reasons for religion not to be destructive?

Question

I need to write a speech for my debate class and wanted any points, opinions, ideas on why religion does not cause destruction/
thanx

Answer 1

I guess you need to distinguish between the teachings of a religion and the worldly institutions of a religion.

Perhaps the best religions to look at are those which have not sought to dominate the world. It is the worldly institutions which seek to dominate (which is about temporal power) and these ambitions ofter contradict and get in the way of the teachings of the religion itself. Rather like Augustine (later St. Augustine) famous prayer, "Lord make me pure, but not just yet", the worldly institutions of religion often seem to act as though any action is justified while the world is still imperfect.

Personally I'm speaking from a Buddhist point of view. Since this is non-theistic (ie good comes before god) some people would classify it as a philosophy, but it is generally counted among the world's religions. Buddhism, so it is claimed, has never started a religious war. However there have been warrior monks who have used their skills to fight purely temporal battles (in theory the skills were just for health and self-defense).

If it were not for the love of learning and civilization of medieval Islam, much of the knowledged gained in the classic civilizations would have been lost and Western Civilization could have been stuck with its superstitions for much longer.

There are many tribal beliefs that give a view of the Earth as a living entity and a similar view of aspects of nature. Although this view might be rather poetic and allegorical, it does imbue an attitude of respect (rather than conquest).

A few religions do hold the world to be evil and life to be dirty, but most spiritualities are life-affirming. It is a characteristic of humans to look for meaning, and religion generally seeks to provide uplifting answers to currently unanswerable questions. However every human organisation - and that includes religions - has people who are flawed and work out their own psychological problems through the organisation they inhabit.

Answer 2

It is a common conception that religion is the cause of all problems. This position it often promoted by those who have animosity towards religion. i don't deny religious people have been involved in wars but many wars are nnothing but a land grab and the whole religious thing is brought in to try and justify it. The truth is many people of many religions just want to live their lives out and raise their families and pay for their homes. The media reports the extremists but tends to shy away from the seemingly boring good people and the good works they. Secondly there are many wars that had little or othing to do with religion. Hitler wasn't fighting a religious war and the communists slew millions of their own and others and they were atheists. This is seldom brought up by those who wish to present religion as the cause of all wars.

Answer 3

Christianity teaches

Love All - even your enemy. Do not retaliate if insulted, abused or attacked.

Forgive All

Show Mercy - be kind to the poor, needy and disadvantaged. Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the sick and those in prison

Judge No-One - 2 exceptions. Expel those that claim to be Christians but are immoral, and settle disputes.

All these lead to reconciliation and peace.

Answer 4

Hope, Faith and charity.