Religion and their doctrines

There is controversy about Religion from every facet of arguments referring definition of it and the practices that trail the subject. Here is one I found:
"Religion, a system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion; a code of behavior by which individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions; and a frame of reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe. Usually, religion concerns itself with that which transcends the known, the natural, or the expected; it is an acknowledgment of the extraordinary, the mysterious, and the supernatural. The religious consciousness generally recognizes a transcendent, sacred order and elaborates a technique to deal with the inexplicable or unpredictable elements of human experience in the world or beyond it." It further had this to say; "Religion, a system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion; a code of behavior by which individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions; and a frame of reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe. Usually, religion concerns itself with that which transcends the known, the natural, or the expected; it is an acknowledgment of the extraordinary, the mysterious, and the supernatural. The religious consciousness generally recognizes a transcendent, sacred order and elaborates a technique to deal with the inexplicable or unpredictable elements of human experience in the world or beyond it.Types of Religious Systems:
The evolution of religion cannot be precisely determined owing to the lack of clearly distinguishable stages, but anthropological and historical studies of isolated cultures in various periods of development have suggested a typology but not a chronology. One type is found among some Australian aborigines who practice magic and fetishism (see fetish) but consider the powers therein to be not supernatural but an aspect of the natural world. Inability or refusal to divide real from preternatural and acceptance of the idea that inanimate objects may work human good or evil are sometimes said to mark a prereligious phase of thought. This is sometimes labeled naturism or animatism. It is characterized by a belief in a life force that itself has no definite characterization (see animism).
A second type of religion, represented by many Oceanic and African tribal beliefs, includes momentary deities (a tree suddenly falling on or in front of a person is malignant, although it was not considered possessed before or after the incident) and special deities (a particular tree is inhabited by a malignant spirit, or the spirits of dead villagers inhabit a certain grove or particular animals). In this category one must distinguish between natural and supernatural forces. This development is related to the emergence of objects of devotion, to rituals of propitiation, to priests and shamans, and to an individual sense of group participation in which the individual or the group is protected by, or against, supernatural beings and is expected to act singly or collectively in specific ways when in the presence of these forces (see ancestor worship; totem; spiritism).
In a third class of religion—usually heavily interlaced with fetishism—magic, momentary and special deities, nature gods, and deities personifying natural functions (such as the Egyptian solar god Ra, the Babylonian goddess of fertility Ishtar, the Greek sea-god Poseidon, and the Hindu goddess of death and destruction Kali) emerge and are incorporated into a system of mythology and ritual. Sometimes they take on distinctively human characteristics (see anthropomorphism). Beyond these more elementary forms of religious expression there are what are commonly called the higher religions. Theologians and philosophers of religion agree that these religions embody a principle of transcendence, i.e., a concept, sometimes a godhead, that involves humans in an experience beyond their immediate personal and social needs, an experience known as the sacred or the holy. " That was interesting. A respected author on religion Karen Armstrong as referenced by Wikipedia gave her point about religion.., "Armstrong, who taught for a time at London's Leo Baeck rabbinic college, says she has been particularly inspired by the Jewish tradition's emphasis in matters of faith versus practice: "I say that religion isn’t about believing things. It's about what you do. It’s ethical alchemy. It’s about behaving in a way that changes you, that gives you intimations of holiness and sacredness.” She points out that religious fundamentalism is not just a response to but, paradoxically, a product of contemporary culture. "We need to create a new narrative, get out of the rat-run of hatred, chauvinism and defensiveness; and make the authentic voice of religion a power in the world that is conducive to peace."
A major influence on Armstrong's whole approach to the world's religious traditions has been, as she implies in The Spiral Staircase, the work of the Canadian scholar Wilfred Cantwell Smith." I'll add my experiences and comments.
Belief in a superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshipped as creator of the universe, defines the word religion according to Webster's. There are countless entities and organizations especially "non-profits" that claim association with or to that very definition. What is obviously missing amongst such an elite class of notoriety is unity. As with our so-called country.
So much innocent blood has been shed all in the name of a particular doctrine or culture all for the "honor of GOD". For a group that claims to be associated with THE GOD ALMIGHTY, whom I alone can testify of a LOVE UNCONDITIONAL, it is shameful the wars and arguments that infect our societies.
True there were times BC that circumstances and rebellion would usher death from THE ALMIGHTY, WHO would give specific conditions and commandments prior to reacting to humanities inconsistencies. I myself am very grateful to have been born under Grace as opposed to The Law(prior to the death and resurrection of one called CHRIST).
