What is religion ?

[Dr Faustus]

The question seems to be trivial. When we talk about religions, every one knows what it refers to : Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

We have an idea of the extension the term refers to. But we don't have a true comprehension of this word.

Traditional definition of religion implies the belief of a superior principle.

In what extent this belief implies only what we call religions, and not other things such as ideologies.

Ideologies seems to have legitimacy on the public space whereas religion doesn't.

What does this difference tell to us about the signification of religion ?

[Age]

The question seems to be trivial. When we talk about religions, every one knows what it refers to : Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

We have an idea of the extension the term refers to. But we don't have a true comprehension of this word.

Traditional definition of religion implies the belief of a superior principle.

In what extent this belief implies only what we call religions, and not other things such as ideologies.

Ideologies seems to have legitimacy on the public space whereas religion doesn't.

What does this difference tell to us about the signification of religion ?

It could be said or argued that when one is 'religious' they have or hold a 'belief', whereas when one has an 'ideology: they have a 'view' instead.

There is also a huge difference in having 'a view' compared to when holding 'a belief'.

[Impenitent]

how does one perfect a skill?

practice

practice

practice religiously...

-Imp

[Walker]

Great topic. I knew a lady who went to Mass every day and she perfected graciousness, uncomplaining, and selflessness without once ever talking about religion or God, and she certainly didn’t speak of ideologies. I infer the view that either the refuge of religion or a hard, early life made her a natural. She never spoke of inferred beliefs. Inferred view or inferred belief … EXACTLY how big is that difference, and why?

[Veritas Aequitas]

The question seems to be trivial. When we talk about religions, every one knows what it refers to : Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

We have an idea of the extension the term refers to. But we don't have a true comprehension of this word.

To understand the term 'religion' we need to trace our history back to 3.5 billion years of organic [since abiogenesis] and 13.7 billion years of physical [BB] history.

Upon the emergence of humans somewhere along that history, there was a subsequent emergence of human drives, impulses and related an existential pains and angsts [mental and physical] that are the roots of what we at present called "religion".

Paleolithic Religions
Paleoanthropologists Andre Leroi-Gourhan and Annette Michelson believe unmistakably religious behavior emerged by the Upper Paleolithic, before 30,000 years ago at the latest,[1] but behavioral patterns such as burial rites[2] that one might characterize as religious — or as ancestral to religious behavior — reach back into the Middle Paleolithic, as early as 300,000 years ago, coinciding with the first appearance of Homo neanderthalensis and possibly Homo naledi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_religion

Analogy:
The human nature of the fundamental Nutrition and Digestive system since 300,000 years ago has not change and not different from the fundamental Nutrition and Digestive system of the modern man; what is different are merely the forms of food choices, production, preparation and ways of consuming food.

The physical digestive system has not changed.
The essential nutrients has not changed:

Essential nutrients are nutrients that the human body cannot synthesize and must be consumed through food. They are vital for good health, growth, and reproduction. Some examples of essential nutrients include:
Protein: Helps build muscle, skin, hair, and other tissues, and provides energy
Carbohydrates: The primary fuel for the brain, nervous system, and red blood cells
Fat: Helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins, provides energy, and makes up almost all cell membranes
Vitamins: There are 13 essential vitamins, including vitamins A, C, B6, and D
Vitamin D: The body cannot synthesize vitamin D, so a deficiency can lead to serious health problems
Calcium: Helps build strong bones and teeth, and promotes heart health
Iron: An essential constituent of many metalloproteins, and is essential for oxygen transport, electron transfer, and catalytic reactions
Potassium: The body cannot produce potassium, so it must be obtained from foods

It the same with 'religion' the fundamental of the religious impulse [dealing with existential pains and angsts] and drive has not changed and will not changed while what had changed are merely the forms resulting the present modern religions.

The fundamental religious impulse is also inherent in all humans and also the 'spiritual' impulse to deal with an inherent cognitive dissonance driven by an existential crisis.
Thus it possible religions as forms could disappear in the future to be replaced with 'spiritual' practices to deal with the fundamental impulse.

