What is the purpose of religion?

Nor can I.

In my opinion, religion truly has nothing to do with God or gods. Instead, it is a figment of society dreamed up to explain that which we cannot explain ourselves. For instance, early in history, intellectuals were unable to determine the potential cause of Earth's development; they were without both the technology and the intelligence to find the truth.

I believe that they became hasty in their search for truth, and because of it, were willing to accept anything. They found a few *coincidental* facts, and ran with it; they morphed certain occurances by word of mouth to make them seem the product of a divine force.

This resuled in, of course, religion.

Now, I think that the main reason for which it is still enforced, is control. THe human race is an amazing thing, but desperately out of order, all the same. Many find that religion serves as a way to keep people in order -- so, people are threatened; either they worship a "God," the worship of whom "coincidentally" requires that one not cause trouble, or they go to "Hell."

In part, the people of this world are enforcing it upon themselves -- subconsciously, of course, but it's occuring, just the same.

That's the only explanation that truly makes sense, to me. Maybe others find another purpose in it, but I myself do not.

I agree with the first poster.

Let's break it up.

Modern Organized Religion (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) was founded as a basis to control the masses. I don't mean brainwash, I mean a way to easily gain unity and moral base within a population. It worked and it stuck. It also has served as a way to start wars and turn people against his fellow people (Spanish Inquisition, KKK, WTC bombings).

The 'Heathen' and 'Pagan' religions were nothing more than explanations. Names were given to pieces of nature and were seen as deities. They were worshipped, but not in the way you normally think of. It was a way of life and also an explanation of what wasn't known.

Both are based on mythical creatures and deities. Many are just entirely too fanatical about their beliefs. In my honest opinion, religion is bad. There have been more wars and exiles in the name of religion than can be typed in a 10 page report. Science will prevail in the end and there will be a greater degree of peace.

Im sorry heathen girl, I know there are tenets and dogma with pagan religions as well. I know the Norse believed if they died an honorable death (ie. by the sword) they would have a seat at Odin's table in Valhalla. I know if they were dishonorable Loki would be their new best friend. I was simply saying that the pagan religions reside in nature and harmony while the organized religions lay in greed and false hope.

Haha... Funny Question. If you are serious, then it is more a funny question.

Of course you are right and the question is what you see todays religion(s) in the world. But if you really look at the bottom line of the religions, NO TWO religions came confronting each other. All the religions, either are independant and arose to testify the need for the day and the community or to enhance the existing communial / religious belief sects. It is nothing to do with sacrifice or make them slaves or masters. Its all the wrong interpertations made in later dates. If you argue that Jesus gave his life for man kind and that is to be followed by all. Are we protested by the rest of the mass? Are we trying to impose anthing that the community needs? But Jesus did them and part of his morels is to pay for the sin. He paid for us. But we, being followers, we are comfortable creatures. If we are again getting in to agony, its a self punishment for nothing and they are going to add nothing to your life.

The purpose of a religion is simply for the human mind to grasp to the idea of something, even if it isn't real. Some find the idea of religion to be comforting, some announce that it is their point in life, many get motivation from it. There is no real purpose altogether, but their is a purpose for each of our individual religions.

Myth points the direction of aspects of human nature. Religion gives a common language to inexplicable experience.

ok. well my view on religion is that it is a safety blanket for the weak and insecure. for most people, there is Jesus...but the man gave his life for everyone's sins, that just makes him a martyr. not god's chosen son. but anyhoo, some people need religion just to have something to follow. it gives them a sence of security of the "afterlife" and it helps them explain why there is man, earth, and animal. it helps them to explain the miraculous instead of finding the truth behind it.

hope my opinion helped alittle, if not...good luck finding another

To control humanity. Look how well that worked out in the long run - wars, persecution, hate, etc..

Some people use it like a baby uses a pacifier, while some of us outgrew it.

o0

If you think that, then you know nothing about my religion.

"The 'Heathen' and 'Pagan' religions were nothing more than explanations. Names were given to pieces of nature and were seen as deities."

WRONG

Do people even bother to learn things?

To lead each of us to God and to help us control our egos.