Discussing Religion

Before one can engage in any meaningful discussion on the subject of Religion, it would be helpful to hear a few definitions.

What is your definition of religion? Have you stopped to think about what you really mean when you use the term? According to the Associated Press, former Navy Seal and Minnesota Governor, Jesse Ventura, was quoted as stating: “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers…” Let us just focus on less provocative aspects of his definition. Most organizations rely at times on strength in numbers. This is true of any “organized” body such as the Ventura family, the US Navy, the state of Minnesota, and any other group of people who come together to accomplish a common goal.

A careful analysis might show that a hodgepodge of issues [including religion, secular ideals, economic interests, ethnic diversity, property disputes, and political rivalry] may play equal, if not more powerful, roles in life. Yet, religion is often singled out disparagingly. This is usually done for a couple of reasons.

First, religion is hard to define. Nevertheless, it is distinguished universally in all places and cultures in human history. Lacking a precise definition, it may be easily connected to all sorts of human endeavors (virtues and vices).

Second, the broad term “Religion” is often confused with individual expressions of the phenomenon. Religion is to religions what (for example) the term language is to languages. One is the mean; the other the result. Hence, the all-encompassing term “RELIGION” is often loosely used when only one or a few religions may be relevant to a particular discussion.