What would you do?

Question

What would you do if religion was your way to reach the "light" but you were forced to commit crimes in its name?To some its a category on a form to others a reason to die for. How do people in the middle cope with this kind of a situation?

What I'm trying to say is, religion is personal. Why do people make it a "group" thing? How can we change this?

Answer 1

i think it's wrong to kill someone in the name of a religion. i mean, we're not the ones who are supposed to be judging, correct? why do we think we have the power to judge someone so harshly that we'd kill them because they didn't believe the same thing we did?

Answer 2

Hmm, not as simple as it seems. I'm a Theist, so I don't take orders from any religion. But while the murderous fanatics who crashed the planes into the World Trade Center come first to mind, it's also the case that the early Christians and the adherents of almost every other religion HAVE committed "crimes in its name."
If, as a believer, you live in a land where the practice of your religion is prohibited by law (as, for example, in Saudi Arabia today, where only Islam is legal), then, if/when you worship according to your beliefs, you are breaking the law of the land and "committing a crime."
So, were I such an adherent of an organized religion, I suppose that under those circumstances I'd break the law.

Answer 3

well, I am a devout Catholic so this isn't the ideology I follow personally, but for the sake of cultural appreciation I have put a lot of thought on this particular topic (I have friends who are brought into contact with this through heritage/ where they live...)

Even though murder/discrimination aren't necessarily part of our largely dominant monotheistic, Christian culture here in the United States we can't slight others for their beliefs. I mean, basing our offense at their actions on 'morality' would be grossly unjust, in my opinion, because morality is nothing more than a constantly swaying scale that isn't the same for everyone. I mean, not to overdramatize the old comparison, but we all know about how Buddhists don't eat cows, so all of our fast food chains are 'morally' wrong to them, but I don't see many Americans burdened by undue guilt over their latest cheeseburger...

It may be hard for me and you to understand why their religion has been transformed into such violent displays, but if you must question anything, ask how it came to be that way in the very beginning...don't ask the modern believers of today. It's just all the more impressive, in my opinion (and plz don't take this the wrong way because I do NOT believe in these faiths or the terrorism that has been born out of some of them) that they are SO strong in their faith that they'd give their life, literally, for what their interpretation of 'morally' right is...

I don't think I could change my faith if it asked me to do something (if it's that easy to switch then I'd have to doubt how strong my faith had been in the first place..) but I don't know if I could go through with it either...the fact that they CAN be that focused on the teachings of their religion, and be willing to make that sacrifice, is NOT a bad thing...

Answer 4

Ahh, but you assume that religion is the only way to right the 'light'. In my opinion there is a vast difference between the ethical and moral teachings of a particular sect, and the organization which supports that sect. I can believe in one without the other. For some the structure of organized religion is vital to their ability to function, they are more likely to be those who commit crime in its name. To others, the philosphy, ethics and morals are more important. They are most likely to act in opposition to a real or perceived call to criminal behavior. Those of us who chose to live a non-religious, spiritual, moral and ethical life are often seen as being less than those who follow some sect faithfully.

Would I commit crime in the name of something I considered important enough? Yes, I guess so. I would become an active resistor if our civil liberties are further eroded in the fight on terror. I might be able to kill in the defense of a child or other helpless individual. I would also accept the consequences of my crime.

Answer 5

It all comes down to what you believe and how much you believe in it. If you feel that dieing for something because you are told to, then some may call you insane, but didn't Jesus do that. Die for a religion and its people.

It is an odd similarity to the so called % ers" that they believe so strongly in their religion that they will die. The BIG difference is that they kill others in the process, but in essence they are after the same goal. Jesus and the ists are just trying to save their people.

I am a strong Cristian and a full American, but I just want to bring this point out that these people are not bad people, they are made that way. So do not judge others and how they look because they are not "wired" the same way as people who look like them.

Answer 6

I personally think the subject matter of your question is very applicable to today's world. I wonder what you mean though by 'people in the middle' and if that's a reference to yourself. Rather than place those influenced by religion at one pole or another, or in the middle, I think of it as strictly an individual assessment of where that person sees his/herself fits into the moral makeup of the culture he lives in. Those who commit crimes often evoke the name of God, just as much as those who live their lives peacefully. I don't think God has much to do with it, but is used as a supporting excuse, especially for those committing crimes and violence. Somehow I don't think I answered the question, because the subject matter is so large. :(

Answer 7

I dont know, but even though I love my religion, if it EVER made me do things that i thought were morally wrong, i'd pick another lickity split.

Answer 8

What the hell are you on about ?