Understanding of SCRIPTURE is the Gift from ALMIGHTY to instruct, reconcile and love. With "churches" in abundance like "liquor stores" there should be no shortage of discipline or morality. If The Word of GOD was delivered the Way HE intended it there would be no room for dissension. We could all Worship and Share our belief's rather than impose one's own agenda into gospel. It is possible to be diverse and not be divided.
From the year 1962-1972 I was nurtured by my grandmother to be very "religious", she called it "holy". We adopted almost every available Religion of that time, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh-day Adventist, domestic Nation of Islam, followed Reverend Ike, Carl Anderson, King Narcissus, Jim Jones, church of God, church of Christ and church of God in Christ. I have read The Holy Bible, the dead sea scrolls, the lost gospel Q, the gospel of Judas, the lost books of the Bible, the lost gospel of the Acts, the chronological Bible and The Holy Qur'an. Read extensively religious materials and literature and it wasn't until 2005 that I recognized GOD is not magic in a bottle or A good luck charm but a Real LIVING GOD.
I have my entire life as reference to HIS PRESENCE in an out of my will. See HE doesn't force us HE SIMPLY LOVES and waits for us to recognize HIS EFFORTS. There are those that protest separation of "church and state" and criticize the lack of or adherence to either.
The Bible is humanities manual for living toward eternity. It is a guide of choices and consequences. It is written by Holy men Inspired by THE ALMIGHTY GOD(2. pETER 02:20&21).
In it we are instructed to "seek GOD" first in the book of Matthew 06:33 and all other things will be added. In St. John 10:04 says, "GOD wants us to live life more abundant". We have the 23rd book of Psalm to increase our faith and depose fear.
I have studied evolution, revolution, Christianity and world religions observing that everything borrows from THE LIVING WORD. The various interpretations dilute and distract the gospel for arguments and wars.
We were also instructed to "study to show ourselves approved", (2. Timothy 02:15). Yet we settle for some person in fancy gear performing a sermon with their finite minds trying to express infinite abilities and strengths.
GOD'S WORD does not need our assistance, it will do as HE SENT IT TO DO, (the book of Isaiah 55:11). We have made it appear as though GOD is not who he says due to our lack of love, forgiveness and commitment.
I hadn't read the Lost Books of the Bible until recent (it is not mentioned in most religious congregations), but had read the Holy Qur'an and learned there was history of JESUS THE CHRIST's childhood. Reading the Lost books confirmed what I'd previously rejected from the Qur'an because I had never heard any mention of the healings and deaths from his inception until the age of 12.
The fact that I could piece everything I've searched and discovered together to complete the Bible, proves its authenticity and authority to me. My own experiences testify the contents of written materials and offered diverse and clarified results.
I have spiritually matured through the submission of my information with THE WILL OF GOD through Repentance and Prayer.
Learning that Prayer makes all the difference and only it truly puts you in relationship with THE LIVING GOD.
The religious activities are merely shackles and chains to bound your flesh and deny THE SPIRIT OF GOD which is Given to you when you were CREATED. Once you Repent of being born into sin and rededicate yourself to THE ALMIGHTY, GOD REQUIRES accountability and love no rules. Scripture says this about religion; "Pure and undefiled religion before GOD AND THE FATHER IS this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world(James 01:26-27).
True love will not permit you to do wrong willingly. We choose our destiny and our life's direction after "coming of age". Life is a Gift from GOD, Given to us to live as we see fit but to be prepared for consequences and circumstance.
I prefer to be called a believer rather than "christian" which can be misinterpreted and obstructed to incite division. I prefer not to be dominated by practices and rituals and denominations.
As a believer it opens dialog and opportunity to share and grow together. Believing is trusting in God and accepting HIS WORD whatever form or direction it comes from test and see. There is only one GOD so HIS WORD is the same always. The vast collections of literature and biographies welcome diversity and sharing. We are adopted children OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD. All of us, every creed, culture and language. The death and Resurrection give us access to choose adoption by believing THE WORD OF GOD(1. John 02:01-07, 1. Peter 01:17-25).
Scriptural references to death can be found in The book of Hebrews 09:27 states, "it is appointed for man to die once, but after death is judgement." For this Judgement Jesus was crucified. The Apostle Paul asked a question in,(the book of 1. Corinthians chapter 15:50-58, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory"). Validating Jesus victory over death and His power over the place(hades/hell) where the spirits of those that had died prior to The Death and Resurrection was held. Fear is eliminated when one understands the process and Judgment of Life and death(1: Thessalonians 05:05-11, 2. Thessalonians 02:01-12 The Day of The Lord).
