Faith v Religion

[AiA in Atlanta]

Here is another way to look at the whole matter:
Faith is important. It leads to hope and helps overcome fear. Religion is nothing but a bunch of rules to live by. Think of a now defunct, once successful business. Here in the States Woolworth comes to mind (I know you can still find the name in Australia). The company began in the late 19th century in New York state and is one of America's all-time most successful businesses. They had a religion built around a faith and it worked. Until it didn't. But the corporate management couldn't give up the religion and stuck with the principles and rules that made the company great. Until they went out of business. That is religion. Faith keeps companies (and all organizations together). But the management of Woolworth fell in love with the system, the religion, and confused, didn't realize they could change the system (religion) to one that reinforced the faith that kept the company whole (and made it successful). Apple has a religion built around their faith. Will the religion adapt now that Jobs is gone? Or will they one day go t he way of Woolworth?

[mantra]

Perhaps that's why Woolworths is so successful here and has a monopoly over all the other supermarkets - they're irreverent and cut-throat, but they've convinced the masses with their advertising to have faith that they're the "fresh food people" - an outright lie. Has anyone noticed how their shops stink of rotting food?

[Rorschach]

I have no idea what the title means or it's relevance to a failed business.
Bad Business model...
Poor Çompany Culture...

Notice neither correct term uses faith or religion as a basis.

[AiA in Atlanta]

I have no idea what the title means or it's relevance to a failed business.
Bad Business model...
Poor Çompany Culture...

Notice neither correct term uses faith or religion as a basis.

You will not get far in business.

[Rorschach]

Perhaps we in Australia talk in different terms AiA, thank you for the personal baseless negativity BTW.
Perhaps you could do more by rewriting your intro.

Perhaps that's why Woolworths is so successful here and has a monopoly over all the other supermarkets - they're irreverent and cut-throat, but they've convinced the masses with their advertising to have faith that they're the "fresh food people" - an outright lie. Has anyone noticed how their shops stink of rotting food?

Gee mantra what about Coles?
Both my local supermarkets... Coles and Woolies don't smell.
Aldi ain't that bad either.
Nor are the fruit and veg specialists; Harris Farm, Freshworld Fruit, Martelli's, Richmond Fruit Market Park Mall.... etc.

[annielaurie]

He means doctrine: a structure, a framework onwhich to hang the set of rules which keep the "faith" so to speak.

Organized religions run on a framework of doctrine, the rules. This is supposed to keep everybody "faithful" in a consistent way.

But times change, and many of the old doctrines outlive their relevancy. If they don't modify, they will fail, and the "faithful" will leave in search of some other framework that more closely defines their worldview, their belief system.

I never heard anyone compare religions to chain supermarkets before, but that's an interesting take on it.

[AiA in Atlanta]

Thanks annie. Ror thought I was writing about business.

[Rorschach]

Thanks Annie, AiA.
I still have no idea what the point is or why you posted this. (But then, neither did mantra, going on what you just said. ) It may give an insight as to where you want this to go.

I merely stated what the business terminology for your description, actually is.

faith
   /feɪθ/ Show Spelled[feyth] Show IPA
noun
1.
confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2.
belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3.
belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
4.
belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.: to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.
5.
a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.
6.
the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith.
7.
the observance of this obligation; fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc.: He was the only one who proved his faith during our recent troubles.
8.
Christian Theology . the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

re·li·gion
   /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Show Spelled[ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7.
religions, Archaic . religious rites.
8.
Archaic . strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

How are you defining religion and faith? You are confusing the two at times and your analogy IMO does not hold up.
One can have faith and never be part of a religion.

Is Islam a religion? Is it more? A way of life?
What is scientology? Why is it still in existence?

For me, Faith... is a belief not based on proof. In Christianity for example faith is the test... to believe without proof.
This is still outside the "business model"...

Religion... is a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects. For example this would be; Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc. Yet each of these have "sub-sects; Christianity has; Catholicism, Protestantism, etc.

You talk of change, which can be just as big an agent for failure as not changing. I used to love Chocolate Paddle-pops. They changed the recipe... now I don't eat them.

[Neferti]

OFF TOPIC .... but ......


Woolworth in the USA has absolutely nothing to do with Woolworths Supermarkets in Australia. The company is unrelated to the American Woolworth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolworths ... businesses

Coles used to be a Melbourne Family (Myer) Company.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coles_Group

NOT everything began in the USA!

[AiA in Atlanta]

Without "faith" one can accomplish nothing worthwhile. "Religion" at its best can only support "faith." Steve Jobs had faith as did the people he worked with. Phil Knight at Nike has it as well. Both of these organizations have "religions" that support the "faith."

Neferti, it says it your link that the Australian Woolworth is named after the American Woolworth but is unrelated, but that isn't the point, is it?