I'm begging to think dare I say realise that religion seems to be the cause of alot of the worlds problems. For example if, say, we abolished Religion Bin-Laden and his cronies would have nothing to complain about, all sorry most of the problems in Isreal would be solved, and Northern Ireland would practicaly be an oasis of calm.
My question is this, Is religion more trouble then it's worth?
2007-02-06 06:58:49 · 60 answers · asked by Chris M 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
It served its purpose a long time ago when we knew very little about the world. Most superstition has since gone by the wayside, and the only holdover is religion.
Religion, though, is insidious in how it propagates, which is why it has lasted longer than the rest of the superstitions. Religion is like the flu. It changes and adapts throughout the ages to feed on whatever culture it is in. It primarily uses the indoctrination of children to keep it going. Then later in life, it plays on human insecurities to keep that bond. It manipulates feelings of guilt, love, hate, shame, intolerance, and defensiveness to gain and keep converts.
Religion's greatest virtue is in its ability to organize people to do good. There are some teachings from various religions that are wise. However, religion is also good at organizing people to do evil. And many of the teachings are superstitious holdouts from a highly patriarchal society. Perhaps most, if not all, wars are primarily fought over nationalism and greed. However, they have been spurred to greater acts of slaughter because of religious zeal, and last a lot longer because the people following the religions have been programmed to follow and distrust others besides their leaders.
These days, religion is not needed. It makes for poor outdated morality. Religious people tend to be morally lazy. They're told what is good and bad by their leaders, discouraged from questioning the lessons, and never told why something is good or bad except for the default "God said so". It makes for more intolerance in this world, which becomes even less appropriate as the world shrinks. It also retards progress in scientific learning by throwing up roadblocks to anything that opposes their indoctrination.
2007-02-06 07:01:59 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 6⤊ 5⤋
Yeah, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with wanting to have beliefs, but when it comes down to it, look at the religions that are centred on the bible at least.... It is nothing more than a book, a book with several contributors of short stories, those who believe that the bible is the precise word of god haven't exactly looked at the list of authors.
Especially Fundamentalist Christians - you really need to bring logic to your thoughts every once in a while.
Religion is about forgiveness and acceptance? Which is why they don't like gays, other religions, and condone strict (or not so strict) codes that tell people how to live their lives... Surely if it's about acceptance, they should be able to ACCEPT the different ways that people live their lives.
I have never believed in religion and never will. I'm grateful to have come on here and found like-minded people.
Religion is the cause of most problems.... What is, overall, at the base of terror attacks?
The divisions in Ireland?
You make a good point. Well done.
2007-02-06 07:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it would be more accurate to say that religious dogma, or institution is where the problem lies.
Most religions start off as a good idea. If you compare the core beliefs of most of today's faiths you'll find a simple moral framework. Be nice to others and they'll be nice to you. The construction of God figures comes from our need to feel that there's someone bigger than us, someone with a plan who will make it alright. In that, we're just children, looking up to our parents for answers.
The problem starts when you take that simple framework and complicate it with laws and hierarchies that say you can only get to God this way, through me. The more you build on it, raise houses of worship to the sky, clothe your priests in riches, make your faith an object of power and discrimination, the farther you get from that good idea. Then a faith becomes an excuse to show just how petty and excluding human beings can be. Then you get people using religion for their own ends, like Osama Bin Laden, like the IRA, and all other fundamental flag-wavers.
I think the answer is to find your own path to the Divine. Never mind all the pomp and ceremony of established religions. Work out your own morality, find your own good idea. That way, if you go mental and climb a watchtower with a gun, no-one can use it as an excuse to blame an entire group of people. It's all on you.
2007-02-06 07:32:51 · answer #3 · answered by queenbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion, as a concept, is supposed to help bring people together, however the problem occurs when one religon thinks they are superior or "the only true religion". This is what upsets me with Christianity. We condemn others for not believeing in the same faith as we do and we fight over who is right. What we should realize is that there is no way to know if one is right and another is wrong. Christianity may not be the way and people shold understand that. Now i'm not saying you shouldn't believe in your faith, you should if it's important to you, but moreover we should all respect each other for having different beliefs and see them as equals. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, all religions are merely ways to help us feel secure in a frightening world. If we all could respect each other's beliefs and not force them on others i believe we would be closer to peace. Religion is not meant to be a problem however when people are unwilling to accept others' opinions they lash out because they don't understand.
2007-02-06 07:16:52 · answer #4 · answered by Felix8 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to a certain extent yes, but then the people in the world fighting because of religion are the small minded ones who can't accept that there are other religions. To them, their religion is right and anyone who doesn't agree is bad. People have thier own views and values.
Personally I think that if people could just get on with their lives and believe in what they choose to believe in, then the world would be a better place. Religion has an impact on people's lives. Those who choose to believe seek to become better people by helping others and that is good, they seek god (whoever that might be) because its what they want. Religion brings comfort to those who seek it and its a good thing.
2007-02-06 07:15:26 · answer #5 · answered by Bef 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The communists in Russia tried to do away with religion, but people still felt in their hearts and minds that their had to be more to life and Christianity flourished, although underground. Same thing in China, even today. Most religious people deplore violence, those who promote it are the loud minority. If there was no religion, what would you base laws on? How would you agree what was right or wrong? You would end up with total moral relativism and eventual anarchy and chaos.
2007-02-06 07:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by snapoutofit 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can I say that, if there was no religion will the world be a better place? Or in other words without a LAW will the people live in peace? No my dare, religion is a law but what happens is that law become corrupted when it changes. For intense if you did not have a law how will you determine right from wrong. God set a law a longtime ago called the Ten commandments (Exodus 20)but during the course of history people change the law to suit their being. God said 'Thou shall love their brother as thy self' Bin Ladin say We shall destroy the Jewish poeple. Northern Ireland as well fail to love one of another because the law was change. That Why God said I will send my son Jesus Christ to die for the world so tha they could come in peace and inherit erternal life. that includes you and me. Have you keep the law? Compare your life with the law of God? If you kept it well done but if not ask Jesus into your life.
2007-02-06 07:39:34 · answer #7 · answered by Gentile 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people involved with a religion of some kind or another would say NO. I say, No. Even aithiests have a belief that there is no all powerful god, so even they, if they are honest, have a religion, of sorts. Every one has to be honest. No, religion is not more trouble than it is worth.
2007-02-06 07:07:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is not the problem...sectarianism is. A lot is blamed on religion but I feel we have failed to recognize that those who have extreme views believe in a secular world where physical domination rules. All religions teach that earth is a half-way house and no religious person would be dim enough to fight for that which is fleeting. Religion is as abused by sectarians as diminished responsibility is by serial murderers/ repeat offenders. It makes me sad that something so wholesome has become the weapon of choice. What a pity!
2007-02-06 07:26:49 · answer #9 · answered by kahahius 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree religion has a lot to answer for re: wars etc and If it was abolished that would perhaps help.
But saying that it not really religion per se that's to blame only the people who wish to force their own opinions down other peoples throats instead of keeping whatever beliefs they hold private.
Hope this helps
2007-02-06 08:30:18 · answer #10 · answered by Zenlife07 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