Is religion love and kindness?

Question

If religion is supposed to be all love, kindness, compassion, the root our good morals, how do you explain the following:

Why does religion encourage violence, genocide, racism, hatred, murder, sexual and psychological abuse, corruption, dominance, political power, imperialism, wars, ambition, ignorance and arrogance? Take a look at history and open your eyes.

What I mention above is true; it has happened and there's no doubt about it. it continues happening.

Thanks goodness I'm a secular humanist.

Before you start judging and bashing, take a look at the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism

What does it say? Is it wrong to believe in what I believe?
Don't you want this for you and your kids?

I believe in:

This life - A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
Ethics - A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
Building a better world - A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

Gary,

lol. Look who is speaking, buddy! Arrogance and ignorance at their most.

You don't what a secular humanist is, do you?

K,

What God? There are millions invented gods- Apollo and Zeus being two of them. Do you agree?

Enchanted Gypsy and i.c.,

Thanks for your answers!

HolyLamb,

According to you, what is the true religion?

All religions say the same. All monotheistic religious people often say "my religion is the True Religion and my God is the Only True God"

Trust_Jesus,

Thanks for your advice, but I don't trust the Christian church.
I do respect the character of Jesus. Respect.

Trust_Jesus,

Your comments are powerful. Thank you for mentioning that religion is not God's creation. That makes the image of God more fair.

Answer 1

It is true that some people who profess Christianity have been guilty of many things in the name of religion in the past. But the Bible says that God is love. His son, Jesus lived his life in a way that demonstrated this great love.
Let's put it this way, say you are doing a lot to help your fellow man and some cousin in your family decides to be a serial killer. Would it be fair for everyone to judge you based on what your cousin did? Of course not! Those people who professed knowing Christ and did all those things did not know him. If they did, they would have lived their lives differently. Then you have to consider that those who misrepresented God will have to be accountable for this one day. The Bible says all will stand before the judgment seat and give an account!Just because God loves us does not mean we are not subject to judgment! He must judge sin! He is also a just God!
Those that really know God and his son Jesus know how to love! This is because Christ showed us. We love because He first loved us! The Bible says the Lord counts the hairs on our heads and rejoices over us with singing! There will be a time when the Bible says He will personally wipe every tear from our eyes and comfort us! What an awesome God! I want my kids to know the love of God. There really is nothing else like it! I want them to know they are children of the Most High and that they are so precious to Him that He sent His only son to redeem them! I want them to have the comfort of knowing He sits on the throne! The same God that formed the stars is the One who is interested in their lives and the One they can turn to at all times! If God be for us......
God bless you!

Answer 2

Religion is a doctrine of a church, which I often disagree with, people are greedy, so they take advantage of their position and corrupt the church. But true God, and his son Jesus are all about Love.
Jesus didn't encourage any of the things you listed. Before you start judging and bashing, take a look at the following:

Jesus replied, "you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Also read Matthew 23:1-6

Anyone who claims to have favor with God, yet is greedy and prideful, caring for no one but themselves does not have favor with God, and I assure you, the Lord will judge them justly.

Yes, religion is often the center of conflict, many people are power hungry hipocrites. And I try not to be one of them.

The God that they claim to follow however, is full of Love and compassion.

Get to know Jesus, then you will see the truth.

Answer 3

Yes, true religion is. God is love. God is kind and generous. God's mercy and lovingkindness endures forever.

But I would say that you are a little skewed in your idea of history. Christianity has done more to increase education, human rights, hospitals, generosity, peace, humility, understanding and love than any other religion or belief system, ever.

At the same time, if our religion does not make us better people, it will make us very much worse. There is no man worse than a religious bad man. And that is the honest truth.

Answer 4

God didn't make religion. But I do think he makes your heart and mind to work in the way that is does. (with ideals, open-ness, compassion, exploration, enjoying goodness and beauty)

Seems to me that you should be thankful for not ever getting wrapped up in a religion, which we know is a popular fall-back for many people at some point in their lives.

Answer 5

Sounds like more should be Wiccan. No witch has ever killed or started a war "in the name of God",
We will not reject someone because of what race creed, religion or political affiliation they are. We believe 100% that what we do will come back times 3, and the rede "Do as thou wilt an in it harm none."
I don't know why so many have a problem with that.
BB
)O(

Answer 6

There is and should be a place for this to improve ourselves.

With Spirit there is a different dimension to understanding and it's not dogma, it's an inner knowing that can't be verified except to the one filled with spirit and it doesn't have to be.

Answer 7

God is about love, kindness and compassion. We get good morals through following God's commandments.

Religion is a whole different story.

Answer 8

Loving-kindness is practice of God's goodness not rules, regulation by falable men controlling in fear of death, hellfire, Armageddon etc.

Answer 9

Its Politics in an ethical way.

Answer 10

Apparently you are totally ignorant of the teachings of Jesus Christ...

go read scripture Pal.....before making an ignoramous of yourself.