Quote Originally Posted by F L E S H
Religion is not simply 'way to explain things'. It's much more than that. It's an organized set of beliefs with rules, regulations, privileges, rights designed to address the spiritual well-being of a person. Group identity is often formed around a common religion; often, it's the only difference between two otherwise identical groups (e.g. Ireland/Northern Ireland, or like Sunni/Shia muslims in the Middle East).

Religion is so much more than an explanation. It's intrinsically linked to identity, to who you are, and to which group you are 'allowed' to belong to.
ideally, this is what religions are. in reality they too often turn into something else. too many religions have had some form of corruption or clouded judgement from humans, and become not a system with "rights designed to address the spiritual well-being of a person" that can unify people, but a governmental function designed solely to keep the masses in line. obviously, i'm talking about modern-day christianity. being a good christian isn't even about love, forgiveness and tolerance anymore. being a good christian is about hating gays, making irrational judgements of drugs and sex, and trying to push your ideals onto other people.

i obviously can't say from experience, but i'd guess that things are at a worse condition than they were 2000 years ago before jesus arrived.

maybe we're in for another christ. i hope so.