching must be carried out in an orderly way, with suitable oversight. Love for God and for one’s fellowman has caused people around the earth to unite their efforts to do this work.) So you see religion is necessary, the problem lies with how it’s practiced.
User Detail :
Name : Lydia, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jehovahs Witness, Age : 26, City : Brooklyn, State : NY, Country : United States,(1) Are its teachings based on God, or are they largely from men? (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7) Does the Bible teach that God is a Trinity? Does it say that the human soul is immortal? (2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Read John 17:6 and Matt. 4:10. Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him? (3) Is true faith in Jesus Christ being demonstrated? This involves appreciation of the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life and of his position today as heavenly King. (John 3:36; Ps. 2:6-8) Such appreciation is shown by obeying Jesus—sharing personally and zealously in the work that he assigned to his followers. True religion has such faith that is accompanied by works.—Jas. 2:26. (4) Is it largely ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting. (5) Do its members truly love one another? (John 13:35) Christian love reaches across racial, social, and national boundaries, drawing people together in genuine brotherhood. So strong is this love that it sets them apart as being truly different. When the nations go to war, who have enough love for their Christian brothers in other lands that they refuse to take up arms and kill them? That is what early Christians did. (6) Is it truly separate from the world? (John 15:19) To worship God in a manner that he approves requires that we keep ourselves “without spot from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) Can that be said of those whose clergy and other members are involved in politics, or whose lives are largely built around materialistic and fleshly desires?—1 John 2:15-17. (7) Are its members active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom? (Matt. 24:14) What religion is really proclaiming God’s Kingdom as the hope of mankind instead of encouraging people to look to human rulership to solve their problems? Has your religion equipped you to share in this activity, and to do it from house to house as Jesus taught his apostles to do?—Matt. 10:7, 11-13; Acts 5:42; 20:20.
User Detail :
Name : Lydia, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jehovahs Witness, Age : 26, City : Brooklyn, State : NY, Country : United States,this is one bible untamperd if you will with facts that easily points you or any other person if one was so inclined they could pic it up at any bible/ church like store witch one the king’s james version read some job and pick up a hisory book with facts and look for them!
User Detail :
Name : james, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : 58%sane, Age : 32, City : kippern, State : NC, Country : United States, Occupation : master of the custodial arts, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper class,Alexander, you might be interested in reading Joshua, a book by Father Joseph Girzone. Father Girzone discusses this very idea. His take, with which I concur, is that when Jesus spoke of the Church He was referring to the entire Christian body. Father Girzone goes on to state that denominations and rules (other than commandments of course) were developed by people, and were not necessarily what Jesus had in mind. It’s a parable and an easy read that I enjoyed.
User Detail :
Name : Jenn31012, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Methodist, Age : 28, City : Chattanooga, State : TN, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College,Alexander, You said; ‘It seems to me that religion has separated us from our common goal of unity.’ Our common goal is not unity. The great commision was to ‘Go and make desciples of all nations’ That means we are supposed to take the gospel to all people of all nations, which is what we are doing, no matter what the name of the religion is, whether it be Baptist, Church of Christ, whatever. We are carrying out the Great commision. That’s what is important. There are disagreements over traditions in churches and that’s why there are so many different religions, but the goal remains the same. The good news is that there isn’t the infighting that we used to see in years passed. That means we are getting closer to the promised day of Christ. You also said; ‘Is religion really necessary, or can we establish one main one that could unite all in how to follow in the name of Christ?’ Nope, can’t happen. One disagreement over one interpretation of something written in the bible and voila, a new religion starts. That’s why there are so many now. And it’s always little meaningless things like whether to have instruments played in church. Some say yes, others say no. You’re old enough to know that human nature will not let man completely agree on eveything, that’s why God didn’t forbid us establishing many religions based on the truths of Christ. Later kiddo 🙂
User Detail :
Name : Larry, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 55, City : Amarillo, State : TX, Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,In my opinion I think God or your higher power or whatever the being may be to you is in your heart. A person should not have to go to ‘church’ to worship something that is with them all the time. People pray through out the day why should we have to get dressed up and go to a fancy building that probably cost alott of money to build just to be with ‘god’?
