Faith & Community - Connection?

[aeye4green]

Just thinking about the way important events in life are connected with religious ceremony. For example, having A new born, getting married, and dying. Most religions have ceremony's for each of these events. Some other religions have ceremony's for things like buying your first house, going away to school, etc... as well.

So, my point is, Does religion give those events more meaning? Almost like a rubber stamp of authenticity. If there was no religion would it reduce the value of those events?

Further, churches and other worship areas give communities a place to go to, not only to pray, but to socialize. Alot of people find their spouses, best friends, and even jobs through these places. In effect the mass on Sunday is really just a networking event in essence. The common bond in bringing everyone together is religion. Without religion, could these events take place?

Just something to ponder. I'm personally not religious, but I do see the value in the above events. Thoughts?

[Inept]

Of course they could take place. In fact, I'd argue that religion keeps the community from creating something everyone can take part in. I'd argue that sometimes it's too exclusionary. Especially Christianity in America. I've been to many events that were church related. If you aren't well known people are quick to find out who you are and be friendly but if they find out you don't believe in the same things they do they can get pretty sketchy. Even sometimes disrespecting you our of fear/ignorance...or just trying to avoid you the rest of the time. All these events do not need religion to give them meaning nor to give us a sense of community. The fact that some religions have had effect or are the initial factor to some events does not mean we need religion to continue holding these events. There are plenty of ways to gather for socializing and such in our country and plenty of others.

[london2nyc]

Of course they could take place. In fact, I'd argue that religion keeps the community from creating something everyone can take part in. I'd argue that sometimes it's too exclusionary. Especially Christianity in America. I've been to many events that were church related. If you aren't well known people are quick to find out who you are and be friendly but if they find out you don't believe in the same things they do they can get pretty sketchy. Even sometimes disrespecting you our of fear/ignorance...or just trying to avoid you the rest of the time. All these events do not need religion to give them meaning nor to give us a sense of community. The fact that some religions have had effect or are the initial factor to some events does not mean we need religion to continue holding these events. There are plenty of ways to gather for socializing and such in our country and plenty of others.

like bars and dance halls you mean? I agree with you, religions are exclusionary because they are exclusive clubs. I think religions give a moral settings for socializing as opposed to in a club. But, its all hypocritical to be honest.

The challenge is in what you said first. Creating a place where everyone can take part. What ideas do you have in regards to this?

[Inept]

I've never hung out at a bar for social reasoning and I've never been to a dance hall so I won't speak on that.

Hmmm What ideas? I wasn't planning on answering this but...Community picnics? Annual city conventions or whatever at a town center for holidays and celebrating town prosperity? They've had shit like that over here. I find 'em to be just as "family" oriented as church congregations and events. Religions may give a somewhat moral setting but that doesn't mean there cannot be moral settings without religion being involved.

[Grove~Ryda]

religion gives people comfort, especially those with slave ancestors, they see a church and its communities as solace ground, providing numerous ways of self fulfillment both mentally n materialistically.. some of these people have been affected with various types of the karmas of life n they feel it just to have a 'spiritual' meaning in their lives of which most have been changed for the good n if i mite add outweighs the bad so to tell a recently grief stricken woman who has just lost her 13 year old daughter to gang violence to go dancin n partying or picnicking is absolutely absurd.. church meetings is last resort for these people (Im not talkn on a generic behalf, im takin it from an african-american perspective so to speak)

[Inept]

One reason they go to these churches and such is because of wishful thinking. Praying and getting support from people who will comfort them due to them all believing in the same shit. Some irrational nonsense, some unnecessary grieving.

Of course, after losing a family member or friend most everyone will go through a grieving process but religious belief dilutes this process. It gives you a place to go in your mind that helps you cope but can weaken your ability to comprehend actual death..."it's okay, they're up in heaven and if I do good I'll be up there with them in due time". The average christian who believes this stuff is numb to the reality of things. The afterlife shit is just the baited hook to the grieving persons famished mind. The atrocities religion has caused and still causes to this day far outweighs the "good" it does for the weak minded person in "need" of religious socializing.

[Grove~Ryda]

yes tick, the charities involved in helpin these destitute people is all irrational nonsense n wishful thinkin!!! what has afterlife n all dat nonsense u just type hav to do with this matter??? did u understand politics in my post??? No! now read it again!

[Inept]

Nothing justifies religion or a need for religion in the face of the unjustness religion and irrational ideology has propagated. Nothing.

