What's the difference between a religion and a "made up religion"? (Mormonism, Islam)
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Most people would agree that Scientology is a made up religion. Many agree Mormonism is. Some that Islam is. Fewer agree Christianity is, and even less, Judaism.
Do religions become more accepted as inspired the older they are? It appears that way. We know who L. Ron Hubbard was. We know who Joseph Smith was. It seems certain that we know that Mohammed and Paul were real, and let's not forget, in the end, those two were the main marketers of their respective faiths. Virtually no secular, and less and less theist religious scholars think that Moses or Abraham were real people.
When does a local cult become a religion? Is it just the number of people who 'believe'? Why should that make a difference if the beliefs are firm by the faithful?
Why do we give credence to older 'religions', and less to newer ones? Aren't they all made up in the end?
Most people would agree that Scientology is a made up religion. Many agree Mormonism is. Some that Islam is. Fewer agree Christianity is, and even less, Judaism.
Do religions become more accepted as inspired the older they are? It appears that way. We know who L. Ron Hubbard was. We know who Joseph Smith was. It seems certain that we know that Mohammed and Paul were real, and let's not forget, in the end, those two were the main marketers of their respective faiths. Virtually no secular, and less and less theist religious scholars think that Moses or Abraham were real people.
When does a local cult become a religion? Is it just the number of people who 'believe'? Why should that make a difference if the beliefs are firm by the faithful?
Why do we give credence to older 'religions', and less to newer ones? Aren't they all made up in the end?
You know this how? On faith? The bible is not the proof... it is just the claim. There is no extra-biblical record of these two, or even a combination of a number of people who might reflect them. Even the so called exodus from Egypt is not shown anywhere else, and the amount of impact of 2 million people leaving Egypt at the time it may only have had a total of 3 million people at the time. The numbers just don't add up.
The moderators need to look this issue over. We're not in the habit of discussing large religious organizations as "made up." We'll look into it tomorrow.
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