Why are we here in YA Religion and Spirituality?
90852
I feel like someone has to represent a pagan/neo-pagan/wiccan voice, since we're so left out of the ususal discourse.  There are a lot of weird myths about witchcraft on yahoo answers that I try to answer, I like to think I'm educating people about something they may know nothing about.  Some people are looking for a path, and I would like them to know that Neo-paganism is real and open to them, even if they don't choose it.\n\nAlso, I feel really good about where I am spiritually, so I like to take advantage of that and pass a little on to others.  \n\nI also, on occasion, like to play poke the fundie.  I know it's kinda rude, but damn, there are some crazy people here, and sometimes it is fun to antagonize them and sit back and laugh.
84865
Depends on what your belief system is personally I mostly lean to us being here for no real reason. I don't think we have any greater purpouse, but to live our lives to the fullest and do our part to the betterment of humanity... Which is why I'm spending my time here on Yahoo!Answers. Oh, that and I've got nothing better to do.
402140
I think our religious beliefs are a reflection of our fears. By showing them, we expose ourselves to others and become vulnerable. This makes us hate ourselves for being weak and hate others for seeing our weaknesses. Maybe one day we will be evolved and intelligent enough to come out of the dark and leave our fears and prejudices behind.
472525
Cause humans are mostly insecure and conformistic.\nThey thus need an easy way out of their dilemmas as well as the relief of afterlife and the feeling of low responsibility adhered by religions(even if their dogma claims otherwise).\nMoreover there is a natural tendency in humans to belong in groups. A strongly structured group requires an opposing group. Religious groups provide both these features in abundance.
510073
I believe it's the responsibility of all of us to interpret spiritual writings, to see what it means to us.  It's interesting for others to interpret, and have them share their thoughts with us.  Then we share ours with them.  This is how we learn and grow.
752825
I think it's a spiritual thing.  I think God connects us with certain people for certain reasons and the ones we feel like we don't know are headed in a different direction than us spiritually.
1025077
The goal of my spirituality is to find the common truth that lies behind all the 'religions' of the world.\n\nI believe that a spark of that truth lies in every human being and that it is my duty to acknowledge it and seek it out through their questions, their needs, and their own sharing of life with me.
1116052
Because when we were young our parents infused some false and true things into our brain that made us believe. We want to fit in with a group, so we pick whatever religion we like. And we know when we are young that if we don't like the religion, than we are in trouble.\nAlso, people WANT to believe in an afterlife, and a good one or they know they will be scared as heck. Then they get used to the fear, and are overcome by the "evidence" that the religion is completely true. Like i've said before, religions are completely man-made, and those men/ women have also done bad things in their lives. The bad things just aren't officially in documents to make them look good.\n\nThis is my opinion...
911678
Basically we are talking of the difference between Religion & Spirituality.\n   \nIn this case, I will assume Religion teaches of one God, a Supreme Being. We are taught that there are given truths & rituals of that religion, one & only one true faith, which must be followed if we wish to avoid certain, negative consequences. Our discipline comes from outside ourselves. They teach us it is dangerous to think for ourselves in many instances. We are judged by that God (& usually by the people of the common faith).  Faithfulness to the faith promises a definite, specific reward.\n  \n  Spirituality has no set truths, no specific set of guidelines, no specific method, no specific outcome for specific behaviors. It is strictly a process, a journey each takes toward personal enlightenment & meaning. Our own efforts determine our spiritual fitness & quality of life. We learn self-discipline through practice. Along this journey we have the choice to either choose a God or something else. The choice is infinite, limited only by our level of enlightenment. \n\n    Religion always left me cold, & for a long time my life had no meaning. Friends convinced me to try a spiritual (not religious)  path. I read & meditated a lot. I came to realize we were given brains for a reason. Eventually I chose a god of my understanding that I choose to call God. I have not tried to define & limit God  For me, mine works without a specific faith. For others, their spiritual life does not require a Supreme Something, & that works for them. Others go back to their places of worship because that is what works for them. To have a truly deep faith, we must make that personal choice. When we truly make that personal choice, we have no need to impose our beliefs on others. Peace.
