Is religion the same as theism?

rl, Where did you copy this from? It's full of nuance and no common sense. To suggest that religion tries to distinguish mysticism from religion is poking holes in both, because religion's thesis developed from mysticism. The bible was written long after the time of Christ, and the words that people supposedly spoke that's quoted in the bible cannot be verified.



In fact religion can be equated to philosophy (or love of wisdom), because it tries to seek values and reasons for our existence. Beyond that, trying to equate religion to science cannot be done. Religion is based on here-say; science must show proof for its veracity. Science must conform to facts that can be tested and proved. There isn't anything in religion that meets the same criteria.

kenneth, Most people who speak about religion in this country is based on the bible. Therefore, bible = religion. Over 80% of Americans declare christianity as their religion.

This was not meant to be a attack on you only a question. The definition I gave you for religion was not meant for religion but for philosophy. What I did was insert it behind the word religion to see if you thought that it went with it being that you said that "religion was philosophy."

Now as for science and religion science does not mind being proven wrong, as a matter of fact that is how I think science progresses.
Now on the other hand religion is a dogma that has no room for a better understanding of things than what it has to offer, as it is a absolute.

That argument is obviously fallacious, since even if it were true that everyone in this country who speak about religion think that religion is based on the Bible, it would not follow that Bible=Religion since there are countries other than this one. The fact that so many people believe in the Bible in no may makes the Bible and religion equivalent. But even if they were equivalent, it is still true that Genesis is an attempt to explain the existence of the world, and the phenomena in it. So what is your point? If any.

We are talking about this country when people express their views about religion. Just go back and read most of the posts on this blog; you'll find the views expressed are those of christians and a few Jews.