"Without religion good men do good things, and bad men do bad things. Add religion and good men do bad things for it's sake".
2006-08-06 04:18:49 · 30 answers · asked by meshan 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wasn't going to comment, but.
Why do we need religion as a barrometer for morality. Killing is wrong, stealing is wrong. Weather you annoy a god or not. Living a good life is a measure of morality in its self. I attend church and I pray in times of need, because faith is something we have when we have nothing. Religion works for millions as a moral compass, but morality refers to the concept of human ethics which pertain to matters of good and evil. Are these just religious concepts. I don't think so.
2006-08-06 04:38:52 · update #1
Its politics mate.
Look at how the 'church' started in the first place.
St Paul who kicked off the accepted face of Christianity never even met Jesus but he managed to wipe out the other Christian factions who disagreed with his version of the church.
He wanted something the Romans would accept which would therefore be much easier to spread through out the empire than what most of Jesus followers were projecting.
It was political. Religion is politics. It enables a few people in power to control wealth and the destiny of others while making them feel alternatively grateful, scared or guilty.
Of course, I don't expect anyone to agree with me! However I agree that it should be our desire to be good to each other rather than promises of rewards or punishment in this life or any other, that should shape our behaviour. Sadly, it rarely does.
2006-08-06 05:42:06 · answer #1 · answered by Ice Queen 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Without religion, how could you measure if a man is good and if his deeds are good and the other way around. Your quote is flawed and naive....man without the morals of religion is an animal with instincts that will do whatever it takes to survive regardless of who he harms. As a matter of fact some men still behave this way, by manipulating their religion into their way of thinking
2006-08-06 04:29:17 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The quote is flawed in that we cannot always see the extent or quality of outcomes from any of our actions. Actions carried out in all good intention can produce effects that are bad for some people just as actions carried out with bad intent can produce good effects. To suggest that people of faith deliberately do bad things for the sake of the religion cannot logically be held true as the opposite could not be verified. i.e. if you add religion to bad men will they do good things for its sake?
2006-08-06 04:35:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some People twist things to suit their ways and their believes.
Muslim people are peaceful people and the small minority give the rest a bad name.
Just like a few years ago it was all about black people "oh they rob people they sell drugs". Just a small group gave the rest a bad name. We live in a twisted world of corrupt leaders in goverment and religious elders. Missles are called peace keepers yeah right how can that be.
2006-08-06 04:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by Osh Aka Oisinmagic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes but also can be for other reasons that "good" men/women do bad things -- They may just get fed up in being the good guy/girl when most people don't give a dam and they think why should they carry on !!!
2006-08-06 04:34:51 · answer #5 · answered by cammy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its more apt to say that a bad man has permission to do bad things in the name of religion, where society would otherwise make him behave and SEEM to be a "good man"..
There are too many believers who still don't do bad things, and wonder how the others can, in any name. A lot of "good men" abandon their religion because they are "good men" and WON'T do bad things for any excuse.
You either are, or aren't. a murderer, thief, liar, etc. etc. Religion just gives permission, and ensures that "IT" is the recipient of your ill-gotten gain.
2006-08-06 04:28:25 · answer #6 · answered by Grey G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well religion has not been the main reason for battles and kiilin. mayb 1 of the reason.
but since ages men has fought over many things like:
power
land and property
money
greed
woman
revenge
jelousy
the list is endless. well man has always needed a reason to fight.
guess animals live in more unity than v humans
2006-08-06 04:26:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very true. The religions originating in the mid-east have writings instructing 'god's' followers to do all sorts of evil things to other humans.
2006-08-06 04:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adding religion to anything is like adding a naked flame to a fuel depot.
Fuel, oxygen & heat source = fire.
Religion, speaking about religion & practicing religion = ditto.
2006-08-06 04:25:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dead on, from what I've seen. Good men will do bad things, justified by their religion.
2006-08-06 04:22:52 · answer #10 · answered by grinningleaf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