Do you think that there is an ulterior motive to religion?

Question

If so, what and why? Please try to use examples & back yourselves up. If not, then please address arguments mentioned & explain.

Answer 1

Yes. People judge others on how religiously correct they are. It is called legalism & condemnation. So, there isn't the freedom in Christ in religious rules & dogma.

Christianity is a relationship with God restored through Grace of God. Not by being righteous enouph to receive it. Christ is our righteousness.

Answer 2

yes religion is simply a tool used to matiain social order

you look at every major religion there is a common them: punishment or rewards in the next life based on how well you lived this life. now this next life often varries for some religions after you die you simply go to a heaven or hell like place while in others you reincarnate here on earth. if there was not this constant fear of eventual punishment society would quicly degrade for many would simply seize whatever they could here on earth and not have any reason to fear about the consequnces since these things that they would reach for would allow them to live a pleasureful life on earth and there was no other life to be worried about. people would very likely think that "well were all gonna die one day so why not have as much fun for myself until then" and then completly disregard the well being of everyone.

however i think a distinction needs to be made between religion and faith. like i said religion is simpl a neccesary tool to keep order in society but faith is ones personal communcaiton with God for no other purpose then to get to know him and love him better and then share this joy with someone else.

Answer 3

I think religion arises from a very basic human desire. We are neurologically compelled to believe in something, and religion is a way that these beliefs can be expressed. I believe that most religions begin as a sincere desire to make contact with something greater than oneself. Self-transcendence is a very valuable thing.

Generally, religions develop leaders who devote a great deal of time to the consideration and study of man's relationship with the infinite. This is not a bad thing at all.

However, these leaders are humans, and as the religion attracts more followers, the human flaw that concerns power begins to assert itself. Lord Acton wrote that power corrupts, and as more and more people look to the leader for the "truth," and are willing to surrender more and more to him, he becomes powerful and therefore corrupt.

This is just a sort of thumbnail sketch of what happens, but if you look at the history of most religions, you will see the pattern emerge again and again.

Answer 4

the short answer to your question is yes. but one shouldn't generalize what ulterior motives to religions affect things now, but it is somewhat the case I would say that protestants, catholics, muslims, jews, etc. all have interior motives to there religions and this has been true since the dawn of time. If you look at the most religious people of any major religion what you will notice is they DO NOT by any means live up to the moral values of their religion.

Answer 5

Money is a big factor. There aren't any (or many) poor churches that I can think of. With money comes power and influence. Churches today (and always, for that matter) have used money to support political campaigns and the kickback from that is when the politician is successful in getting elected, then he can pass bills that are sympathetic towards the church. Churches are greedy, therefore the more members they can convert, the more revenue they generate.

Answer 6

To control the masses, of course!

It's an easy way to create a large group of people with the same convictions. Using those convictions, you can coerce them into doing things they wouldn't do for any other cause, like go to war. You can coerce them into giving you money for the "greater good," such as sending missionaries to convert the locals.

The Vatican has an intake of billions of dollars each year. It's a business, pure and simple.

Answer 7

Yes! Most emphatically. Satan invented religion to cover up the one true faith in the only real almighty God, in order to cause as many humans as he possibly could, to be deceived, die and end up in the 'lake of fire' that burns for eternity!
There are many religions and you will notice that none of them address the 'sin' issue and backslided state of mankind. Only Christianity addresses the sinful nature of man, and offers a solution to this problem we all face. The solution of course, is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the 'lamb of God' who takes away the sins of the world!!!PTL
No man inspired religion can ever get someone into God's Heaven but they sure can help you find to 'other place'!

Answer 8

I think there can but, but it is not always so. For example, when the Catholic Church fobid priests to marry it was because Priest were passing church property to their heirs instead of back to the Church. Best way to stop that? Eliminate Heirs.

Answer 9

I don't have time for examples. I have to cook supper. But of course it is meant as a method of controlling the masses and making money

Answer 10

Since the beginning of man there always has been. Political. Power struggles, killing off others that is not yours......