When I say religion I'm talking about any theist religion that has widely believed customs, rituals, rules (or guidelines), and stuff like that. So if you were planning on coming in here and saying "Well it's impossible to not have a religion, you're an Atheist or a Free-Thinker most likely," then just leave. I know that technically you'd be correct, but that's not what I'm trying to get at in this debate. Atheism (in my opinion) isn't as much of a religion as it is a state of mind. Same thing goes for a Free-Thinker. Yes, it could be called a religion, but if you want to get literal with this thread, it will fail. I, myself, have been around the Christian religion extensively for the majority of my lifetime. Yet, I don't consider myself a Christian. I don't believe in many things that common Christian's do. I'm not atheist, because I do believe that there is something... else, for lack of a better term, out there that has an influence in everything that goes on in our life. Whether it's a god, some alien life forms, or simply our own subconscious acts. So I guess I'm sort of a Free-Thinker. Yet, I also see how people can believe that there is a god. I don't want to go into a lot of detail here, as that would turn this into a thread about whether or not one should follow a certain religion. That's not what this thread is about. What this all boils down to is: Is it really essential to ones well being and lifestyle to believe in a modern theist religion? Can one not be a Free-Thinker and live life with just as much self-respect and dignity as a devout Christian? As always, please remember to be polite, no personal attacks, and turn your signatures off. :]
Absolutely not. Air, water, food, shelter, and clothing are essential to our lives. Religion is not. Yes, maybe you might go to <insert bad place invented by a religion>, however that's in a whole different life. Not to mention the fact that it's never been proven that you even go anywhere after death. You're not going to shrivel up and die the moment you cease to believe in a theistic religion. It maybe very important, or even the only focus in live for some. However you can live without it, so it must not be essential.
I'm pretty sure that means you're agnostic. I personally don't think religion is essential at all. Many people would live better lifestyles if they weren't living in fear under some non-existant deity. Also it has been the foundation for most, if not all wars. I'm atheist and happy about it, and I find it hard to believe how damn gullible you'd have to be to be Christian.
Possibly. However I find it hard to believe. I spent a large portion of my early childhood with my grandparents, who forced my brother and I to go to church. For a time I was a christian, however when I was introduced to other ideas other then faith I slowly realized how unlikely religion is (in my opinion of course). I had no problems moving on... So I don't really believe it's that necessary for even a religious person's mental health, it's just a belief.
I believe the answer to this question depends entirely on one's definition of "life" in terms of length. All religions (that I know of) support some form of eternal life. In my opinion, our life on earth is seemingly trivial when compared to that of eternity. If you're defining "life" as that here on earth (and you don't believe in any form of eternity), then religion isn't necessary at all. However, for those who do believe in a form of eternity, that "life" is at least as important as ours here, if not more so. In that case, religion is as necessary as breath.
The thing about religion is religion gives us faith. To have faith is to inspire something good. Faith gives humanity unity. To have unity to be strong. However, religion can promote war. For instance, fighting over the holy land. Every person needs faith, but not everyone needs religion.
I believe, faith is present whenever we believe in what we are doing at the time. Whether it be a thought, person or object. Which includes war, being saved, or wanting something to happen. Sometimes we have faith in intangible thoughts, people or object, because that is all we can have in intangible things.
Weak religions like the Chrisianity and Islam of today are for weak minded people, who need a direction in their lives and can only get it from another source. They don't know what to do on their own. However, old religions like the Christianity that existed before the Catholic church ****ed it up, and Islam before the literalist extremists got to it is very good for us, because it brings a sense of community, higher purpose, and good intentions. Like Jesus' original word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Nobody does that anymore. And I may be biased, but the faith I belong to, Bahá'í, is a good, well meaning religion in the purest form. Basically, most religion is bad, but spirituality is most certainly good. I used to be an Atheist, then Agnostic, but soon came to realize that there is something higher in our world. Be it a God (or Gods), Gaia, Mother Nature, or whatever you want to call, something is here. I don't think it is all-powerful, makes us do things, or talks to people. I mean...just sit outside. I went camping in Yosemite a few years ago and sat on the top of Half Dome for about three hours. In that time or isolation, I pondered my existence, the universe, spirituality, and everything that my brain wandered to. After seeing the beauty of nature and this world, I came to the conclusion that it is too gorgeous and perfect for it all to be just coincidence, you know?
As forgehub's official Jewish person, I would have to say that religion is essential in some people's lives, but some people are fine living without it. I lived for a good 10 years of my life without being observant really at all. Then we got into the tradition and it is really important to me now. I have a friend though, his family celebrates Christmas but they never go to church and he is living a fine life. So, religion I think is more of something that helps you stay on the right path more than something that is essential.
I believe that in early history, religion was necessary for mental health because we were not fully developed mentally and socially. It was necessary to instill morals and the "don't kill people" attitude (no comments about the crusades, etc. please.) But is it necessary in this day and age? No. There are people who absolutely disbelieve everything who live fine lives. Remember though, faith in anything can be an accessory to mental health. A particularly traumatic event might be easier to get through if you have faith.