Religion is for people who fear hell

[Peasie]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Religion is for people who fear hell</span> is a common slogan. In a interview for a series on faith, the actress Ashley Judd expands this slogan to make the distinction between religion and spirituality: <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Religion</span> is for people who fear hell, and <span style="font-style: italic">spirituality</span> is for people who have been there.</span>

The actress and activist talks about pulling herself out of her own hell through therapy, healing from a childhood of abuse and her service to women worldwide.

Ashley Judd interview

[neutral]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

I myself has always subscribed to that very notion,the majority of so-called believers only believe because they fear the consequences of not believing,they want to take out a little insurance for when they pop their clogs,just incase there IS such a place as &quot;hell&quot;,they want to avoid it.

In the meantime they carry on being intolerant hypocrites,..all in the name of whichever gods they believe in.

[foolya]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Natral</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I myself has always subscribed to that very notion,the majority of so-called believers only believe because they fear the consequences of not believing,they want to take out a little insurance for when they pop their clogs,just incase there IS such a place as &quot;hell&quot;,they want to avoid it.

<span style="color: #FF0000">In the meantime they carry on being intolerant hypocrites,..all in the name of whichever gods they believe in.</span> </div></div>

You utter mare rubbish. They would have to live what they preach to benefit. I do agree that all religion is man made to control people. Just look at the Hispanic countries, it works like a charm. Nevertheless, I still believe there's a creator not connected to any of these religion.

[Emperah]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: foolya</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do agree that all religion is man made to control people. Just look at the Hispanic countries, it works like a charm. Nevertheless, I still believe there's a creator not connected to any of these religion. </div></div>

[Peasie]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

Agreed. But here is a point to consider. Even if people are scared into religion by the preaching of hell, say, there are those who find deep spirituality when they themselves have gone through a personal hell. Even within the context of the defined 'religion' they are able to find a spiritual path that, truth be told, they share with many others in other faiths.

For example. I know some people of almost orthodox Roman Catholic religion who have experienced and try to live a deep spiritual faith. I don't dismiss the entire religion because of what the establishment at one point in history did to, say, suppress people.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agreed. But here is a point to consider.
Even if people are scared into religion by the preaching of hell, say, there are those who find deep spirituality when they themselves have gone through a personal hell. Even within the context of the defined 'religion' they are able to find a spiritual path that, truth be told, they share with many others in other faiths.

For example. I know some people of almost orthodox Roman Catholic religion who have experienced and try to live a deep spiritual faith. I don't dismiss the entire religion because of what the establishment at one point in history did to, say, suppress people. </div></div>
Religion is for the most part is a psychological means of satisfying one or more stages of bereavement.

As one progress through the stages the motivation to be associated with religion is adopted the maintain the attraction.
although some people never advance through the stages.
And they don't all start at the same stage.
Incidentally all forms of religiin is not centered around God.

[neutral]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: foolya</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Natral</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I myself has always subscribed to that very notion,the majority of so-called believers only believe because they fear the consequences of not believing,they want to take out a little insurance for when they pop their clogs,just incase there IS such a place as &quot;hell&quot;,they want to avoid it.

<span style="color: #FF0000">In the meantime they carry on being intolerant hypocrites,..all in the name of whichever gods they believe in.</span> </div></div>

You utter mare rubbish. </div></div>

Lol !...you gave me the first laugh of the year on the board,...&quot;mare&quot; is a female horse,..the word you were searching for is &quot;mere&quot;.

In any case,the hypocrites DO believe they are living what they preach,they are just failing just as badly as the rest of us poor &quot;sinners&quot; they cast judgement on.
If all this mumbo jumbo turns out to have any real credibility to it then they are the most likely candidates to reap the benefits of &quot;hell&quot;,their get out of jail free card will fail them if there was truly a reckoning.

[neutral]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: foolya</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I do agree that all religion is man made to control people. Just look at the Hispanic countries, it works like a charm. Nevertheless, I still believe there's a creator not connected to any of these religion. </div></div>

You cant make a belief,so religion isn`t mannade,it`s man`s weakness,.......people simply look to a higher power to satisfy that which is lacking in their lives spiritually,they want to believe that there IS a higher power that will continue their sorry little existence when they die,.....if that part of the deal didnt exist most of them wouldnt be interested.
Most religious beliefs,including christianity, was founded on murder and genocide,but because the advocates of christianity has had a more powerful voice over the centuries,the rest of us are to accept that their words are law,and anyone who voice a differing opinion is considered a &quot;heathen&quot; or a &quot;sinner&quot;..or whatever terminology they have developed over the centuries to describe anyone who doesnt believe in their B.S faith and belief system.

[Peasie]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

OK, all. Let's bring this back to a discussion on <span style="font-weight: bold">spirituality</span> not so much religion. Religion has been discussed ad nauseum here in this forum. What is spirituality? Not trusting myself on how to make the distinction between spirituality and religion, I found a definition that seems plausible:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spirituality is <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> religion and is not even necessarily affiliated with religion. While the definition of spirituality is different for everyone, here are some common themes associated with spirituality:

* The idea of a process or journey of self-discovery and of learning not only who you are, but who you want to be.
* The challenge of reaching beyond your current limits. This can include keeping an open mind, questioning current beliefs, or trying to better understand others' beliefs.
* A connectedness to yourself and to others. Spirituality is personal, but it is also rooted in being connected with others and with the world around you. This connection can facilitate you finding &quot;your place in the world.&quot;
* Meaning, purpose, and direction. Spirituality, while it doesn't necessarily solve or reach conclusions, often embraces the concept of searching and moving forward in the direction of meaning, purpose, and direction for your life.
* A higher power, whether rooted in a religion, nature, or some kind of unknown essence.
</div></div> Source

For me, spirituality is like a journey into discovering my potential and discovering some truth about why I here in this place at this time. Sometimes, as Doc suggests, we are on this journey as part of a process of grief.

[DC]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
For example. I know some people of almost orthodox Roman Catholic religion who have experienced and try to live a deep spiritual faith. <span style="font-weight: bold">I don't dismiss the entire religion because of what the establishment at one point in history did to, say, suppress people.</span> </div></div>

True. True.

But you know, this makes me wonder on the distinct difference between 'religion' and 'organized religion'.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even within the context of the defined 'religion' they are able to find a spiritual path that, truth be told, they share with many others in other faiths. </div></div>

I think the terms are very different, but the angst that I see when people talk about religion, makes me think they are referring to organized religion, instead of 'religion'. Because if I follow your train of thoughts here, religion is essentially faith, as it can be said spirituality is essentially faith.

What all of oonu think? (I am sorry Peasie, mi bring up 'religion' again )

[foolya]

Re: Religion is for people who fear hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">'religion' and 'organized religion'. </div></div>

They are the same! Christ like is different and has no connection to religion. It's a more like a relationship as a child to a mother\father.