Is religion actually real????

Question

I was actually very religious believe it or not 6/7 months ago.
But gradually I felt that my religion (SIKHISM) was a farce in which people would believe what they chose to believe.

I have since then become an agnostic - well sort of.

But recently I have been thinking one question.........
What if religion doesn't exist and that each of the holy books/bibles were indeed jsut best selling novels/books in book stores????

If religion is real please can someone tell me which one is good because I need to find inner peace and right at this very moment - I'm not at peace with myself let alone anyone else.

Manny xxxxxxxxxx

Answer 1

If you would consider christianity a Good book to read would be "The Case for Christ." This is written by an athiest who sets out to disprove the bible historically and and scientifically, and becomes a christian. It helps to make a lot of sense of whether the Bible was a fiction novel or not. If your not considering being a christian, this is still an interesting read.

Answer 2

Yes I believe religion is real. Religion is based on philosophy and philosophy is based upon the concept of ethics and justice. The greatest good for the greatest number.Ethics being the personal conduct and actions the individual takes on himself to increase his survival ;and Justice the actions the group takes on the individual when the individual has failed to be ethical.

Now, religion is and has always been man's attempt to civilise himself and find his true self- which is spiritual. Man is a spirit occupying a body. That is not a new idea but it is one that the western world chooses to play down.

To the East it is common knowledge.

Now for me, when a philosophy - religion( a way of life)- can be applied to ones day to day challenges, then it is real for me. When that religion has solutions to interpersonal relationships, to increasing potential, to improving individual and thus group survival, then that religion is real.

For me, religion is not blindly following what someone else says is true or real. For me religion that allows one to look, question, offer solutions that can be applied to life and then witness the results personally, that is religion.

For me true religion is true application of a philosophy that does lead to tangible and visual improvement in individuals and society.

And most of all, religion is personal. Ones religious beliefs are the right of the individual and are to be respected by each and all. The bigot does not like his religion disrespected does he?

Answer 3

I think being religious (despite the validity of the religion) is a sign of devotion; and once you find the right religion you will be a wonderful spokesperson for it. Maybe you'll be interested in Islam (I know there are so many stereotypes, but it really is the most logical, peaceful religion I can think of...so fulfilling) It is somewhat similar to Sikhism, I have heard some use Allah in reference to God (just like Muslims) . 113/114 verses of the Quran start with "in the name of God; Most Merciful; Most Gracious" God can forgive ANY sin on earth if we turn to him and offer sincere repentance (God decides this). I hope you will be open minded. May Allah guide you to truth in your journey.



Say: He is God, the One and Only;

God is the Self-Sufficient (free of need, while all depend on Him);

He begets not, nor is He begotten;

And there is none like unto Him

Verse 112

Answer 4

Religion is a form of payroll for very powerful POLITICAL authorities. Church was once a place for LOST individuals to congregate and share ideas of basic moral principles. Nowadays churches are built in order to assemble large bodies of donations from people who think they can buy their way in to HEAVEN or Paradise. What you're looking for is SPIRITUALITY. Sprituality is the connection you as an individual has with a HIGHER SOURCE of somekind. Whether you call that force Jah, Jesus, Allah, Buddah or whateva its all tha same. Once you have faith in the fact that what you put out, is what you get back, you will find true happiness. The BIBLE is justa guidance tool to help you find FAITH. It is full of stories, some true, some not so, but all intended to help you make crucial decisions on your fate. Just remember, if you have FAITH, and treat others how you want to be treated, you can by-pass RELIGION all together, and live a truly happy life...Good luck...

Answer 5

if "God" isnt real what do you have to looose, But on the other hand if he is what might you loose if you dont believe or worship him? my advice get in a closet by yourself and ask God to comeinto your heart and stay there until he does believe in him and he WILLcome to you! Pray pray pray and keep on praying he will answer you the bible says ask and yea shall recieve! It does not say maybe or if it is this or that but IT say YOU WILL RECEIVE.

as far as which religon is good? it is not the "name" of the religon that counts it can be called anything the question is what you believe in your heartr to be the truth.. read the bible over and over again until you get your answer. if you were using a cookbook and did not understand the recipe you would recheck it and read it again that is also true of the Bible. find a minister or priest to talk to and they will help you find your way with GOD. go to mass every time you canand get filled with the holy word! i will pray for yo that you find your way with God, it is the best feeling in th world! oh what peace you will find!

Answer 6

The Bible and Religious Beliefs have been interpreted to suit the control of the people.



Everyone knows what is right and what is wrong.



You know not to walk down the street takes someone's money then kill them don't you ?



If you are looking for inner peace just follow your heart and soul they will never lead you astray.



Life is about giving Love and Aceptance and most of all Understanding, we are all different and we all have our own life to live it is a journey which at the end you will be rewarded.



To do or not to do.

To be or not to be.

To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all.



Love & Blessings

Milly

Answer 7

Religion itself is very much real. The gods that each one worships on the other hand, not so much.



Instead of asking someone "which is best", since all answers will be biased, do some reading and research on the topic. Determining your own beliefs, and values will make the end result much more meaningful. The knowledge you can gain is also an added bonus.

Answer 8

Religion doesnt exist because too harder things to explain they place it behind a imaginary person called god like who made the sea and natural disaster "god did it"



Ask yourself have you seen any miracles today

Do you think Earth can be made in a mere 6 days while Erosion and other landtypes take millions of years to create.

Do you think that the universe can be created by some unknown and unseen being.

Answer 9

I am not a big fan of religion.I am an ardent follower of the Spirit, though.



Religions are just bodies of rules wise men created to help people connect with God. Religion is good for some, unnecessary for others. I preferred to study metaphysical philosophy myself, having had numerous personal experiences I could not explain otherwise. Theosophy comes closest to my own philosophy.

