Religion vs. Philosophy

We must distinguish religion from philosophy.

Let us begin by defining our terms according to the American Heritage Dictionary.

re·li·gion (rĭ-lĭj'ən)
n.

1. 1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
   2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

phi·los·o·phy (fĭ-lŏs'ə-fē)
n.

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

According to a standard American tool for defining words, philosophy is the intellectual pursuit of wisdom, and religion is the ritualized belief in supernatural power. Intellect vs. faith.

This is a crucial distinction, one that is often blurred by the fact that all religions contain a philosophy, whether stated or unstated. Let's use an example, one that I was raised with and most Americans claim to believe. Christianity.

The philosophy of Christianity is a common-sense set of guidelines for social behavior: love your neighbor; treat others as you want to be treated; turn the other cheek; blessed are the peace-makers; he among you who is without sin cast the first stone. These are good ideas and most cultures agree with them generally.

The religion of Christianity is in John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not die, but will live forever.

A supernatural being who sent his son to die for your shortcomings, and if you believe that, you'll live forever. Blind faith in the unobservable.

I find that most Christians use Christianity as a philosophy and a social tool, while paying lip service to the religion. Smart religious people don't take their religions very seriously. If they did, they'd be stoning the neighbors to death or flying airplanes into buildings.