Been questioning this for a few yrs now

[jessicaabruno]

What are you opinions on do we need formal religion anymore?

The reason why I'm asking this here. Was born and bought up as an Roman Catholic Reform. At this point in time I feel I'm in the middle of been an agnostic/atheist/pagan. Feel that organized is fine, but don't like when its too preachy or whatever.

Thank you.

[darkangelism]

yes we do, im agnostic, but for a lot of people, religion helps.

[jessicaabruno]

Originally Posted by darkangelism

yes we do, im agnostic, but for a lot of people, religion helps.

darkangelism,

Thank you for your response to my question here. It sorta helped in a way.

[Vautrin]

We don't need it per se. That said religion helps a lot of people dealing with their issues, their losses, their grief and anger. In that sense religion (formal or not) helps people. Problems arise when formal religion serves to justify the causing of issues, losses, grief and anger.

Slavery is one example - and despite most Western countries have banned it, they still don't mind it that much to wipe it out completely. It is still estimated that 20 million people are de facto slaves.
Terrorism (sanctioned in formal, but small sects) is another. I don't think I have to go in details.

Interesting difference is that when one man commits an atrocious act (slaying your relatives for instance), it can never be blamed on religion. The man was insane, under influence etc. But never religion, or his personal interpretation of it is the cause. Which is a bit of a dubious statement.

Point in case is the abortion clinic murders. If God said that all life is holy that includes those lives of which those murderers have no problem of taking it.

Hope this helps.

[RandomSkater]

I have been saved for close to 4 years.
Before believing on Christ, my life was a wreck, rapidly spiraling downward.
My life has changed drastically over the past 4 years and I've never been happier.

I believe there's only one religion that matters and that is true Christianity as the Bible teaches.

Lots of people have used God as an excuse to do their "dirty work", such as vautrin mentioned, and there's only one response to that.
If it goes against what the Bible says, the "religion" or person is not doing it for God and is in sin.

[PepsiChic]

i think everyone needs something to believe in, whether its a form of religion or even just hope. If it helps you to get through your life in a peacful manner then i dont see anything wrong with it.

[jessicaabruno]

Originally Posted by Vautrin

We don't need it per se. That said religion helps a lot of people dealing with their issues, their losses, their grief and anger. In that sense religion (formal or not) helps people. Problems arise when formal religion serves to justify the causing of issues, losses, grief and anger.

Slavery is one example - and despite most Western countries have banned it, they still don't mind it that much to wipe it out completely. It is still estimated that 20 million people are de facto slaves.
Terrorism (sanctioned in formal, but small sects) is another. I don't think I have to go in details.

Interesting difference is that when one man commits an atrocious act (slaying your relatives for instance), it can never be blamed on religion. The man was insane, under influence etc. But never religion, or his personal interpretation of it is the cause. Which is a bit of a dubious statement.

Point in case is the abortion clinic murders. If God said that all life is holy that includes those lives of which those murderers have no problem of taking it.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by GamerGal

i think everyone needs something to believe in, whether its a form of religion or even just hope. If it helps you to get through your life in a peacful manner then i dont see anything wrong with it.

vaultrin and gg,

Thank you for your responses to my thread on this. Never thought of it this way before now.

[Mondo]

I agree with what Vautrin says.

People should be allowed to belive what they want. What is wrong is any form of organised religion having any sort of political power or people in power using religion as a tool. Allot of 'religious' world leaders are going to hell, if there is one