This is a philosophical problem of language that is currently being worked on. There are too many definitions for words and sometimes people are arguing the same thing on seperate terms, when they agree. I'm sorry that it took this long to clarify that..yes I do agree with your view on this.grimsprice said:Well then, one of us would have to change our terminology for the discussion to continue, we would have to find suitable words to define terms. I'm assuming you replace my definition of religion with 'institution'?RexoftheFord said:Well, I've always been one to throw general consensus aside cause most of the time, the general populace is filled with morons who don't know what the hell they're talking about.grimsprice said:In the common vernacular i am right, in the textbook definition, you are right. Now tell me which one is more pertinent to the discussion?RexoftheFord said:You've confused religion with cult. Religion is not a gathering of people. A church or cult is a gathering of people.grimsprice said:No, spirituality is everything you listed above. A religion is a group of people who get together and decide what they all believe in. Twisting and changing text, and the basic principles that these types of spiritual people believe in.RexoftheFord said:No. It is a way to find purpose in living one's life. Texts are not the religion. The principles are the religion. The lifestyle that is demanded by the principles and living these principles are the religion. The texts are just suppose to be guides.
But even compasses can be misused by the point man.
I don't have a problem with spirituality, i have a problem with religious institutions that want power, so they can convert other people, and get more power.
Religion exists before the church and the institutions and the cults.
Religion is a set of principles and beliefs, not the gathering of people.
Which is why I've chosen my definition. Both are pertinent to the discussion equally. But since I've provided my view as a logical thought out process, rather than a mere belief without evidence, I've chosen to use a textbook definition.
An institution is a group of people who get together and decide on a common dogma.
then we both agree that religious institutions are the cause of most of the worlds suffering?
But religion in the definition you use (spirituality) is not the cause?
Congratulations we no longer have a discussion. We both agree, and all we had to do was list out our definitions. How do you like that. Like fucking magic.
Again, free speech zone about religion or atheism. We could start a new topic about religion or atheism if you'd like. Or science for that matter.