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fredbowsnowski · 06-03-2003, 09:51 AM

I have drawn some pretty unpopular conclusions about a supreme being and religion. Since I was 13, I have been on a quest. I have had discussions with people of all religious denominations and some that aren't classified. They have been regular people and leaders of churches.

My conclusion is that man made up religion. There are many reasons that religion need to be created:
- Religion gives man a reason, when no reason exists.
- Religion gives comfort to those who are about to die or have no other hope.
- It gives a culture rules to maintain order.
- It provides rules to prevent unwanted outcomes.
- It provides a sense of community.

Religion has many more good intensions; however, religion has caused more wars and the resulting death and destruction than any other cause. Religion gives those in power control over the masses.

Religions have absolutes. They don't adapt well to change. They don't accept outside beliefs very well. Especially ones that may threaten their beliefs.

Religions are all based on faith. Believe in the story without doubt and it will take care of you. Faith is the basis for the tension between religions. If you have faith and truly believe, then anyone else’s belief is a threat.

My conclusion is that religion today draws two kinds of people: controllers and followers. The controllers are the leaders who are taking advantage of the followers. They thrive on power. I believe that they really don't believe the mystic stuff behind religion, they just preach it so the followers will stay in line.

The followers are the weak ones. And that is OK. There are those who need answers, where none exists. Religion is for those who do not have the strength to accept the fact that when we die, that is it. The only thing that lives on is the memory that others have of us as we lived.

I can accept that and the many other aspects of the religions.

But many religious leaders cannot accept my conclusions. It threatens the power they cling on to. It threatens the followers, too. If they truly had to think about their faith and reality, reality might win. And that is too much for some to handle.

These are my thoughts. I know there are many more. I look forward to reading others ideas.

06-03-2003, 09:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
fredbowsnowski Upright	I have drawn some pretty unpopular conclusions about a supreme being and religion. Since I was 13, I have been on a quest. I have had discussions with people of all religious denominations and some that aren't classified. They have been regular people and leaders of churches. My conclusion is that man made up religion. There are many reasons that religion need to be created: - Religion gives man a reason, when no reason exists. - Religion gives comfort to those who are about to die or have no other hope. - It gives a culture rules to maintain order. - It provides rules to prevent unwanted outcomes. - It provides a sense of community. Religion has many more good intensions; however, religion has caused more wars and the resulting death and destruction than any other cause. Religion gives those in power control over the masses. Religions have absolutes. They don't adapt well to change. They don't accept outside beliefs very well. Especially ones that may threaten their beliefs. Religions are all based on faith. Believe in the story without doubt and it will take care of you. Faith is the basis for the tension between religions. If you have faith and truly believe, then anyone else’s belief is a threat. My conclusion is that religion today draws two kinds of people: controllers and followers. The controllers are the leaders who are taking advantage of the followers. They thrive on power. I believe that they really don't believe the mystic stuff behind religion, they just preach it so the followers will stay in line. The followers are the weak ones. And that is OK. There are those who need answers, where none exists. Religion is for those who do not have the strength to accept the fact that when we die, that is it. The only thing that lives on is the memory that others have of us as we lived. I can accept that and the many other aspects of the religions. But many religious leaders cannot accept my conclusions. It threatens the power they cling on to. It threatens the followers, too. If they truly had to think about their faith and reality, reality might win. And that is too much for some to handle. These are my thoughts. I know there are many more. I look forward to reading others ideas.