Is Organized Religion a Sham & a Crutch For the Gullible??

Question

Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Tabernacles, etc. often preach that MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. Yet these very religions try so hard to take YOUR hard-earned money to live luxurious lifestyles, promote their own political agendas, and build more worship centers to perpetuate their lies and indoctrinations to ultimately become WEALTHIER at the expense of gullible people. I think that ALL "religion" is pure HOKUM!!!

Answer 1

Religion is a "toxic-meme" - a malevolent "mind virus" that affects the human mind's rational thought processes in much the same way that a computer virus corrupts and overwrites code. However, recent evidence suggests that a parasite in the brain affects rational behavior. For example, rats are normally afraid of the scent of cat urine. A parasite was recently discovered in some rat brains that causes the rats to not be afraid of the scent, making those rats easy prey due to their irrational behavior. Religion in humans may be a combination of a biological parasite and a meme. The parasite may "hijack" the brain's rational thought processes and make it highly susceptible to suggestive memes (such as "Jesus Saves"). If an antidote can be developed against the parasite it may be possible to prevent the spread of religion and even cure it.

Answer 2

Many of us have found a path that does not involve religion and it does not stop us living a good, caring and moral life. No doubt you have reflected on your past beliefs and can identify those that are about living as good person and those that serve no useful purpose outside of strict adherence to specific religious beliefs. If you have not done that yet, my guess is that you have a lot a soul-searching ahead of you. As you have realised, religion serves a social role in some communities, creating boundaries between those who are 'righteous' and those who are unworthy. Of course such distinctions are artificial. To the majority of people, a person is a person, whatever their beliefs. It is unlikely you would be rejected by those outside your former faith though I do understand your desire not to be alienated from existing friends and family. I do not have a solution for you on that point, only an observation that YOU wish to remain true to THEM honestly and openly, without the dishonesty of pretending to hold a faith you do not hold. If they were to reject you because of that, in my opinion it would show a weakness of that religion - even a wrongness .... but I do not want to put ideas into your head or in any way to influence your decision. It will not be easy, my friend, but I suggest that the sorts of things we can imagine are often more frightening than the reality turns out to be. You will make friends. You will be accepted - maybe not by everyone but that is true for all of us. The world will not come rushing up to your door to greet you: You have to be brave enough to go out there and meet it. I wish you a good life on whatever path you choose.

Answer 3

Where do you get your information from? I think you are assuming a lot.

I belong to the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities is the #1 contributor in helping the homeless and poor here in the US. I don't mind giving to the Church because I know the money is well used. There are administrative costs, utilities, salaries etc. and there are costs for programs, scholarships and the like. Additionally, much goes to helping the needy.

I do not see our priests living high on the hog. They drive modest cars, own very little, live in houses provided for them. Even the Vatican which is very beautiful does not belong to one person but to the entire Catholic Church. So no one is getting rich off Catholicism.

I'm sure there are a few bad sorts out there who bilk the people out of their money...but that is on their head. They will have to answer for their actions one day.

Answer 4

If you're gonna talk about the Bible at least get it right.

It says the LOVE of money is the root of all evil...and that is true. GREED has destroyed more lives than any religion ever has...and in periods of history where Greed was heaviest, most of the "robber barons" scoffed at religious beliefs and at religious people.

Organized corporations rip off people all the time. Where's your righteous indignation against Enron, Worldcom and the others who stole people's life savings? or Walmart who exploits people worldwide? What about Govenments who take our money and put it toward unjust war and allow corporate welfare?


If you don't want to go to a Church, Mosque, Synagague, Tabernacle, Kingdom Hall, whatever... then DON'T GO! No one is pointing a gun at your head to do so...but don't prevent others from doing so if such places and their teachings help them to seek meaning in their lives and provide a guide to help them make positive choices.

Most people who attend a house of worship or have a spiritual belief DO NOT leave their brains outside the doors of a house of worship. After, God gave us brains and intellect as well as a heart...and he expects us to use those talents and gifts he gave us.

Calling people who have made a conscious choice to explore their spirituality gullible is insulting in the extreme. How would you like it if someone called you amoral, immoral, hopeless and stubborn or a fool because you don't go to church?

Oh, wait the Bible does have that covered...

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. ...Psalm 14.

Maybe that's what's troubling you...the TRUTH hurts?

Answer 5

Some people are so hurting that they need a crutch, but you're right religion keeps them lame, solitary practice works best for others.
If it works for the individual, and helps them be a better person fine, but I have little use for it myself.

Answer 6

Define religion.

The point that people miss regarding Christianity is this, Christianity is a relationship with Christ rather than a religion. God Himself isn't fond of religiosity.

James 1:26-17
"If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

And yes misappropriating money is sin full. FYI the verse says:
"For the LOVE of money is the root of all sorts of evil and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love perseverance and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:10-11

Read and study the Bible, get to know God through His Word rather than what religious organizations have done to His Word and in the name of it. This is a direct challenge to you, if you would like help with Bible study, feel free to email me.

Answer 7

Please quite oversimplifying the issue. That is a logical error.

First, the vast majority of those mentioned do NOT do what you claim.

Second, honest preachers state that the LOVE of money is the root, not money. I do not believe honesty is your category.

Third, people of your persuasion worship money, it truly is your God. That is why you scream when someone asks you to trust a different God.

Answer 8

What I don't understand is how we ever decided that a person should be a paid minister.

Answer 9

I totally agree.

Answer 10

Good for you. You have a twisted and warped view of what a church is and does.