[london2nyc]

One reason they go to these churches and such is because of wishful thinking. Praying and getting support from people who will comfort them due to them all believing in the same shit. Some irrational nonsense, some unnecessary grieving.

Of course, after losing a family member or friend most everyone will go through a grieving process but religious belief dilutes this process. It gives you a place to go in your mind that helps you cope but can weaken your ability to comprehend actual death..."it's okay, they're up in heaven and if I do good I'll be up there with them in due time". The average christian who believes this stuff is numb to the reality of things. The afterlife shit is just the baited hook to the grieving persons famished mind. The atrocities religion has caused and still causes to this day far outweighs the "good" it does for the weak minded person in "need" of religious socializing.

its funny that you say that, because the way the world is set up alot of the weak minded people are leaders, managers, and people in powerful positions. They have a monopoly in being role models for the youth. Look at people like Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. Relgious beliefs drove these people to do amazing things. It's difficult to say that they were weak minded because they believed in religion. You feel me?

[Grove~Ryda]

dont b a repetitive idiot!!! u wanna make this anotha Grove vs Tick shit.. ive already stated the perspective of the post.. some people use church for solace, being a pothead is urz.. wats the justification of u smokin weed???

[Grove~Ryda]

its funny that you say that, because the way the world is set up alot of the weak minded people are leaders, managers, and people in powerful positions. They have a monopoly in being role models for the youth. Look at people like Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. Relgious beliefs drove these people to do amazing things. It's difficult to say that they were weak minded because they believed in religion. You feel me?

BANG!!! this tick diude is too cloudy to c the political shit behind all this.. he's turnin this shit back to a godly debate SMH ur already played out

[Inept]

I didn't say they were weak-minded because they held religious beliefs. I never called those people weak-minded. I'm not using sweeping generalizations about all religious people. A whole nation of pacifists such as Gandhi could be killed by one violent man. King once spoke about logic being faiths biggest enemy and somewhat encouraged people not to use logic when thinking of religion and god. The good that religion "gave" them still had and will remain to have downsides.

Are you trying to imply that these great things could not have been achieved without religion?

Anyway...the justification of me smoking weed is that I have full liberty and am allowed to do as I please to a certain extent...not trying to affect others by doing so. The justification is that marijuana does not cause mass harm and ignorance like religion does and has done. Grove, you still haven't made a good point in that other thread...don't go talking like you're finished with it.

[Grove~Ryda]

Are you trying to imply that these great things could not have been achieved without religion?

thats an insult to some of the great people that have helped shape the way we r at present!!! but comin from u it bares no significance watsoeva as u r a perpetual pothead russian immigrant school dropout science-fiction reading wannabe backpacker rapper.. ur basically nothin.. nothin but a thrush skidmark!!!

out this thread until something worth replyin to

[london2nyc]

Are you trying to imply that these great things could not have been achieved without religion?

Yes. Religious beliefs were one of most important tools that those leaders used to inspire their respective communities. What else can rally people, the way religion can to come together for a common good?

[london2nyc]

religion gives people comfort, especially those with slave ancestors, they see a church and its communities as solace ground, providing numerous ways of self fulfillment both mentally n materialistically.. some of these people have been affected with various types of the karmas of life n they feel it just to have a 'spiritual' meaning in their lives of which most have been changed for the good n if i mite add outweighs the bad so to tell a recently grief stricken woman who has just lost her 13 year old daughter to gang violence to go dancin n partying or picnicking is absolutely absurd.. church meetings is last resort for these people (Im not talkn on a generic behalf, im takin it from an african-american perspective so to speak)

true indeed. How about those in jail trying to rebuild their lives. Many people need something like religion to inspire them to transcend their current positions. Malcolm X is a classic example of that.

[Inept]

Humanism can be far more beneficial than any religion that ever existed.

Wow, grove. Can't come up with something good to say so you have to insult me like wild?

[Grove~Ryda]

u insulted part of my heritage in a flimsy manner.. so be it

[Inept]

Asking a question about what london2nyc was speaking on is insulting? Explain...

[london2nyc]

Humanism can be far more beneficial than any religion that ever existed.

Wow, grove. Can't come up with something good to say so you have to insult me like wild?

Humanism come's off cult-ish and its not really recognized.

[Grove~Ryda]

dont front tick, u kno u asked dat in a rhetoric manner