The problem is the majority are unable to grasp the root cause of what is termed 'religion' and also 'spiritual' in the modern times.

The fundamental existential-crisis drive is inherent in all humans and where those who do not 'crutch' on religious or spiritual, they turned to non-religious and spiritual alternatives like drugs, pain killers, and the likes to deal with the existential pain.

To have a true comprehension of the term 'religion' we need to take into account the above nuances.

[Fairy]

Great topic. I knew a lady who went to Mass every day and she perfected graciousness, uncomplaining, and selflessness without once ever talking about religion or God, and she certainly didn’t speak of ideologies. I infer the view that either the refuge of religion or a hard, early life made her a natural. She never spoke of inferred beliefs. Inferred view or inferred belief … EXACTLY how big is that difference, and why?

Why go to Mass?

If not to believe and infer there is God you can be present with at Mass everyday; spending time with and receiving graces.

Why not just be with yourself; which is already and obviously naturally self-evident. No belief or inference necessary.

Unless of course you are denying your own existence by projecting it to be out-there somewhere lurking within the emptiness of outer-space.

Shhh!

god.jpg

[Fairy]

The fundamental existential-crisis drive is inherent in all humans and where those who do not 'crutch' on religious or spiritual, they turned to non-religious and spiritual alternatives like drugs, pain killers, and the likes to deal with the existential pain.

Don't forget to include the drug called LOVE

The love drug is the biggest seller.

The words ''I love you'' doesn't even need a price tag, people will buy into that drug no matter how much it will cost them. The irony is, sometimes the love drug does kill them. Overdosing on love is an unavoidable inevitable part of the human condition.

[Impenitent]

Why go to Mass?

because weight depends on gravity?

-Imp

[Walker]

Great topic. I knew a lady who went to Mass every day and she perfected graciousness, uncomplaining, and selflessness without once ever talking about religion or God, and she certainly didn’t speak of ideologies. I infer the view that either the refuge of religion or a hard, early life made her a natural. She never spoke of inferred beliefs. Inferred view or inferred belief … EXACTLY how big is that difference, and why?

Why go to Mass?

Shhh!



god.jpg

Apparently the Catholic Path is no pain no gain, for who are you to complain.

It's the duty and responsibility that comes with worship, in place of lying on your back for sleepy worship.

Shhh!

[Fairy]

Great topic. I knew a lady who went to Mass every day and she perfected graciousness, uncomplaining, and selflessness without once ever talking about religion or God, and she certainly didn’t speak of ideologies. I infer the view that either the refuge of religion or a hard, early life made her a natural. She never spoke of inferred beliefs. Inferred view or inferred belief … EXACTLY how big is that difference, and why?

Why go to Mass?

Shhh!



god.jpg

Apparently the Catholic Path is no pain no gain, for who are you to complain.

It's the duty and responsibility that comes with worship, in place of lying on your back for sleepy worship.

Shhh!

More Projection.

Shh!

[Fairy]

Why go to Mass?

because weight depends on gravity?

-Imp

Gravity is weightlessness bearing it's own weight.

[Walker]

Why go to Mass?

Shhh!



god.jpg

Apparently the Catholic Path is no pain no gain, for who are you to complain.

It's the duty and responsibility that comes with worship, in place of lying on your back for sleepy worship.

Shhh!

More Projection.

Shh!

I have it from the horse's mouth, that reply doesn't mean anything.

Not that anything I am saying means anything at all, I'm just thinking out loud.

Do us a favour and next time shoot for meaning instead of just noise, or whatever you thought you were aiming at.

[Fairy]

Apparently the Catholic Path is no pain no gain, for who are you to complain.

It's the duty and responsibility that comes with worship, in place of lying on your back for sleepy worship.

Shhh!

More Projection.

Shh!

I have it from the horse's mouth, that reply doesn't mean anything.

Not that anything I am saying means anything at all, I'm just thinking out loud.

Do us a favour and next time shoot for meaning instead of just noise, or whatever you thought you were aiming at.

