Lexi there is a vast gulf between 'some higher power in the universe' and what you offer as an excuse for 'religion', which, as you describe it, is simply an agreement to pretend something exists in order to curb bad behaviour, which, of course, as we all know only too well, is not the result from 'religion' at all.

Organising community rules has nothing at all to do with pretending there is a 'higher power'.

In fact, just look at the abysmal record of child abuse from the major churches, the Salvo's, and the poor sods who end up being fostered by fundie families and then you'd know that there clearly is no 'higher power' that motivates 'the religious' at all.

Thank you, but I really do not need your permission to 'aveagoodweekend.

Dear Lexi :) "Theology 101* time.....

you said:

Durkheim, one of the earliest sociologist believed that the origins of religion were social, not supernatural.

While not completely agreeing with that.. I do absolutely affirm that this is the role of traditional religions.. paganism etc. They connected the 'tribe' to the cosmos and gave meaning to their existence.

In fact..that's how Paul describes the 'blurred' level of comprehension of the natural man.

//Romans 1:20 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen//

People have variously interpreted those qualities and ended up with various forms of taboo's and pagan ritual. Make no mistake...the 'spiritual' aspect of paganism is VERY real and central.

But the DIFFERENCE between all such natural religions and God's self revelation in the history of Israel was his actual intervention in history in dramatic ways.

If you look (to take just one example) at the plagues of Egypt (sounding quite relevant now no ? :) Each plague was aimed at demonstrating YHWH's power over specific Egyptian deities.
The history of the Exodus etc.. is a major historical event series which is now indelibly imprinted on Jewish and world history.

Ultimately.. the 'difference' was epitomized in the Lord Jesus.. as he said to John the Baptists followers when they asked

"Are you he who is to come or should we look for another"

He replied:

“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (luke7.22)

"That"....is the difference.

Notice the final sentence ? :)

TBC:

I am puzzled by your lack of comprehension. Kindly re-read my posts.
I am not - 1) Offering an "excuse" for religion or 2) stating that "something" exists in order to curb bad behaviour, and so on. You seem to have only one idea about me - and it's wrong. As for needing my permission to have a good week-end? I was merely being polite in wishing you a "good week-end" - I don't know you, and frankly could care less what you actually do with your time.

the abysmal record of child abuse from the major churches.
TBC,
What on earth has a God (if there is one) to do with Churches & Religion ? Church 7 religion have been a rather handy tool to control the masses. The west is gradually getting away from it but unfortunately, the other big religion is still generations from enlightenment.

AGIR:

Thank You for your clarification - I know how important your beliefs are to you. Of course your explanations are based on the Judeo-Christian ideas about religion. On the central beliefs that there exists one supreme being or God that God created the universe and all life and takes a continuing interest in the creation; that there is a life hereafter, and that our moral behaviour in this life influences our fate in the next. However, you must realize that many religions do not recognise a supreme being, and a number do not believe in gods at all. Several religions ignore questions about the origins of the universe and life, leaving these problems to be dealt with instead by nonreligious myth. Many religions assume that the gods take little interest in human affairs. Some have almost nothing to say about life after death, and many - do not link our earthly morality with our fate beyond the grave. And of course, as I stated in my earlier post religion cannot be defined in terms of Western religious tradition alone.

A look at early law was linked to blessings and cursing on human behaviour in this life from the gods. Take the laws of Hammurabi as an example. The character Job from the Old Testament was tried under Hammurabi law because he had supposedly violated its code and was supposedly suffering from the curses of the gods of the Earth [the Elohim] according to his accusers.