Religion is a set of beliefs that a group or community approves of. These beliefs are sometimes based on emotions like fear. The strongest ideas of a religion tend to survive over time, and the weaker ideas are scrapped in order to benefit the people of the religion. Religion in a nutshell is a reflection of us. I think most people choose a religion that has ideas that make sense to them.
According, to Smart we should study religion with empathy. We should have no bias when studying a religion that's new to us. Also, we should look at the religion through the eyes of the devotee. That way we can get a better understanding of what a certain religion is all about. Berger also thinks that religious students should be unbiased when it comes to god and take seriously the experience of the believer so he or she can get the facts straight.
We should study religion because its the right thing to do. We become better people when we study religion. People are less likely to be bigots when familiarized with other religions. Studying religion makes people better members of the world community, and it makes the world better to live in. It allows us to relate to people we didn't before. Also, we should study religion because it makes us smarter people.
Religion typically starts as a cult and it gets bigger and bigger over time. When a cult gets big enough and has enough followers, and the beliefs of the cult are widely accepted by believers. The cult moves up in rank and is proclaimed to be a religion. Some evolutionary psychologists believe human beings start religions because it is necessary for our very survival. As long as there is a human being on earth with the need to survive, there will be religion.
Nietzsche was wrong when he said god will decay. Religious ideas will just morph towards the believers view points. Just like a meme the strongest and simplest beliefs will survive. Also, gods will not decay because of peoples fear of death. Without religion some people will feel there is no meaning to life. Religion provides people with a purpose in life. It helps them to get through.
Personally, I think religion was necessary for survival. Someone had to create a moral code that people could follow. That way there wouldn't be chaos. Religion was created to help ensure the future existence of society. It helps people overcome their fears, and it helps people find meaning in life.
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