Religion? What is it to you?

very confusing at the moment but i use to be very confident in what i believed but now all i can really say is that i know that god is there somewhere and the rest he is for me to find for myself

i believe if you really break it down it all come to the fact that there is a supreme being. all these things about religion is just about different kind of teachings on how to be on the supreme being's good side .

I was born into a multireligious family.
So I had christianity, catholicism, buddhism, hinduism, islam and atheism shoved down my throat.
I denouced everything, then came to one religion with logic.
I'm Muslim. And Islam is a way of life.

Religion? What is it to you?

A thing of my past

I am a born and raised Christian. However, when... Some things happened, I began to question it. Ultimately, I decided that no god was benevolent if this earth was in such a state, and therefore, I'd rather not believe in one. I'd rather there be no god, at least then the madness in this world could be explained properly.

And, also, I'm a firm "believe it when I see it" kind of person. :P

Religion/church it's a part of who I am.... I'm glad it's a part of my life. I don't go to church every weekend, but I have relationship with God. Im not one who believes that you have to know scripture or formalized prayers in order to know God. I feel you can have a friendship with God just by having a conversation with Him, like you would talk to a friend. I believe He is everywhere, with me at all times. I don't have to be in a church to find Him.
I think there are good and not so good things about religion/churches. I mean they are run by people who are human beings and human beings make mistakes sometimes. I think most churches/religions really just want to help/encourage people to be good, kind, compassionate and to help others. I feel people go to church cuz they are looking for a sense of community and a place to worship together.
I hope you find your truth :)

It's a social problem like drugs or prostitution.

Most religions are nothing but a crutch for weak people. Others are alright but serve no purpose. Then you get a few that are just evil and wrong and manipulative. That's why I don't believe in any of it.

I have never been raised with a religion, I was raised to be a decent human being, to not do anything that was illegal or immoral. I have a reasonable intelligence.

I can understand the need for religion - religion or sorts has been part of humanity's phyche since we became self aware and understood abstraction.

But as a rule a person does not need a religion for education - most religions are closed minded to many other aspects of life. And let's remember how much blood shed there has been over the centuries due to conflicting religious ideas.

However, there is no harm and only good to come of learning about all religions, and then should you choose a religion, you are making an informed and educated choice. Providing, of course, that you do not become mixed up in some brain washing cult!

I strongly suggest that you're careful when joining what you think is a new religion. I have nothing against religions, I do believe there's a lot wrong with the institutions that pretend to represent them. That's why the catholic church is in so much trouble, killing people in the name of God (inquisition), even against science, and still not being very sorry about it.

If you need to believe in a superior being, that's all good. If you need that superior being to tell you what to do and what not to do, make sure it's not going to get you into trouble with other people who don't follow the same rules as you. Whatever new religion you decide to join, if you find one, always be respectful of the choices of others.

If you find that you don't need the belief in a superior being. If you think there are no miracles or phenomena that can't be explained through science and think you're self-sufficient (able to mold your destiny, without depending on a greater force to have it written out for you) then consider reading some philosophy books for moral guidance. I suggest Plato.

There are very different communities associated with different religions or ways of not having religions, so you might want to consider that too. Find out where you want to belong and why.

organized religion is the worst idea man has ever had. if everyone just understood that we are all god, that god is an idea or a thought, then we wouldn't be arguing all the time. ps. positive note population control

Religion:
A perfectly acceptable lifestyle, given that it's not a suicide cult or anything like that.

I kind of strayed away from Christianity not too long ago. But I've been in that background long enough to see that most Christians are reasonable people that are sometimes just misrepresented. There are too many denominations in existence which each view Christianity a little differently than the other, that it is hard for me to have a generalized opinion.
There are countless good Christian people, and also "extremists" who have the wrong idea.

I am a Christian, and it is my whole life. I love it :)

Religion is the highest and the most complete education for human beings. In it we can learn literature, history, philosophy, morality, sociology...and all other branches of learning for the ultimate purpose of our life.
Religion is not some formalities and rituals taught us by the priests or by other elders. It is our own personal study and discovery through the sacred verses revealed by the Messengers of God, such as Christ, Zoroaster, Baha'u'llah...
The first requirement for learning is patience. Each individual does his/her learning as we do in schools. We will not make progress, if we don't try to understand the lesson and put it into practice at our own level. When we see some meaningful results, we will become encouraged, and will make greater efforts more easily and efficiently. You can start learning from Christianity or from any other religions with independence and free from prejudice. Pray for your success.

It's everything to me and my family.

it represents love, service to fellow man, purpose in life and death, an oasis in a troubled world

I was raised as a christian but I am agnostic.

RELIGION?.....Sorry Folks...A Whole World of Trouble!!

I usually skip right over the religion questions. Someone asked here recently what are you doing for world peace... me not commenting on religion questions is my answer. It's likely I'm not changing your viewpoint, you are NOT going to change mine, so why bother? Now if you are searching, I'll be glad to help, but to debate.... I'll let others handle that.

A religion is a social gathering of like-minded persons who meet on a regular basis often at the same location...you could say the do it "religiously".

God or Gods have no direct connection with religion, other then being the catalyst or common denominator for the gathering of these "like-minded persons"