How Do You Define Religion?

[TK]

I am supposed to ask 50 Westerners this set of questions as an assignment for my religion class. Care to help me out and answer these and fill some of those spots?

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?
5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?

[Alou]

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?

A belief in something higher is all I really need. Some sort of practice in your life (Prayer, Meditation,Pilgrimage etc) could also help.

2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?

I view religion as the practice of beliefs while philosophy is the study of beliefs.

3. What separates religions from being considered cults?

A cult emphasizes practice to the extreme. They are the radicals of religion so to speak.

4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?

I don't know to much on Zoroastrianism other than Zoroaster was the prophet there. As I said my definition of cult is religious practice to the extreme so Mormonism and Scientology aren't really. Can't say about Zoroastrianism though.

5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?

When some of the core beliefs begin to have some dispute/distinction. If the core stuff is the same and it's minor details that are issues that is fine. But once lets say the various Christian core values come into question for a denomination its time to branch off probably.

Also by Westerner I hope you mean in North/South America and not like West Coast of something. =/ Happy to help.

[perceptrons]

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
Someone saying that they believe something, others agree and follow and someone gives them a name. The same way all religions started.

2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
The supernatural aspects of it.

3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
I wouldn't say there is a real separation.

4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?Yes. The main difference to me is their age and amount of influence each have, but they're all absurd.

5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?
Whatever lines the followers want, the whole thing is arbitrary anyway.

[atticus1492]

1. Idiots (Stupid people)
2. "A philosophy" doesn't make sense, so I don't know. It is like saying, "A biology."
3. Majority perception.
4. Yes. Yes.
5. This is the only question I can't answer with a short, sarcastic reply. So fuck.

Hope this helps!

[TK]

How does the second question not make sense?

[jagermeister]

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
I think a religion needs a set of guidelines, practices and beliefs that all must adhere to to qualify as something legitimate.
2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
I think the belief in a higher power separates a religion like Buddhism from say, Judaism.
3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
I think the "freedoms" allowed in religion and I use that term very, very loosely. In a cult you are pretty much brainwashed not to think for yourself, and if you're practicing a faith you have the freedom to come and go from it (usually) and to believe in it whichever way you see fit.
4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?
I think
I would consider them something perhaps misguided, and using the mask of religion as a front for something more (not so much the Zoroastrians) than just a religion. Arguably all religion is used for profit and self-interest but the public is aware of the up front damaging affects these ones are causing in some of our own backyards.
5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?
I think when then foundation and original ideas it was based on are bein skewed for the betterment of a particular person or set of people.

I probably typed this like shit so I hope it helped.

[karlwithak]

A religion usually encompasses a set of stories, symbols (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol), beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to an ultimate power or reality. - Wikipedia.

I don't believe in religion. I am a Christian and I have a relationship with Jesus, not a set of rules, traditions, and ideas.

[jagermeister]

A religion usually encompasses a set of stories, symbols (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol), beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to an ultimate power or reality. - Wikipedia.

I don't believe in religion. I am a Christian and I have a relationship with Jesus, not a set of rules, traditions, and ideas.
The question wasn't "How does Wikipedia define religion?" was it? No, it was how do YOU define it. To say you are a Christian but to not believe in religion is stupid, and a really lame attempt at going against the norm. Christianity is by, definition, a religion regardless if you think so or not.

[awakeohsleeper]

The question wasn't "How does Wikipedia define religion?" was it? No, it was how do YOU define it. To say you are a Christian but to not believe in religion is stupid, and a really lame attempt at going against the norm. Christianity is by, definition, a religion regardless if you think so or not.

I think what the guy was trying to say is that, whilst Christianity has become a 'religion', all it was meant to be was a relationship. It's been institutionalised. I think that is what he meant anyway.

[TK]

I think what the guy was trying to say is that, whilst Christianity has become a 'religion', all it was meant to be was a relationship. It's been institutionalised. I think that is what he meant anyway.

Seriously? I did not make myself clear on what five questions I was asking? Is this forum really this fucking stupid?

[awakeohsleeper]

Seriously? I did not make myself clear on what five questions I was asking? Is this forum really this fucking stupid?

In answer to that question... yes, it is that stupid.

