[Y3a]

With all the usless religious blather on recent threads, I figured that all those experts could comment on the superstitions that are labeled religions, and which religion is 'most modern' vs ones mired in dogma etc.

Is Scientology ACTUALLY a religion, or just a set of lifestyle beliefs?

[analogika]

That depends on whom you ask.

Many governments have decided that it is NOT a religion, but a business. Some have additionally found that its aims and methods are anti-Constitutional, warranting constant observation.

(And it's "primitive"; I'm not sure how you'd define "primative" except perhaps "relating to hominids and great apes?")

[Hawkeye_a]

From what little i know....id classify a religion as primitive if:
-resists change in culture (clothes, foods, lifestyles) After all...this is all one big experiment and if religion preaches a 'way to live your life', it needs to allow for changes and improvement over time. (my opinion of course)
-preaches/allows for intolerance towards ppl who follow other religions/ways of life.

Even though Dogma could be used to classify a religion as 'primitive', it seems to be a characteristic of all religions past and present in my opinion. Whether it be a chant, song, dresscode, etc.

Just my opinion though.

[NYCFarmboy]

A definition of a primative religion is believing that a non-creator is your own deity:


tree worship = environmentalistwackoism
animal worship = petaists


Both of these religions have a place for those who hate the very idea of a creator but of course have a built in need to worship something so they have reverted to primitive tree and animal worship.

[RAILhead]

"Primitive Religions" are those religions practiced and followed primarily by those in preliterate cultures. People deep in the jungles, etc. -- though many people are getting more and more interested in such practices. There's even a new show on Discovery called "Going Tribal" or something like that, and a big portion of what the guy will be doing is related to the tribe's religious beliefs.

Maury

[Scientist]

Primitive religions are those that are least derived from the original protoreligion. So if ancestor worship was the original religion then the most primitive religions would be those that deal exclusively with this type of worship and obstain from any modification or extension to it.

I disagree that preliterate cultures necessarily have more primitive religions than other societies. Their people have likely been religious for just as long as the main world religions. I wouldn't be surprised if these religions change even quicker than more widespread ones. If so they can be considered more advanced. But it all depends on what aspect of the religion we are stressing. Christianity and Islam are/were certainly the most advanced religions when it comes to winning converts.

[Shaddim]

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, ...

[RAILhead]

My post was merely the definition of what Primitive Religion is, since it's a Thing and not an idea. Now, the the starter was wanting to discuss the idea of whether or not a religion is primitive, then that's a different thing...

Maury

[placebo1969]

Originally Posted by MacNStein

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, ...

Is 1 a Prime?

[Shaddim]

Originally Posted by placebo1969

Is 1 a Prime?

nope. Neither prime nor composite... it's the loneliest number that you'll ever do.

[Scientist]

Originally Posted by RAILhead

My post was merely the definition of what Primitive Religion is, since it's a Thing and not an idea. Now, the the starter was wanting to discuss the idea of whether or not a religion is primitive, then that's a different thing...

Maury

I prefer my definition. Although in truth I think the whole concept of "primitive religion" is pretty worthless.

[Y3a]

Would early "American Indian" belief systems be considered Primative?

Africian ones?

Pagan?

When does a superstition become a religion?

[Hugi]

All religions except my own are primitive.

[malvolio]

All religions except pure mysticism are primitive, originating in fear and ignorance.
Some religions manage to partially rise above their origin.
I am a Buddhist. Buddhism is really a combination of philosophy and psychology, not a religion in the Western sense of the word.