Why religion? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Robin · 03-27-2006, 04:09 PM

The farther I get away from it, the less I appreciate it. Can someone help remind me why religion, in the world, is a net good?

Mormon Red Death · 03-27-2006, 04:14 PM

1. Gives people a sense of purpose (where they came from, where they are going)

2. Gives people a sense of community and sometimes culture

3. Provides a system of Morals

Archaea · 03-27-2006, 04:22 PM

Religion, properly taught and understood, teaches their is something greater than self. Without religion, there really would be no charity to speak of.

Humanism doesn't really catch on.

As MRD stated, those alone are net positives.

False religion is a drag, but there are counterfeits to all good things.

MikeWaters · 03-27-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin

The farther I get away from it, the less I appreciate it. Can someone help remind me why religion, in the world, is a net good?

If one is never close to it, then it is easy to see why one would not appreciate it as one gets further away from it.

Hence the allegory of the Tree of Life.

Robin · 03-27-2006, 04:48 PM

A related question:

If you didn't believe in the literal truthfulness of the gospel, as preached by the leaders of the church, would you remain a member because of the other benefits?

In my own case, there was a long period where I had stopped believing that the church was 'true,' but I remained active out of an appreciation for the community, a sense of duty to the community, and out of fear of what many in the community (family and friends) would think if I were to be open about my inner struggles with belief. My brother remains active in the church to this day, but has privately told me he believes none of it. He lives in Utah, where all of his friends and family are Mormon. He says that the price of going to church once a week is not so bad for the peace it brings between him and his wife, and for the friendships it sustains.

How about others? If you didn't believe in that the church was 'true' would you stick to it anyway?

Colly Wolly · 03-27-2006, 04:57 PM

My conviction that the Church is true is the only reason I still go. I find the community to be overrated, and I am sick of my calling. I have to deal with smart-mouth 14 and 15 year olds about 4-5 hours a week.

If I were to one day suddenly not believe anymore, the only reason I would still go to Church would be to keep my wife happy, but I would not have any callings or go to alot of the activities. Maybe I would still play Church ball tho....

Archaea · 03-27-2006, 05:11 PM

My belief keeps me going.

If I didn't believe, I might go for the kids, but I wouldn't do many of the things I do, but for belief.

The community is overrated. I have a better feel for community with my cycling and triathlete buddies than I do with my coreligionists.

There are many things I would change if I didn't believe. Some things, such as drinking and smoking are not things I would change though.

MikeWaters · 03-27-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

There are many things I would change if I didn't believe. Some things, such as drinking and smoking are not things I would change though.

there is a lot of second hand smoke at strip clubs, btw.

Archaea · 03-27-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

There are many things I would change if I didn't believe. Some things, such as drinking and smoking are not things I would change though.

there is a lot of second hand smoke at strip clubs, btw.

I'll take your word on that one.

I imagine I'd be more flexible on certain issues, and my charitable contributions would take a dive.

Jeff Lebowski · 03-27-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin

He says that the price of going to church once a week is not so bad for the peace it brings between him and his wife...

If it came to it, I would go to hell and back to keep my wife happy.

03-27-2006, 04:09 PM	#1
Robin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 961	Why religion? The farther I get away from it, the less I appreciate it. Can someone help remind me why religion, in the world, is a net good?

03-27-2006, 04:14 PM	#2
Mormon Red Death Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clinton Township, MI Posts: 3,126	1. Gives people a sense of purpose (where they came from, where they are going) 2. Gives people a sense of community and sometimes culture 3. Provides a system of Morals __________________ Its all about the suit

03-27-2006, 04:22 PM	#3
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Religion, properly taught and understood, teaches their is something greater than self. Without religion, there really would be no charity to speak of. Humanism doesn't really catch on. As MRD stated, those alone are net positives. False religion is a drag, but there are counterfeits to all good things. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

03-27-2006, 05:11 PM	#7
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	My belief keeps me going. If I didn't believe, I might go for the kids, but I wouldn't do many of the things I do, but for belief. The community is overrated. I have a better feel for community with my cycling and triathlete buddies than I do with my coreligionists. There are many things I would change if I didn't believe. Some things, such as drinking and smoking are not things I would change though. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

03-27-2006, 04:48 PM	#5
Robin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 961	A related question: If you didn't believe in the literal truthfulness of the gospel, as preached by the leaders of the church, would you remain a member because of the other benefits? In my own case, there was a long period where I had stopped believing that the church was 'true,' but I remained active out of an appreciation for the community, a sense of duty to the community, and out of fear of what many in the community (family and friends) would think if I were to be open about my inner struggles with belief. My brother remains active in the church to this day, but has privately told me he believes none of it. He lives in Utah, where all of his friends and family are Mormon. He says that the price of going to church once a week is not so bad for the peace it brings between him and his wife, and for the friendships it sustains. How about others? If you didn't believe in that the church was 'true' would you stick to it anyway?

03-27-2006, 04:57 PM	#6
Colly Wolly Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,281	My conviction that the Church is true is the only reason I still go. I find the community to be overrated, and I am sick of my calling. I have to deal with smart-mouth 14 and 15 year olds about 4-5 hours a week. If I were to one day suddenly not believe anymore, the only reason I would still go to Church would be to keep my wife happy, but I would not have any callings or go to alot of the activities. Maybe I would still play Church ball tho....