Is religion important?

Religion literally means "a return to bondage". And the Early Christians didn't even name themselves Christians. They were given the name in Acts because they were the followers of Christ. I think that the term Christian has become warped over the years. It's as if we don't take the words of Christ seriously. Church attendance and other things that the CHURCH tell us to do are not important. Instead, reading the Bible and finding out what CHRIST tells us to do is the most important thing we can do. :)

it is not important. religion will not save you either. it will not give you security and happiness. what's important is that your relationship between you and your God. helping to the oldies, going to church everyday, being kind to other people is not an assurance that you will be saved or you will go to heaven even if you have donated the biggest amount for that certain church. God and only God can save you and that is the important thing that you believe in Him heartily.

You are right! Religion is important only if you make it so! I gave up religion as a young man. A belief in God is much more important than Religion. I believe that Religion has caused more wars, and murdered more people than any other single belief. Religion is only briefly mentioned in the Bible. Christian Religion was invented by the Roman Church many years later. Just be a Godly person and you don't need to worry about anything else!

I am a Muslim so following my religion is very important. Islam provides a guidance to all parts of daily life. I admit I dun follow through to all practices but i should. If I follow its only for my sake in the afterlife. Islam is seemed to be conservative, controvesial and unconventional but this is so only when people compare it to other religions. When you look deep into Islam, it provides you with all the answers and thats where you will feel peace. Avoid looking to Osama for Islamic guidance though, his is a mangled version..lol!

Religion is always such a hotly debated topic. If one chooses to believe in a god, then I would say that that god cannot be found in the church or the practices of the church. God must be found in yourself, and that is what might be important. On the other hand, I am not religious at all, and believe that organized religion is simply a way for the organization to have control over their "flock." Religion makes one join in the "group think" dogma regardless of whether that group think is valid or not. And, very many religious people will not deign to question their beliefs or think critically about them even for one second. They cannot even consider the possibility that they are wrong. And to think that every different religion thinks that IT is the one true religion is absurd. Obviously they can't all be right! So how can they possibly refuse to critically evaluate and question their own specific beliefs? I think it is blind faith and ignorance that keeps so many religious people in chains, and prevents them from truly becoming all they can be!

Well, first of all if you don't attend any of the services or participate in any of the practices, you're not catholic! However, to answer your question, you need to understand what religion really is. It's a system of rules to follow in order to please deity. I think many times, this is where we get in trouble. We reduce God to a formula...If I do this or that, He'll be happy... Do you think your spouse is like that? Of course not, that's the difference between religion and RELATIONSHIP. A relationship is vibrant, spontaneous, alive, and worthwhile...many people are trapped by religion because they follow the system, and not the Lord...if you commit to Him, then you can see the difference.

The greatest and only religion should humanity and personally I feel all countries can come together and frame secular laws to guide and control society. That being a dream, in my daily life, I don’t practice religion at all. I’m a born Hindu but feel that the crowded and chaotic temples are the farthest one can run from God. I don’t believe in polytheism and most gurus I’ve seen, come across as charlatans. Religion is the single biggest divisive factor in human history and as you say, millions have been killed in the name of God. However, people who actively practice religion, say that it imparts a certain discipline and better sense of right and wrong in people. I’d beg to differ though, as I feel that if we bring up our kids properly, instilling in them the values of good and bad and cooperation and help, we can all contribute towards building a better society in a secular way. The only thing I like about religion is the colour it adds to our otherwise mundane existence, in the way of festivities, new clothes, friends and families coming together…you know, the general festive feeling all round you.

It is important to the people who collect money in God's name. They will tell you that God is a loving Being and if you believe in Him you must give Him money. It is a way to secure your place in heaven.

I am not the type who goes to church every Sunday. Before when I was young i have believe that my religion is the right religion I am a Catholic too. But no religion is perfect. I do believe that you need to have a religion. You need something to hold on too sacredly. I do believe in God but I admit I do not follow what is required in my religion. All i know is I talk to God, not every night but when i remember him. Sometimes he is talking to me even if I am only talking to myself. I just know that, i just feel it. Anyway, i do not know when will i change my wrong doings.

yes, i think at least some religion in ones life is very important.

