NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been thinking, what is it that defines a set of ideals as a "religion" as opposed to a bunch of crack pot musings? I'm not trying to take a stab at any particular religions here nor am I saying that any that exist are just a bunch of crack pot musings, I'd just like to have some light shone on this whole thing and see what other people think about it. So what do you think makes something a religion or not?

Is it followers? Cause hell, if a single person can convince a thousand other people that their frame of mind is the right one and then call it a religion and have it recognised as one, we're living in a crazy world. Is it a holy scripture? Because I could sure write up a book that said we were the creation of a blind, rabid, transexual goat called Jerry with about as much linguistical charm as certain holy books I've read. Is the only thing that defines a religion is that it simply fits the norm of the current world? Or that it's been around for a long time? Or that the main populace that backs it has the power to smack around anyone who says it's false?

Discuss...

I don't know what defines one, but I know it when I see it.

Oh, and scientology isn't one.

I've been thinking, what is it that defines a set of ideals as a "religion" as opposed to a bunch of crack pot musings?

Popularity.

I always thought the dictionary definition sufficed, either a group of people making some sort of organization I think to forward some spiritual idea and/or spirituality related system, or just plain a variety of belief. Is it supposed to get more complicated?

I always thought the dictionary definition sufficed, either a group of people making some sort of organization I think to forward some spiritual idea and/or spirituality related system, or just plain a variety of belief. Is it supposed to get more complicated?

Well, if that is true then why are groups such as Hamas, or Al Qaeda, or the IRA regarded as terrorist groups instead of being labelled as religions?

A cult.

A religion is a beleif that when I insult, people who aren't that religion themselves will tell me I should watch what I say.

Enough people to get pissed off about not being considered a religion.

Popularity.
As well as blind belief.

I think just calling it "organized spirituality" is somewhat fair. That's what it is, isn't it? When the efficiency of a beauracracy embraces a love (Ideally!) for your fellow human being? =P

I think just calling it "organized spirituality" is somewhat fair. That's what it is, isn't it? When the efficiency of a beauracracy embraces a love (Ideally!) for your fellow human being? =P
Efficiency and bureaucracy in the same sentence? You do realise the words are nearly mutually exclusive, do you not?

Religion? It should be something you turn to if having a doubt, but sadly too many people take it much farther.

Religion: a group that follows a similar spiritual belief and is acknowledged by a majority of people

Cult: a group that follows a similar spiritual belief and is not acknowledged by a majority of people

Efficiency and bureaucracy in the same sentence? You do realise the words are nearly mutually exclusive, do you not?

The exact reason why they are in there together.

The exact reason why they are in there together.
Then it befits religion perfectly ;)

A cult's a small religion with charismatic leaders. A religion is a set of beliefs that posits some sort of supernatural realm and/or beings.

What is the difference between a religion and a philosophy?

Philosophies are ideas. People suppose things and think, expand upon and modify the suppositions.

Cults are cultural devotion to such ideas. People change their lives about a set of postulates and allow themselves to be labelled.

Religions are Cults of Theological Philosophy.

What is the difference between a religion and a philosophy?

Political recognition?

Then it befits religion perfectly ;)

:D I thought so too.

You do get lots of beautiful art out of it, though.. I will give it that.

Philosophies are ideas. People suppose things and think, expand upon and modify the suppositions.

It seems some religions are little more than ideas, and not necessarily good ones.

Religions are Cults of Theological Philosophy.
Theosophy. That would be a cool term for it. :)

Philology is a cooler word :p

Theosophy. That would be a cool term for it. :)

Seems like someone beat you to it.

http://www.answers.com/theosophy&r=67

It is a good word, though.


EDIT:
Philology is a cooler word :p

Well I'll be damned. Someone got to this word first. Of course, it doesn't exactly mean what I'm guessing you meant it to, but it's out there!

Philology is a cooler word :p
It exists, for literature. I don't think Theosophy has actually been coined yet.

Seems like someone beat you to it.

http://www.answers.com/theosophy&r=67

It is a good word, though.
Too bad. Perfect word for theological philosophy though :)

Without knowing much about it, or how many followers it is, who would call this (http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/telcontar/Stuff/Corporatis_Corpatic.doc) a religion? (click Read-Only)

Allaina

it must be old.

like, "man this religion stuff is getting old. but i guess we should stick with it because it's old".

Without knowing much about it, or how many followers it is, who would call this (http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/telcontar/Stuff/Corporatis_Corpatic.doc) a religion? (click Read-Only)

Allaina

This is exactly my point, despite it being a joke this seems to fit exactly the requirements for a modern day "religion" Does this mean anybody can form a religion and have followers etc.?
Should we govern who can start a religion? Should prophets be reviewed before they bring words from their gods?

Without knowing much about it, or how many followers it is, who would call this (http://jupiter.walagata.com/w/telcontar/Stuff/Corporatis_Corpatic.doc) a religion? (click Read-Only)

Allaina
The status of such an idea is decided by its followers. If people want to call monetary exchange a religion; bam, it's a religion.

That's the thing that nobody really seems to realise. Words mean only what people want them to mean. If enough people wanted to change the meaning of a word, we could just wish it to be so and it would be done.

Thus is the wonder of doublethink in our society. Words are no longer assignments; they are inalterable constructs upon which we may base our actions, despite the fact that they are of our own conception and design.

This is why both religion and Atheism (if you don't wish to classify that as Religion) and even Agnosticism are so clever. They thrive on this innate paradox and expand, engulfing people in their path and leaving fanatics in their wake. If I wasn't so disgusted, I'd admire them. It's brilliant.

a set of rituals, that may or may not help you to sustain a belief, a vision or faith. It is also unabstractibly interwoven with the fabric of societies. -any society, really.

Mind you: there are scholars, like John Bella, who more or less state that any custom can turn into a religion. He coined the word "civic religion" for that goal. (This may include: university etiquette, the reveration for a flag, you name it.)

Any more specific definitions verge (at the very least) on the brink of favoring one religion as "true" and others as mere convictions. This method is in contravention with th scholarly rule of "methodological religious neutrality".

Yrs.,