Explain like I'm stupid: If religion is meant to promote/maintain morality and social order, then (details) -?

Question

-- then, A) why is post-christian Europe enjoying more peace and prosperity than at any other time in its history? and B) why is the Middle East so thoroughly f@cked up?

Answer 1

(Islam) The manners and morals of Muhammad
Most students of Islam acknowledge that Muhammad was a generally moral person. But Muslims claim much more. They insist that he was both beyond (major) sin and is the perfect moral example for mankind. Some claim that he was even sinless!

Let's see how see how "Islam manifested itself in his person as a living example for all Muslims till the end of time" as Mr. Al-Kadhi puts it. Mr. Al-Kadhi states, "He was never angered by matters of this life nor that which was associated with it. If he became angry he turned away. The majority of his laughter was [restricted to] smiling".

Muhammad's personality
In terms of Muhammad's personality, the hadiths record him as being short-tempered and easily angered (vol 1.,#90-92). Both the Quran and Hadiths show that Muhammad was a sinner in need of forgiveness. Allah even commanded him to pray for the forgiveness of his sins (40:55, 41:19, 48:2).

Muhammad's superstition
Muhammad was superstitious. He believed in the power of the "evil eye" and told people to recite the Quran to fight it (Vol 7, no. 636). He believed in bad and good omens such as the appearance of certain birds and other animals (vol.4, nos.110,111; vol.7, nos.648-650). Muhammad kissed and adored the black stone in the Ka'ba (vol.2, no. 667). He was superstitious about even numbers. He always avoided them (vol.1, no.162). Muhammad believed that if you placed a green palm leaf on the grave of those suffering in that grave, their pain would be lessened as it dried (vol.2,no.443). To prove the depth of Muhammad's belief in and fear of magic, one need only read (vol. 7, nos. 656-664).

Muhammad's sin of polygamy
Muhammad told his followers that they could have a maximum of four wives (4:3) plus an unknown number of female concubines (4:24), yet Muhammad took more than 4 wives.

Polygamy is morally wrong. Although God permitted it along with other human frailties and sins, he never commanded it.

That monogamy is God's standard for the human race is clear from the following facts:

from the very beginning God set the pattern by creating a monogamous marriage relationship with one man and one woman, Adam and Eve.
Jesus reaffirmed one man for one woman (Matthew 19:4).
the new testament stresses that each man should have his own wife and that each woman should have her own husband (1 Corinthians 7:2).
The Problem of Retaliation
As seen in the section, "The Life of Muhammad", on at least 2 occasions Muhammad ordered people assassinated for composing poems that mocked him.

The Problem of Mercilessness
Further explained in "The Life of Muhammad" section.

Mr. Al-Kadhi states, "Muhammad did not reward evil with evil, rather, he would forgive and overlook. He encouraged his followers to be industrious, make an honest living. He was known among them for his soft-spokenness, his generosity, his tolerance, and his friendliness".

This has already been proven incorrect in the section, "The Life of Muhammad".

Answer 2

Well, I'd like to refute two answers here. Suzi B - if that's the case, wouldn't the government of the US rate as the antichrist?

And to Craig - that is precisely the point of religion - to make religious morals the standard social order. The followers of the early churches couldn't read or write, and were made to live their lives by the standards set by the church. There is nothing wrong with socialism, by the way.

I also believe a few fundies spoil the barrel, as it were, which explains the problems in the middle east right now.

Answer 3

There is nothing to suggest that each individual chnages all that often, perhaps just once in their lives. With divorce at 50% these days, changing religion might be like changing a spouse or committed partner - in terms of frequency. Now just because you married the evil b*tch from hades doesn't mean you won't try with the next hottie that walks in the door, and the next after that. Especially if you feel that you ned that higher power to help you settle your hectic and miserable life.

Answer 4

Woa, good question for someone who asks but doen't read!!!
If you read the revelations in the Bible it is all explained and also we know that satan's human right hand (the anti-christ) will come from europe. They have a blind prosperity, but they are lead by satan worshippers (in many forms like the Masons and so on , who say they believe in GOd but their true rituals (to the secret society of the heads of those groups) are about as christian as the Hell's Angel's are!"
(murder and sexuality rituals)

Answer 5

a. is wrong
b. is right

Europe is not enjoying more peace and progress.
the middle east is and was screwing up for hundred of years. Europe ans US were just pretending and closing their eyes on problem. but ISLAM has transformed into some more serious like Radical Islam with really serious consequences < London bombing, Argentna bombing. 9/11 here is USa Europe and USa opened eyes. BAHh...surprised...In UK and FRQANCE Muslim population grows very fast.

This is war not between Europe USA, VS the MIDDLE EAST, this is war between peace, <----freedom of choice and the Middle EASt country that still live in 15-16th centuries. <---evil

Answer 6

A.
Strong economy and moderate leadership.
An actual concern for both economic growth and cultural growth.
Still recovering from post war era WWII...........

B.
The clerics in power in the middle east are guided by what is known as false wisdom. False wisdom is on the bottom rung
of a thing called levels of consciousness. They have misguided their followers and are degrading a spiritual faith known as Islam. They themselves suffer from what is known as spiritual insecurity, and killing millions in the process throughout the world. This has been spoken of in many
prophetic documents for several thousand years.
Spiritual leaders have little value in human life.

Answer 7

Human intolerance is the problem, not always religion. The message of religions is peace and love one another. Humanity just is incapable of handling those two things. The more religious intolerance is promoted by society, the more problems that occur.

Answer 8

Hmmm, and who do you think the anti-Christ is?
It is not a single person. It is, in fact, a government. That beast climbing out of the water described in Revelations.
It will deceive the whole world into thinking it's ideas are good.
Everyone thinks religion and government are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Do you know that when Christ returns he will be issuing in a government system? The government that God wanted in the first place.
It was going well until Adam and Eve decided they could do a better job governing themselves than their own creator could. And so....here we are today trying to find the perfect government system to work for all of humanity.

Answer 9

Because religion isn't meant to promote/maintain morality and social order.

A) Post-Christian Europe is improving (if you can call it that) because of its shift away from socialism (just as the US is moving to embrace it).

B) The Middle East is messed up because of Muslim Fundamentalism. Get rid of that and it's a "land flowing with milk and honey."

True religion is about establishing a right relationship with God. It's about individuals, not countries and regions. The Bible says God makes the sun to shine on the saved and unsaved alike. Experiencing peace and prosperity is neither a sign of his approval nor his non-existence.

Answer 10

duh! Europe is not post-Christian (I have been there). Middle East is not Christian and have the oldest rivalries in existence. When the Middle East settles down watch out because it will be a pretty good sign the real fun is about to begin.