Is religion too confusing for people?

[Frisianland]

Today we had a debate in science about Creationalist or the Evolution Theory. Many people can not understand the concept of Creationalist theory. I wonder if religion is confusing for people to grasp. One boy said to another boy "I pity you, it's a load of C^^R**App".

I talked to my friend about the vedic (Indian) faiths, he says he would become a buddhist as it is about inner peace and dharma not about God creating the world.

I feel religion is to complicated and no one gets it.

[LilyJ]

Okay, I'm gonna be careful how I say this, cause I tried to explain it in another thread and everyone took it the wrong way.

The concept of religion itself is something that everyone is aware of, whether they adit to it or not. We just have to "step back" and think about life, love, and the world to realize that SOMETHING more powerful that us is in control. ome attribute it to science, but when it comes down to it, judging by human nature, we have to realize that there has to be some being - some presence greater than our own, one that operates, not on the physical level, but on the metaphysical one - the same level as our "soul" is on.

I think that there are so many different religions because over the centuries people - the "gentiles" of the bible who were not connected to God's chosen people and not aware of the Truth - came to this same realization and found their own ways of connecting to this higher power - of emulating it and striving to reach the same level. In other words, at first only the Jews were chosen by God to know the Truth, and in that time period between Creation and the birth of Christ, the people who were "left in the dark" so to speak found their own ways of reaching the light. Ever notice that every religion seeks some form of perfection? That's just another testament to the greatness and goodness of our God.

The problem nowadays is that there's so many differentways of believeing in what is fundamentally the same concept that nobody can agree anymore. Churches try to simplify things, and in a way, they do - but then everyone simplifies it in different ways, and people get confused. And face it: how many people actually take the time to think this stuff through and realize how much it makes sense?

Religion, in itself, is not complicated at all. It's just a way of translating into our world what we're already aware of on the metaphysical level.

The problem is that a lot of people are just out looking to get a rise out of someone. I know for some of my classmates, anyone religious is an easy target because they're "dumb enough to argue about it." Plus, to lots of people the idea of admitting openly that you're not in control of your own life, and of living for the grater good instead of the thrills of the moment, isn't very appealing.

Next time someone gives you a tough time, point out things around you - trees, the sky, the sun, anything - and ask, "How did that get here?" If they tell you through the big bang, or some whacked scientific theory, point out something man-made - clothes, houses, shoes - and ask them how THAT got there. THey'll tell you someone made it. Point back to the first example, and ask, "which ones more complicated?" Then leave them to figure things out for themselves. I guarantee you they'll shut up after that.

[nella]

I don't think that religion is complex at all. People want to worship something, whether they are worshiping what is true or not depends on their religion.

You know, Frisianland, sitting next to Wiebke (a German exchange student with little religious background) I do wonder if religion is too complicated. If we just simplified things, maybe more people would get it. But then I look at the seeker-friendly churches that have trashed the gospel and I decided that the way my church does it is the best. We unapologetically preach the gospel. You would think that would turn people off, but it doesn't usually. Emma, a non practicing Catholic, has been coming to our church on and off for years. She still will not give you a straight answer if she is relying on Jesus to save her or if she thinks she will be in heaven, but she still comes and hears the truth. The truth offends less often than a lie does.

~Nella

[LilyJ]

I don't think you can put religion into terms of how to preach it. It's a personal thing everyone has with God. Different people jsut chosse different ways in which to worship and express their faith. Some teach it to you straight out, some let you learn for yourself. Both ways work. Personally, I've never reacted well to people who say, "Yeah, you're going to hell unless you do this...." but hey, it works for some people!

[heartofgold]

Actually if you look at the world logically you can prove there's a god (I have yet to get a convincing argument against this from atheists). What we know about the world in general tells us at the beginning there had to be something there to create it. As for what religion to choose, Christianity just makes more sense. Especially Catholicism ;D. Everything is lined out in clear black and white and it all just works. So in the end you really don't have to rely on faith to belive the impossible, or even the improbable. It all makes sense in the end.

[Frisianland]

I agree 100% with all of your arguments. It is just all the different christian denominations they all preach something different. It is not like Islam or Judaism, or even the Vedic faiths of Hinduism and sikhism, which a person just creating a new denomination.

I think there should be only THREE unified Christian denominations, Catholic, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestant.

[heartofgold]

I think there should be only THREE unified Christian denominations, Catholic, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestant.

Actually it would be even easier if there was just ONE unified Christian denomination. Christ only founded one church.
Oh and the Protestants aren't unified. It just refers to anybody who isn't Catholic (which happens to be a lot of people teaching a lot of different things). And it would be very difficult to unify them.

[nella]

heartofgold said:

Especially Catholicism ;D. Everything is lined out in clear black and white and it all just works. So in the end you really don't have to rely on faith to belive the impossible, or even the improbable. It all makes sense in the end.

Philippians 2:13-- for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure

100% right, HoG! Salvation is all works! All the work of God, that is.

~Nella

[gynovia]

lilyj said:

Next time someone gives you a tough time, point out things around you - trees, the sky, the sun, anything - and ask, "How did that get here?" If they tell you through the big bang, or some whacked scientific theory, point out something man-made - clothes, houses, shoes - and ask them how THAT got there. THey'll tell you someone made it. Point back to the first example, and ask, "which ones more complicated?" Then leave them to figure things out for themselves. I guarantee you they'll shut up after that.

great point!

[Geberia]

I think unification means just getting along, not necessarily going to the same church. Quite simply, we have differences that can't be overcome. We don't have to quarrel about them, but even among the apostles, there were differences so great sometimes it led to splits. ( Paul and Barnabas - they remained friends, yet, their ministries headed in opposite directions.)
And I thought that there were different variations of Catholics - or am I wrong?

[heartofgold]

And I thought that there were different variations of Catholics - or am I wrong?

Yep.

Well, there are sort of small differences from parish to parish, one being more liberal than the other for example, but nothing big.

[LilyJ]

And the amazing thing is, the Catholic church has been around the longest out of all Christian churches.... 2000 years and so few differences!

I think unification means just getting along, not necessarily going to the same church. Quite simply, we have differences that can't be overcome. We don't have to quarrel about them, but even among the apostles, there were differences so great sometimes it led to splits. ( Paul and Barnabas - they remained friends, yet, their ministries headed in opposite directions.)

Exactly. Everyone has their own style of worship, and to ask everyone to do the same thing just wouldn't work. "Can't we all just get along?" (lol!) When it coms to diffeences with my friends, we jsut establish that we believe some things a little diffeently, and while we might discuss WHY, we won't fight about it or try to change each other's views.