(This is not for people who don't know what 'scourge' means)
Think about religious demagoguery leading to violence and war. How about imposition of religious beliefs leading to war and massacre? How about overpopulation leading to war and famine and disease? How about suppression of science ? How about disenfranchisement of women? Do you agree?
2007-05-29 05:29:56 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ok, I am going to say yes. Let me elaborate, fanatacism in any form is dangerous, applies to all religions (crusades (even modern day ones i am seeing), jihads, and the palestine conflict, even class systems in hinduism, I could say more). Now, some would say that a non-fanatic, contextualist approach is better, and religion as a whole is not bad. I would say true, contextualist non-fanatasicm by itself is not bad, but 1. Nothing good really comes out of it. True you have people like Mother Teresa and charities and what not, but we dont need religion to do that, we could and do do that on our own. Religion gives us as much moral guidance as all other stories and their themes. Confucious, not a religious man as far as I know, came well before the time of Christ, during the perdiod of all the brutal ancient religions and gods, including the old testament, was the one tha invented the Golden Rule. 2. In fact, contextualist religion creaties an environment where all religion is accpetable, even if they denounce it 3. So since contextualist, non-fanatacist religion has nothing to offer except some pieces of literature, and breeding grounds for fanatcism, and fanatic, literalist religion is bad for us, then religion really is a bad thing for us today.
2007-05-29 05:50:57 · answer #1 · answered by Mike 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
America one of the most Christian countries in the world has been in several wars and none, I repeat none have been religious wars. The total that have died in these non-religious wars is well over 70 million. That is far more then all the religious wars put together.
Perhaps we should now discuss how many people have died at the hands of Atheist governments?
2007-05-29 12:46:31 · answer #2 · answered by Brian 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It's the religious prejudices that is the greatest scourge. Religion's basic principals are for the most part, okay.
2007-05-29 12:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by Joe S. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you suggest that if not for religion, women would be treated better, science would be more advanced? There wouldn't be any war? Ah, the faithful are the largest population of scapegoats.
2007-05-29 12:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by buhing513 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People have used religion as an excuse to do horrible things, but I don't believe religion itself is bad. Its main problem is the amount of power it gives to certain individuals.
2007-05-29 12:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians, Jews and Muslims understand the great danger the international community is in today. The dangers of Hezbollah, Terrorists. etc.
Danger extends to the 'doorstep' of every democratic, freedom-loving nation.
So Christians, Muslims and Jews are contiually growing and learning about the values we share in common.
Jews, Christians and Muslims are accustomed to being libeled, hated, and used as scapegoats for the world's ills.
However, the difference today is that Jews and Christians and Muslims have been linked together, both by the need to defeat terrorism and our commitment to a common set of moral and spiritual values.
Given the global dangers we face today as Jews, Muslims, and Christians together, we are increasingly becomming aware of the ongoing opportunities we have to forge even closer bonds. ~(~
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2007-05-29 13:36:15 · answer #6 · answered by gigiemilu 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
With all due respect, your question is not complete.
Religion is like a knife.
One could use it for good.
One could use it for bad.
Its not the fault of the knife, but the user.
Don't blame the general category 'religion'.
Point your finger at those that used it for something bad.
2007-05-29 12:38:43 · answer #7 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much, yes. However you can take any other ideology (it doesn't have to be a religion per se), and put totalitarianism behind to get the same nasty results.
2007-05-29 12:35:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not the religion but the dogma; it is not the religious but the zealot.
Born again atheist
2007-05-29 12:37:02 · answer #9 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, mankind is pretty much its own scourge.
The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace, Peace and Love in Christ
Peg
2007-05-29 12:33:23 · answer #10 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