Unbelievers-do you think religion as the best way to control population?

Question

If yes, then:
Isn't it better for the people to have a '' pattern '' to follow?i mean religion is a source of morality that a HUGE amount of people wouldn't have if there weren't any religion around.
i know religion isn't a ''true'' sources of morality, sometimes the opposite. Plus, there are a lot of other sources of morality.
But isn't it better and convenient for the poor people to have this ''pattern'' of what is right? i mean, a lot of people are good because they think they are going to heaven. Why should we ruin that, and take away what they keep them out of ''delinquency''?

sorry for spelling, grammar and other mistakes..

i am from Greece.. :o]

Answer 1

I would never take away religion just for that reason. It scares me to think how many people are only good for that reason.

Answer 2

No. Law is the best way to "control" population in the manner that you described. Religion should be separate from it. Separation of church and state. That's kind of the point.

And you speak as though "poor" people are incapable of morality without religion. If religion were enough to "control" the population, we never would have had to come up with "laws" in the first place. Religion was around way longer, clearly, not working. Not that the legal system is perfect, far from it, but at least it considers everyone equal and gives everyone an equal chance at morality.

And no one wants to "ruin" other people's religion. We just don't want it shoved down our throats. I don't care if people choose to believe in heaven and believe that they need to be good in this life so that they can get into heaven, I just don't want people telling me I'm going to hell because I disagree with them. I would rather life my life well and help people in the here and now than focus on what's gonna happen to me when I die. Personally, I think that if a god is only interested in those people who worship him or her, than he or she is rather full of themselves and isn't worthy of my worship.

Answer 3

By the looks of the population in the world, it doesn't look like religion is a big enough threat to stop people from having sex and producing offspring. Afterall, they only have to ask for forgiveness and it's no longer a sin, right? I don't think religion positively impacts population control, but with the religious (not all, but some) wanting to block things like birth control, the morning after pill, and abortion, it could have a negative impact on population control.

Answer 4

So you're trying to justify superstition, myth, lying to people, and teaching them patently false things just so they'll have a "pattern" to follow? Sheesh.

No matter how marvelous the story sounds, teaching people lies is still teaching people lies. And I challenge you to show any evidence that proves any people are only "good" because they want to get to heaven...I'd bet real money you can't prove that in any way.
Look at the US: over 80% of the population claims to be christian, to follow this religion that teaches them to be good in order to get to heaven, supposedly teaches them to love everyone, forgive people who do bad things, etc. With 80% of our population following such a wonderful philosophy, you'd think we'd have a perfect society, right? But we don't -- there's plenty of crime, adultery, rape, pre-marital sex, teen pregnancy...all the things the christians teach are bad and will keep you out of heaven. And since the vast majority of the US is christian, it's the christians that are doing these things (several studies show that well over 90% of prison inmates are christian, less than 1% atheist -- so guess who's commiting the crimes?).
It's clear the christian teachings are no more effective (and in many ways LESS effective) than any other "morality" in their practical effect -- getting people to "behave." And there are so many downsides, such as preaching abstinence ONLY and forbidding sex education, then the kids have sex anyway despite the teachings, but they've never learned about birth control or condoms so they get diseases and get pregnant, *because* of christian teachings.

So basically our people are being taught lies (things that are demonstrably wrong, provable wrong), but you justfiy this by saying it helps to make them behave better, when all the evidence shows it does NOT help them behave better...
How about we try teaching truth instead of lies then? It can't do any worse, that's for sure...

Answer 5

Yes. I do admit some people cant handle the reality of no after life. However it is better if people don't model there lives on arbitrary beliefs. Religions stand in the way of progress. It blocks the way for real true answers about our world.

PS: awesome to know your from Greece!!!!!! Don't worry a lot of people have poor grammar on here. Including me!!!!

Answer 6

Religion is a very effective way to control people, beacuase you are giving them a reason. This "pattern" would require absolute control, but religion only needs to be spread. Like a virus. People have a desire to believe. It is similiar to how baby ducks follow the first thing they see (imprinting). We just want to be told how to get to the afterlife... and religion conveniently lays out a step by step surefire mehtod "As long as you donate half your land to the Catholic Church."

Answer 7

"true sources of morality" are what religion used as a pattern, and often fails to live up to, as you allude to. Religion is one of the most effective ways to control a population, right up there with Martial Law and Fascism, but I wouldn't say its the "best".

Answer 8

Are you saying that religion is only for poor people because they don't know any better?

I consider myself to be quite well educated with advanced college degrees. I make a decent living. That does not take me out the class of people who do believe in God. No, God is for all people. We are all his children. In God's eyes, I am no different than the lowliest of the lowly or the greatest of the great. I am His child as are they.

No matter what nonsensical logic anyones spews forth to the contrary, God is, always has been, and always will be. He is the binding force behind our universe. Without Him, it would all fall apart. Because of Him, it continues to operate and gives us more to study than we could ever hope to in the short lifetimes we have been given.

I would hope that all would come unto Christ and follow the pattern that He has set forth for all to follow. You don't have to be poor to follow Him.

Answer 9

Your spelling and grammer is fine...

My argument is: Why should it be poor people who should follow the word of God, and never strive for power? Religion often tells you to be 'happy with your lot'. There is a lot of wisdom in holy books, but what are we to call others 'inhuman' for their actions, when they clearly were from the start, as they ARE human beings!

Overall though, I guess I agree. Stupid, ignorant or uneducated should have some kind of law or code to basically apply themselves to. Not everyone wants to question the law, some people just want to accept it and get on with life.

Answer 10

I actually do believe in a lot of what you're saying. I refuse to be part of something that I believe is being used to control people. I don't want to be controlled!

The problem for me is when believers want to enforce their beliefs on everyone else, usually through hate and violence, as proven many times throughout history. Nonbelievers have done the same thing, so regardless of faith and beliefs, humans are violent by nature.

Answer 11

The religious do tend to kill off alot of people so in that sense it is controlling the population. Of course birth control at the start would be more humane.