Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Hello to all of you, hope you are doing fine!


What is religion and what does it mean to you?



From Wikipedia!

A Religion is a set of beliefs and practices generally held by a human community, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, traditions, and rituals are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion can also be described as a way of life.

The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. "Organized religion" generally refers to an organization of people supporting the exercise of some religion with a prescribed set of beliefs, often taking the form of a legal entity (see religion-supporting organization). Other religions believe in personal revelation and responsibility. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system,"[1] but is more socially defined than that of personal convictions.


Christian love to all of you.

Talkactive.

Ecclesiastes 1:18!
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
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People can’t hear and carry the truth, because the lies are tickling their ears!

Jeremiah 8:8!
How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

Honestly to me Religion has nothing to do with faith, despite what wikipedia says about "communal faith". To me, it's the study of doctrines and a group of people who come together to learn in a congregation and give their lives to learning about God in whatever form they give him through the teachings of that group. :coffeeread::readthis::read:

I tend to agree with the wikipedia definition; but I also agree with Draka: "Religion has nothing to do with faith."

In our "search for God," oft times we join together with a like-minded group whose obsession is being right. Every effort is directed toward demonstrating heavenly blessings bestowed due to "rightness." JWs for instance have been known to publish yearly growth figures to "amaze" the reading audience and lend authority to their claims of divine blessing. One of the many downsides of this methodology is the perception of losing divine favor if the numbers drop, the rate of increase slows, or if there is a "change for the worse" in a particular geographic area.

Measuring faith in such a fashion not only restricts individual potential by redefining "faith," but it attempts to limit God by telling Him what He should and should not bless.

gus

what is a sect? Websters dictionary says: a religious denomination, any group of people having a common philosophy, set of beliefs.

Pay attention to what is listed in with the works of the flesh in.. Gal. 5 :1

For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast. and DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE CONFINED (AGAIN) IN A YOKE OF SLAVERY.

Gal. 5. 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, fornication, Uncleaness(looking up porn) loose conduct(same) Idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions(arguing over points)...devisions(religions cause)...and SECTS(religious denominations), envies drunken bouts revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am frorewarning you, the same way as I did forewarn you. , that those who practice such things WILL NOT INHERIT GODS KINGDOM.

ANOTHER WORDS ..WE MUST DIE TO THIS WORLD AND ITS DESIRES... WHICH BELONG TO (MENS THINKING/SATANS THOUGHTS/worlds wisdom)

INSTEAD... On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit (Gods spirit with-in, in order to receive ,the helper arrive) is love, joy, peace ,long-suffering ,kindness, goodness ,faith ,mildness , self- control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh(man's thoughts/satans/works of flesh ) together with its passions and desires .

So belonging to any religion, whether you call it religions, sects or denominations, they are all in the same book. Jesus wants us to be free and take his Yoke..as a slave of him alone, and he will set you free from Yokes of slavery to hired men.

Sis New Heart

Well said. Being part of a "religion" does not mean one has true faith, or that one is doing the will of God.

Religion today has gotten way to tied in with politics and that's never a good thing. :dontknow:

Take care.

Andy

If I may paraphrase a well-known author: Religion is mankind trying to reach to God through his own means. Christianity is God reaching to man in through the messiah, Jesus Christ. :heartbeat: