does religion really matter?

Question

i wonder why people obsess and fight over things they cant control, people need to focus on the now rather than the past or future. does it matter where we go after we die? if we try to be good people then i dont think it should matter who or what you worship.

Answer 1

You probably cherish your right to believe whatever you wish to believe. So does almost everyone else. By exercising this right, earth's six billion inhabitants have produced an amazing diversity of beliefs. Like the variations in color, shape, texture, taste, smell, and sound that we find in creation, differing beliefs often add interest, excitement, and enjoyment to life. Such variety can, indeed, be the spice of life.-Psalm 104:24.
BUT there is a need for caution. Some beliefs are not only different but also dangerous. Early in the 20th century, for example, some people came to believe that Jews and Freemasons had plans to "disrupt Christian civilization and erect a world state under their joint rule." One source of this belief was an anti-Semitic tract entitled Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. The tract alleged that the plans included advocating excessive taxation, promoting armament production, encouraging giant monopolies so that 'Gentile wealth could be destroyed in one blow.' Allegations also included manipulating the education system so as to 'turn Gentiles into unthinking beasts,' and even constructing underground railways to join capital cities so that the Jewish elders could 'quell any opposers by blowing them sky-high.'
These, of course, were lies-designed to inflame anti-Semitic feelings. 'This preposterous fiction,' says Mark Jones of the British Museum, 'spread abroad from Russia,' where it first appeared in a newspaper article in 1903. It reached The Times of London on May 8, 1920. More than a year later, The Times exposed the document as a fake. In the meantime, the damage had been done. 'Lies like these,' says Jones, 'are hard to suppress.' Once people accept them, they produce some very jaundiced, poisonous, and dangerous beliefs-often with disastrous consequences, as the history of the 20th century has shown.-Proverbs 6:16-19.
Belief Versus Truth
Of course, it does not take deliberate lies to develop mistaken beliefs. At times, we just misread things. How many people have met untimely deaths doing something they believed was right? Then again, often we believe a thing simply because we want to believe it. One professor says that even scientists "often fall in love with their own constructions." Their beliefs becloud their critical judgment. Then they may spend a lifetime in vain trying to shore up mistaken beliefs.-Jeremiah 17:9.
Similar things have happened with religious beliefs-where immense contradictions exist. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4) One man has deep faith in God. Another says that the man is only "weaving faith out of moonshine." One maintains that you have an immortal soul that survives death. Another believes that when you die you cease to exist, totally and completely. Obviously, conflicting beliefs like these cannot all be true. Is it not the course of wisdom, then, to make sure that what you believe actually is true and not simply what you want to believe? (Proverbs 1:5) How can you do that? Bible study is the way, research

Answer 2

First off, I'm atheist, so here it is from my point of view.

1) Q: I wonder why people obsess and fight over things they can't control.
A: Because it's human nature to be in control of your own destiny. People like to say they'll leave it to fate/faith; what have you, but they still NEED control.

2) People need to focus on the now, rather than the past or future.

I agree wholeheartedly. What we decide today WILL effect tomorrow, but the thing is, we learn from the past so that we don't make the same mistakes today, so we can make sound decisions towards the future.

3) Q: Does it matter where we go after we die?
A: For religious folk it does. There's this place called Hades where they don't want to go. Where one will exist in agony and despair for all eternity. Not Club Med, that's for sure. I'm glad I don't suffer from delusions like that.

4) If we try to be good people then I don't think it should matter who or what you worship.

BINGO! Being a good person and having a positive role in society doesn't require you to take a knee to pay homage to any diety. I'm no believer, but it doesn't mean I'm a crappy human being and neither are you. Believing in yourself is what matters most imo.

Answer 3

People are always going to fight over what they believe in. Some religions are more extreme then others and in some cases they believe they were born for a certain reason. I have to disagree that we should only think about the now. I believe that we are eternal beings who take on a physical form for a short period of time. After we die we will still actually be living in spirit. I am a christian and I believe in heaven and hell. It is not about being a good person as to where you will go, but rather if you worship Christ and live your life as God wants us to.

Answer 4

Xenos...I like your head space. Personally I believe you are right. But don't dismiss religion so easily, not everyone has your clarity of thought. Just like prisons and the vast majority of people who actually belong there. Some people need the dogma of the more enlightened to guide them along there path. Without religions these people would never ultimately arrive at the simple truths that you apparently posses already. Perhaps humility is a another truth you may wish to explore.

Answer 5

Actually, most of the world's problems are caused by people only concerned with the now who ignore the lessons of the past and thereby will repeat the same errors in the future.

Answer 6

I feel that I must agree with you.... belief is nothing more than belief, right or wrong.

How it matters, (and it does matter quite seriously,) is not that one group has it's ducks in a row and is correct while the others don't and are wrong; but instead, the ultimate matter is that there are divided groups in the first place - that they exist - groups who have traditionally been at each other's throats and who show the potential for repeating that unrest again and again and again...... And why? As you ask, "Dose religion really matter [that much]?

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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Answer 7

I think people should just live a good life and have fun and not worry too much about what afterlife may or may not come.

Answer 8

that's the element of his faith that scares people. He supposedly attended this "Black Church" who continuously promotes racism/opposite racism. It teaches hatred. additionally, with the Muslim faith, the worst terrorists interior the worldwide discover help in sects of the Muslim faith. the two a form of examples are undesirable information for a worldwide chief. additionally, as undesirable simply by fact the middle East is, it would be worse if we pull help from Israel.

Answer 9

no religion is bad,every religion teaches good,to be a good person is to follow your religion and most important is a good person is onewho follows a religon,religion is your identity so this is what makes you feel good and do good with others.your good mentioned ideas also come from your religion.

Answer 10

well, religion doesn't matter in this case . it's all about human being and their selfishness for all this to happen...religion is a support and guideline for us to remain healthy and be a good person.