[mainframe]

www.sshhh.org...i have read extensivesly on many religions and beliefs and my wonder are they all irellevant in today's setting?i will start the obvious argument by asking,how do we deal with racial and tribal hatred,economic and political crimes???

[y5next]

>i will start the obvious argument by asking,how do we deal with racial and tribal hatred,economic and political crimes???

What is the connection between religion and the points you've mentioned above?

And yes, religion is still relevant because it provides a focus for one's faith. Unfortunately, we as people in this overly informed world have chosen to analyse and question everything.

[mainframe]

www.sshhh.org...these are the daily occurences of today unless you live in you live your own perfect world so thank you,y5next for rubbing in my point there is nothing religion can do for decisions that have to be made in this day 'n age...so according to you it is rellevant?how? dont sit on the fence..

[mwewe]

>>how do we deal with racial and tribal hatred,economic and political crimes

Most religions cover these points in great detail.

For just one small example, my religion says all races/tribes are equal, and that the only thing that differentiates one human from another is how well they behave.

Very relevant, don't you think?

[y5next]

>>>how do we deal with racial and tribal hatred,economic and political crimes?

> Most religions cover these points in great detail.
For just one small example, my religion says all races/tribes are equal, and that the only thing that differentiates one human from another is how well they behave.
Very relevant, don't you think?

Mine says ALL PEOPLE are equal, there is no mention of race or tribe. Beyond that I believe we need to treat others fairly and with respect. I still don't understand what religion has to do with the points you made. Where does economic and political fit in this picture? Hatred is hatred, criminal behaviour is just that too. Defining them takes us down the avenues of ambiguity where we all interpret tenets to suit our needs. Which still brings me back to, we are an overly informed people that want to question and analyse EVERYTHING.

[mainframe]

www.sshhh.org...y5next,would you die for your religious beliefs?if it was up to you to fend off evil in your community.

[mwewe]

>>Where does economic and political fit in this picture? Hatred is hatred, criminal behaviour is just that too. Defining them takes us down the avenues of ambiguity where we all interpret tenets to suit our needs.

Economics deals with exchange of goods and services between people. Such exchanges presuppose maintenance of peace and stability, of equal treatment under the law, of fairness in dealings - all these can be derived from religion.

Politics, which is a word from the Greek for city (polis) and citizen (polites), deals with governing people in a nation. The central aims are justice, equality etc. Again you can derive underlying principles from religion.

Hatred is frowned upon by most religions. As is crime. Some religions prescribe specific punishments, without ambiguity.

Overall, religion is very relevant to what was asked and much more.

Religion is not about going to church on Sundays, synagogues on Saturdays, mosques on Fridays, or temples whenever. Those are mere rituals.

Religion, on the other hand, underlies all aspects of life.

[y5next]

>Overall, religion is very relevant to what was asked and much more.
Religion is not about going to church on Sundays, synagogues on Saturdays, mosques on Fridays, or temples whenever. Those are mere rituals. Religion, on the other hand, underlies all aspects of life.

To follow through on your explanation, can I infer that religion is the root basis of our economic and governing principles? If that is the case, why are so many, so eager to abandon religion? Why is there a constant clamoring for the separation of "church" and "state"?

[y5next]

>www.sshhh.org...y5next,would you die for your religious beliefs?if it was up to you to fend off evil in your community.

I would die for my God, not the symbols of. In my case I have a healthy distrust of other people's interpretation of God's word. I read with no intention to second guess meaning. If it's there in black and white, then there is no room for debate. Those that have an ambigous interpretation, I do my best to achieve that end by my own means.

[mwewe]

>>can I infer that religion is the root basis of our economic and governing principles?

You can assume that religion is the basis for laws, yes. You will find laws that go against some religious beliefs - these are the exception rather than the rule.

>>If that is the case, why are so many, so eager to abandon religion?

Not to my knowledge, they are not. It may seem that way upon a cursory review of mass media, but look underneath and religions are very healthy, thank you.

>>Why is there a constant clamoring for the separation of "church" and "state"?

This is not a universal trend. In Nigeria, for example, northern states are getting closer to the Islamic religion. In the US too, the President has made steps to move the State closer to religious activities in schools.

However, in the West, your statement generally carries some weight. And there are various reasons for this:

- religious leaders are not trusted to follow the law (although it is largely founded on religious principles)
- nations increasingly have more than one religious group, and therefore people are uncomfortable with one particular religious outfit controlling the agenda

None of this indicates irrelevance of religion in today's society.