Does the good that has been created for mankind by religion outweigh the evil that it has caused?

Question

We're not talking about any specific religion or plans for salvation, so please don't exalt one religion over the other in any way. We're just interested in lives saved and improved, bellies fed, bodies healed, valuable principles learned versus lives destroyed by war battled in God's name, people neglected, hatred displayed and taught, more hatred as a reponse to that in others.

Answer 1

Well, let's see... Religion has given us some nice music, some gorgeous temples, cathedrals, and churches, some attractive artwork; and they have some charities that are pretty decent (although one would think that a loving deity would simply feed, clothe, and heal all those kids himself).... That's all very good, but it doesn't come close to outweighing the holy wars, the crusades, the witch hunts, the Inquistions, the cross burnings, the persecution and murder of gays, the bombing of abortion clinics, the destruction of buildings, towns and cities by religious fanatics, the death of children by devout parents thinking their own kids are devil-possessed, the billions of dollars wasted in donations to telepreachers, the near-destruction of entire civilizations by missionaries and conquerers, the children raped by priests and pastors, and the scientific ignorance that religion fosters by encouraging people to believe that Goddidit. Religion is a parasite on humanity, an abomination, an utterly useless concept that should have died out ages ago. People are capable of being moral without it--the many non-religious folks who lead moral lives are proof of that.

Answer 2

Yeah, personally I'm not religious but I do know that Christian Children's Fund actually changes the lives of unfortunate children for the better. And I know that going on mission trips improves the lives and environments other people have to live in. But what I'd really like to see is a mission trip without any alterior motives (hence no religious teachings, just kind hearted help).

Answer 3

Religion doesn't create evil, mankind does. None of the Divine Messengers ever taught evil. Mankind distorts the true message from God into something evil.

Whoops. My alarm went off. Have to go to work. Good question. More on this later.

Answer 4

Religion is something you do every day such as take a shower.
Men create religious systems to control other men for money or power.part of this is what causes some to be disgusted with the institution of religion. remember this; The gods of the west are both finite and personal. the gods of the east are infinite and impersonal. There is only one God who is both personal and infinite

Answer 5

First off, it is imposible for religion to not exist. If nothing else it would be reduced to superstitions. The answer to your question is yes, but if all the religions today were reduced to superstitions, people would still stay in line.

Answer 6

I can see both views, good and bad. There are really wonderful things, but there are also terrible things, I would figure they are almost even. The world has to be balanced, right?

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

not even close.