[Zieb]

1. The moment someone says they believe in something super-natural.
2. Well first off Buddhism is not a religion. In Western cultural is has been defined as a religion so people can more easily digest what it is, but in actuality it is not a religion, but rather a way of life or thinking process.
To really answer your question though, a religion is practice and belief in something where philosophy is the study of those practices or beliefs.
3. A cult is a religion. It is incorrect to think of a cult as the extremists in a religion, but rather the true practicioners of a religion. People who are not extreme in their religion are not true followers. They are simply fools who take what they like and leave out the rest.
4. See question 3.
5. I am personally a hard stance, I do not believe you come to your own interpretations about how a religion is read. I believe there is one meaning and one stance. When I write something down I intend for it to specifically mean something. That doesn't mean you cant find alternate meaning in what I wrote, but rather you are not understading what I really meant with what I wrote. So if you took the original text of a holy book then that is what they mean. It is not up for discussion. So if you choose to have common beliefs, but some differences then that in essence is a different religion. Denominations are for people who cannot fully commit to a religion and the true meaning behind it.

To expand on this a bit though we cannot obviously truly talk to those who wrote something like the bible so yes it has become something of interpretation, which is unfortunate. So I believe all denomoniations of a religion like Lutherans for Christians are just one religion with people not coming to the same terms on what they read. So to me unless you can pinpoint exactly what they meant in the bible then you cannot say exactly how a religion is practiced. The problem with saying denomination is you are implying a subgroup to a religion. How can you have a subgroup without the proper group? If Catholics are the proper/true group as far as Christianity goes than how can you possibly say you are practicing the same religion when you do not agree on some points? You are practicing a different religion that is similar to another, but is not a subgroup of the religion since it is in essence it's own religion.

[crimesides]

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?


A set of rules a person chooses to live by, that they believe are mandated by a supreme being/power.


2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?


I'm not too familiar with Buddhism, but I'd say what separates religious belief from philosophical belief is the part of it that is based purely on 'faith'...as opposed to logical or abstract thought.


3. What separates religions from being considered cults?


Group-mentality; a group leader...organized religion.


4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?


If they're involving that group mentality, then yes I'd probably consider it a cult. And I'm not sure what the second part of the question is asking.


5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?


The religion would be the set of rules you live by...which denomination you belong to depends on how you interpret and manifest those rules.

[karlwithak]

The question wasn't "How does Wikipedia define religion?" was it? No, it was how do YOU define it. To say you are a Christian but to not believe in religion is stupid, and a really lame attempt at going against the norm. Christianity is by, definition, a religion regardless if you think so or not.
No its not. Ok u want my definition. Religion is laws, customs, traditions etc, practiced by man. I don't practice traditions or laws and I have a living relationship with God and Jesus Christ. My love grows deeper for Him and I learn new things about God constantly. I don't sit in some church and practice rituals.

[karlwithak]

Seriously? I did not make myself clear on what five questions I was asking? Is this forum really this fucking stupid?

I really didn't feel line answering all five but I certainly can.

[karlwithak]

I am supposed to ask 50 Westerners this set of questions as an assignment for my religion class. Care to help me out and answer these and fill some of those spots?

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?
5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?

1. Factors of religion are any man made rules and laws. Practices also fall under this. Religion is a dead practice and is tradition. Its not a living breathing relationship.
2. I would say there isn't much that separates religion and philosophy. They are both man made ideas that attempt to fill the gap that only Jesus Christ can fill threw a relationship with Him.
3. Again, there isn't much that I would consider to separate religions and cults. Both are false and man made. Cults tend to be smaller and maybe more extreme, but that isn't always true. There are Muslim extremists and Islam would be a religion.
4. I would consider them all to be false religions and maybe cultic. The differences in them would be their beliefs and practices, but in the end they are all the same because they aren't the truth.
5. That really depends. I think it depends how extreme the differences are. I think that denominations really set back Christianity considering how we all have the same Savior, same truth, and same purpose.

[Big_Guy]

I am supposed to ask 50 Westerners this set of questions as an assignment for my religion class. Care to help me out and answer these and fill some of those spots?

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
lots of stupid people
2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
lots of stupid people. (actually, I don't mind Buddhism at face value)
3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
nothing
4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?
I consider them more dumb people

[about3fitty]

this is the problem with america today. people make politics into a religious issue.

[jagermeister]

No its not. Ok u want my definition. Religion is laws, customs, traditions etc, practiced by man. I don't practice traditions or laws and I have a living relationship with God and Jesus Christ. My love grows deeper for Him and I learn new things about God constantly. I don't sit in some church and practice rituals.
Do you go to Church at all and and do you pray?

