Do You Agree?

Question

With this quote from the American Nobel-prize winning physicist, Steven Weinberg:

"Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."

I don't agree with all of it, but I think he makes an interesting point in his last sentence.

Johan, you missed the key point of his statement: He says that using religion as the basis for their actions, good people can do evil things. In contrast, he explicitly state in the second sentence that without religion, inherently good people will do good things and that inherently wicked people will do bad things. Religion gets inherently good people (which Bundy and Dalmer were not) to do wicked things. You only need to look all over the Middle East to see examples of this.

Answer 1

I don't agree with him at all. The idea that religion is the catalyst that drives people into evil is insane. While people's actions are influenced by their environment, religion is certainly not fundamental in that respect. Look at people like Dahmer and Bundy. They were good people, raised by good families. Did religion cause them to commit those terrible crimes? No. It was all psychological in my opinion.

Answer 2

I read this statement over,over,over & over again just to try to understand what that guy really means.

1.Religion is an insult to human dignity.Totally disagree

2. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. 100% False and disagree!
Without it,there will be more more way more than we can ever imagine that ppl would do evil things!

3.But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
Now i read this last statement,and i have to say this is very true!!!

Answer 3

People should be careful when talking about or criticizing religion. Many athiests and various scientists often make these criticizations about religion. Although religion can be the source of violence and sometimes hate; I always say that it's just as arrogant to say a religion is needless as it is arrogant to say that it is absolutely true. Period.

We'll find out when we die anyway; why do people rush themselves?

Answer 4

I don't agree with it. I have my own belief that if people need to do good things, no reason or goal.
It's not supported by anything. And he is only human, meaning he may not have the same experiences as another person.

Answer 5

no i must disagree with that way of thinking.people who are evil will try to vindicate their actions by falsely crediting their religion with their actions, which in fact are pure evil and are based on their own ideals and interpretations. they twist the words of their religion and take them out of context to excuse their own sins.it is not anything new.it is a disgrace to any ones faith.

Answer 6

I actually believe that the first part makes more sense.... alot of sense actually.

Answer 7

i don't agree with it. it's non-sequitur. it doesn't make sense. i guess that's why there aren't many physicists who can write well, write well meaning with significant literary value.

Answer 8

Another nut job.

Answer 9

I totally agree with you.

Answer 10

sounds about right. look at the inquisition.