Is religion a "destructive" rather than "constructive" force in society?

Question

As an example... Is Judaism the root religion for Christianity and Islam? regardless of whether Judaism is currently destructive or not, it is responsible for unleashing the two most destructive religions ever..... with repercussions still ongoing! Do u agree?

Would u agree that most religions have two fundamental principles at their core?

The first is that THEY are the ONE and TRUE religion, and all others will go to hell for not believing as they see things.

The other main principle is that the WORD (as they see it) is to be spread to these non believers so they can be SAVED!

Unfortunatly, since most followers of religion are by and large just followers in life, and many religious leaders are really scam and con people who are only out for their own gain, these simple ideas get twisted into "Those that are not with us are against us" and "Its god's will to CONVERT these nonbelievers, even by force if necessary".

would u agree?

Answer 1

Religion is an artificial construct which can have either good or bad effects depending on the practitioner. Faith and spirituality are something else altogether. They usually lead to acceptance and love of others.

Answer 2

OK, Christianity isn't destructive. If you watched the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" the crusades were not to take Muslim lands, but to protect the Judeo-Christian lands that were under attack by the Muslims. Islam seems to be the most destructive so far, and other than the crusades what other events have occured to make everyone think that Christianity is so destructive? Christianity is about bringing people together and showing that God loves everyone.

I know that from a Catholic standpoint the church teaches something called "Just War". Meaning, the Catholic church believes a war is just only if gaining land isn't the main goal, you are trying to help protect an aly, and you don't attack civilians. Theres more to that, I just don't remember. War is never to be used "in the name of God".

Answer 3

You can't honestly believe, logically believe, that the world would be as civilised today if it were not for religion. Human beings are warlike by nature, it is innate. Anything that helps to control that urge is a good thing. Anything that advises you that you will be rewarded by helping people is a good thing. Historical religious wars were more about economics than religion, religion was just a way of rallying the peasant masses who are not going to get a share of the spoils. Today, it's a little different, but don't blame historical wars all on religion.

Answer 4

Anything with a self-gratifying agenda will be destructive. When we say "my" way or the "high"way, we build walls locking in and shutting out. The answer, for me, is two-fold: neither YHWH nor Yahshua preached "religion" - it was always and always shall be, about "relationship" - us to the Father (vertical) and then us to each other (horizontal); picture that, it is thus in the shape of a cross; and we are clearly warned that the evil one, haSatan inhabits division and that a town (or anything for that matter) divided against itself...will fall! So here we sit, the largest puzzle in the world, with each "religion" having perhaps a tiny piece of the puzzle of truth...and none wanting to admit that perhaps there might be just the tiniest "inkling of truth" in what another wishes to share. We miss a lot when we build walls, when we put the G-d of Avram, Isaac & Jacob in the "box" called "religion."

Answer 5

I think it's very destructive as religion is used as a way of protecting homophobic hate-speech and some religious use it to attack anyone different. There is a lot of evils that are based on religious words/books and that's evil. the religious think that they can apply morals to liking your own sex when you obviously can't
Edit: The christians who help spreads AIDS in Africa by banning condoms is an example of destruction

Answer 6

The Roman Catholic Church and the Islam have been very destructive forces in history. Quite a few popes have controlled kings and presidents saying they have the authority of God to separate them from God. They've thrown people out of the church and they have killed people for no other reason than reading the Bible or translating the Bible into English.

Muhammad picked Allah out of 360 idol gods as the crescent moon god and set up his religion on the thought that the angel of light was Gabriel and from reading the Koran, Muhammad was talking with Lucifer who is an angel of light, putting many burdens on the Muslim people.

Now, let me show what God says in His Word ....

Romans 8:38,39
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Answer 7

Not at all. The Bible doesnt advocate violence but love for God and their fellow man.

How do you consider either destructive?? Maybe you can ellaberate on exactly what repercussions youre talking about?

Answer 8

Yes, I agree. But I wouldn't blame the Jews for it. Their anscestors may have unknowingly released a couple of demons. I am sure today's Jews will make sure to not let it happen again.

Answer 9

Religion is not destructive, its the leaders and the people that carry it on as they wish and to their personal advantage.

Answer 10

When people use religion as an excuse to not grow and learn, yes it is very destructive, as we see today.