Religion, what is it good for?

It's a serious question-what do you feel you get out of religion?

sb-So you would say that religion's main benefit is as a social structure?

archer-Are you talking about yourself specifically, or existence in general?

Ah, so belief, for you, is a shield against apathy?

Ah! So you are learning biology! I knew it!

"Ah, so belief, for you, is a shield against apathy?

no, it is my logical choice...i"

I don't see how one contradicts the other.

"I see Atheism, agnoticism, theism etc. as a form of religion too. I think an Atheist has a larger chance of communicating and spending time with someone who is also a "fellow" atheist."

Well, I'm not like that, I don't define myself by a lack of something, and it's kinda hard to imagine anyone else does. Atheist may gather together, not because they are atheist, but because of some other personality trait that correlates with atheism, such as a certain way of looking at the world.

"Exactly. And I don't think people gather in religion because of a "lack of" all the time."

No, they gather because they have something, but atheism is just the absence of religion.
For example, you can see people gather around because they share the same love for football, but you don't see people gather together just because they don't like football.

"A personality trait that is shared by all atheist—?? Um that means you gathered because you are atheists. Most atheist are people who break away from just a single organised religion imo. And not necessarily from all religion."

I didn't say it is shared by all atheist, but I am certain that there are some traits that have some correlation with atheism, and if they still are religious, I don't think they are really atheists.

Theism-A belief in god.(yes I know it's not exactly religion, but I'd rather not argue semantics, if you don't mind)
Agnoticism-Is when a person's unsure of the existence of a higher power.

What religions support atheism?

"Hinduism. In one of its many schools of thought."

Err...Doesn't Hinduism have tons of gods?

"How you define something will determine the other logical factors. IMO."

Yes, but how you define something is not necessarily how you express it.
Anyway, this is pretty irrelevant to the point I was making, so in this case, semantics really aren't that important.

"So what is your point—?"

That atheist don't gather together because of their lack of belief.

*ssssssssss

I don't have any Atheist friends. 😢

I have a few Agnostic though..and some Christian.

Well anyways, Yama, I'm going to answer your question because you cause funny feelings in my pants (and I'm going to give you a very unoriginal answer, at that).

Religion gives people hope. Hope of something more than this life..hope in seemingly hopeless situations. It can be a source of strength. Some people use its guidelines to help them lead what they consider to be an honorable life.

Hm..well, that was unnecessarily positive...but the topic was what is it good for, so I suppose I'm staying on.

Why do you call yourselves "confused"?

Where did that came from?

Well...ok...

"Why do you call yourselves "confused"?"

I guess their sexual identity is not so well defined?

is it wrong to be atheist? or is that society speaking up where you dare not answer?

Guess it is not wrong to be athiest but it certainly helps if we believe in a God...

what the world gets is wars and more wars, fought by nut cases who think there little brand is the only brand. theism is the beleiveing of one god.

lightening may get us.

:On the cynical side, it can induce alot of personal guilt/ie: you're never quite good enough, and then of course, cultural/religious segregation that has pitted man against man since time..

:On the positive side, **Hope** that there really is something bigger then ourselves and that we are truly *NEVER* disconnected from those whom we deeply love on this earth plain...

Human beings are not meant to know the truth, until the truth 'wants us' ....

-Mystic

Religion is good for kids who love fairy tales. Then for insecure adults who got no balls to face truth.

The truth that religion doesnt deal with truth nor facts. Truth that there is no heaven or hell.

it controls the weak. keeps them in line by inflicting fear. Easy way of handling mad people without shooting them down. 😉

Religion is a waste of time. It's what makes people more human than anything else. God, in the Christian view, is said to be a jealous god. Not only is this hypocritical, it also makes an interesting point. He experiences jealousy and anger, thus he has a soul. He has a soul, thus he experiences fear. If he experiences fear, he is no god. Also, the Apocalypse is often partly described as 'God's redealing with the nation of Israel.' What kind of god makes deals with his 'children'? As for Islam, I've never heard of anything more ridculous than a holy war. And was it 47 virgins for whoever dies in it when they get their guaranteed pass to heaven? When you die, as the whole world knows, your body stays here. And don't get me started on the Crusades. The point being, the alleged 'god' of all these religions isn't a god, but merely a mechanism used to keep us down so we don't succeed him. Think about this, why can we only use such a small percent of our brain capacity?

Me Amiga Moon Eyes ......Is right on the money!!!! I agree completely.

PD

Fuck religion. I believe in something. Just don't know what.