Why is it that in order to have a belief one must create a religion? Can't we all share a common belief in a idea without it becoming a religion? If I believe in the same idea or faith you do, but I'm not part of your religion doesn't that make it still the same?

[quote=JasonATexan,Jan 6 2005, 10:03 AM]
Why is it that in order to have a belief one must create a religion?
[/quote]

You don't, unless your definition of "belief" is particularly narrow.

[/QUOTE]Can't we all share a common belief in a idea without it becoming a religion?[QUOTE]

Why not?

[/QUOTE]If I believe in the same idea or faith you do, but I'm not part of your religion doesn't that make it still the same?[QUOTE]

Of course.

But does this mean you just might as well not have a religion? I don't think so. But others will argue that religion isn't necessary, or even that it is an impediment.

But I don't think that we will ever settle those kinds of questions here, or that it is necessary to settle those questions in order to come together for the purposes of building a progressive movement, so why try to?

We can discuss our beliefs, religions or lack of religion on how that affects our views on things, but trying to convert or slam others for differing beliefs (which some here have done) is absolutely pointless, IMHO.

There's always Dao....

What would a Daoist say?

I'm not a Daoist but it's a serious philosophy. We might just all benefit a bit by hearing the Daoist perspective.

Maybe to seek the knowledge of all life one must first find the innocents of all life.

or The reality of the present is the results of the future and the knowledge of the past.

or All life is but a echoe of ones own belief.

« It is when one has no more love that laws and rules are needed; and even at this moment, laws and rules do not serve in much. As long as there is no love, there will be religions which will never be able to bring the human beings towards God. But when love will come, there will be no more religion. Religion will become internal and will show itself under shape of kindness, brilliance, sacrifice, sweetness and light. It is when love left the humanity that religion has come to compensate for it. But when love will come, religion will fade because it will have entered again the heart of the man. »

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov


« God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. »

(1 John 4:16)

Im starting a new religion, I think i'll base it in a small town like waco Texas, I think i'll serve Cool Aid and wear Nike tennis shoes with a purple shawl. We will fund it by selling flowers at airports and dealing in weapons.... Anyone interested?

As Arneoker said we don't need to create religion around a belief. Humans,however do have a tendency to do just that and they also have a tendency towards engaging in inconsistent "religions" at the same time because they don't recognize them as such (consumerism is a religion that fits this bill and is THE predominant religion in this country). Ultimately, at a high level, my beliefs regarding G-d and religion are very similar to the core of many others there are just certain nuances and interpretations that are very different. Think of it like a diet, folks can lose weight on Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, WW or their own personal diet because they're based on the principle of eating less, exercising more but there are differences in how they do just that. What works for one, will not necessarily work for another and people need to do what suits them best. It's the same with what we all think about when we talk about religion (or lack thereof). Unfortunately, when religion is used as a means of controlling others and obtaining/maintaing power and control it's corrupted. The problem isn't G-d or religion, the problem is the people who try to control them.