[karlwithak]

Do you go to Church at all and and do you pray?
Thats not a tradition. That is a part of a relationship with God. Its in His Word. Every church service isn't the same and every prayer I pray isn't the same either.

[jagermeister]

Thats not a tradition. That is a part of a relationship with God. Its in His Word. Every church service isn't the same and every prayer I pray isn't the same either.
Thinking prayer and church services aren't traditions is just as absurd as thinking Christianity isn't a religion. You need to read more than just one book I think.

[karlwithak]

Thinking prayer and church services aren't traditions is just as absurd as thinking Christianity isn't a religion. You need to read more than just one book I think.

Prayer is not a tradition for me, its a conversation I have with God. He answers these prayers and they aren't words repeated over, and over that are hollow and empty and aren't directed to a false, man made god. Church isn't a tradition either. Almost every service is different and I come to worship God actively and authentically, not out of habit. I read a lot of books and have even looked into the religions of man. I find that non stack up to the truth of Christianity. Also the Bible and Jesus have historical, archeological, and documented support that make them more true and reliable than anything else.

[Machu505]

I would love to see historical evidence of someone walking on water.

[karlwithak]

I would love to see historical evidence of someone walking on water.

Its recorded in various documents aside from the Bible including secular scholars that weren't believers of Jesus. Now, I've heard of people ask for scientific proof of it. If you think about that logically, you can't scientifically prove an event like that, just like you can't scientifically prove i went into work yesterday.

[loveisdead]

Its recorded in various documents aside from the Bible including secular scholars that weren't believers of Jesus. Now, I've heard of people ask for scientific proof of it. If you think about that logically, you can't scientifically prove an event like that, just like you can't scientifically prove i went into work yesterday.
So you're comparing walking on water to going to work. :ok:

[jagermeister]

Prayer is not a tradition for me, its a conversation I have with God. He answers these prayers and they aren't words repeated over, and over that are hollow and empty and aren't directed to a false, man made god. Church isn't a tradition either. Almost every service is different and I come to worship God actively and authentically, not out of habit. I read a lot of books and have even looked into the religions of man. I find that non stack up to the truth of Christianity. Also the Bible and Jesus have historical, archeological, and documented support that make them more true and reliable than anything else.
You really seem like one of those Christians who like to alter the meaning of words to fit your own personal mission and thats pathetic. Come back and discuss this when you're mind isn't closed and decided already. Thanks.

So you're comparing walking on water to going to work. :ok:
Don't worry man, that guy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, you know?

[Machu505]

I can go to work. I can't walk on water. Um...

[loveisdead]

I can go to work. I can't walk on water. Um...
Oh, logic.

[sdbrown]

I can't walk on water but I can walk on H2O

And how does your teacher/prof expect 50 everyday people to know the answers to those questions? What the fuck is Zoroastrianism?

[TK]

I can't walk on water but I can walk on H2O

And how does your teacher/prof expect 50 everyday people to know the answers to those questions? What the fuck is Zoroastrianism?

She said it doesn't matter whether the person answering is right, wrong, or doesn't have a clue. We were suppose to compile a list of answers and classify them in categories.

[Freeride]

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?

Something that becomes the most important thing in your life and you guide your life by its rules and laws

2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?

It depends what way you look at it, I find the belief in karma very much like a belief in god, it has the "follow its laws and you will live a happy life, do good things and good things will prevail and vice versa with doing bad things" but it isnt set in stone unlike 99% of religions. Since it is man made and its acknowledge as being man made, everything about it is up for debate.

3. What separates religions from being considered cults?

Not alot, I think the biggest difference is cults are usually blind to anything else but its practise while the majority of religious people these days say they believe in a certain religion for the sake of believing in something and really dont follow half of what their religion preaches.

4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?

Not really, they are all religions and I am sure they also have their followers that dont really take everything it teaches to heart, I know that is definitely the case with mormonism. It all depends if you would still call someone a Mormon when they dont follow all of the laws down to the very last point. How much parts of Mormonism or Scientology or any religion for that matter do you need to follow to be considered a part of it?

5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?

I think the only people that can draw the line are the people who want their religion to be considered different from the other, if they say their religion is different and it truly does have one major part of the religious belief changed then I think it is valid for it to be called something else because it really cant be called the same if they both dont follow the exact same laws and teachings.

