who thinks religion is just a way to control people?

Question

there's nothing wrong with having one but the little things some people can't do is all because of religion. i don't have a religion and i plan to keep it that way but for those who do good luck! what's your opinion?

Answer 1

i do

Answer 2

There's a difference between organized religion and personal beliefs.All churches are targeted on turning people to a certain way of life and therefore are supporters of the status quo,whatever that is.
This means that,they preach whatever is necessary to become a functioning and somewhat typical member of that particular society.
And,of course this benefits the ones that move the strings( who,as a rule,they believe in nothing but control and power),this is the reason why you will never see the spiritual leaders of a country oppose the political leaders regardless of how good or bad are they.
They will all hide behind this worn out quote "our interests are of spiritual nature".
However,on personal level,you may find believers of all religions,who don't support the attitude of their official leaders and act on their own.
As for me, i believe that religion should be kept on a personal level and never be an excuse for mental inertia,intolerance or violence.Every one needs solace in the thought of a protective supernatural being and though i do not require that comfort,i cannot deny that it helps a lot of people to live full and productive lives.
Do not forget that ALL religions,no matter how they are interpreted by clerics,they teach the same thing-"love each other".

Answer 3

Unfortunately religion tends to become a way to control people because of the inherent corruption in even the best-intentioned people and human love of power.

But that is not why religion exists or how it came into being. It is the attempt of mankind to answer the deepest and most important questions in life, which cannot be answered by reason, logic or empiricism (analysing what we can see, hear, feel, taste and smell). These include: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Is there a reason for my life? What is it? What happens when we die? Why do we die? What are good and evil? Why is there evil? What can I do about it? And so on, and on...

But actually, thank God, there are answers to these questions and God has given us guidance on these matters, so that true religion is not so much our questioning and seeking, but God's providing help in the form of messages in holy scripture, by prophets and personally to all who seek Him with a pure heart.

Better still, I would say that religion is the resulting partnership between God and the truth-seeker.

Answer 4

Is society not another way to control people?

You dress like your peers, eat what your culture offers to you, follow social conduct expected of you, act the age expected of you, accept norms that were set when you were born, the roles you play as a guy or girl etc.

I am not saying that society/religion are bad things or good things....There should be a balance between society/religion and the self.

I think there is a key difference between following a religion and having a religion. IF you follow one, that means you may lose your way without it but if you have a religion, in the sense your own moral code that coincidently matches that of a Big Relgiion, then you are not really following but living it out from within.

Answer 5

You are right. Religion is a way to control people. Religion will lead you down a path of destruction and heartache. Christianity will fill your spiritual body with the holy spirit and if you should let the spirit control your actions and thoughts. The pure love Christ will flow thru you is an awesome feeling.

Answer 6

If you don't think there's nothing wrong with having a religion, then you're really saying that it is right and o.k. to have religion; then get your 'but' out the way, because if someone does then they don't care about the little things.

Answer 7

It's an Muslim religion where they restrict woman from getting education,wearing a decent clothing,cover their entire organs,using a scarf,if not they control them by issuing a Fatwa?Recently I learned that Muslim Girl Can't marry to a Christian belief person? She explained due to this Fatwa(Notice) she can't..so religion rules the people at large.( Please note that I am not against any Muslim or Muslim religion).

Answer 8

Religious extremism is a way to control people. Besides that, most religions out there are meant to help people.

Answer 9

Yes, I agree, but not really in the "there's nothing wrong with having one"... part.

If you have a religion it means you're controlled, otherwise you wouldn't have one in the first place because religion IS 100% about control!!!

Answer 10

Sure it is! Even on this site some can't resist trying to control who should be allowed to ask and answer religious questions. They think that the rules imposed on them by their sect is a normal thing so it's easy for them try to impose some on anyone who will listen.
I 'like' the personal approach, where the controller is saying that the questioner is imposing on their religious 'space'. They don't NEED YOU trying to tell them any different...so BACK OFF...and veto your own thoughts so as not to offend them. WOW, control much?

Answer 11

I agree, it was one of the contributing factors to my identifying as Deist. I just don't believe in organized religion, at least for myself. My kids chose Catholicism and they are content with that faith. As long as they are happy, I am happy. The way I feel is that if someone requires the feeling their church gives them more power to them. Where I draw the line is allowing anyone else to try to force me to live by their religious tenets or preach to me about how hell fire awaits me. Those folks can take a flying leap into their own imaginary pit for all I care.