Where am I politically?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by tw

Religion is a relationship between one man and his god(s).

I disagree. What you have described is belief. Religion is when two or more people feel they have the same relationship with the same God(s), ie belief and want to band together for mutual whatever.

I think too many people don't know the difference, because the look to the religion to tell them what their belief should be, rather than having their belief dictate what religion they should be.

I don't want to get into a semantics thing, just make a distinction between the two situations. The belief that I described will most certainly enter into an individuals political bent, but his religion should not.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Religion is when two or more people feel they have the same relationship with the same God(s), ie belief and want to band together for mutual whatever.

And so they form religious organizations to 'assist' or 'consult'. Eventually those organizations become so corrupt as to insist THEY are the conduit to god.

They are organizations. Your priest or rabbi is only a consultant. He is not the religion. He and you may become members of a club - a social organization of people who share a common relationship to their god.

And that social organization does not change the bottom line fact. Religion is only a relationship between the man and his gods.

Too many confuse the Catholic Church with a religion. The religion exists with or without that church. The church is not a religion. It is only a support group - a social organization. And when perverted, the church becomes a political action committee - to impose their beliefs on all others.

And still, religion remains a relationship between the one man and his gods - no matter how often those social (religious) organizations try to pervert that relationship.

[xoxoxoBruce]

OK, you're using religion for faith and church for religion, whatever, as long as you define the distinction.
But I'm telling you people are going to misinterpret your remarks and position, like when you say Bush "Pearl Harbored" Iraq when 99% (made up internet fact) of the population, attach sneak attack to Pearl Harbor, rather than unjustified attack like you insist.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

OK, you're using religion for faith and church for religion, whatever, as long as you define the distinction.

Church is not religion. Church is a social organization - and consults to you and your religious beliefs. Too many confuse churches with the relgion. Church is as much of a religion as the consultant is an employee of your company.

Again, to promote themselves, churches misrepresent themselves as the religion - ie the Pope speaks for god. No he does not. (Actually god only talks to George Jr and Pat Robertson - but we need not discuss those religions.)