Is religion of any description a man made lie in order to put the fear of god in all of us so we don't commit

Well...this started off as an interesting question, so I will pretend it stayed that way and answer it accordingly.

I have often wondered if religion is a construct of man, not so much to enforce law and order (because you are right, it is actually the source of much conflict), but instead because man is simply unable to accept his own mortality and finality. That man simply cannot accept that when he dies....he is dead. That is it. There is nothing left....nothing living on further in any shape, way or form.

If you think about it, virtually ALL the organized religions have the "life after" as a central tenant....that you either go on to some place much better than this place and live forever, or you return to this place in a completely new form. None of the major religion align with the notion that when you die, you are dead. Period. That there is no "You 2.0"

This is the thing though - all the organized religons also have "faith" as a central tenant. That you have to believe. Now, I am sure many people would say that this is just part of the Kool-Aid...that you have to preach "faith" because the existence of a higher deity cannot be proven because such a being does not exist. Someone in this thread for example mentioned "God Atoms".

The counter argument to this perspective though is quite simple - that is empirical and irrefutable evidence existed, there would be absolutely no need for "faith" - there would be nothing to believe in. Everyone believes in gravity, for example. You can't see it, touch it, taste it. However, you can absolutely see it effects, and hence people accept its existence universally.

If such irrefutable evidence of a higher deity existed, there would be nothing to believe in - the would be no "faith". Not to mention that many people believe that what you see all around you is the evidence that a higher deity exists...that one's own existence proves it.

Me - I believe in God. But I question my faith constantly. I don't' really practice religion anymore, but I do believe that a higher deity / power / being does exist. Why? because I have faith...and if it turns out I'm wrong...what difference does it make? I'll be dead anyway...right?

Religion was originally man's attempts to understand his world- then things got complicated and it was used as a basis for laws to keep society functioning, or at least the top sectors of it- yes, religion is merely a means of keeping the masses under control using fear, and occasionally the threat of death and torture. Religion in these complex times is simply a political tool to control the masses (They don't use drugs, a la 1984, or genetic engineering, a la Brave New World...... YET!)

Religion is supposed to be about working, not starting wars. Just because people say they do it in the name of relgion doesn't mean they actually do. And also, not everyone shoves their beliefs down peoples throats, if they claim to be religious and are "bible bashers" and whatnot, then they aren't very religious because as a christian, we aren't supposed to judge others.

But, people interperate things how they want to.

When people ask me if I'm missing out because I'm Christian, I say to them "missing out on what? Getting drunk, doing pot and all that crap? How is that fun?"

If I die and I go to heaven, then yay, if I die and there is no heaven, I'm happy, I will be dead, it wont matter.

Religion really can mean believing in any nonsense you want to and making it an excuse for war or mayhem.

Christianity is about loving 'your neighbour as yourself'. No easy matter, but Jesus showed us that service to God and our fellow man, especially our fellow believer is the Godly way.

A lot of what you say is really the usual excuse for not believing in God.

sounds like a managery of simplistic drivel. Just because your parents disipline you when you do wrong and reward you when you do good doesn't make their teachings wrong.

just because you have a job and continue makeing money doesnt make it right for me to steel from you. people have never gone to war over religion. They war over politics. Religion is just an excuse. I know no religion that promotes war over a differing of faith alone.

no, but you're living in a nation where lies are made to put fear in us lets say 9/11, the iraq war?

Religion is the work of satan to keep ppl from the TRUTH.

no. The holy bible and the world around us are proof that God does exist.

if you study religions with any honesty, you'll find such a premise to be utterly ridiculous.

Religion?...a social tool?.....a manipulation by government to control the masses?....Surely not????????????