Is organized religion a cancer on society?

Question

It seems the prejudice, bigtroy and self-righteousness is alive and well and much of it stems from religious intolerance. Has the concept of religion outlived it's useful purpose to society? Is it now causing more harm than good?

Answer 1

>> Is organized religion a cancer on society?

More like an epidemic plague. Of the mind.

>> prejudice

Such as "homosexuals are evil"?

>> bigtroy

All "atheists are evil"?

>> and self-righteousness

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Check.

>> Has the concept of religion outlived it's useful purpose to society?

Long ago. We have naturalistic explanations for the all of the positions god used to fill. Where did the stars come from? (Big Bang). Where did our planet come from? (From planetisimals, left over from a protostar, born out of a stellar nursery). Where did life come from? (Condensed gases, formed organic compounds, formed archaic RNA, replicated, evolved.) Where does lightning come from? (Static electricity build up in the clouds). Why does the sun rise? (It doesn't - we just spin around so that it appears like the sun rises).

>> Is it now causing more harm than good?

I think the people in the Middle East would agree.

Answer 2

Tac, you haven't studied much in the way of sociology, theology or history have you? Of which "Organized Religion" are you referring? Shinto? Bhudism? Islam? Christianity? Which one? It is the precepts of religion onwhich you will find the very foundations of society. Your basic social contract begins with the Judeo/Christian teachings of the ten commandments. Example: I won't kill you if you promise not to kill me. I won't steal from you if you promise not to steal from me.
Yes, there are plenty of people with all of the flaws you mentioned within the church. But by and large, there are more outside the church than in and still, those within do not out weight any profits gained by the teachings of "Love thy neighbor."
Because we ALL hav our "issues," I can only suspect that most who choose to point an accusing finger have alterior motives but have chosen to cheese out and go with the flow of popularity instead of admitting their real reasons for bashing and disengaging. Sure, the church is flawed. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Catholic church suffered a massive schism (divide) because of petty politics and thus ended up having three "Popes" all serving at the same time in different cities. You can even blame the Christian church for the dark ages across Europe, but such an accusation wouldn't hold water much if that's all you blame the period on.
No, the church hasn't outlived itself.

I referrenced the word cheese earlier. "Cheeser:" One whose story is so full of holes it is often mistaken for Swiss Cheese.

Answer 3

All religions have Got the seed for spirituality. Religions were never born to create hatred, it were always for promoting love and compassion for humanity. Ignorance of self illumination of religious heads is the cause of intolerance.

Answer 4

I'd say not. First of all, religion, as a human response to ultimate existential questions, is ineradicable. Are we ever going to stop asking questions about death and meaning? Second, religion has done and is doing enormous good. Think of all the people whose motivations to alleviate human suffering are rooted in their religious commitment.

Religion isn't a cancer on society; fundamentalism is a cancer on religion, IMHO.

Answer 5

It all depends on what the organized religion is teaching.

If the religion teaches people yo overcome the animalistic tendencies of their subconscious mind, and to live in harmony with their brothers and sisters, and the world around them; it is a VERY good thing.

If the religions teach their followers to hate people because they follow another religion or of another nationality or race and create wars because of a different understanding; those religions should cease to exist.

Answer 6

I don't think organized religion creates religious intolerance, and subsequently prejudice, bigotry and self-righteousness. I think ignorance grows those things.

Answer 7

If there's a maximum cancers in society, it incredibly is human beings subscribing to each strange conspiracy concept that comes alongside. besides, some prepared religions do bar Freemasons from club. although, maximum comprehend that their Masonic parishioners have plenty to grant to their communities in the two religious and secular concerns.

Answer 8

Well if there is no God-then you have a real good point. If there is a God, then you are dead wrong.
I don't think the term "organized" is necessarily the right one to use here. Maybe if you said "false (or bad)" organized religions, that would be the correct question.

Answer 9

Yes, because i feel it is not the word of God in the first place.God speaks to us in our hearts, minds and souls with out prejudise or hate or any thing else negative.He is univeral cosciousness.Thought is not contained just in the brain ,but is all around us,trying to guide us like he wishes ,to a good and loving life.That is also where insperation comes from,in my opinion.If a cell phone can send imformation any where,Why can not consciousness speak to us from any where.The human brain can not hold it all,so we are helped along by the powers that be

Answer 10

Way too general of a question. There is good with the bad. "Religion" does much good in the world, you just refuse to recognize it. Don't let the extremists ruin it for the whole.