What exactly is a Religion?

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

How do U define “religion”?

How much relevence should it have in Ur life?

Should it dictate on all parts of Ur life? I mean, what u eat, whom u marry, how often u shave or have a haircut, which direction U point Ur leg to when u sleep..etc. etc.

And lastly, should religion necessarily have to do with belief in God?

I feel that an ideal religion is one that helps one develop his/her personal philosophy about life. It shouldn’t be too compulsive that u can’t do something not approved by it. However it should be powerful enough to instill goodwill in people who follow it. Religions shouldn’t preach hatred against anything because people will misinterpret and redirect the hatred against what they don’t like. And religions should also make it clear that humanity is the ultimate bond, above all religions and sects.

I am not very clear about God, but religions fascinate me. Why should religions be linked with God ?

2

This is too much generalization. Not all religions are associated with god, e.g. Buddhism. Not all religions dictate every aspect of life, e.g. christianity or Hinduism. Where is any hatred preached against non-christians in Bible? I think this is too much generalization on 'religion'.

On the other hand if u ask specific question on a particular religion, say Islam, since there are lot of scholars on this topic in this forum, we can have meaningful discussion.

3

Religion.....is a way of life. Simple :)

4

Yes religion is a way of life but I think this statement is true only in case of islam because in my view no other religion covers every aspect of life as does Islam.

The major religions followed in present world do accept in one way or the other that there is some god, so dear queer your last statement is also not clear that religion fascinates you but you want to know the reason of its being linked to god? Minus god and there will be no religion left - islam, christianity, jews, hindus etc.

5

religion:specific system of beliefs, worships and usually ethical rules.

Religion can determine what is and is not allowable…but you have the ultimate power to choose….freewill. If you choose not to follow the guidelines well then that is your choice…and you will have to explain your decision at some time. Or should at least feel that you can. I don't excuse comments like I just want to.

……… And religions should also make it clear that humanity is the ultimate bond, above all religions and sects……..

they do but that is because people choose to interpret it differently.

Religion does not have to do with god if people need religion for the cultural societal support only then that is what they need. If they are Easter Christians, ramadan Muslims or diwali Hindus whatever…..if that is their need and desire that is what they will seek and find.

If religion is more than a means to identify yourself….but also a total sense of how you perceive the world and acceptance of a creator and his will.. Well then yes…it needs god.

Also queer, I didn't get a chance to reply on the other thread on this.
But as far as people getting punished…I meant rapist/murders who are not caught or unable to be convicted. At least we know they will get their punishment.

6

The enquirer compelled me to write a brief essay on the topic which i humbly present. It would be a pleasure for me to find the enquirer promptly and unreluctantly arguing and disbeliving in points of the essay he considers false, or improbable.

An essay on the koranic concept of religion.

---> Sending the messengers

Since his civilization, man has been
requiring teachers to cater the needs of evoluting and developing human mind. God has sent to men, from within themselves, teachers of modern ideas. Each set of ideas preached by a messenger constitutes the repective religion.

Not a nation there is, but there has passed away in it, a warner.
( chapter 35, the angels, verse 25 )

Indeed, we sent forth, among every nation, a messenger, saying "Serve god, and eschew idols"
( chapter 16, the bee, verse 37)

The exact number of messenger is unknown, yet some describe 124000 messengers and prophets came to the world.

"We bestowed upon Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; each did We guide aright, and Noah did We guide aright aforetime, and of Abraham's progeny did We guide aright David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do we reward those who do good. We also guided Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias, each of them was righteous; and Ishmael and Eliza and Jonas and Lot, each one did we exalt above the people, and their fathers and their children and their brethren; We chose them and We guided them along the straight path."
(Chapter 6, cattle, verse 91)

----> Denial of the messenger

The messenger that arrives is completely denied, save a small party.

