[QUOTE=cheesehead;376577]One person who has thought about the problem of defining religion says:[/QUOTE]
This is an interesting attempt to encompass what is meant by religion. I find it indeed well thought out, taking care as it does to distinguish certain habits and experiences which are common to both religious and atheistic/agnostic people (such as experiencing awe, having a "world view". forming social groups) by specifying the particular way which makes these habits and experiences religious in nature.

My own life situation fits none of the categories at all under the heading "A better definition is", even though I don't categorically rule out the possibility that there is a true religion.

Perhaps you might distill some of your experience sometime to suggest an even better definition. (Inquiring atheists want to know :)

[QUOTE=cheesehead;376624]Perhaps you might distill some of your experience sometime to suggest an even better definition. (Inquiring atheists want to know :)[/QUOTE]

I know this wasn't wasn't directed to me, but if I may please put my foot forward (and possibly in my mouth...).

I would argue a good definition of religion is "blind" (read: unquestioning) faith. Or, in other words, simply believing what one is told, rather than examining the available empirical evidence and seriously questioning the presumptions in light of same.

[QUOTE=chalsall;376629]I know this wasn't wasn't directed to me, but if I may please put my foot forward (and possibly in my mouth...).

I would argue a good definition of religion is "blind" (read: unquestioning) faith. Or, in other words, simply believing what one is told, rather than examining the available empirical evidence and seriously questioning the presumptions in light of same.[/QUOTE]That appears to me to be too broad. For example that definition could encompass many people that use calculators. I see so many people blindly believing the answers given by calculators without question or thought.

[QUOTE=retina;376632]I see so many people blindly believing the answers given by calculators without question or thought.[/QUOTE]

A very good point.

But does religion have to have a name to be a religious belief system? Or is unquestioning belief good enough?

[QUOTE=chalsall;376634]But does religion have to have a name to be a religious belief system? Or is unquestioning belief good enough?[/QUOTE]I think unquestioning belief is necessary but not sufficient. I don't see how having a name is relevant.

[QUOTE=retina;376659]I think unquestioning belief is necessary but not sufficient. I don't see how having a name is relevant.[/QUOTE]

What, then, would be sufficient?

[QUOTE=chalsall;376661]What, then, would be sufficient?[/QUOTE]I don't know. I've not put a lot of thought into it. But certainly more than just unquestioning belief.

Perhaps it is like trying to define life (or pornography vs art). I'll know what it is when I see it.

[QUOTE=chalsall;376629]I know this wasn't wasn't directed to me, ...[/QUOTE]
[kibitz]
:rofl: Does double negation make an affirmation? ...:smile:
[/kibitz]

[QUOTE=retina;376659]I think unquestioning belief is necessary but not sufficient.[/QUOTE]Speaking as an active and believing member of my faith, this statement isn't true in my case. Indeed, my faith teaches us to ask God questions about all sorts of things, including what to believe, and also teaches us to study things out in our minds.

I would say that everything in cheesehead's first list has been a part of my religious experience, except that "supernatural" is not how I would describe God, anymore than I would describe dark matter as "supernatural". I don't fully understand either of them, but they are (according to my best current understanding) real parts of the universe.

[QUOTE=Zeta-Flux;376675]Speaking as an active and believing member of my faith, this statement isn't true in my case. Indeed, my faith teaches us to ask God questions about all sorts of things, including what to believe, and also teaches us to study things out in our minds.[/QUOTE]You appear to have an a priori unquestioning belief in god. If this is not so then I would be interested to learn how you came to prove the existence of god.