I frequently hear that the purpose of religion started out as a way to explain what we didn't understand. Some claim that is still the only purpose for religion and we don't need it any more because of our scientific discoveries.

I personally think there is a lot more to religion than an explanation of what we don't understand. What do you think? What is the purpose of religion in today's society?

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InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

For the longest of time, I thought the purpose of religion was to do good; to be able to do things that no other earthly organization would care to do or be capable of doing. For example if someone was Christian, I thought this was to imitate and exemplify Christ. I think the purpose of religion has been lost in favor of imposing faith, purchasing real estate and erecting as many structures as a religion’s pride can afford. These acts of kindness of teachings about care and concern for humankind, curing diseases and healing the sick, feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless has drifted by the wayside in favor of the big business of promoting faith. In all my years of living I have never experienced humankind having a shortage of beliefs but I have recognized that we can certainly use a reduction in tears.

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"There is one thing that organized religion is not qualified to teach and that is an individual's purpose."-GOD

For the proclamation that there is a God and to list all the spurious notions about it to know what to avoid. A stepping stone, in other words. A first step, at that.

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peace for all
love for all
bliss for all

...may your journey be graceful...

If anything is possible, then the statement, "anything is possible," is possibly false.

Yes, modus tollens, I agree. For me the Cathlic Church set the foundation of who I am today.

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May your awareness be perfection

Since you agreed, I'm assuming you're not still a Catholic?

If you're no longer a Catholic was the shift in your paradigm traumatic? I grew up Christian and when my paradigm shifted it was for me...

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peace for all
love for all
bliss for all

...may your journey be graceful...

If anything is possible, then the statement, "anything is possible," is possibly false.

Religion has several purposes. For people of like minds to gather, for others to find comfort, to understand what we don't know, to...sorry, I'm out of ideas. While I think that some religions have lost the real message, there are others who have not lost that message. Those religions are giving, kind and supportive. This can vary from congregation to congregation in a religion. It will depend on where you decide to attend.

Dear M.T,
Hope you don't mind me shorting your name : ) I was raised Cathlic and went to Cathlic school taught by nuns. During class I had often visions and I saw people and situations in numbers and colors. I asked the nuns questions about the things that I was experiencing but they made me feel "bad". I asked a lot of questions but did not get any satisfying answers. I have always felt a strong connection to God, so to turn within for answers was not difficult for me.

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May your awareness be perfection

That is was not difficult is very fortunate.

MT is fine. Sounds like empty which is a state I "like" to be in sometimes.

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peace for all
love for all
bliss for all

...may your journey be graceful...

If anything is possible, then the statement, "anything is possible," is possibly false.

You are funny. To me it sounds like M.D. Whats up Doc? LOL

So, what was your foundation, also a religion?

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May your awareness be perfection

Yes. I grew up Presbyterian. Decided to switch to agnosticism, leaning towards atheism, when I was about 16.

__________________
peace for all
love for all
bliss for all

...may your journey be graceful...

If anything is possible, then the statement, "anything is possible," is possibly false.