What purpose does Religion serve ?

I agree that *man-made* organized religion has caused many problems. But . . . not God's true worshippers, who actually follow the guidelines in God's word --- as opposed to man-made doctrines *touted as* Bible teachings . . .

Does It Matter Which Religion You Choose?

- How Do Religions Get Started?

- Whom Do Religions Want to Please?

http://watchtower.org/e/20070301/article_01.htm

Religion--What Good Does It Do?

http://watchtower.org/e/20060901/article_01.htm

How to Identify True Worship

- The Book About Love

- How to Recognize People Who Love God

http://watchtower.org/e/20070301/article_02.htm

- Provides simple, pleasant answers to the big questions in life. "Where did we come from?" "How did the world begin?" "Why are we here?" - Some people aren't satisfied without an answer.

- Gives people hope. Lessens the fear people have of mortality.

- Back in ye olde days, people weren't that educated about what was good and what was bad for them. Holy texts tend to slip in a few useful tips for not dying / not screwing yourself over in life. Like the whole "don't eat pork" thing in Judaism? Probably spared a lot of people from food poisoning back when the average Joe didn't know what caused food poisoning.

- Helps society function. Maybe you don't WANT to be cooperative with others or follow the law, but if you don't, you're going to spend an eternity suffering. Gonna start being a Good Samaritan now? Good.

- Divine Right to Rule, found in a LOT of religions, actually. Keeps rulers from getting overthrown all the time so that some political stability can be had.

I'm not religious, but even I know religion exists for a lot of reasons.

I, as a free person in today's world, cannot accept the argument that "Religion gives some people second thoughts before doing stuff, thus, only good can Religion be". Think a little further people..

What I keep is the power that Religion can aggregate and give the chance to affect a big amount of people beyond suspicion.

initially, i'm agnostic, so i'm undecided if i'm your suitable answer-er, yet I do have some in put in it, appropriate? Having some form of religion can help survival for numerous human beings. It would not rapidly do any of the failings you suggested, yet many faiths supply loose food and guard for the hungry and homeless, which i think of very much contributes to human beings's survival. I do think of faith is used as a sort of leisure, yet extra as a quest for actuality than a frivolous previous-time. Philosophy and faith are 2 issues which have made mankind great: a seek for larger information and actuality. without it, the fashionable international would not be possible. faith would not in itself create conflict, however the human beings who stick to it often times tend to ignore a number of their religions teachings and brutally enforce the others. i think of if right now faith grew to become into worn out, the international may be a far extra non violent place, yet there isn't any way shall we are transforming into this a ways without it, even besides the fact that if it fairly is not genuinely the actuality.

I only speak from an objective standpoint. Religion is a base fulfillment for the our need to associate with a group. We love to say "I'm Christian" or "I'm Jewish" or "I'm Buddhist." Just like we love to say "I'm a democrat" or "I'm a republican". It fulfills our need to separate ourselves into smaller, more manageable groups.

Now I speak from a more personal standpoint. Having faith is a beautiful thing, no matter what that faith is. Having read most of the religious doctrines in mankind's history, I can say with conviction that I have not run ac cross any religious teachings that say "Hate your fellow man because he believeth differently" or "wage physical war on those who are unaligned with our beliefs, killing many innocent people." Most religious wars are the result of men using religious means to accomplish political ends. And it is a travesty in all religions.

The opportunity to spend an eternity in fellowship with the Lord. People make war out of religions, mostly for ungodly reasons. You have to understand that we are Man, Man makes mistakes, we will all mess up. Don't say religion causes problems, but people.

Well I'm a Christian, and the purpose of my religion is to dollow the good example Jesus Christ Son of God left for me to follow. I know I cannot be as perfect as he, but I try my hardest to be the most perfect I can be. If we are good to others, and follow God's word, God will reward us with eternal blissful life in Heaven.

Although I do agree that religion has caused many a problem, but that is because the so called followers of that religion who start those wars, eg, Muslims, Christians, are hypocrites, and don't practice what they preach.

Religion isn't about serving a purpose, it's about searching for the truth.

I think Guidance.

Religion has not caused problems. It is the people who use religion for a purpose it was not designed for that cause problems.

- Ethical: Religion provides a moral framework to keep society from degrading. In this respect, it is a failure.

- Social: Religion provides a power tool that allows those in control to maintain control. In this respect, it is adequate.

- Philosophical: Religion provides emotional succor to people that helps them accept their lot in life. In this respect, it is a success.