Is religion a disease?

Question

Einstein famously called religion "the infected haemmoroids of a Chimp's hairy rectum". Could it be argued that religion is more like a virus than an ideology?

Answer 1

I'd say it's more like an addiction than a virus.

Answer 2

Science can only be created by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration toward truth and understanding. This source of feeling, however, springs from the sphere of religion. To this there also belongs the faith in the possibility that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that is, comprehensible to reason. I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. -- Albert Einstein addressing students at Princeton University.


I have tried to respond to your question as simply as I could. Here is my answer. Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people. For this reason, a research scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by prayer, i.e. by a wish addressed to a supernatural Being. However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of these laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in nature also rests on a sort of faith. All the same this faith has been largely justified so far by the success of scientific research. But, on the other hand, everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe-a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble. In this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive.

--recorded by Helen Dukas, which Einstein wrote to a child who asked him whether scientists prayed.

Answer 3

religions are man-made and Satan-endorsed. Satan has billions decieved into believing their religion will save them.
God offers a free GIFT of salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9) religions teach you must earn salvation. How does one EARN a GIFT?
This is why FAITH in Christ and what He did at the cross ( and rose 3 days later) has NOTHING to do with religion. That said, I'll agree with you that religions are a disease, but the difference being you think it's a relatively harmless virus whereas it is quite the opposite. It is a direct path to eternal torment.

Answer 4

It's a neurosis. Evidently homo sapiens at a low level of consciousness have a predilection for it, some dark, unexamined portion of the brain pulls it in to their experience. Fundamentalism of any religion is full-blown insanity.

Answer 5

So he too had little respect for others. That obviously includes God
No! That is an incorrect argument, you may tho argue that it is a philosophy.
Personally it is part of my philosophy!

Thanks be to God.

Answer 6

Religion is a man-made ideas. With his opinions and ideas of what they think God requires of us. But if you turn away from religion and seek God on your own. Then it will be come a relationship and then you shall grow. Religion poisons a mind, but a Relationship one on one with God, will free you. We depend on man to often for our way of life and way of thinking but if you detox your mind away from Religion and seek God on your own. He will teach you and show you what you need to know without man involved. Blessings.

Answer 7

It is... religion has distorted what it is really to be connected to God, religion brings a complex system to reach God when relation is a simple system for God to reach humans.

Answer 8

yes its like aides and mrsa and the black death

Answer 9

Damn straight