[Freeciv-Dev] Re: Religions in freeciv?

[alan.schmitt@xxxxxxxx (Alan Schmitt)]

I think that religion is the social expression of faith. Faith is
individual, and may correspond to a belief in a higher order. Religion
is social, in the sense that it involves several (or many) people in
some kind of organization, with its laws and customs. As such,
religion is much influenced by the social context in which it takes
place (this is how I understand how one religion may change so much
between different times).

To go back to freeciv, this looks quite a bit like the "culture"
proposal for civ3. I think it's a good idea to model different social
cultures, with all the misunderstandings different cultures may bring
(trade malus ? ;-). I'm not so sure about basing all this just on
religions.

Just my 0.02 euros ;-)

Alan

>This is where I don't think you are correct. To my knowledge Budism is not
>a religion either, nor indeed are 'Shamanists'. You must understand the
>definition (as I understand it) of a religion is, the worship of a higher
>being to gain salvation etc etc. A religion offers people a belief in a
>higher order, a cult/law is something which offers a way of life. Buddism
>teaches people to create a better society (in theory...) as too does
>confucism. They can be classed similar to that of todays legal system,
>they are a way of life which people can accept to follow. Therefore, you
>CANNOT call these things religions as they are not. I am NOT saying you
>shouldn't put them in freeciv, I think the idea has alot of merit.. what I
>am saying is that if you do you should throughly consider the exact
>terminology. Using the word religion has a specific meaning.. you don't
>worship sharman as higher beings offer forgiveness.. because they aren't.
>
>dnh
>
>I hope you catch my drift here =)
>


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