What has religion contributed that is worthwhile to society?

Question

I know that people claim their religion or god is the greatest, but the one thing you always hear is the fear, fear, fear, you will die & burn for sins or wrongs that you do.

Then they turn around and tell you that wrongs are not your fault because you cannot be perfect no matter how hard you try. In fact, that is impossible to live a life without doing wrongs.

Rather than trying to help people overcome their wrongs, they are far more content to destroy anyone who has done the slightest "wrong", while totally ignoring any wrong in their life.

Religion is all based on fear, & fear is a religion of control.

Has religion anything to offer besides fear?

Answer 1

Hope is the only positive thing i can think of, after that fear, hate, discrimination, condemning, judging, evangelicals, and Islamic fundamentalists

Answer 2

This is a very good guestion. I belive that the reason for the threat of burning in hell is to make people stop and think before chosing what path they are going to take. I belive in a "greater power, higher being, God ". I have gone to many different churches, Read the different versions of the bible. The conclusion I have come to is this,
I am in no posion to judge anyone. I am not perfect, and have made many mistakes my self. I belive in the long run we where ment to learn from our mistakes, to become better people. I do not belive that shoving religion down anyone throut. If I am asked I will share my experiances with others. If I have a friend that I belive needs help or guidance, I simple refer to my own experiances and how I tryed to handle them and how it worked out for me. I would never make that person feel like they are no good or that they are going to burn in hell for a mistake they made. As far as society goes, I belive that the religion gives us a bases for good morals. Our country was established on the freedom of religion, no matter what religion that may be. Look around you and see what the world is coming to, it's a mess and I belive that is due to a lack of religion being taught to our youth. The moral fiber of this country is a mess. Our youth have no respect for them self or others. They have no manners, they have little values. They have no idea what it means to help someone with out being paid for it. There whole attitude is why should I help, or worse f- that what do I get out of it. so the bottom line in my opion is yes it has a lot to offer besides fear! Morals............If nothing eles.

Answer 3

Hello and a good question might be how as YOUR religion made any difference in your world, and no when God uses the word fear it is in the meaning of RESPECT, God The Father was addressed by The Second Member of The Godhead as Abba which means papa or daddy, and as far as a religious person making any difference what do you do with the Live, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that life has and does make a difference yes i still have my faults but i've a light at the end of my dark tunnel which is death, by the way death is in your future, what light without Jesus do you see, want to learn more find out free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org email me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 4

I think the rise in scientific thinking came from the fact that religious dogma makes little to no sense. Just a conclusion I drew for myself, but if it's true at all, I'd say that would be the single--only--worthwhile contribution religion has ever made on society.

Answer 5

Many religions have a great deal to offer besides fear. For example, joy, love, beauty, truth . . . fear is not significant to my own path, which is generally called Wicca.

Answer 6

not necessarily all religions,but theistic religions generally do....theravadha buddhism is the most sensible form to me(that's atheistic),but it takes some time and patience to understand all of buddhist teachings...it's quite complex but all is worth in the end..atleast i found so :)

Answer 7

I pretty much agree with you. I am very anti-religion, but not anti-"god".

The only thing that I think that ever comes from it is charitable work on their behalf.

Answer 8

Oh yeah. Guilt, don't forget guilt.

Answer 9

It set up all of our laws and morality. I think you should be thankful for that

Answer 10

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.