Good day Bloogies.
For my first real post back i'd like to get just straight to the question:
What is the idea of religion?
Let me clarify. I mean to ask, in order to believe in religion, must you first believe in a certain theological or philosophical model?
After all, whether or not what religion praises is true or not, it is still an idea. And people, decide to invest in ideas. Marx is very famous for stating that Religion is the "Opiate of the masses." Id there truth to his statement? maybe. I hate to make a metaphor that may insult, but it is necessary to make my point. A religion is much like an business. It can be an expansive business or a non expansive one, it needs a source of income for a place to thrive, to pay people in the business, and to produce and the larger it becomes the more successful it usually is. Religions need money, people, jobs, business, objectives (conversions or not), and so on. In fact, many historians would argue that a large amount of religion became business and vice versa. The Holy Roman Empire, The Bin Laden Empire, and arguably even the Bush Empire were backed with religious ideas. The fact is, business can be summed up into the selling of something and in this case that something is IDEAS .
And since religion is an IDEA, who sold us it? Is the belief in religion a belief or a philosophy or what? Is belief in religion even a belief? I mean certainly, the fact is, there are such things as religions. But when argued down to a point, the idea of RELIGION is actually a PHILOSOPHY.
What is the difference?
phi⋅los⋅o⋅phy
/fɪˈlɒsəfi/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fi-los-uh-fee] Show IPA
–noun, plural -phies.
1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
6. a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.
re⋅li⋅gion
/rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
–noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
There aren't many, but the main difference is one is a model of living and society (Earth and Man/Philosophy) and the other is a model of behavior with man and power(G-d/Thor/etc./Religion) . This line is thin and i'm sure most of you will challenge my view on it and i can't wait. To start my defense i'd like to make a few examples of course:
1. The difference between Allah and G-d? Religion. The difference between Jesus and Marx? Philosophy.
2. Church: The universe revolves around the Earth. Copernicus: The Earth revolves around the Sun. Church: Banish this BELIEF. (Fact when presented under a religion becomes a BELIEF. Fact when presented under a PHILOSOPHY remains that fact.)
3.Consider the story of the three pigs: Not religious in anyway yet they all BELIEVE that a strong house will protect them from the wolf. However their method/ Philosophy proves to be different one invested in the idea of hay, the other twigs, and the last bricks. (Symbolic, i know but these are examples for a very general statement.)
So, Bloogies.
What can we really qualify religion as? And can we really say we believe in religion, practice it, were taught it, doesn't exist or what?
With red in my sled
i so happily will wed
RASTAPASTA U*
Being religious means accepting an unprovable concept on "faith".
If anyone thinks they can prove their religion, they are sadly mistaken.
And I've always said: If you can't prove it, why base your life on it?
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." -F.N.