is religion more harmful than good?

Answer 1

Depends what kind of religion.

Answer 2

I'm wondering if this is a personal question, or a global one.

Personally, religion saved me from myself, big time!

Globally, religion seems to get in the way. I keep reading how many people believe the wars throughout history were caused by religion, but that's not accurate.
Wars are almost always based on the desire for more power/money/resources/safety (you know, the basics of human nature). Religion is often USED as the rallying cry, because regular folk won't give their lives so that the rich guy down the street can get richer.

So I think the answer globally is that often people use religion for harmful purposes, but religion in and of itself is not harmful.

Answer 3

I think as with all things, it can be ok in moderation.

I know some religious people (of various faiths) who are really nice, and it's their religion and gudance that instills the good nature, love thy neighbour etc.

But then you get those who are strictly religious, where they judge other people and think bad things about others, which in turn is a contradiction of their religion.

I've not come across any religion which insites destruction or hatred. But there are people who try to use religion as a tool to control people or insight hatred.

I don't believe in any religion, but I don't think religion is the problem, the problem resides within mankind. There have been conflicts and wars between people of the same religion, different religions and wars where religion hasn't even been issue.

Answer 4

James 1:26-27 (King James Version)


26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

--- IF THIS is the religion you're refering to then this religion will do more harm than good.. HOWEVER, there is a true religion mentioned in the bible.. its not a NAME OF A GROUP but rather a PRACTICE or a WAY OF LIVING..

HOLLINESS and CHARITY these are the 2 main factor of a TRUE UNDEFILED RELIGION

27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Answer 5

My belief is that religion propogates people being judgemental. They're judgmental of others and they're religions.

Religion while having a higher power might be a good thing, but when it lifts you above others to stand in judgment of their behaviors, it's a very very bad thing.

I know this may offend some religions however the truth hurts people!!

Religion DOES NOT teach tolerance. If it did, there would be so much more tolerance in this world.

Anyone says anything else to that and they're lying to themselves!

Answer 6

YES! Absolutely. I have been saying this for years. Think about how many wars and how much fighting, and priest molestations that have occurred. Religion has caused more problems in this world than anything else. Why can't people just live their lives, be good people and that be enough. I don't understand why people need a religion or something to believe in after death, I don't.

Answer 7

Religion in general is not because it can give people a feeling of wholeness and that they are living for some purpose.

It is the fundamentalists of any religion that are narrow minded grassmoles that make religions dangerous.

I choose not to believe in anything but the power of nature.

Answer 8

Normally no. Though it has been the cause of countless wars, religion(on most occasions) is important. It provides the moral backbone for us. Religion is used to start wars only when ones side attacks another or one religion can't accept another(crusades). Altogether religion provides more good than bad

Answer 9

Only when they are closed minded. Any religion that shows awareness and respect for other beliefs and ways of life can only be a good thing. Those that are closed off to other points of view (you know who you are) are harmful. But that of course is my humble opinion!

Answer 10

Religion was invented by people. It came out o a desire to understand themselves and nature. Perhaps they revered what they saw as a great presence beyond their intelligence to fathom and so from that prayer emerged and they started to come together to understand the immensity and boundlessness of nature. That quest has become distorted,and so many opinions have clashed...only opinions now..which everyone has a right to...be you own god...as a matter of fact you are..you decide..organized religion could be great if everyone recognized the fact that we are all GOD,,,,,

Answer 11

no it's not. It's the hatred of religion by non believers, or the extremists like the muslim terrorists that's bad. It's not the religion but the people who do wrong and use the religion as an excuse.