Does the institutionalization of Religion have any reasonable basis whatsoever?

Question

Thanks for your answers

Yes, the human tendency for social organization will always be present. That implies a self imposed faith on an individual's part. However......

I mean is there an altruistic reason for Religion to be forced into inertia and stasis?
...it's resistance towards change?
For curbing anarchy?

Is it benevolent or deceitful of the ruling religious elites to cramp it?
Isn't Religion after all just good advice, unseparable with the process of reasoning?

Who is benefiting from the institutionalization of Religion?

sorry
typo error- inseparable

Answer 1

"Believing that the world as cognised during the waking state is real and that the highest goal is the attainment of happiness in that world, man accumulates the insruments and symbols of that happiness; he fashions after his own taste and inclinations according to the dictates of his own reason, the laws, ideals, institutions and principles that would bolster that happiness. This attempt leads to a philosophy which can be named " Western ".

But can the goal of Life be just this - to struggle amidst the waves of joy and grief that rise and fall in this visible objective world, to be carried along the current of desire, gathering food, shelter, comfort and pleasure, and finally, to flounder into the jaws of death? Consider what is happening now ; in the name of progress, art is degraded into immoral and sensuous entertainment; educational advance results, not in advance of humility and reverence, but in rampant indiscipline, arrogance and irreverence. The emphasis is long placed on the development of character and the promotion of virtue through education has now been dropped. In this place enthroned as ideals worldly success, self - aggrandisement and high standard of living. Greed is going out of Control. Scientific development is not resulting in peace and happiness, but increase in terror, unrest and anxiety. Man is analysing and utilising the outer world; but the inner world which is basic is ignored and forgotten. "

Answer 2

People need structure in their lives, and religion provides that. Having a set of rules to work from, be it the christian bible or the torah or any other "bible' out there, allows people to follow the rules, allows them to work within those rules.
And insitutionalized religion allows for one sect to separate itself from the others, declare itself "the only true", and become exclusive, even in a small way.
It's also a means of organizing people, of controlling them to a greater or lesser degree; in the middle ages Christianity WAS a way of life; the priests were the teachers, doctors, counselors, father figures. The conduit between the lay person and god.
That's the basis. whether or not it's still valid is always up for debate.

Answer 3

Since the time we inhabited caves we've looked at the stars and felt terribly alone and tiny in the universe. Ergo, nature worship. and then god ( a goddess at first)--something or someone who worked magic and could nurture us like a parent. Add our need for protection to lots of power seeking good old boys, printed scripture ( in time) and scientific ignorance, and VOILA--- organized religion! A tragedy for the whole human race. While the "holy men" have been killing people and laughing all the way to the bank, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed would be disgusted.

Answer 4

Institutionalization of Reliogion means building some social stuctures. Religion is a social or cultural doctrine. So institutionalizing it means setting standard social forms to follow.

Answer 5

I think the institutionalization of religion has been counter-productive for itslef. If religion would've meant simply 'accountability for ones actions in after-life' then it could've taken the advantage of the progress in social sciences. But institutionalized religions are rigid and inflexible, hence bound to extinction.

Answer 6

mostly its the result of the natural human tendancy to categorize and quantify all activities. we need organization to accomplish goals in common. unfortunately, we tend to let the organization take the place of personal responsibility, and our also natural tendancy toward laziness turns religious fervor into institutional habit. and yes the institutionalization ultimately chokes the life out of the religion.

Answer 7

It means money in the church coffers which can be used for the out-of-court settlements of criminal cases involving the sexcapades of priests and bishops

Answer 8

no.