Then we sent our messengers succesively; whenever its messenger came to a nation, they denied him.
( chapter 23, the believers, verse 45 )

Every nation purposed against their messenger, to arrest him, and disputed illogically, so that they might thereby rebut the truth.
( chapter 40, the believers, verse 6)

How many a prophet we sent among the ancients, but not even a single prophet came to them which they did not mock at.
( chapter 43, ornaments, verse 7,8 )

We havent sent a warner into any city, which the rich men did not say, "We disbelieve in the message you have been sent with."
( chapter 34, Sheba, verse 35 )

----> Reasons for denial, the modern concepts of religions:

The prophets, as narrated earlier, brought modern teachings with them, because of the ever-increasing need of new religions to cater fastly developing human mind.
However, denial of the prophets has been because of the new ideas that they bring. the prophets are disliked for the changes they bring in the old religions, and are refused because they urge the need of modernization, asking the people to let go the beliefs and ways of the forefathers.

and when it is said to them, "follow what god has sent down," they say , " No; but we will follow such things as we found our forefathers doing."
( chapter 31, lokman, verse 22 )

There has never been a prophet before you, which the rich men did not say, "we indeed found our forefathers upon a community, and we are following upon their traces. " they reply, "what if i should bring you a better guidance than you found your forefathers upon?" they say, "We disbelieve in that, you were sent with."
( chapter 43, ornaments, verse 24, 25)

----> importance of believing in religion:

talking your way, considering the materialistic life of today, which is fast and sometimes harsh, religion introduces softness. religion induces hope, supplies mental peace, and somehow compells a man to do things morally good and keeps him from those morally bad. This is true for all religions, and is enought a reason for man to believe in a religion, even if his belief in god is not as strong as would have been desirable.

Secondly, on a different note, one like the inquirer must be well aware of the reasons for education. Such reasons can directly be applied to the need of belief in religion. Earlier notes clarify the need of religion, i.e. teaching modern concepts to prevent mentally developed and capable people from following the ignorant and now unsuitable ways which they saw their forefathers upon. Thus the need of religion is directly related to its importance.
How important is it for an ignorant to know? the answer to this question makes clear how important it is for an unbeliever to believe.

7

----> Dictation of religion on life.

The relevance of religion in one's life may vary dinamically in individuals. However, the enquirers idea that the religion should not dictate in all parts of life is an interesting one. However, if enquirer goes through my previous essay about the need and reason of religion, he will manage to find out the point of view i am trying to propogate.

Firstly, i disagree that religion should dictate on all parts of life. A religion from god must advise, and not dictate. All religions start on advice and end up being distorted to dictation. One should be free, and according to the righteous religions, one IS free to decide which advice to follow and which to reject.

"It is naught but an advice unto all beings. for whosoever wills to go straight."
( chapter 81, the darkening, verse 28,29)

"nay indeed! it is just an advice. and whoso wills, shall remember it."
( chapter 80, he frowned, verse 12,13)

"Surely this is just an advice. so he, who wants to, takes a way unto his lord."
( chapter 76, man, verse 30 )

"surely this is an advice. so whosoever wills, shall pay heed to it."
( chapter 74, the one wearing a coat, verse 55,56 )

"And it is nothing but an advice unto all beings."
(chapter 68, the pen, verse 53)

As a second point, i would like to associate it to the need of religion. If one is completely willing to believe in a religion, the modern ways of living, as taught by god, he will certainly pay heed to the advice, in all parts of his life.
Others ignore certain advices on bases of old rationality. such rationality is outdated and is itself the reason for the need of new religion.

However, the end note will be that dictation belongs not to a true religion, but to an inconsiderate blind follower of a religion. Those who understand the need and philosophy of a religion advise, and dictate not!

----> Beleif in god:

As i claim to represent koranic concepts (as interpretted and explained by mirza ghulam ahmad of qadian, the promised messiah, peace be upon him) i will certainly turn this long discussion short and meaningful with a hope and prayer that you get the message coveyed in the saying:

And as for the unbelievers,
their works are as a mirage in a spacious plain
which the man athirst supposes to be water,
till, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing;
there indeed he finds God,
and He pays him his account in full;
(and God is swift at the reckoning).
( chapter 24, light, verse 39 )

8

i will very soon try to post a suplementary essay on the reasons for beliving in the truth of all religions.