Do you think people are turning away from religion, nowadays? Do you think religion helps, or harms?

Question

I'm interested in hearing anyone's opinion. Personally, I think that it does well to form a bond between people and create a moral structure for society, but I think it harms in that it creates conflict among different groups, and is also used as a tool to restrain people, and keep followers from thinking for themselves. I also think it may provide false information, based on what people believe - death, the meaning of life, the creation of the earth, et al. I'm interested in hearing all opinions, so I can better sculpt my own. Thanks.

Answer 1

On a whole christians are taught to be nice people etc, As an Atheist I have no problem with it. It is when they start forcing their beliefs onto others it is harful.

Answer 2

I agree it can either help or harm, depending on how it's used. In this way, it's like everything else in the world. It is only what it is, it's people to make it good or bad.

It is good for bonding a community and sharing wisdom, perhaps giving some people some guidelines if they aren't able to manage their own lives well.

It is bad not only for the divisiveness you speak of, but for people who are very wrong to believe themselves right in imposing their will on others. Prime example: Pres. Bush, who thinks God talks to him and wants him to 'stay the course' no matter what it costs others.

Also it's been used often as a tool of social control... and likewise abused as a tool of social control, which is very easy to do.

I think religion should be personal, experiential, and individual, where it does the most good. I dislike people trying to legislate their morals, when many of the morals are not shared by others. Rational thought produces the same types of beneficial morals as what deities hand out. We just need to help people become smart enough to realize this.

Answer 3

Religion can be harmful - but it is not inherently so. In general, it is harmful to the degree that it misinforms policy, or clouds our individual crtitical faculties. And, as you point out, it creates stubborn, and often violently hostile, divisions. Of course on this last point it should be noted that even without religion we have no problem coming up with absurd concepts to hate others.

But aside from these "big issues," it's pretty clear to this atheist that Sister Mary, whose day consists of taking care of orphans and teaching, cannot be classified as "harmful." And my dear freind, the Lutheran minister, who's spent most of his life raising money for a hospital, has a sense of humanity beyond any reproach.

And then there are God's blowhards and dogmatists whose sole mission in life is to make sure sinners understand they are just a heartbeat away from eternal fire for not "accepting Jesus." Even that wouldn't be so bad - after all, is there anything funnier than the sound of self-rightesousness? What makes them harmful is their desire to create a theocratic world, which can result in anti-human, and anti-science political action.

Lastly I would suggest that a careful reading of anthropology and psychology would reveal that moral structures and religion are related - but in a direction opposite to what you imply. Religions codify and reflect human morality. They certainly do NOT create it or maintain it.

The best of luck in your search for truth.

Answer 4

Religion is a matter of choice, but the choices we make are sometimes not healthy for us mentally or physically. Conflicts sometimes are good as it opens eyes and causes dialog to happen. We are human and we err, (God gave us this choice to make it is not forced) In today's age people are thinking on their own and coming to the conclusion they seek for themselves, this is not always the right way according to some. but, a belief system is in place for those who seek God. May God Bless the believers and non-believers alike.

Answer 5

that's how you know God isn't in religion. Yes people are tired of religion, they are tired of phniness, they are tired of people who claim to know Christ but yet are mean and hateful in their hearts. Who woudln't give you a dollar if the had a million. But the thing about it is, people look at other people"christians" and not God. I can't focus on people, because let's face it, people made religion what it is. So much rules and laws that God never ordered. So I know I'm one who have turned away from religion, but I drew closer and closer to God. I let Him , owrk on me, that's more than I can say for ANYBODY chuchy. But don't be fooled, God knows them too, that's why it says in the bible, where at that day people will be crying and shocked when they asked Jesus, well didn't we do this in your name, and didn't we do that in your name, and this is what Jesus says to them , Depart from me you worker of iniquity, I know you not. That's not the sinner or the atheists He's talkign to, but those who go to church Sundday after Sunday, but yet have form religion, and not a relationship with God. So I say that to say this, seek after God, not some man made religion that's not even under God's leading. Be Blessed!

Answer 6

I think people are turning away from religion,mostly because when young people become parents they don't always follow tradition.Not because they don't want to but because they are working all the time trying to support their children.I guess it's harder now a days fo find the right religion.I don't know myself.

Answer 7

NO. Nine years ago I joined a "new" Church that had split from its parent church. Five years ago we build a new church. Today we are putting on a addition to the church. Just to many people want to here the word of God. Fading away,
I think NOT.

Answer 8

psychologically it helps to make people feel safe

culturally it harms because it divids people and creates hate