Important or not religious, depending on their personal. To me, religion is very important. Due to have a religion, I have the guidance of life, and kept me from bad deeds.

i dont think religion is that important. it's the actions and doings in life that count the most. =)

Yes, for several reasons. A lot of culture and art has some basis in religion so knowing about religions helps you to understand these things. A lot of issues have some religious factors: the Middle East, homosexual issues, creation/evolution, many legal issues. If you find yourself in a legal pickle, try arguing that the law was based on religion but the court is supposed to be secular but without religion the laws have no basis. (Or you may be able to argue that the law was based on a religion you don't agree with and therefore shouldn't apply to you.) I'd probably only use that as a last resort but it may be worth a try. Knowing about religions will help you to understand religious people you will almost certainly meet. It may also alert you that certain actions (or even words) will please or upset certain groups. You're religion should influence your decisions. If you get into trouble for doing something controversial, you might be able to swing a "religious freedom" defense but it helps if you can back up your actions with the Bible or something. You may find it very hard to take a strong stand on something you feel strongly about if you don't have a religious basis for it. Saying, "I object to X because it's contrary to the Bible [give reference(s)]" is a lot more impressive than, "It's just wrong!" You may be able to get people to do things that are more in your interests if you can point out that what you want is more consistent with their religion. If there really is a God (I believe there is) then you should have a better after life if you try to follow him. I think your issue may be with organized religion - specifically Catholicism. Have you considered trying other types of church? Perhaps a protestant church where the leaders are married and/or female and they reject a lot of the more controversial aspects of Catholicism will suit you better. Maybe a charismatic church (there are Catholic ones) where they take the Bible's supernatural teachings more seriously and have a more modern style of worship will be more to your taste. Then there's the Messianic movement that's a lot more Jewish than a regular church and probably a lot more like what Yeshua (Jesus) intended and closer to what the Bible actually says.

I think the word "religion" identifies a certain group or a certain way of worshiping God. I would encourage you to continue to read the Bible and try to find a religion that follows it. Jesus told us to love our neighbor and even our enemies, so warfare and worshiping God today don't match. Remember when they came to arrest Jesus, some of his followers had swords but he told them to put the swords away and even miraculously undid the wound that one of his followers did. If Jesus wanted his followers to fight then that would have been a good opportunity to do it.

Look man in old days politics and religion were not to separate entities.Today too war are fought.Atlist half million people are killed in Iraq war.Do you think there fore you should abandon you country?[i suppose you are american] There are reason why things happen and there is no reason you to feel guilty for thing happened in past. When crusade happened there was expansion of Islamic caliphate in Europe wasnt it?So whats wrong if people defended their land and religion?I dont think so anything in wrong in that. Now about you question religion is not that much important in life.There is no need to follow book of religion pinpointly.You can still take all good things which appeal to you and leave other bad things there only. good luck

I thought you knew!!!! God doesn't belong to a religion either. Be who you must! It's a part of the plan!! Listen to the advice of others but walk your own path! Life's lessons are best learned that way. Never ever worry about not being good enough for God. God could never do without such a wonderful child as you!!

Religion gives people a way in life, a guide in living life, and a reason to live life. And I believe it is basically the basic principle in all religion I should say. :)

Honestly I don't believe in that. You don't need any religion for you to be saved. All you have to do is to do what you think is right in the eyes of mankind and in the eyes of God. God didn't say that you have to be in this religion for you to be accepted in my kingdom. All he say is be kind to your fellow, help those who are in need and be a model of good deeds to the mankind. Just do whatever you think is right as long as you don't step on the other person's shoe. Just be a good follower of Him. Follower doesn't mean that you have to do all the things that "your religion tells you", it means that you follow what "God has tell you in your conscience."

yes religion it important.. if not why do u think all that evens happened in the past?? its because many pple think its improtant but the problem is that they missunderstand the real meaning of the word "religion".. religion is related to God, if u beleive in God u should do some worship practices to appear ur loyalty.. the problem is not in the religion, the problem is in the pple themselves cuz they were the main cause to what happen in the past, we should tolerant and respect all the other religion in order to avoid this kind of events..

Yes, religion is important. Because it can produce a good people. Those without religion may be make a lot of mistake in their life. So, better have one religion among us.