Would we all agree?

Question

I am an atheist but I have nothing against religion. If you want to believe, good for you. My opinion is that religion is fine but organized religion is, overall, a bad thing. Religion gives men hope. Organized religion is responsible for controlling its congregation members' opinions. Religion helps guide some people on a moral path. Organized religion takes money out of your pockets. Religion gives people something to have faith in. Organized religion is responsible for the deaths of millions throughout history.

Would we not all be better off keeping religion but doing away with massive organized religion? We could still have spiritual guidance counselors, etc...

(P.S. Fellow atheists, please don't jump down my throat about this, I am trying to appeal to the majority here...)

Answer 1

Agreed. I for one have eschewed the religion of my fathers.

And I am not an Atheist...

Peace be with you!

Answer 2

I do agree with you with reason. If you change the words; "Organized Religion", where they occur in your question, and replace them with; 'Government', the argument remains the same. The true villain being 'Organization'. The organized religions give people ,who have no other way, an opportunity to offer service to their God. The organization works. The freedom of religion concept is good. The freedom of organization is not. The religious organizations are given way to much freedom and authority, and this downplays the function of being religious.
Just as the Organized Government continues to grow and downplay the freedoms of being an American.
Doing away with organized religions would be a bad thing. But taking some of there power away would be beneficial.

Answer 3

Organized religion helped and helps millions of poor, desiesed, afected by war, and desperate people in general, all over the world. Do they take your money? I'm glad to give my money to those who need it more than I do.

Does organized religion control their members' opinions? No. It has its own opinions, and yes, it tries to make their congregation members think the same way. But didn't your parents try to make the same to you when tou were a child? Organized religion is like a spiritual family for those who freely choose to embrace it.

That sort of opinion is very frequent in those who don't know how organized religion usually works.
People often only look at the negative aspecs (church has them, since it is made by men), unaware that things mostly work just fine.

Answer 4

I don't agree. I think you are generalizing. Not all organized religions are the same. There are some crazies out there. Religion isn't the only reason why millions of people die, so pointing that out as an argument against organized religion doesn't appear valid.

I’ll add you to my prayer list.

Answer 5

You are sooo correct. I am a " spiritual " person. I believe in a Greater power, be it God...or some sort of creator. I don't feel a need to be inside a church or part of an organization to feel spiritual. I do feel however that there are many people who NEED that structure...I'm not among them. Spirituality has been present from the beginning...organized religion was brought about to control the masses...plain & simple.

Answer 6

I agree that Religion should not be involved in politics and forms of the government; however organized religion helps society in many forms (homeless shelters, rehab clinics etc.)

There are good and bad sides to organized religion, but you'll never hear the good that is being done on the news.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I also am atheist...but I completely agree with what you have to say. I have nothing against people who want to believe. But organized religion is as bad as a corrupt government or the mob. They hide behind spiritual beliefs to make millions off Innocent, unsuspecting people.

Answer 9

I agree with you.

I have been a Christian as long as I can remember but after the 2000 election, I stopped going to church. I still practice my faith on a daily basis with prayer, reading the bible, etc...

I just didn't like the feeling I was getting in the church anymore. I was feeling like I was trying to be brainwashed 'politically' in a certain direction. To me that did not feel Christ-like.

I want to have my faith and not be told that I am being a 'bad Christian' just because I don't agree with my church politically.

Thanks for the question.

Answer 10

I actually like this statement, Swordsmith. I always thought religion is a highly personal and private business, and that no one has the right to push it on others---that includes evangelizing of ALL forms. :-) My family are largey indifferent to religion and we leave the topic of religion alone pretty much. :-)

Kudos!