84546
wow....some respected answerer sounds too intolerant. I respect all religions but just to remind few people...didnt jesus want us to be tolerant and compassionate? Then why do we get upset because someone is not following what we follow. God doesnt belong to one man....entire cosmos including the life in the universe is the divine manifestation. We are all one under the eyes of the supreme being. But we humans are too intolerant. We think we are religious and tolerant but talk ill of other cultures, practices and traditions. We have to have a open mind with little compassion towards humanity.\n\nNow coming to the question on mantras. Every religion has a way of feeling and experiencing divine presence. Some experience divine in church listening to gospel, some experience divine in temples singing mantras, some experience divine in mosques, some experience divine presence in synagogues. But it all boils down to our self-satisfaction. Some might meditate in quietness and feel peace, some read scriptures and holy books and find peace, some sing for peace. Its just different ways of experiencing the ultimate being which we call with different names.
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.
1069975
I see spirituality as a way of thinking, as to say its beauty and meaning might differ for everybody. It is the ability to see everything from the level of our spirit.People are physical, mental, emotional, sexual, spiritual....all that in the same time.
437988
I enjoy reading about religion... it's always interesting and enlightening to explore differing perspectives and opinions, even when they differ from my own. I also think it's great that people can give homework help and so forth. I think it's a pretty neat forum.
1097776
what does this have to do w/ religion and spirituality?\n\ntry to get interested....
454941
Okay, I think I can answer this honestly because I do not practice an "Organized Religion".  \n\nMy heart says we are all the same and we all have the same Creator.  I feel that because our Creator is so vast his children exemplify a mere fraction of what is possible within Him, but it would explain why we come in many shapes and colors.  \n\nI feel that the many religions popped up because many prophets were sent to Earth to teach us.  After the prophet ascended to Heaven people took note and began to practice their teachings and this would explain why we have several different religions.  \n\nI feel we are simply here to serve and help one another and protect the earth.  I feel we must acknowledge our creator and praise him through prayer, giving thanks and by living harmoniously.  It is like you said, faith comes from within and it's home is your heart so I think as long as you acknowledge your higher self and your creator faith will lead you in the direction of the Divine.
278069
Since I fit into the category of non-religious, but feel I'm more spiritual, I'll describe my feelings on it. The words to me mean that Spirituality has substance to me, but religion tends to put people against each other, always each person trying to be "Right'...it divides, doesn't unite people, in my opinion.I do believe in intelligent creation, that God created everything. God is the supreme being. I believe in the afterlife, definitely...but in the sense that we were all put here to learn to be more Christ like, and we will be judged by God someday, and those who didn't do better with what they knew at the time, will be given another opportunity to learn God's way...They won't go immediately to the so called "Hell!" God is a loving God, and wants us all to share eternity with God!\nAs for universal ethics, if you mean the Golden rule or the 10 Commandments, or just a right way of living. live and let live, etc...YES!\nThere may be more to Spirituality  being different than religion, in that I do not subscribe to an organized religion. I feel that the greatest difference for me is that I have felt the presence of God's spirit and closeness to Christ, more so, than any religion I was ever in. \nThe practical impact that my faith has on my everyday life, is that I've learned that allowing God and Jesus (to take the wheel, as it's been said) to be to be in charge of what I do, and how I think and pray, and how I learn from my experiences, and many other applications, influences the outcomes and perspectives of the kind of person I've become.\nSuch an interesting and well though out question!
212926
indivuduals look for god as a way to answer things that cannot or have yet to be answered, such as where we came from, what's our purpose here, and just plain why? also it's a way to feel that we are not alone. we want to think that someone is controling out fate and that we aren't just floating around from with no point to our existance