(February 16, 2012 at 10:24 am)whateverist Wrote:(February 16, 2012 at 9:26 am)RaphielDrake Wrote: -ism = religion?
Is cynicism a religion then? Cause if so I am definitely a member.
No, I wouldn't equate an -ism with a religion but it occurs to me that "religion" would be a pretty tough thing to define. I'm pretty sure if I go to any English dictionary I'll find a definition that is really rooted in the Abrahamic religions which tries to generalize to encompass the rest of the world's practices which seem to hold a similar place in society. Then you'll have to decide if Confucianism, Taoism or Shinto are or are not religions. Our western bent really wants religion to include gods but I'm not sure that is necessary, except given our local bias. Heck, maybe cynicism, romanticism or optimism would fit.
I think you have a point that some religions are not purely religions as some have produced views of great philosophical value.
However, a religion is a belief system that makes a claim to the divine or some sort of an afterlife without proof. If there were proof of the divine or the afterlife then that would be demonstrable and researchable. It would cease to be a religion and become a subject of scientific investigation.
A philosophy is addressing problems or theories through reasoned and rational argument as a means to delve deeper into them.
There is a divide between the two and it is very clear to identify where the religion ends and where the philosophy begins.
