Is religion a DIVIDER rather than a Uniter??

Question

Just roving....

and of course being curious while I am at it...

Answer 1

Yes. As long as any individual claims to be closer to God, (Allah, Jehovah, Bhudda...etc.) than any other, we're gonna have problems. When every human being on the face of the planet admits that none of us know (or ever knew, or could know) squat about the Supreme Creator of the Universe (if such an entity exists), we can start addressing more important issues, like how committed we are to our species' survival

Answer 2

Was religion ever intended to unite people? Everyone agrees that something should be done about the homeless situation, starving and molested children, victims of abuse and neglect, etc. No one can agree on how it should be done. What, considering the condition of the world, do you think could unite us?

My answer: nothing. You see, you can't agree with me about everything. And the more people you add into the mix, the more disagreement you will have. Religion isn't the only divider. Politics, sports, culture, etc. Any topic you can think of, actually. Division is a state we created. We will have to live with it until we live no more.

Answer 3

Religion divides man from God. Religion pretends that the world is split into factions - good versus evil, god versus the devil, sacred versus profane, heaven versus hell, pure versus polluted, and so on and so on. Proponents of religion use these perceived dualities to control the people and gain money and power. The more strongly dualistic a religion is the more strictly hierarchical it will be - that is no coincidence - and the more it damages the human spirit.

Does your religion call you a slave, or a sinner, or unclean? If it does, then it is taking you further from god, not closer.

Answer 4

Religion is supposed to unite people. It is supposed to be based on love and the belief in a God of love. But humans use their diff rent religions to set themselves aside from each other.

Most wars that occur in the history of mankind are religiously based.

So the answer to your question is, in my opinion, yes religion, just like politics divides people. I believe people should not be religious but be spiritual instead. No religion is the best religion.

Answer 5

I think anytime we label ourselves or anyone else we are making them the 'other' which inevitably creates tension and breeds anger and hatred which could lead to violence. Yes, religious affiliation would fall into this line of argument. We are automatically divided by the 'god' we serve which leads to an even more complex set of actions and interactions. We are right, You are wrong and neither is willing to meet as human beings.

Answer 6

Both. Jesus said I do not bring peace, but a sword. For within one house hold, mother will be against daughter, father against son.

This is in reference to the believers and non-believers. As well as true Christians versus wannabes. In essence, Jesus new the rift that would ensue. This is yet another reason why believing takes a lot of faith and effort.

Answer 7

Both. It unites the insiders and separates them from outsiders. Humanism would unite all humans, but may still separate us from the rest of Nature. There will always be a struggle.

Answer 8

Both....it unites those with common beliefs, yet divides with the ones who do not believe on those common beliefs.

Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood

Answer 9

I think it is a uniter since even though I have differences with some people are issues of an earthly nature like foreign policy, economics, etc. we still believe in a life after death with God in heaven.

Answer 10

Yes, it is a divider. The sheep are separated from the goats and the grain is separated from the chaff.