Why does religion cause so many problems in the world?

Question

If religion of any kind is great, why does it cause so many problems? Shouldn't we share the "Holyland" not blow it to an oblivion? Shouldn't we follow the moral's of our religion and not twist them? Shouldn't anyone be able to follow what they believe without being ridiculed or persecuted? Isn't everyone equal? Why, because someone has a different denomination, they are not given the same opportunity to reach salvation as those of the same denomination? Should people be prejudice towards the religion of a person or the morals of a person?

Answer 1

You ask questions a rational person would ask. Who said religion is rational? Your question regarding why "they are not given the same opportunity to reach salvation as those of the same denomination" is an easy one to answer, though. It's called Schadenfreude. It means people take pleasure in the misfortunes of others. Like, "I'm going to heaven and you're not - neener neener neeeeener." Or, as that Simpsons character would say "HAA Haa." As for sharing the Holyland, it is religion that makes it "holy" in the first place. But what about the Parthenon? The Acropolis? The Pyramids? Stonehenge? Those were holy once, now they're just interesting ruins. I'll take the green forests, white rivers, turquoise lakes, and high mountains of the California Sierras any day, where the divine heart of nature exists in a stillness that seems almost self-aware. That's 'yer Holyland. The Arabs and Israelis are fighting over a bunch of sand. Oops, I just experienced some Schadenfreude myself. Gotta watch that.

Answer 2

Religion was created by man, not God, that's why it's full of inperfections. It's not the religions that cause the problems, but the men proffessing to be it's spokesmen. Think about how it all started. Everyone worshipped several gods, the sun, moon etc...

Then someone decided there was only one god, and tried to get as many people to think as they did. Even as the amount of followers grew, several had different ideas as to how to worship God, thus the splitting into different groups. God is non denominational, he sees everyone as equal. The fact that only certain people can reach salvation is bulls*** propaganda created by men to scare people into following their beliefs. All can reach salvation, by worshipping God, not by proclaiming that their religion is the only correct one. From the bible, Love the sinner, hate the sin. Prejudice is a strong word. I think we're taught to be prejudice against anything we don't understand or agree with. The religions again are run by men who have different morals, so in reality to be prejudice against religion is to be prejudice against the morals of the men who control the religion. We should not be prejudice against anyone or their religion. That would make us judges. The only one that should be judging anyone...is GOD. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Let the man without sin be the first to cast their stone. It's all in there if your read with conviction. You are allowed to follow any religion you want, but unfortunately there will always be someone who will ridicule and persecute for not believing what they do. I belong to a Unitarian church that allows people of all faiths to gather under one roof and do what's most important...worship the same God. When it comes down to it, we all do worship the same God, we just have different views on sin, morals, and the Christ being the biggest contraversy of all.

Answer 3

Religions r there to addresse to different problems in different regions & states (Law & Order) the powerful souls held firmly unto thier each own beliefs and demands absolute respect & offerings... To make it a great deal so that it is much much more a great deal... there r so much much more side effects generated... the side effects brings more misery than people get more desperate... In order for more strength... all possible methods r used... than again it is not for nothing so the cycle goes on untill finally people realise & start to discuss the matter...

Salvation in perfection... know it all b4 even being able to reach all interconnected or just give up everything so that there is nothing to perfect, hence perfection unneeded... or just offer more, pray harder, obey minimal allowed.

Although it is an ideal for equality... there isn't one yet till now... why bcos equality does not allow greediness, that's why!

People gave up opportunities bcos of greed.

Morals & prejudice r held there to control... morals & all sort of differentiation all comes with some sort of prejudice... wrong or right is also a prejudice isn't it? bcos something is right something must be wrong. Wat the hell in the world does not need prejudice? 1 & 0, yes or no, right or wrong, left or right, front or back, up or down,shapes,looks,feel,senses,sight,smell,beautiful,so so, ugly........... holy, not holy, salvation, condemned..............

Actually there is a third method

Answer 4

Fear and Power.

Religion started as a good idea, but (specifically for Christianity) in the early centuries C.E. it was a tool for mortal men to develop power and control the populace.

So it has continued to this day. And when a new sect or religion develops, those in power fear losing control, power and money. They attack the new threat (religion). As long as religion is a basis for power and money, instead of morality and humanitarian works. There will be prejudice, ridicule and persecution.

Answer 5

Its not " religion " that causes the problems. Its men or women within that faith group, that says one thing yet may do another.
Not everyone that says they are Christian is a real one . Some have self motivations, and are very pride-full, and the very opposite of what God teaches us.
A few bad ones really seem to hurt it for the good. Though where better for the Devil to hide then within the Church. That is why the Bible says to test the Spirits to see if they are of God or not. Look to find the fruits of the Spirit. Such as love, kindness, joy etc.

Answer 6

Each religion thinks that they are the right one, and so disagree with the rest. Religion is the opium of the masses because everyone thinks that he/she is right and want everyone else to see it that way. I respect all religions whether I agree with their teachings or not (more to do with the fact that I truly believe in freedom of religion, freedom of speech, etc). I am an Evangelical Christian but I don't try to force my views on other people. If they ask, I'll tell them about my faith (I don't like calling it a religion, its a denomination) and if they agree with me that's great and if they don't, that is their right.

Answer 7

The belief in GOD or religion never creates any problem nor being the cause any of the problems we face. It is the people who interpret it get wrong and get into violence and hatred. All the religions teaches peace and tranquility, nobody ask to shed blood of other believer, but when people get blind with their own belief and customs they get into wrong paths and ultimately become the cause of the problems ... so the best thing is read the true teachings of religion with an open mind and if you find it true believe in it in full heart.....

Answer 8

I personally believe that it's not so much religion that causes problems, but those who take advantage of it to manipulate others.

Spirituality by itself is a good thing -- it helps people cope with uncertainty and look for purposes in life. But organized religions often use the desire of people to be spiritual and turn it into a weapon: a controllable, angry crowd. A mob, surprisingly, is much easier to control than any single individual, especially by those who know the basic tricks.

People choosing religion and picking boundaries for themselves is the good part of it all; people choosing religion and picking boundaries for others is what's actually destructive.

Answer 9

when it comes to faith. You have to believe you are right. This is true of someone of another faith or even how to practice the same faith. This leads to conflict since we both can't be right. Its that simple.

However I believe that religions all serve a purpose of making us a better people. If you look at history. Many of the world was barbaric before many of today's religions.Sure some wars were due to difference in faith. but that in the past and not common today. :)

Answer 10

Because of closed minds and hearts. Remember that religion is used as a guise by many to achieve other goals like power, control, financial so truly it's a human problem not just a spiritual one. Most world religions do not preach violence.