Projection

[Dr Faustus]

The question seems to be trivial. When we talk about religions, every one knows what it refers to : Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

We have an idea of the extension the term refers to. But we don't have a true comprehension of this word.

Traditional definition of religion implies the belief of a superior principle.

In what extent this belief implies only what we call religions, and not other things such as ideologies.

Ideologies seems to have legitimacy on the public space whereas religion doesn't.

What does this difference tell to us about the signification of religion ?

It could be said or argued that when one is 'religious' they have or hold a 'belief', whereas when one has an 'ideology: they have a 'view' instead.

There is also a huge difference in having 'a view' compared to when holding 'a belief'.

Hi Age,

View is an interesting word. You may know the german term of weltanschauung. In english, it means "worldview".

Well, this concept is used by many philosophers to describe a metaphysical representation of the world as a whole.

I don't think it is impossible for 'religions' to apply this term to refer to themselves.

Typically, some philosophers speak about a christian worldview.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_worldview

[Dr Faustus]

The question seems to be trivial. When we talk about religions, every one knows what it refers to : Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.

We have an idea of the extension the term refers to. But we don't have a true comprehension of this word.

To understand the term 'religion' we need to trace our history back to 3.5 billion years of organic [since abiogenesis] and 13.7 billion years of physical [BB] history.

Upon the emergence of humans somewhere along that history, there was a subsequent emergence of human drives, impulses and related an existential pains and angsts [mental and physical] that are the roots of what we at present called "religion".

Paleolithic Religions
Paleoanthropologists Andre Leroi-Gourhan and Annette Michelson believe unmistakably religious behavior emerged by the Upper Paleolithic, before 30,000 years ago at the latest,[1] but behavioral patterns such as burial rites[2] that one might characterize as religious — or as ancestral to religious behavior — reach back into the Middle Paleolithic, as early as 300,000 years ago, coinciding with the first appearance of Homo neanderthalensis and possibly Homo naledi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_religion

Analogy:
The human nature of the fundamental Nutrition and Digestive system since 300,000 years ago has not change and not different from the fundamental Nutrition and Digestive system of the modern man; what is different are merely the forms of food choices, production, preparation and ways of consuming food.

The physical digestive system has not changed.
The essential nutrients has not changed:

Essential nutrients are nutrients that the human body cannot synthesize and must be consumed through food. They are vital for good health, growth, and reproduction. Some examples of essential nutrients include:
Protein: Helps build muscle, skin, hair, and other tissues, and provides energy
Carbohydrates: The primary fuel for the brain, nervous system, and red blood cells
Fat: Helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins, provides energy, and makes up almost all cell membranes
Vitamins: There are 13 essential vitamins, including vitamins A, C, B6, and D
Vitamin D: The body cannot synthesize vitamin D, so a deficiency can lead to serious health problems
Calcium: Helps build strong bones and teeth, and promotes heart health
Iron: An essential constituent of many metalloproteins, and is essential for oxygen transport, electron transfer, and catalytic reactions
Potassium: The body cannot produce potassium, so it must be obtained from foods

It the same with 'religion' the fundamental of the religious impulse [dealing with existential pains and angsts] and drive has not changed and will not changed while what had changed are merely the forms resulting the present modern religions.

The fundamental religious impulse is also inherent in all humans and also the 'spiritual' impulse to deal with an inherent cognitive dissonance driven by an existential crisis.
Thus it possible religions as forms could disappear in the future to be replaced with 'spiritual' practices to deal with the fundamental impulse.

The problem is the majority are unable to grasp the root cause of what is termed 'religion' and also 'spiritual' in the modern times.

The fundamental existential-crisis drive is inherent in all humans and where those who do not 'crutch' on religious or spiritual, they turned to non-religious and spiritual alternatives like drugs, pain killers, and the likes to deal with the existential pain.

To have a true comprehension of the term 'religion' we need to take into account the above nuances.

Hi Veritas Aequitas,

Do you make a difference between religion and spirituality ?

And do you think that each existential pains and angsts leads to religion ?