Isn't religion rather degrading?

Question

I've been to church a few times in my life - weddings, baptisms etc. - and I'm struck by how religion seems to degrade and debase people. This is Church of England so it's really pretty innocuous but even so, I cringe at the attitude that we're all worthless sinners, incapable of doing anything decent without divine help, and fit only to worship and grovel before God. It's genuinely quite disturbing and distasteful. People should have a little more self-respect. Do you agree?

CheshireCat: Yep, it's a real guinea pig (by the name of Crystal).

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Answer 1

I would have said _thoroughly_ degrading.

The CoE may be tame as religions go; nevertheless they also purport to follow the man who insisted, "If you don't hate your family for my sake, then you have no love for me" (paraphrase).

We're expected to give up what's nearest and dearest to us, for the sake of something that we can't even understand. And we're not to question this or express doubt, nor even to give it any real thought -- just believe.

In other words, we're expected to give up what makes us human.

I repeat: Thoroughly degrading.

Answer 2

People should have not only a little more self- respect but a *lot* more self respect. When a religion gets reduced to "empty rituals" and "hollow words", and practiced only for a few hours on certain days of the week, and on certain special occasions, it is a sure sign of the death of that religion. A religion that degrades and debases people should be abandoned immediately.
The natural cycle of all things in life is to have a birth, a time of growth, a maturity, give fruits and then old age and death. Every religion goes through this cycle.
It doesn't mean that the moral and spiritual teachings brought by the founder of that religion are no longer valid. It only means that people after a long time, - 2000 and in some cases even more years - forget what the true meaning of those teachings were and start adding their own dogmas and superstitions to the body of those teachings, up to a point where the initial truth is no longer visible anywhere. So religion instead of being the practice of moral virtues all day and every day gets reduced to listening to a sermon for a few minutes, once in a while.
Religion must to be the cause of love, unity, harmony and friendship between all the people, all the races, all the nations of the earth. If not, it is better not to have any religion at all.
It is only when we leave the decision of our moral and spiritual development in the hands of others, when we don't assume personally the responsibility for our own spiritual growth that we reach the present state.

Answer 3

It's the worst form of degradation. It blatantly makes one a sheep (Isn't Jesus suppose to be the 'good shepherd'?) And then makes the sheep think that they're not a sheep at all. It takes away ones ability to reason and leaves them open to suggestion. Of course that's EXACTLY the way the government likes them. They're more pliable that way. They go along with whatever it decides, and it's true that they do. Look at what the U.S. Government is doing right now! We have a new kind of American Fascism going on and as it was once said by someone very wise, "When Fascism comes to America it will be waving the flag and holding a cross".

And people willingly go along just as they do with the nonsense that religion spouts.

Answer 4

I think some forms of religion are degrading like that. But fortunately, not all forms are. I had not even noticed how worthless I thought I was as a Christian until I started believing in Judaism, which has a much more positive view of the human being.

Answer 5

It depends on the religion.

In Wicca, there is no concept of "sin" in the Christian sense, and mankind is not considered "fallen" in any way. In fact, all are considered children of the God and Goddess, inherently worthy simply by virtue of being alive.

At our services, at least around these parts, one of the first things we do is to trace a sacred symbol on each others' foreheads with consecrated water, look each other directly in the eyes, and state: "Thou are Goddess" (or God, in the case of a male worshippper). In so doing, we recognize in each other an inherent sacredness and quality of the divine. This is about as far away from "degrading" as I can possibly imagine.

Answer 6

I am not religious, I am a child of GOD. There is a difference, you know. I worship my LORD because of his gift of life and love to me, a sinner. I praise him because of his ongoing gifting in my life. I can do nothing without him. I think I can sometimes and as most of humanity think they are doing awesome things by themselves. We are quite deluded in that aspect. We had nothing to do with being born and really have nothing to do with the day we die and meet our maker. I pray that you will pick up the HOLY BIBLE and be opened minded enough to see the message that is there for you and accept his promises. The so called attitude of being worthless sinners is not an attitude at all, IT IS THE TRUTH.

Answer 7

Im glad you posted this. Ive got sick of hearing people on yahoo answers and in real life say how people are filled with sin and that we suffer because of two people.

We were not made by a god we came to existance through millions of years of evolution and we are not full of sin but just instincts that are slowly decreasing in effect as mankind moves on.

Thats why we still experience back problems its because we are still learning to walk on two legs.

Plus when i read all the news about medical break-throughs you can see how much potential we have.

Answer 8

Going by what you said, yes I agree. However, my church experiences have not been degrading. I find most visits to church very positive and uplifting. I feel humbled and closer to all people. It makes my heart soft and more loving. For me, church has always been a beautiful time, even the funerals.

Answer 9

purely the ignorant make such claims. Islam has liberated women persons from its' inception throughout the time of the time of the prophet(observed). what is going down on the 2nd isn't something yet propaganda from people who hate the modesty that Islam brings. As you have already performed venture all and any of the skeptics to teach a woman who chosen Islam via her own will who's being oppressed via her faith. there is not any the place in the Quran or hadith that condones the abuse of girls persons be they Muslim or in any different case. the place there are documented circumstances of Muslim women persons being abused that's via people who do not observe the sanctions imposed via Islam be they muslim or in any different case. regardless of each and all of the nasty comments approximately Muslim women persons being oppressed in this alluring deen they nevertheless come to Islam, so ultimately what does that say with reference to the mis-appropriations being reported approximately women persons being oppressed in Islam and the mentality of those putting forth this evil propaganda ?

Answer 10

The term religion is very vague. Yet, I do agree with your observation. We are not worthless sinners. We are beautiful points of light just like our creator. We often get confused and misguided, but are by no means worthless sinners.