Guppies from all religion…what is Religion to you? Yes we all say every religion is different with different beliefs and stuff…but how your religion matters to you?
Islamic point of view I can understand but I am aniticipating to listen from other followers.
Thankyou 
Re: What is Religion?
Organised religion is a form of social control, just like gossip or legislated laws etc keep a society in check so that law and order is maintained. . It is not nessecariliy a good or bad thing.
Religion also make the world a little easier to understand in that it comforts us and prevents us from being scared by unknown phenomenon in the natural world.
Re: What is Religion?
a set of rules to control the caveman
Re: What is Religion?
Islam is not a religion.
It's a way of life.
Re: What is Religion?
Well actually if I'm not wrong, that phrase was first used for Hinduism.
Well according to my view, religion is actually like a set of philosophies (such as Karma, art of living, how to do your duty, about God and the Universe etc) and a set of rules for society (dont kill cows, monogamy, etc).
Re: What is Religion?
Religion also make the world a little easier to understand in that it comforts us and prevents us from being scared by unknown phenomenon in the natural world.
Well phrased MK.
Re: What is Religion?
religion is one excuse (of many) to kill humans, to control population. God is great planner as he created many religions.
Of course man does not need an excuse to kill animals.
Re: What is Religion?
Wow, sounds like some of you guys think like communists.
Anyways, adding to what cricketplaya said:
In Arabic the word for religion is madhab or millat and the arabic word Deen means a way of life. I don't think Deen has a good translation in english. I don't speak arabic but maybe someone who does could enlighten us.
Regardless Islam is defined as a Deen and not a religion. Religion is just the spiritual stuff, while Deen goes beyond that.
Re: What is Religion?
IMHO wrong terminology communism is a political ideology. Probably the term you wanted to use is athiests.
Re: What is Religion?
Monotheism:
It is much harder to convince people that there are multiple gods with different powers compared to the much simpler idea that there is only one god and his name is the registered trade mark of your school of thought.
Survival after death:
Death is the great certainty, how much better if you could offer people a certainty beyond the certainty? Everlasting life or rebirth under better circumstances gives people a bribe of great value, and it costs nothing to write cheques against this account as nobody ever comes back to cash them.
The Big One:
This is the classic. Only by believing in the doctrine of the religion can people be good people. People who don’t believe the stories are bad people, not to be trusted.
The Big Stick:
Death and damnation to the unbelievers. Can you afford totake the chance? Think about it, all they ask is a constant devotion and perhaps a bequest on your death and in return they can ensure you don’t get kebabed for all eternity, what a bargain!
It’s in the Book:
The book always gives people a point to which they can retreat, regroup and advance again if one school of thought is foundering you can always strip away everything back to the book and rejuvenate your religion with the burning intensity of revival.
This stuff works for everybody:
This point is where Judaism shows its lack of competitive edge when compared to Christianity and Islam. How can you convert people to believe in your god if your god is a tribal god? On this score Islam is a competitive religion, especially if you are a man.
Don’t Worry, be Happy:
A great selling point for a religion is to show people who believe in it being happy, rich or ideally both. Nothing succeeds like success. Positive thinking does make people feel better. The graveyards of the world are full of happy dead people who knew nothing bad would ever happen to them, for most of their life they were largely right.
Taboos:
If you can’t eat the same food as the infidel how can you share a meal with him? If you can’t share a meal how long can you spend with him? Taboos on diet keep the faithful apart from contagion from the infidels. If you don’t spend time with them you don’t get to know them.
I believe that the major religions that we have now (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism) will never die. They will continue as at least a sizeable minority view for as long as this species exists.
Re: What is Religion?
I believe that the major religions that we have now (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism) will never die. They will continue as at least a sizeable minority view for as long as this species exists.
Unfortunately, for all the strife the religions have caused in the world. Look at China, no religion, only progress.