Religon In This World?

Question

What is the significance of religion (not God) in society? I understand it plays a vital role but is good for us?

I am asking in terms of organized religion with its rigid customs applied to society with its own secular customs let alone other religions.

Answer 1

You know what? I think that religion has muddied the waters of so many aspects of what it is to be human in ways that are terribly unkind to ourselves.
When you take the basic.....REALLY basic tenets of all the "great" religions of the world, they teach that being kind, compassionate, just, unselfish and tolerant are the only really important principles by which a society can function healthily.

The problem arises when these ideals get taken by some who profess to know what is "the truth", dissected and interpreted to absurd degrees, taught to others that what they say is, literally, word for word, out of the mouth of some Supreme Being. A particular human person, who is usually called a prophet is said to be the messenger of these words. When a list of rules based on these becomes so extensive, coloured by cultural bias, and then taught that that this or that way is exactly, word for word, every single thing that we should or should not do in our everyday lives, ghastly problems arise.
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Most organized religions have got so enmeshed in some form of petty interpretations of what they consider The Word of God, Allah, whoever their faith follows, that they utterly distort the original idea. Since they are usually convinced that theirs is the only true one, any means necessary are acceptable to ensure that only their interpretation of it is carried out.
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Unfortunately, the original ideal of the ethical treatment of others possibly contained in an original concept, gets lost in the minutiae of religious dogma, and it becomes a "sin" to diverge in the smallest way from these teachings. If the society following these are powerful, those teachings become law. Committing a sin then becomes breaking the law.....and so on.

The vital role religion has played throughout most of recorded history has, on the whole, been one that is not for the good of the race, but one of division.

So I don't think religion of itself is a necessary force for good in society. Goodness cannot be mandated, it is up to the individual to follow the dictates of their conscience. If they don't have one, due to mental abberation or conditioning, then niether belief in a particular idea of God, nor any religion, will give them one.

Although many beliefs can be good for those who intelligently use its finer ideals.... as a whole I genuinely don't think that it is, per se, a positive force in most societies.

Wow... that was a bit long winded.... but it is such a VERY complex subject it is almost impossible to express an opinion briefly!

Answer 2

Religion gives people a reason to do or not to do things. Without religion, there would be worldwide anarchy. With no consequences for what may be done, there is no reason for humankind not to follow it's animal instincts. This makes religion very important for the human race. Religion also gives people a reason to do things they would not consider. Mass genocide in the name of one's God is a good example. As long as people are willing to kill for their beliefs, religion is bad for mankind. Of course it has always been that way, civilizations forcing their will upon others. Christianity has changed so much in the last 1500 years, there is no longer many connections. Islam is the same. People change the words to fit their ideals of what God is, so no one really knows. Perhaps God could do without religion.

Answer 3

Well humans are still striving to make sense of the meaning of life.

Science doesn't really explain how the universe begins (a Big Bang is not really more satisfying than "in the beginning") and doesn't really explain why we have a sense of free will (even though science says we're just a bunch of molecules following fixed laws of physics).

So religion was the original and still sort of meaningful explanation about life.

For that reason alone I would say that it is useful in society, as not everyone can handle the abstract views of science on the subject.

Answer 4

The Truth is NOT! a religion!!! Get that threw your thick skull! If you have Jesus Christ in your heart! Than you are SAVED!!! If you don't! Than your going to be hell FIRE!!! The pure and simple TRUTH!!! Now go ahead and lose your own SOUL! if you want to! and Shut UP!!!

Answer 5

What I have seen religion is not good for people. There is just too much war among people over who's religion is right.

Answer 6

I think so, i dont really know how to explain why, but it gives you hope in a way to know that if you fail at everything, you can turn to you religion because it is impossible to fail at that. ^_^

Answer 7

people likes te idea of hope.......

and it gives reason and fill the gap of human understanding...

eg: when a criminal do something beyond common people ability to understand why,,, most blame it to the devil.

when something hapened beyond control, most said, it is God's will.