With so many believers around the world it is just normal that religion matters. Apart from that religion can be important for building character and good manners. I have several friends raised in this way and they are different than most of my other friends. It seems that they have better system of values from their early age and later on they just built on.
I think you've given a really strong point there manoharb. Ego can destroy a person's values as much as it destroys the mindset. Some religious leaders have that kind of mindset and they pass it on to their followers. In this case, the true essence of why religions even exist is surpassed. For me, religions should exist as a way of having a smaller and more accessible division of a big single belief in one God.
Religion is an element of society. To deem it significant or insignificant is to lose sight of what it is - an element of the interconnection of what we are. It's part of the story, part of the show. When you are born, you get to witness color, sound, taste, touch, smell. Beautiful gifts when existence does not have a logical root. Because our existence's root is not apparent, is not a part of our waking life, we seek and find meaning beyond our waking experiences. We question the nature of our experiences, and some call the source "God." Some have an opinion of what God may look like, or "think." Some may have an opinion of God's intentions, actions, reasoning. Yet, the show goes on regardless. Children die of cancer, lions devour innocent species, but there is beauty on the other side of the coin. Both ends of the spectrum are present. Some then call these evils "The Devil," or darkness, chaos, and do not associate them with the source, the true underlying cause of existence. The greatest question is not whether or not God exists. The greatest question is, "Why is there something?" or "Why is there not nothing?" Why must anything exist? What is the nature of existence as opposed to non-existence? God is not a man wearing a toga in the clouds, God is the human answer to this question. Was there ever nothingness? How did that nothingness become somethingness, and how do we prove it, rather than just use our mouths to enforce that which we cannot prove? How do we answer a question so far beyond ourselves? Is it even worth it to, or should we simply enjoy and work with those senses we have that create the foundation for our lives?
Religion matters to me to some extent. It gives us a concrete platform through which we can practice the values and live out the teachings of our Creator. On one hand, we should understand that religions are made by imperfect humans and God, however we perceive Him to be, did not really provide specifics in the Bible. Therefore, there is no such thing as a perfect religion, a perfect interpretation of the Bible or a perfect way to praise and love God. We just have to respect each other and focus on the things that unite rather than divide us. That's why wherever there's love, "there God is also" (Tolstoy).
Religion is one of the most important aspects of life worldwide. There is probably only a small percentage of the population which does not worship some form of a deity. The problem with many persons is that they believe that everyone should believe in their form of worship, therefore, they have no tolerance for any other type of religion, so they a generally antagonistic to opposing views.
You are speaking as if you have authority on the matter, but I think you are just posting an unsupported opinion. Post some verifiable statistics on the populations of the world and their beliefs. Cite references. You may just find that what you call a small percentage is much larger in many parts of the world than you admit.
I'm proud to be part of no organised religion. I personally believe whatever major religions teach (their core tenets) can be achieved and observed without believing in a supernatural deity who always watches over you. (People freak out when the government wiretaps their phones, but praises god who seems to especially care about what they do at night, in the dark, on their bed. Hmm...) What I follow is the immortal Confucian teaching of the Golden rule, that is, don't do onto others what you don't want done to yourself. And that conclusion can be reached by simple observation and logical thinking. So why bring 'faith' in it? And why worship books written thousands of years ago, in a very different timeline, for very different people? (If that was the case, then book companies wouldn't have to print new and/or revised editions of their books...)
To me, it doesn't mean a thing. It's just an attempt to predict what the future holds for us after death. It solely based on that thing. Some people share those ideas, others stay away. Unfortunately, some people are forced to practice something they don't genuinely believe in.
I respect other religions too. In my opinion, no matter what your religion is, for as long as you give respect and love for other people, the world will be a better place. Religions have different views, teachings, and beliefs, but at the end of the day, it's how we interact with other people and how we respect and obey God.
Rеligiоn is аn impоrtаnt pаrt оf lifе fоr mаny pеоplе. Еvеn pеоplе whо аrе nоt аll thаt rеligiоusby nаturе соnsidеr it tо bе impоrtаnt. Thе quеstiоn is why dо thеy fееl this wаy? Thе rеаsоn islаrgеly dоwn tо thе bеliеf thаt sосiеty nееds rеligiоn. Аs а sосiеty wе bеnеfit frоm оur соllесtivеrеligiоus bеliеfs. In fасt thеrе аrе mаny pеоplе whо wоuld аrguе thаt wе соuld nоt funсtiоnwithоut rеligiоn.
