Throughout history would you say that religion has caused more harm than good and why?

Answer 1

As a socialist structure it has done very well by insisting that the poor and sick be cared for. Some of its most fanatical supporters have caused bloodshed but so have many atheistic leaders under communism. I would say that the most harm committed by religion is in the field of knowledge. Not surprising when the major religions insist that knowledge gained through revelation and faith is more relevent and accurate than scientific knowledge. Christianity itself delivers an anti-knowledge message through its myth of the first man and women suffering and being cast out because they dared to eat from the tree of knowledge.

Answer 2

The reply is both yes and no.

Followers of Christianity and Islam have waged war for the purpose of propogating their religion and have been persecuting others calling them as non believers. It was there throughout their history. Whole civilisations have been wiped out by them in the name of crusade and jehad.
On the other hand Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions that took birth in India were never a cause of war or any other kind of disbursances. These religions spread in a peaceful manner and there was not a single instance where this religions were thrust upon others.
Christian and Muslim countries came into existance after wiping out the existing civilisations.
Christians and muslims enjoy maximum liberty where Indian originated religions dominate.
Judaism was never a source of trouble, but now it is, for political reasons.

Answer 3

Religion is the oldest way of fouling people and make them do stupid things. As long as murder happens in the name of one religion or another it cannot be a good thing, and it happened since the very beginning.
On the other hand, there are a lot of...human beings who find help in believing religious stuff, and this must mean something good.
To balance these two aspects is something you can do only to the surface level, and the conclusion can be only one: religion definitely caused more harm than good throughout history.
But on the deepest level of perception I think no one can establish the truth.

Answer 4

Yoyodda,

This an often asked question, but deserves to be re-examined from time to time. I believe that if we could look at the overall picture honestly, we would see that it has benefited our species, more than harmed it. Please, if you can find one, tell me what system of philosophy or thought, has lifted man towards the lofty goal of love? Only religion, and I am speaking broadly here, makes compassion and love, priorities of existence. Having said that, religion is a mistake. Confused? Don't be, there is an explanation. Religion, is nothing more than the efforts of certain men, to capitalize on God's love for us. All of the evil that has been perpetrated in the name of service to God, has been orchestrated by humans, not the Creator. It is ignorance of our true relationship with God, that has caused all this pain and suffering. God, is our Father. All of us, have the opportunity to enter into a personal, loving, and permanent relationship with Him. It doesn't cost any money, and you don't have to join anything. You don't even have to try to make Him love you, because He always has. You only need to turn your attention to Him, and begin to aquaint yourself with the most wonderful Person in the Universe. No religion required. You don't have to hate people of different faiths, or even sinners, or atheists. He doesn't want you to hate anyone. In fact, He wants us to pray for, love, do good to, and bless our enemies. Does that sound like religion? Not. In time, our race will discover that religion is a path that leads to nowhere. We cannot have relationships by proxy. Love, cannot exist through a third party, but must be experienced directly. It is based on true appreciation. Once you get to know your Father, and see how much He loves you, and experience His goodness,you will truly appreciate Him

Answer 5

I am sure that some people need religion about as much as they need clothing, but for many people, acting as a group brings out mob mentality, and that is a very powerful emotion that can cause violence and all sorts of warped ideas. If people were content to practice their faith in their own homes, without clergy or other distractions, then I think violence levels would go down, and the world would be better. i would agree that religion has caused more harm than good. We have inbred moral codes and can function as a society without devoting our lives to myths.

Answer 6

Without a doubt. Yes. However that is exactly the way it is supposed to be. Humans are wicked by nature and God is good. So of course we take something pure and pour as much blood on it as we can. That way we can call it ours. This is how Satan or Evil or The Dark Force or whatever it is plays a hand in the universe. It feeds and thrives over the fact that we can't handle Gods Love for us. As long as that keeps going on it has nothing to fear. To sum it up...God didn't give us religion, Satan did. <<(according to ancient writings).
God gave us Love and that, hasn't harmed a single soul.

Answer 7

I agree and the reason is that religion always splits the world in US and THEM.

"We are the chosen people."
"We have the only true god/religion."
"Believers in other religions are inferior."
"Others are unbelievers, heathens or worse."

Missionary religions can even do more harm, because they interfere in the lives, the culture and the religion of other people. Some of those they will be able to convert, resulting in the us/them split within a society, which often leads to civil war and genocide.

Answer 8

Statement is endorsed as perfectly Ok!
The shop-keepers of the religion only is instrumental in causing more harm than good.
This is with connivance to muster support for their ego and gain hold and support to their dubious intentions in the name of religion, befooling and exploting the masses.
Religion could be visualised as an institution or a tool only for the happenings.

Answer 9

Religion or people that have relationships with God? Because if you've ever met someone that is beyond religious.... man they do amazingly good things. I have seen people healed. I have seen people changed. I have seen people come away from so much crap. I have seen thousands and thousands of people worshipping God in song. I have had the greatest love anyone could ever have, and I am doing what I was created to do.

Now here's a question... have you ever met someone that was just....religious?


Religion ain't got nothing on me; religion ain't got nothin' on the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 10

Yes but I don't think its fair to group the benevolent religions with the violent ones that made all the harm.