A good look at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus as is the movie by Mel Gibson, "The Passion" is recorded in the book of Luke 23:01, other Scriptures that are good for understanding 18:32, and John 18:28. 2. peter 02:09-111. Timothy 06:03-10. JESUS WAS A FINAL SACRIFICE TO RECONCILE human to ALMIGHTY(John 03:16-21, "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE World that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON").
The fact that some can believe the virgin birth but reject that GOD PUT ON flesh to REDEEM the sins of man, puzzles me. We can believe flight through mountains and talking to angels but deny JESUS AS GOD. This is a trick of flesh to distract the spreading of Truth and Love. The book of Galatians explains the flesh wars against The Spirit and vice versa in chapter (05:17-21). We now have blocks in cities with multiple "churches" yet our youths are out of control and it appears we are losing the war on evil. Does that imply that the "churches" are in vain? Of course because profit has replaced love and prosperity over empathy. We are more concerned with the acceptance of popularity than compassion. We strive for justification rather than responsibility.
It is time we set all differences aside and regain life in abundance with love. We can live and let live without destroying culture or belief. Respect, that's what GOD wants us to have that's why HE put on flesh(Ephesians 02:14-18) Commentating for verse 15 of that Scripture reads; "having abolished...The Law": Paul was not saying that GOD had rejected THE RIGHTEOUS standards of The Law. Rather, in CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS STANDARDS that people could never reach have been accomplished. He is our Righteousness; in Him, believers fulfill The Law(Matthew 05:17, 20 and Romans 03:21, 22, 31) the book of 1. Corinthians chapter 13:11-13) verse 13 states, "And now abide Faith, Hope, Love, these three; but the Greatest of these is Love." Where's yours? from http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm here's a short list and comments about various religions North American in bold:
Baha'i Faith
Buddhism
Christianity; Christian groups, denominations and families (Amish to The Way)
Confucianism
Hinduism
Islam
Jainism
Shinto
Sikhism
Taoism
Vodun (Voodoo) another form of religion: Neopagan Religious Faiths
Neopagan faiths are modern-day reconstructions of ancient Pagan religions from various countries and eras. They experience a high but diminishing level of discrimination and persecution in North America. They were once rarely practiced in public for reasons of safety. This is rapidly changing for the better.
Asatru (Norse Paganism) *
Druidism
Goddess Worship
Wicca
Witchcraft
Notes:
Many followers of Asatru regard themselves as "Heathens" rather than "Neopagans. "
Many followers of these religions refer to themselves as "Pagans." We use the term "Neopagan" because it is less ambiguous. "Pagan" has a variety of unrelated meanings. and yet.., Other organized Religions
These are smaller religions, with a well defined belief in deity, humanity and the rest of the universe. Of the many hundreds of faith groups in the world, we have chosen these because of their historical significance, or because of the massive amount of misinformation that has been spread about them in North America:
Caodaism
Damanhur Community
Druze
Eckankar
Elian Gonzalez religious movement
Gnosticism
Gypsies
\ Hare Krishna - ISKCON
Ifa, the religion of the Yoruba people of West Africa
Lukumi
Macumba
Mowahhidoon
Native American Spirituality
Rom, Roma, Romani, Rroma, (a.k.a. Gypsies)
Santeria
Elian Gonzalez religious movement
Satanism; The Church of Satan
Scientology
Unitarian-Universalism
The Creativity Movement (formerly called World Church of the Creator)
The Yazidi branch of Yazdanism
Zoroastrianism . GOD wants committment from You and transformation of your mind, the systems you engage are your choice to decide. I found a site; http://www.dumbspot.com/religion-quiz?results=1 that gave a test to identify your beliefs to a religion. It was a long grusome experience of advertisement to get the results after following the sign-on instructions but eventually it gives a finding and from my answers this is what the results say:
"What Religion Should I Be?
Do you know what religion you should be? Not sure if you're following the right religion? Take this quiz to see which religion suits you best.
Your Result
Christian
You believe that Jesus was the son of God and he is one with God. Darwin was a fraud and only God could have created the earth and all that is seen and unseen. You believe in repenting and forgiveness and that anyone can have salvation if they accept Jesus, even if they don't go to church. He will come back one day to judge us all so you better be ready. You don't pray to saints or believe in Purgatory or transubstantiation. I conquer with its findings even though I prefer to lose the title, "Christianity", I am a Believer and particularly Spiritual. Do you Believe?