User Detail :
Name : Stephanie27810, City : Scottsboro, State : AL, Country : United States,For a great many people religion is necessary. It can be comforting to feel that there is someone more powerful than ourselves watching over us. Ask any child. Your question, however, seems to really be: is religious plurality really (not ‘necessary’) but inevitable? And the answer is yes. Religion is a cultural expression and reflects the values and experiences of a people. The attainment of nowhere-ness or nothing-ness prevalent in eastern religions might be seen as a reaction against the community focus (as opposed to individual focus) of many eastern cultures. In the west our heaven is usually perceived as well- populated. The trick to ending religious bickering is to be secure enough in our own beliefs that we don’t feel the need to condemn other’s beliefs as a means to justify our own.
User Detail :
Name : Vail, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Mutt, Religion : Atheist, Age : 40, City : Philly, State : PA, Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,I think a lot of people will agree with me that Religion has caused more bloodshed then perhaps anything else in history, although many would also say that religion provides comfort, stability and hope as well. The problem rests in man’s narcisistic view that he must be right and if you don’t agree with me then you must be wrong. There is only black and white. But with most things in life, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. When you ask whether we can establish one main religion in the name of Christ, that would be offensive to most Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc, as that assumes that we all MUST believe that Christ is the son of God, when many of us don’t believe that. That happens to be your upbringing, and your faith. Not mine. And, by the way, no matter how strongly you feel you are right, others feel just as stongly the other way. Now, what I am getting at, is that having many different religions is a good thing. Can you imagine if the whole world answered to the same religious heirarchy? How long would it be before that heirarchy became corrupt? Where would the checks and balances be from ‘edicts’ issued by some high priest? No, I think that God takes many forms, and has planned religious diversity on purpose. Humans can’t have all the answers. This is his way of ensuring that there are always differing opinions and ways of seeking his truth. Bloodshed, like the thousands of deaths resulting from automobile collisions (and do you see people seeking the abolishment of the automobile?) is a simple waste ‘byproduct’ which apparently is outweighed by the benefit of having more than one religion. So try and be accepting that each of us has our own belief system, and God probably wants it that way.
User Detail :
Name : Greg21575, Gender : M, Religion : Jewish, Age : 40, City : Gainesville, State : FL, Country : United States, Social class : Upper middle class,I think religious problems arise not from people having different beliefs, but from people insisting that those beliefs are the only right ones. I grew up a member of the Church of Christ, a very conservative faith which, like many other Christian churches, upholds a religious edict that only members of that particular denomination will ‘be saved.’ I think it’s this exclusivity that results in the large-scale divisive nature of Christianity, which I find sadly ironic, since Christ himself was so inclusive and was such a proponent of unity across all walks of humanity.
User Detail :
Name : A Shank, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Pacific Islander, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 22, City : Memphis, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : Research Assistant, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,To answer your question, Yes, I think religion is necessary for many people. To eliminate religion simply because we struggle with it is to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Religion is a venue for spiritual enlightenment and personal growth, a platform from which we can seek answers to questions of divinity, morality, and our very existence, and if nothing else, a locale wherein we can enjoy the fellowship and insight of others who share our concerns and curiosity. As far as establishing one universal faith to unite all denominations, I’m not sure it’s possible, but I would offer a religion that supports this endeavor in its very nomenclature: Unitarian Universalism (UU). UU is not a Christian faith, but among its members you will find Christians, as well as Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and even atheists. UU tries to look beyond doctrines that declare ultimate truths to a unified humanity that promises to search for those truths together with love. I am aware of my bias, but perhaps this is worth investigating for yourself.
User Detail :
Name : Aldan S, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Pacific Islander, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 22, City : Memphis, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : Research Assistant, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.