Is religion a cop out?

Question

Is it an excuse to prejudice, to condescend, to exclude, to dictate, to justify acts of violence?

Answer 1

yes.

religion is.

not neccesarily "spirituality", which can be a different thing.

Answer 2

When you read the Bible, the word religion is never used in a positive light.

Religion is not the answer since at the end of the day, we are all the same. We all put on our pants on leg at a time, we are all flesh and succomb to it daily. It doesn't matter what religion you are every person in it from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high is the same.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will never go wrong.

Answer 3

Religion or organised religion can seem suspect to most people - i.e. it is controlling in some aspects. The way I look at it ordinary people can be cowed, directed and disposed off by many so called religious cults. The idea of a pure religion is heaven on earth and not attainable. I only go by the thought = who am I to state categorically that there is no such person as God and would he be weeping now at the acts of violence perpetrated by mans inhumanity to man? I consider people who say there is no God to be very knowledgeable and terribly conceited and simplistic. Many people are comforted by religion - I have witnessed this many times. Also, people in great pain or grieving in some way, pray to God in times of need. Do not dismiss spirituality - it is pure. The nicest people on earth may be the Irish and yet they continue to suffer at the hands of so called religion when in actual fact they are tortured by others in the name of politics not religion as many think.

Politicians manipulate religion for their own means.

Only my opinion, but the power of prayer has helped me so many times. Do not be too embittered - learn to love.

Answer 4

There is a difference between religion and spirituality. They are often intertwined but true spirittuality conquers religion. Religion is usually a dogma, that can be cultish, but not always. The point is one many times leads to the other, which is far from a cop out. Its deep and meaningful.

Answer 5

I think it is a cop out.
If somebody truly believes in their faith then why do they have to harm other faiths or none believers. Surely they just need to sit back with a smile on their face thinking mine is the true faith we will be going to the after life, others will not so why do they need to do anything about it.
Either they doubt their own faith and think if I'm not going to the next life then nobody is.
Or they are just using the faith or religion as an excuse.

Answer 6

Iv,e often pondered on this one , particularly when you consider the sheer Bloody Evil ,Spite ,Suppression of Thousands , carried out in the name of Religion. sometimes I think it,s the Forces of Evil disgused and blinding us with false dogma and the dictatorial , vile perverted,self opinionated rabble who really hate humanity - constantly telling us that we are all unworthy sinners - whilst commiting every sinfull , brutal and beastial act known to man. I have come to the conclusion that the safest way is to try our best to do that which is of no harm to others , avoid being Judgemental and just get on with life

Answer 7

Religion is a way to control the masses.
Religion is not a "cop out".
Religion is a cultural and political enema which blinds us to take the next evolutionary step forward - peace on earth.
Religion is not my friend.

Answer 8

I believe it is. This is the reason I am not religious and haven't raised my kids as so. Too many wars in the name of religion, it isn't right. I just believe we should live a good life because it is the right way to live.

Answer 9

Some religions, I have to admit have used it for just this purpose! But if you actually get into the doctrine of those religions, those that do these things are actualy breaking their own rules!

Answer 10

interesting how we can blame religion, we cant do this because we are part of this faith or another, politicians quote bits of Scripture to enhance their speeches or excuse their behaviour, we use it to exclude, judge, make our selves feel we are better than others? spirituality is good, religion is open to question?

Answer 11

not really, more of just a blind stupidity and the need for some reason for existance for the masses and a power trip for the bosses of the religions,