Does religion limit your worldview?

Question

Why does it seem like people who are religious filter out other views and it often makes them very narrowminded. I think there is alot of good that comes from religion but also alot of bad such as wars and cruel punishments from religious based governments.

Answer 1

No my religion does not limit my worldview. In fact my religious beliefs help me understand many things that are happening in the World.

Answer 2

There has to be a balance on that. Some people warp scripture and religion to bring about their own desires, even when it may go against what is Biblical. The other things is that religions is universalist and doesn't mesh well with post-modern thinking. If it did, most religions would be worthless. If a Christian's view on eternity is right, with the claims made in the Bible which absolute, how can a Muslim be right, with the claims in the Qua'ran which also are absolute. Both can not be right with such claims that have very specific guidelines. Now the questions is, how will the two groups such as this choose to co-exist?

Answer 3

Religion does not limit my world view. And it's normal for every one, not just religious to filter out views if we don't believe them. There's nothing wrong with being narrow minded if it follows the spiritual path you are living. It is true there is much good that comes from religion.

Most people have a world view that is limited to just the area they live in and affect the lives of people they live with. As for me personally when I pray I think about the world I live in and the people in it. For that is the way God sees the world also..

Answer 4

The final chapter of "The God Delusion" is called "THE MOTHER OF ALL BURKAS" which is pretty RISQUÉ in the current climate following the remarks of Mr Man O' Straw about lady Muslims and their veils.

Professor Richard, however, was using this as a _metaphor_: the narrow eye slit covered with gauze, represents how very, very _tiny_ and distorted is our perspective on the universe, limited as it is by the very small part of the spectrum of light that we are able to see (which is obviously called _visible_light_) and by the very small range of scales: of size or speed, with which we are familiar and able to imagine.

How much wider, and deeper and broader is the true scope of the universe that _science_ reveals to our minds' eyes, asks Professor Richard. From the microscopic world of the electron up to the billions of bacteria at one end and from the scale of planets and stars to the truly cosmic span of the universe at the other.

Do not be restricted by the narrow vision that the enfolding "burka" imposes: feel free to shed the confining cloth and step into a whole new universe of sensation and exploration, of discovery and wonder!

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Some religions oppose science - so they insist the burka be left in place.

Answer 5

Religion does not limit your worldwide view at all. It teaches one to embrace all people and to treat them with respect. However, it limits the things that are acceptable. Some people take this filtering process to the max, we call those people extremist, eventhough they may have the best intentions in mind, In that they believe that the end justifies the means. Basically some people mess things up for everyone else!

Answer 6

‘The only means of strengthening one’s intellect is to make up one’s mind about nothing—to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts.’
— John Keats

I think there is real truth in this Keats quote and it's very relavent to your point. It seems that religious folks have already made their minds up about a great many things, and that does indeed cut them off from expanding their mind and learning more. It also breeds intolerance for those different.

Answer 7

Your world view is how you view things, and you've shared one of yours. It seems that you should have said what religion your talking about. America is based on Christianity and America is the most giving, supportive and well off nation in the world, protectors of peace and rights of others. Others that seem to impose their world view of dictatorships and control through fear, anger, greed and ignorance.
All Governments have some type of religion, every one believes in something even if it's self. And self is the most cruel.

Answer 8

There is no consensus among researchers as to the best methodology for determining the religiosity profile of the world's population. A number of fundamental aspects are unresolved:

Whether to count "historically predominant religious culture[s]"[7]
Whether to count only those who actively "practice" a particular religion[8]
Whether to count based on a concept of "adherence"[9]
Whether to count only those who expressly self-identify with a particular denomination[10]
Whether to count only adults, or to include children as well (see God Delusion#Childhood.2C abuse and the escape from religion)
Whether to rely only on official government-provided statistics [11]
Whether to use multiple sources and ranges or single "best source(s)"

Answer 9

War is realy not a product of religion. Terrorism may be a product of a bizarre idea of what religion is. My world view is by no means limited and I can see the world with my physical eyes. just as anyone else but rather than be limited my view is expanded by my faith as I can also see spiritual things.

Answer 10

Many times a religion or its tenets have been used as excuses to destroy the land and kill the innocent and the guilty. The narrower and more literally the books and saying of a religion's tenets the easier and more rationalization can be used for intimidation and destruction without compassion or guilt.