What is the purpose of having a Religion?

These days, I often hear folks say things such as, “I’m spiritual, not religious.” Which to me is an odd statement. They speak of one as if it’s not connected to the other. I have always felt that it was the spirituality of mankind that gave birth to religion in the first place. Otherwise, I don’t believe such a system would have ever gotten off the ground. Below is the order of progression:

SPIRITUALITY LEADS TO THE FORMATION OF BELIEFS>THOSE BELIEFS IF PRACTICED OVER TIME BECOME THE ACCEPTED TRADITIONS OF THE PEOPLE>MULTIPLE TRADITIONS BECOME A WAY OF LIFE THAT ESTABLISHES A SPECIFIC CULTURE>SO TO FACILITATE & PRESERVE THE WAYS OF THAT CULTURE, A SACRED SYSTEM OF ORDER MUST BE FORMED, THAT WE CALL A RELIGION.

Arguably, religion can be considered mankind’s first “government” of sorts. Simply because a certain level of order and compliance is needed once a large amount of people are involved. The difference is, that a government is led by men under the written laws of their country, and religion is led by men under the written laws of their God. Which brings us to the creation of the Bible.

When I was a child, like most of us, there was a small period of time where I was unable to read. From birth to age five I simply existed and took the world as it came. This continued until I was able to attend school and receive a proper education. During this time, everything was the same. Nothing ceased to be because I could not read or write, and likewise nothing came into being after I became literate. The world was still the same world it had always been, and so was I, no difference. It is important to note, that the history of mankind and the bible played out in a similar manner.

There was a time before the bible existed, or any other religious document for that matter. In fact, long before mankind learned to write, and stories were simply told from generation to generation through the memories of our elders, the need for something greater existed. The sense that the world and the universe had a higher presence behind it simply could not be shaken. Despite the fact that it could never be proven or provided with any solid factual evidence that it even existed. The notion of a God or higher power has dwelled within the minds, hearts, and spirits of mankind since the beginning of our species.

Even within the bible, the old patriarchs had no actual name for what they believed. For generations from Adam to Noah, he was just known as God. No Hebrews existed yet. For instance, Abraham never called it Judaism or Christianity…he just believed in his God! So, everyone else came along and followed suit. Simply referring to him as, “The God of Abraham”. No actual Jew or Israelite was even close to being born. No priest, temple, or church was there for him to worship. Yet somehow, he passed on the faith and belief without all these things, and the religion grew just fine.

No matter what region of the earth, culture, or time period you speak of when it comes to humans. The idea of a something greater than ourselves was right alongside us. Over the ages it has manifested itself in many forms. Shifting from pyramids to temples, and in some cases including blood sacrifices and odd rituals. This belief has always existed among us, long before it was ever given the term “religion”. 

Furthermore, it’s worth asking, “How did these similar concepts develop in societies that were fully independent of one another?” Especially in a time before electricity and human beings weren’t even aware of what was on the other side of the ocean. So, it’s interesting for me to see the perspective that many have on it today.

So having said that I would like to pose the following questions; If you accepted the notion that your holy book and religion was indeed created by another human, who was no different than yourself, would that cause you to renounce your faith or convert to another? Also, if you chose to convert, how would you determine whether or not the new faith you chose was any different than the one you left?

On the other hand, Let’s say you chose to step away from all religions because you felt they were just attempts by others to control the masses. How would you compensate for the sudden absence religious activity from your life? Especially after having participated in them for so long? Sure, for some of us it may not be such a big deal. You may not have been raised in a church and really didn’t attend all that much to begin with. However, for others it could be a drastic change. 

For some, fellowshipping in church with others is a huge part of their lives. Participating in Christenings of children, Baptisms, singing in the choir, celebrating Easter & Christmas, saying blessings before meals, even getting married itself is considered an act of “Holy Matrimony”, that most want a good preacher to preside over. In addition to being prayed over in times of sickness, and let’s not forget funeral proceedings.

The point is, religion has permeated everyday life in many ways for some people even still in today’s society. I personally believe that even if we were somehow able to wave a magic wand and remove all of religion and the things that accompany it in this world, that it wouldn’t be long before it simply came right back. Why? Because I don’t believe it exists in the doctrines, scrolls, rituals, and fancy buildings that we have come to value over the years. I believe it is found ultimately in the hearts, minds, and souls, of the human beings who sense that there is more out there that can’t be seen or proven.

Therefore, to answer the question, “What is the purpose of even having a religion?” I believe it to be the result of a basic human need being fulfilled, just like anything else. If we needed to drink, we invented cups. If we needed to sit, we invented chairs. If we need to sleep, we invented beds. So, if we needed to know the origin of man, what happens after we die, and what created the universe, then we would have invented….

You finish the thought.

-J.G. Robinson