Answer 10

listen I don't know who you are and what your position is but i was just wondering why you think Sikhism is a farce and if you do... i think you should keep it to yourself because Sikhism is just like any other religion in which people choose to believe what they believe. religion is what you make out of it. so listen up "manny" if you think that our Guru Granth Sahib was a best seller novel its not and its best you look for some other religion to find your "inner peace".....

Answer 11

Religion is all human invention, so none are any more real than the others.



I would say that the best way to peace is to accept the truth - You're born, you live, you die. End of story. Try to make the best of the bit in the middle because it's all you have.



Cheers! :-)

Answer 12

You have to choose? Religion isn't a club, it is a combination of beliefs and actions. By all means, look up information on various religions and convert if you find one that reaches you. However, you don't have to follow a particular sect to be religious. It's just as right as any religion to follow your own path.

Answer 13

You're going to realign your belief system based upon the people who post on this site?



Read up on various religions and philosophies, realize that you need to find what works for you and you alone, whether Atheism, Agnosticism, Monotheism, Polyutheism, or any other system of belief, and find what YOU think is right. Don't pick because someone on here tells you that they are "right".

Answer 14

Religion is not real and that's a very important aspect to remember. Even if the religion is correct, it is still imagnary and always will be as it always has been. What you have to decide is whether or not to be afraid of your own imagination.

Answer 15

The Bible is not a "novel". It is a historical book taht has NUMEROUS references to back it up. In fact, it is the most historically accurate (& has the most old references of it/copies of it) book in the world. The Odessey is 2nd and it has around 652 older copies... The Bible has hundreds of thousands.

Answer 16

God,The Great and Glorious, says, "We will show them Our signs in the universe and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that This (Quran) is the truth". (Holy Quran: 41/53)



Yes religion is real. God creates people and have mercy on them by sending prophets to teach them how to worship their god. I really hear that God creates in every human beings the feature to search the truth. People have the right to accept or to decline.God gives people minds ( brains) to think. God creates people from two entities mud and soul. The mud part on you can be fed by food which contain vitamin ,nitrogen, such materials that come from earth. The soul part on you can be fed by worshiping to God and calls him .God sends many prophets Ibrahim, Isac, etc,and ends with the prophet Mohammad( peace be upon them all ). Muslims believe on perfect God the one who creates the whole universe. Muslims believe everybody Born Muslim but their parents play great role to make him Jewish, Christen , etc.The last holy book is Koran.God himself swear to keep this book from distorted . So that book is God words and it is full of miracles.Islam means submission to only one God without partner. By the way if Islam inter hearts never get out and don't believe what some people says about Islam they only wants to misguide people.. Ask and pray for God to show you the truth . I hope God show you the right path and have peace with yourself.If you wanna know more e_mail me .At your service.

Answer 17

Well if you look at it this way...the only real thing most of them have is books and what other HUMANS tell them to believe...doesn't seem all that realistic. Religion is made by humans, but what it pertains to...no...

Answer 18

Religion is definitely real -- it's all too real, in my opinion. But if you're asking if any religions are TRUE... well, that's something you need to decide for yourself, but if you want my opinion, no. Religions are the result of mankind's attempt to explain life, the universe, and why we exist, but they all fall short of being "the absolute truth."

Answer 19

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Humanism



Classed as a religion by some. But is more of a philosophy.

Answer 20

Would you read the Gospel of John?

Answer 21

Dear Manny,

Thank you very much for sharing your question and story with Yahoo Answers!



Let me first differentiate for you the difference between religion and relationship. Relgion is man-made and there are nearly as many religions as there are men.



Relationship with the awesome uncreated Creator of the universe comes from our heavenly Father. He created us and He wants to be in a right relationship with each and every one of us.



Because He is infinite and we are finite we need His help to know Him. He provides that help to us in a variety of ways but it starts with reading His Word, the Bible. Many Christians suggest starting with the book of John in the New Testament. For me I simply read The Daily Walk Bible from cover-to-cover for my first Bible reading. I've read a number of Bibles since that first time. I keep learning more each time and never grow tired of it.



I have heard that a lot of unbelievers first came to know our Creator by praying "God, if you are please reveal yourself to me."



I learned a song in Sunday school when I was a child that I often sing nowadays but I personalize and adapt it for people I know who are hurting. This evening I will be singing it with your name.



"Jesus loves Manny this I know for the Bible tells me so. Precious ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves Manny. Yes, Jesus loves Manny. Yes, Jesus loves Manny. The Bible tells me so."



Look for a Bible-believing church to assist you as you seek to know the LORD and may God bless you richly!





The Father's Love Letter is something that has helped me through lots of very depressing times in my life and I have shared it with many others who have also found much comfort from it.



The Cry of a Father’s Heart from Genesis to Revelation

Father’s Love Letter



My Child …

You may not know me, but I know everything about you

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ……. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ……. Genesis 1:21

In me you live and move and have your being ……. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ……. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived …. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ……. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake ……. Psalm 139:15-16

For all your days are written in my book ……. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ... Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ……. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb ……. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ……. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love …1 John 4:18

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ……. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father ……. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ……. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ... Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ……. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ……. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ……. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ……. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart … Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes

Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth

Revelation 21:4

I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus

John 17:23

For in Jesus my love for you is revealed ……. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ……. Hebrews 1:3

And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ... Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love

Romans 8:32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen … Luke 15:7

I have always been Father and will always be Father

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is … Will you be my child? ……. John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ……. Luke 15:11-31



… Love Your Dad

Almighty God





Father Heart Communications Written by Barry Adams Copyright 1999

Visit the interactive website at www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Answer 22

Say what?? No, it's not real.

Word.