What benefit is there for Religion?
923410
I think you mean morality.  Anyway, religion is a means to support the ideas that gives one a reason for life.  A weakness, I say, but still a means to an end.  As well, religion gives the powers that be, especially in the past, a means of control.  Fear is your only god, and that is the message.  Don't do what we say, you suffer forever. Now that is a good selling point.  Religion is, as the quote says, the opium of the people.
1042744
Religion is community, faith is individual. We do not need to go to church, or temple, or other place to worship, any more than we need to go to a school to study. It is just an easier way to congregate (pun intended) with people of similar faith.\n\nBecause faith is individual, going somewhere where people have similar values because of their faith allows others to listen and interact, sharing their stories and their troubles with others who can help guide them.\n\nMany people do not attend any services but still consider themselves part of whatever church they belong to. They still follow many of the tenets of their religion, be it Judaism, Christianity (including the Catholic and Protestant churches), Islam, Buddhism, and others. \n\nRemember that you choose what to believe... a place of worship helps cement it.
644656
That's up to the individual.\n\nI prefer spiritual.  I feel that finding a link between man and many faiths has lead me in a very positive direction.\n\nYet, I feel that religion has become a weapon for society.  However, I have met people that found that a particular religion saved their lives, and they genuinely became better people.  For them, being religious was the way to go.\n\nIn the end, it's up to each person to decide for themselves.
477731
The word religion literally means:\n"personal relationship with god/deity"\nTherefore, according to this definition there are as many religions as there are people who actually think that there is something that can be categorized as a "god" or deity (even if they do not care for this deity or deities).\nNow your question, I believe, refers to the diversity in public (or secret) groups, organizations or denominations that claim to be of a religious type or to have a religious purpose.\nThe reason to the apparent high number of these organizations is simply found in the history of each of them.\nYou will find that the moment in which all of them surged or were founded coincides with a cultural necessity in the community (either political, economical or social).\nThis is not to deny the actual existence of a god or its influence over the actions of people and their consequences, but the existence of so many sets of rules to pay homage to the same deity (at least in most modern monotheist denominations) has a social explanation rather than a divine one.\nPersonally I am a devout christian and I believe that my church is not perfect, but instead of leaving it to make a better one I believe it is better to stay and try to make it better little by little.  If my suggestions are good they will eventually be accepted, if they are not I will eventually learn.\nAll of you must always remember that churches and other such groups are NOT divine institutions, they are human: made by humans, for humans, and therefore never perfect, never completly right and their truths always incomplete.\nThe purpose of a church is not to give truth or perfection, not even actual salvation (as many, including mine, claim).\nThe purpose of the church is to give support to individuals who are looking for purpose in their actual lives, and looking for something beyond this world/universe; to give these individuals the opportunity to share their experiences, impressions and discoveries; and to allow them to learn from others' experiences, impressions and discoveries, always with a critical mind and willing to hear what others have to say about your sharings.
416942
religion and government
541220
I also think there is a direct link between prosperity and religion. I live in South America (mostly catholic) and many countries in this part of the world are struggling very hard, too much poverty and illiteracy. Same with Islamic countries. The more ignorant and dependent you remain, the poorer you will be. No offense meant. A good religion is that one that allows you freedom of thought.
672334
Here's the thing: Religion doesn't mean much to me. However, its the only thing that's keeping many people in line. (Actually, I think it kind of speaks to human nature that many people need some divine father figure shaking his finger at them in order to behave.) In all though, I think it'll be a good thing if people stop following religion and listen to science and common sense.\n\nBlind faith is dangerous.
402951
People need something to give them 'hope' in life. Without any forms of demanding religion, the entire human culture would be in a state of chaos with no 'moral rights'.
1131434
i think religon-christianity or any other have no part in making ppl better.\nits all about being a great human being and your karma will reward you.\nreligon or the lack of it is insignificant as long as we are not evil and we intend to do no harm.
1123589
Religion is largely for people who either can't or don't want to think for themselves. I have to laugh every time I hear one of them say "turn your life over to Jesus and let Him solve all your problems." Well I have bad news for you, Jesus isn't going to pay off your credit card debt, or make you more attractive, or less of a dullard, just because you go to church and sing about Him. Science attempts to find out the truth, religion attempts to obfuscate it.
238966
Expansion for one. Missionaries carried the word of their gods to many tribes which would otherwise have just killed any strangers they met. The resulting expansion of trade encouraged development and research of resources which might otherwise be inaccessible.\nA strong moral code of ritual and conformity encourages cultural risk taking and production. Good for business, especially when a religion encourages its members to cooperate and obey (secular) government authority, rather than only religious authority.\nIt has also increased the size of wars. By combining people under a single purpose or religious code, many cultures can be used to fight larger battles that would otherwise have only been between locales over physical resources, rather than between regions over perceived moral threats.
157517
I personally believe that faith and religion serves an important role in society.  I feel that it gives people something to believe in when there is nothing else, it helps people to keep going when they are have no other reason.  It gives people confort and helps pulls them through the  most difficult of times.\n\nIt has also helped to establish societal norms for what behavior is considered acceptable and what isn't, to determination what is considered good versus evil.
868707
Some ideas here --> http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=freedom+of+religion&spell=1
462389
Church dont try to give you nothing, they try to take something from you its up to you what you give them. You don't need church or religion to find God but church and religion needs you.
495837
I believe it makes life easier for people when they have something to hold on to.  Whether it's religion, hobbies, family, friends it's all the same.  It's help us get by day to day.  The thing about religion is you don't have to worry about it talking about you behind your back, or stealing your man even though you have no proof it exists.  Most people never take the time to explore different religions so they can make a reasonable decision on their on.  Almost always they believe what they are taught by there parents.  God for bid if a parent would ever lie or misguide them.
1015081
When you are absolutly sure in what your personal beliefs are , you can find happiness . \nReligion is a "tool" that some opt to use.\nOthers do not need it as they are able to find inner peace.
385498
Religion gives me a structure in my life by which I attain my highest goals.  I awake in the morning and think about God and realize that my ultimate desire is to fulfill my highest purpose.  I pray to God, giving Him/Her thanks and this gives me a positive outlook on life and my world.  I pray for others, and this gets me out of the tendency to think only for myself.\n\nI read scriptures which totally fill me with inspiration.  They motivate me and expand my knowledge.  \n\nMy religion gives me a way to fulfill my inner yearning to be devoted to That which I call God, to love, and to be humble before the Highest in the Universe.\n\nI am a Hindu.