Why should we give religion any respect at all?

Question

What has it ever done to further society? What has it done of value for everyone other than give us more reasons to hate one another? What real knowledge has it given us to make the world a better place? How is it even nearly as valuable as medicine, or science? Has it given us anything reliable to base our knowledge of the universe on?

Anything good that comes out of religion can also come from secular sources, however much of the evil and ignorance that we see as a result of religion is exclusive to a religious mindset.

So why should we give it any respect at all?

Answer 1

I like the way you think. Religion has foundered many great minds. I believe it is the original form of crowd control. Through fear. (if you don`t believe this, you shall burn in hell) Religion has been responsible for more death and mayhem than any other applicable cause, i.e. war, accidents, murder, and disease. I, for one, have no use for religion. It deprives the individual of that which should be truly sacred, and that is individuality. And the denial of scientific fact is abhorrent. Furthermore, all religions should pay tribute to the ~devil~ as this is the entity who has kept them in business for so long.

Answer 2

As an atheist, I know where you're coming from. I do not refer to a religion of any kind for guidance, and certainly not for answers. I think that we have advanced enough now that we should not still be refering to gods for explanations for things we do not understand. I also resent the way religions such as Christianity put women in an inferior position.

However, religion does help people get through a lot of difficult things in their lives. Churches and parishes allow people to keep in touch with others in the community and faith supports them and allows them to feel as if they have some kind of control and someone to turn to during their darkets times.

I know that religion has been at the root of a lot of hatred in the world, past and present, but so has race, political ideologies, etc. I hope you don't assume that getting rid of religion would make the world an entirely happy place. It might help in some ways, but people are always going to find reasons to hate one another.

I hope that in the future, religions will fade away as science continues to advance and more people realize they are unrealistic and nonesensical. Some of the values they promote are entirely good, but I hope that people will reach a point where they can be good to each other because they feel it is the right thing to do, not because if they don't, they will suffer repercussions from a meddling god.

I rambled. Basically, I disagree with religion, but i do respect other people and that entails allowing them to believe whatever they want to. I do think that religions like christianity will eventually become less and less important. However, they have shaped our society... western civilization was largely affected and built upon Christianity ideals. I still celebrate Christmas and Easter as a matter of tradition.

Answer 3

The religion is a way to live and to build up our life,it is a way to live in peace and co-oberation to be better and better.
Actually the medicine,science....do not always take us to what is better,some time u may be hurt by wrong medication or even new technology and examples for that are tooo much just look around u.

the source of hate is the evil not religions.the evil comes from our difference,may be the difference in nature,color,nation,religion.......................but if u really respect the others it will be so easy to respect their religions.
inaddition,all religions respect each others not to shed blood and mis-chief on the earth,so i think the respect is the key to solve all our proplems.Do u agree with me?

Answer 4

Religion promotes prayer. Do you like schools to be full of problems? what has been the impact of the taking prayer out of schools since 1962?

In each study you can clearly see a negative impact starting around the year 1962!

Teenage pregnancy rates have gone up 500% since 1962. Unmarried mothers have risen dramatically since 1962. The divorce Rate is so high that many young children don't really understand what a family is. Violent Crimes have risen steadily since the early 60's, and our prison system is bursting at the seams.

The SAT scores have steadily declined each year for 18 straight years since 1962 and continue to decline or be low. As the poorly educated enter the workforce how can our companies compete with other international industries?

1940 - with prayer top 7 problems
1 talking out of turn
2. Chewing Gum
3. Making noise
4. Running in the Halls
5. Cutting in Line
6. Dress-code violations
7. Littering

1990 - 30 years without prayer top 7 problems
1.Drug use
2.Alcohol abuse
3. Pregnancy
4. Suicide
5. Rape
6. Robbery
7. Assault

Arent u the dud who said " all the heart does is pump blood"
Your wife is a lucky lady! Valentines must be very romantic in the
choose reality household.

Answer 5

Why not? Why does religion bother you so much? in the back of your mind there must be a nigeling little doubt. And if it has not given us anything besides some hope, or a reason to be good, or to laugh at people like you, then yes, it is a waste and you can turn to your secular source when you lay dying. I have seen men die, many times, and have never heard one yell out, "Help me Wal-Mart."

Answer 6

Are you saying that Christians at no time have contributed anything to our society. Christians are citizens just like anyone else. They go into all fields. They are doctors, teachers, scientists, government officials and regular every day workers. They have fed millions in other countries and here in America. They are researchers in many fields along side non-believers. If you don't want to respect them that is your choice. Your respect or disrespect is not going to have a significant effect on what they achieve.

Answer 7

I think the only good religions do for people it to save some of those people with hideos addictive problems from themselves.

thas about it.

Of course I am no expert in religions but Buddhism certainly sounds interesting to me.

Answer 8

Well, a lot of Christian facilities give food and clothes and such out to needy people. And yes, that can come from secular sources, but you don't see it as often.
Now, is this enough to justify the hate and violence their religion has inspired over the centuries? No, not really.

Answer 9

It furthers society by giving HUGE donations to charities, homeless shelters, and free food. It helps people so much.

At least the Catholic church. I have little respect for the Church, but I do give them that respect.

Religion does create hate, yes, but it also binds people together, unites people. And not always in hate.

It isn't as valuble as medicene in anyway at all, but it does have worth. It has worth as a thign that unites people for a cause.

I just lost my train of thought......it does deserve respect, just because of what it represents at it's core; Happiness and conviction.

I'm not religious, but I respect the Church.

Answer 10

well if people kept thier beliefs private and personal , like they do thier sex lives, what would communities use as fuel for their desire for war, what would they hide behind , how else can the masses be controlled, or be exempt from paying taxes?Or to recieve donations, or to ask for forgiveness, that Karma will not
seek justice?but most of all, how would the masses be controlled if religion was to become a history lesson as a thing of the past or kept private and no longer reason to seperate people?