For the record, I am not religious at all and dont believe that any religion or belief is 100% correct and find it almost mind numbing that people can accept the fact that their religion is 100% true when there are so many other possibilities for life being created that we still havent discovered/had the knowledge to build a theory on/considered.

I dont even believe in evolution 100%, I believe it is a very good theory but is still so far from having every single answer and until a religion/belief can give me 100% proof that it is true and can show me first hand that thats how it all came to pass then I will not believe it and dont feel that in my life I need it at all. I am happy believing in nothing and therefore dont need to defend my belief in nothing and makes it alot easier to argue/explain why other people religions dont work. It would be alot harder if I actually believed in something when trying to explain why their religion doesn't work because it would always end up in them trying to turn it back to my religion, when i reply with I dont believe in anything because nothing is 100% set in stone with all question answered they cant try and tear my non existant belief down. I do believe there is a cause to our being here but I dont believe anyone has found it yet.

[hopefortomorrow]

I am supposed to ask 50 Westerners this set of questions as an assignment for my religion class. Care to help me out and answer these and fill some of those spots?

1. What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?
2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy?
3. What separates religions from being considered cults?
4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?
5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors?


1 - a way of life. a way of living.

2 - nothing. nothing at all.

3 - nothing. they are one in the same. people stigmatize them both with negative and positive connotations. it simply depends on your perspective of each.

4 - no. there are lots of differences between them. but they are cults in the same sense that all other religion in the world is a cult.

5 - lines should be drawn where people feel like drawing them. purely a matter of personal opinion. once enough people have the same personal opinion, society and academics will draw the lines for you.

[hopefortomorrow]

You really seem like one of those Christians who like to alter the meaning of words to fit your own personal mission and thats pathetic. Come back and discuss this when you're mind isn't closed and decided already. Thanks.


Don't worry man, that guy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, you know?



what does it matter to you. you seem fairly quick to judge and close your mind as well.



I can't walk on water but I can walk on H2O

And how does your teacher/prof expect 50 everyday people to know the answers to those questions? What the fuck is Zoroastrianism?

She said it doesn't matter whether the person answering is right, wrong, or doesn't have a clue. We were suppose to compile a list of answers and classify them in categories.



its an interesting interjection into the minds of the masses.

zoroastrianism was a "religion" which existed before christianity, forming in the middle east / orient regions. in an extremely simplified version, it believed in good versus evil. traces of its traditions and beliefs can be found in many "religions" which were founded later in time.

[jagermeister]

what does it matter to you. you seem fairly quick to judge and close your mind as well.









its an interesting interjection into the minds of the masses.

zoroastrianism was a "religion" which existed before christianity, forming in the middle east / orient regions. in an extremely simplified version, it believed in good versus evil. traces of its traditions and beliefs can be found in many "religions" which were founded later in time.

Thanks for offering nothing to this discussion. I am not closed minded as I consider myself an Agnostic. He, however, is close minded because he is making things up as he goes along and only really is concerned with what affects him.

[billyboatkid]

As a cop-out.


JK

[xmiasmatik]

1.What would you consider the factors needed to make up a religion?---I consider a group of people that believe in something spiritual. No size or ideas needed. Hey, the flying spaghetti monsters a religion.

2. What separates a religion like Buddhism from being a philosophy? I think it originally was a philosophy, but people decided to make it more than that and worship Buddha.

3. What separates religions from being considered cults? In the dictionary, a cult is a small unorthodox group of people with similar beliefs. Anything that doesn't fall under those limits are basically "not cults" but I consider anything a religion. Free country, yotches.

4. Do you consider Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, or Scientology cults? Is there any differences between them?--Sort of. Not really. Never ever considered Mormonism or Scientology a cult. Zoroastrianism...hmm...gotta do some Wikipedia action on that.

5. Where should the line be drawn between a denomination of a religion and a separate religion with common factors? A denomination a very slight difference in one particular religion. Separate religion has to have completely separate worshiping methods and saints and so on.

[locklearmj]

Now, I've heard of people ask for scientific proof of it. If you think about that logically, you can't scientifically prove an event like that, just like you can't scientifically prove i went into work yesterday.

You're brainwashed.

[Troggy]

Pure and Undefiled Religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. - James 1:27