the purpose of religion
One of the things which featured in the recent debate on this post is the idea that “religion should be about improving oneself”. This has got me thinking; ‘religion’ of course takes many forms, but in the vast majority of cases I disagree with this. To paraphrase MarkC, religion is certainly something which as a by-product might help with “improving oneself”, but however you measure self-improvement it is not the sole point, certainly not in the Judeo-Christian case. In fact, if your sole aim is to “improve yourself”, why waste your time playing around with the trappings of religion? Most religions are based around the idea of faith in God, and that, surely, is the point. Considering Christianity specifically, Jesus said “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself ” and so ‘religion’ should not be in danger of becoming all about wo...
Comments
I'm glad that you are so sure of yourself, the reason for your existence and your destiny that you are able to look down on the rest of us. What's your secret?
"What could be more arrogant than claiming to know the answers without any proof?"
Are you referring to me, or to yourself? ;)
What is 'striking' about your last comment is your wink that no doubt acknowledges my point whilst trying to deflect the question away because deep down inside yourself, right right down, really really deep, you agree with me.
At the end of the day neither of us have any concrete proof - by definition faith relies on some lack thereof, and if you had concrete proof of your viewpoint then the majority of the world's population really would be misguided. So if you see it as arrogant to stand by one's viewpoint on that basis then arguably we are both as guilty as one another.
Furthermore, to say that you have no need of God is arrogant.
Right on partner. If you're not having a crisis of faith then it will not harm you to read one of the many entertaining and thought provoking books out there that prove there is no god. After all, reading the bible doesn't make you a Christian does it?
However, if you would care to recommend such a book I will endeavour to procure it and look forward to an interesting read.
In the meantime there are also books out there which investigate the basis for the Christian faith. 'The Case for Christ' by Lee Strobel is said to be good, though I am ashamed to admit that I have not read it myself. See what you can get hold of.
You might also wish to start reading the Bible for yourself. Mark's Gospel is a good book to start with, and it won't take you long...