does religion make us better people?

Answer 1

religion is man's way of structuring things. If you belive in God and follow the ways and teaching thats all that matters. Going to church is like going to a gas station for fuel. it helps you along but the people that go there are not always the best example of the faithful. thats why people hate religion when in fact it is not God's fault but us as humans.

Answer 2

With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion. -Steven Weinberg

my answer is NO et if you take a look at the stats you christians commit more crime than us agnostic/atheists and more than satanists. So no I don't think you have a case at all that religion makes you better people. Ethics is not based on religion it is based on bringing pleasure or bringing pain. Using logic i will argue is much better to use to decide right and wrong than religion. If you were to use the bible for a manual you can justify murder, war, slavery, et cetera, people have been doing it for years including some people such as Hitler who was raised and thought of himself a Catholic. Anyway NO you being religious doens't make you any better than me. Being a loving person makes you a 'better' person. imo

Answer 3

Yes, there is no doubt about it. Who else can know humans better than the Creator. Religion provide self assessment for everyone, so every one try to perform the duties, hence a healthy social setup is created.
For a commoner like me, religion is the source of hope when there is no light in tunnel.

Answer 4

Yes, I think religion makes us better people. Being religious means that you believe in something. I think it's better to believe something than not believe anything at all. Religion definitely makes us better people.

Answer 5

In and of itself, NO! Adhering to the moral teachings does. Accepting others for who they are -regardless of their beliefs does. Accepting anyone who is different from you makes you a better person.

Conversely, lashing out at someone because their belief (or lack thereof) makes you a bitter, hateful person. Listening and understanding rather than ranting, quoting scripture makes you a better person. Respecting that others do not share your beliefs and not trying to convert them makes you a better person. Believing that your God is better than anyone else's concept of a god, afterlife, or lack of, makes you proud, selfish, hateful and loathing.

If you want the perfect example of how religion can make someone a less-than-tolerant, bitter, hateful person, read any of the postings by "Don_S". My advice: do everything he doesn't do and you'll quickly find yourself on the road to enlightenment and being a better person.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

No. In fact Jesus taught that religion is inherently evil. Look at what He said to the Pharisees,

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." - Matthew 23:15

There are plenty of similar condemnations in the Old Testament, Hosea 6:6 and Psalm 40:6 are a couple of examples.

Religion is the invention of man, and since man is fallen and evil, anything created by man is evil. God wants a contrite heart that serves others, not ritual, rites and liturgy.

Answer 7

Nope. Religion doesn't make us better people. In fact it makes many people worse.

On the other hand Jesus saves us and often makes us better people if we choose to allow it.

Answer 8

No. Religion divides people, creates a basis for war and hatred.

Spirituality is a private matter and can make us better people.

Answer 9

Religion, following Jesus, following Allah, following Buddha, folowing some god or spirit is a two-edged sword. It can make you better and it can make you worse, depending on how you use it. Your fork can feed you; it can also kill you. A rope can save your life; it can also hang you. Water quenches your thirst; you can drown in it. Anything, including religious or spiritual or supernatural beliefs can be used for good or for bad.

Answer 10

First of all, our personal walk with our Savior Jesus Christ is what actually makes us better people. I think the importance of "religion" is simply to enhance our Christian walk. When we surround ourselves with fellow believers, and constantly study the word of God to learn more, then I think this ultimately helps us to grow spiritually.