Why do you have a religion at all?

[Trillcat]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)


(Full disclosure - I was told in a dream that I should ask people that question. While it felt more like brainspam dream than a genuine encounter, I've spent the morning thinking it's an interesting and important question and one I'm not sure I have an answer to.)

And trying to answer it:

I list my religion as bokonist - from Kurt Vonnegut, where it is a religion invented purely to fufil social functions. For me, that's a structure for awe and being greatful for the natural world, and a reminder to have quiet "sacred" time. I'm researching chaos magic because it seems to contain that self-referential playfulness that allows me to keep my skepticism and explore magic at the same time. But all the ideas I've had are things it brings me, not things my having religion gives to gods, community or the wider world.



Which makes me think:

Why should you have a religion? Are some reasons better than others?

*random musing of the day*

i don't really have a religion, or a lack of one, I just sort of am what I am. If pressed to label myself, I have to go to an amusing long stream of words, which justs gets all convoluted and rather silly, I find one that seems to fit me, then find another that completly contradicts the other and seems to fit better. I have given up on trying to put a label on myself, it is just getting too frustrating. (WHY do I feel the need to find a word for myself?)
As to the question, I don't know why I believe, or not believe as the case may be. Others have answered this far more eloquent than me, but the sense of peace it brings, and also brings chaos.
I guess my answer would be that it keep me thinking, keeps me questioning. I am very in tune with the changing of the seasons. Being Spring, I look at the new life popping out all around me and it hits me in the soul. ( If I have one) My pantheist heart tells me I am a part of it all, I am one with it, it is the "God" force, it wraps me in it every day. My Pagan heart assigns specific God/Godesses to the flowers and trees and the birds (Welcome back birds, I have missed you!)
I am not really answering your question so much as I am rambling ah well it is Easter morning. Shout out to the Christians, have a wonderful day!

[xmoonlitreveriex]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

Good question. On a superficial level, this path is the most beneficial for what I hope to achieve. It encourages spiritual growth, and it is not static--it evolves and changes constantly to fit with the changing world. But beyond that, it speaks to me in a way no other faith ever has. To reject this faith, to reject my god, would be to reject the very thing that makes my heart soar.

[SkySamuelle]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

Religion for me for me is a compass - whenever I am lost, it shows me how to get myself to home.

I have faith in the gods because I always felt there was something far greater than me out of there and i always craved a connection with it.

[marwolaeth]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

I have it because then im spiritualy full not an empty bottle

[Sharysa]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

I'm an Irish Reconstructionist because I believe that the Morrigan is real, and she called me to follow her due to whatever she has in mind.

Maybe she wants me to become famous because I'm an Asian actor with the drive AND skill to make it happen. Maybe she wants me to be famous because I'm a non-fluffy pagan and that's going to work wonders for our public image.

Maybe she wants me to be famous to see how I'll react to being famous, or because she wants to see me crash and burn.

Or maybe she just has time to kill--I don't know.

But she called me, and she answers my prayers, and she keeps an eye out for me whenever I walk alone at night. That's all I need.

[Wickerman]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)


(Full disclosure - I was told in a dream that I should ask people that question. While it felt more like brainspam dream than a genuine encounter, I've spent the morning thinking it's an interesting and important question and one I'm not sure I have an answer to.)

I have a religion for the same reason that you posted this question. You say that it might be brainspam, but it might have been a real encounter. You also say that it is a good question. Well for me religion might be a totally false conception, or it might be the real thing. A great man once said ' I would rather live my life as though there were a god, then die and find out that there wasn't, than I would to live my life as though there were no god and then die and find out that there was one.' And besides it's not a bad idea to have a religion.

[Celtag]

I have a religion for the same reason that you posted this question. You say that it might be brainspam, but it might have been a real encounter. You also say that it is a good question. Well for me religion might be a totally false conception, or it might be the real thing. A great man once said ' I would rather live my life as though there were a god, then die and find out that there wasn't, than I would to live my life as though there were no god and then die and find out that there was one.' And besides it's not a bad idea to have a religion.

I don't think I would want to live in a world where no one has faith in anything, and religion to me is a way of living and conducting my life. It gives me great joy and also also structure and knowing there's more to this life than just ordinary things.

[Selendrile]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)
*

I wouldn't say I have a religion. I have labeled myself a eclectic spiritualist. I don't believe there is one right path to God and truth. Each person has to find their own way and I find religion is too rigid for me.

I love learning about other people's beliefs. It helps me understand others better and it gives me a new perspective on the divine. I am in flux and am always learning.

I am on my path because it gives me a sense of peace and wonderment!

[Owl]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

I don't have faith - I KNOW. I have had direct contact with my deity so I know rather than just believe or have faith. I also don't really have religion, because I don't follow anything structured or followed by anyone else, etc. Knowing also means I agree with Heartshadow - this means I'm not bugf**k.

I am also in agreement with whoever quoted the passage on the Numinous. When I look at life, the universe, and everything this way, it clicks/makes sense/has meaning. But shhhh! I still keep telling people that the meaning of life is zygotes making more zygotes, because I don't think there is the kind of meaning people like my mother are looking for. No one is going to do it for me, no one is going to handle all the hard stuff, and apparently I won't get out of the dumb stuff like scrubbing the toilet until I die.

[benvarry]

Why do you, personally, have a religion? (or faith, or a path...)

I've decided if I've only got one short life, it might as well be lived with purpose and ritual and art, even if I don't believe it's 'real' in an objective sense. It's working out pretty well!