If one believes in some higher power, and follows the golden rule, why is the rest of religion needed?
815923
It isn't needed.  Religion is a means to control the masses- how do you think the Christian Church became so powerful?
1086120
No, it doesn't make sense. It's another (of many) reasons people have non-belief. Why would anyone want to believe in a higher power that would punish them, even if they were good people and led very positive lives, just because they didn't acknowledge the existence of or worship that higher power? Not appealing to think the common example of a god is thinking "I don't care how wonderful you are, since you won't bow to me I'm gonna punish you". *shakes head*
60239
I think religion is one of those "necessary evils".  I think many many wars could have been avoided without religion, but then the vast majority of people would not have any source of power to turn to in times of need.
627028
Humans have an innate longing for meaning and purpose. Then as life continues, the need for hope, importance, and worth grow and consume us. Religion fills those needs. But God is not a religion. There is a difference between following a religion and having a relationship with God. Religion will not give you what you need...only God can do that. But you have to discover that for yourself.
573920
the bible and all that is written was done in early times by those with wealth and power . it only makes sense to have a cheap labor supply availabe at all times, religions were taylor made to satisfiy the needs of the people and control of there destiny .You don't want labor to question managment.seeing as how there is no creator that is told of yet how can we know if there is a heaven or a hell no one knows for sure it is only blind faith and brain washing that has allowed religion to florish and today educated men question the role of religion in society.and does it have a benifit beyond basic morality that the wealthy ignore in order to continue to create wealth at the hands and minds of the enslaved .creating rules that make doing what you want increasingly difficult and more costly to do .regulatiobs on business in many nations around the worl are taylored to support the government in power at the expense of the working man this includes arrest jail and exicution to prevent men from achieving polarity with-in the community.As only man is in control and not the creator who we have no knowledge of i can say that man in his greed will destroy man .not god who is the creator off all we know.
235636
Any religion that does not require you to give up your full self completly has NO power in it's religion. Also, how could you have a church with no authority? NO church EXCEPT The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a Prophet of God or authority it needs to carry it self out as a church. Just some reasons why its true and always has been and ALWAYS WILL be.
639911
That question is simplistic. If you mean the God of the religions, of course not. If you mean the higher power that many people reach through prayer or meditation, that is another question. Even then, there is the question of whether that higher power is something that exists within each of us, or is it some kind of collective consciousness that is produced by all people, or.....You will have to define God to get an intelligent answer.
387552
I won't believe in anything, because belief is just con artistry. A REAL relationship with divinity doesn't require beleif. But it does require sincerely looking and depth searching and getting things ethically resolved inside of your mind and learning to pay attention to whats behind the inner veil and past the inner dialogue.\n\nTruth isn't found in BS created to control peoples minds instead of liberate them, and the Churches version of reality is only just a mental trap to keep you paying for\nsomeobdy to talk to god for you, instead of you doing the work yourself.
1166860
Someone how believes in a higher power but does believe that higher power is God.
785350
some religions may not accept such beliefs.
397894
If you're going to believe in God it has to come about from your own experiences. It has to be based in your own faith and trust. Im at the point where I think there is a spirit world but not necassarily a higher power, but sometimes I go back to thinking there is a higher power but not necessarily the conventional god. I think hes probably a sarcastic bastard if hes up there.
666269
Why would a person need a text or tradition to know right from wrong? The golden rule is extant for all of us. Don't do to other what you wouldn't want done to you. Be fair, honest and care for your fellow man. All these things are pretty much universal but sadly overlooked, even by religionists.
578569
Yes I think that is a very good idea, and yet we do have something called "THE GOLDEN RULE", that is uniformly a part of every religion of the world.\nJust a reminder of the definition: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". (exception) Buddhism: "Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you".\nYet, your point is well taken, that it is beyond the moral capacity of most individuals and governments to NOT follow "The Golden Rule" or be Meddlesome.\nQuite frankly, I'm tired of it just as I suspect you are!
1091312
Because to believe in God means to give up the concept that we rule the things around us.  It is a frightening proposition to have to let go of that feeling of self-control, and acually place ourselves in the care of another by acting in faith, not an easy thing to do..
872984
Jesus did not compose the Golden Rule.  It was already ancient when he was born and can still be found in many different cultural traditions.  Man did create it, and it is indeed a most valuable ethical precept.\n\n"This is the sum of duty. Do not unto others that which would cause you pain if done to you." ~ Mahabharata 5:1517, from the Vedic tradition of India, circa 3000 BCE\n\n"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." ~ Col. Robert Green Ingersoll
63503
People need religion because they are scared to face the truth.  Thinking that there is someone or something more intelligent and powerful than you who is looking out for you and loves you and has your best interests at heart is more comforting than accepting the truth.  If people accepted the truth, then they would realize how insignificant and powerless they are in proportion to the universe, and that would just be way too hard for most people to face.  Religion offers answers, and tells you that everything will be easy if you 'just believe in whatever'.  Religion tells people that they are the 'special ones' the 'chosen ones' that they are right in everything they do if they only believe.  Also religion symbolizes things that are actually taking place in people's lives.  Just about everyone can relate to the religious stories if they try.  I believe that things can be learned from religion, but only if it is taken purely as symbolisim.  like little kid's stories that teach lessons, only religious stories are meant to teach bigger lessons to everyone.  It's easy to see why so many people desperately need religion and take it as fact.
896667
God didn't make varying sets of rules for different religions. Man made all religions but one, and made his own rules for each. God made a set of rules for HIS religion, the one true one.