If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does that mean religion is the most corrupt?

Question

Think about it.I asked earlier about whether God is the most corrupt.But religion seems even more corrupt since it has the most influence in the lives of the majority of people on Earth.So doesn't that mean, by this rule, that religion is the most corrupted thing on Earth?


Besides, I don't believe in God and so how could something that is an invisble piece of the imagination be corrupt?

Answer 1

now you're getting it! God isn't corrupt religion is! when is the last time God asked anyone to give $5000.00 to His church!? star up!

Answer 2

I believe in God and you don't. For the sake of argument, let's agree for the moment that God exists. How can God, the Creator and Author of existence and reality, be corrupt? He is the source of all goodness and and faith and charity!

Religion is a man-made construct, but has not had real power for several hundred years. Islam has regional power but is far from global. The Christian church/religion has not been able to hold on to their power base since the advent of democracy globally.

The absolute most corrupt and corrupting force in the world is the media. What has more effect, good and bad, on the people and their institutions? Print, broadcast, whatever media you talk about, they (the media moguls) are influencing minds and making them hold ideas they (the media moguls) want them to hold. And it is all driven by advertising dollars (or yen, euro, pesos, whatever the local currency in use is)...

Answer 3

Corruption is a result of human sinfulness/desire.

God is Holy and wholly incorruptible.

If the true God Almighty is not the source of that religious faith, according to His Promise, and His Commandments, then corruption is just as likely as that within any secular corporation, organization or government institution.

Even still, every human being is sinful and corrupted by the fall, and thus every human run organization will in some way shape or form be tainted by this sin while we live out our lives here in a corrupted creation.

However, it should be known that those who "seek power" at all, do it for their own Glory and that power certainly corrupts. Those who seek anything for their own glory are already corrupted by this desire.

No human being will ever have "absolute" power so that entire premise does not apply because no human organization or creation can ever achieve absolute power.

And as already stated, God is Holy and incorruptible. There is no flaw or evil in Him. Since He is the only source of absolute power in existence, I would feel confident to say that "absolute" power does not corrupt absolutely because of it's source.

Answer 4

"..how could something that is an invisible piece of the imagination be corrupt?". Right. So you might want to ask this question over in the "politics and corruption" section. Politics alone has far more influence over the lives of men than religion.

Answer 5

Very interesting. I think that beliefs are more important than religion. Beliefs are pure and uncorrupt, because they are the relationship with whatever deity you choose.

Religion is your relationship with other people, based on your beliefs. I think religion can be corrupt, because we cannot be 100% good all the time. So, in my humble view, religion is corrupt. True belief is not.

Answer 6

First I want to say, that your question and your responses to people show as much respect as I have seen from most other Atheists, and I thank you for that. I agree with many of the statements made from the responders, while at the same time, I disagree with some. The question for me is, how can they "prove" that it was God telling them to do it, or that He approved of their actions? Lots of people say God told me to do this or that, when in fact, it is likely their own thoughts and feelings that gave rise to their actions. People are so willing to believe these people, that no-one really questions them. Especially way back in the days you speak of. The issue being, that the Bible clearly states that we are to question spirit, to make sure that it IS of God, and if it doesn't line up with Gods word, then we are to reject it. Sad to say, but this doesn't happen as often as it should, so words get spoken, and actions taken, and nobody really questions them. As for God being a "dictator"...I don't think of Him as such, although, I must admit, that by DEFINITION ONLY, one might see Him in that light. Yes, He asks us to go out into the world and spread the Gospel and such, but it's not really any different than your parents or your boss telling you to go do something, although they could do it themselves. We do not HAVE to do these things, but we do them out of love. I will agree to a point, that the fear of Hell does affect my decision making. Yes I have free will, but I also fear the repercussions of going against God's will. So yes, in that way, it could be seen as coercion, but I like to look at it as "tough love". We can't grow and be disobedient to those who raise and nurture us. I don't agree with Atheism in the least, but, like you told Andie, you made your point in a good way and with some intelligence behind the thoughts. If more people would ask and react this way, I believe we could actually get some real work done, instead of the silly bickering that goes on most of the time. Good luck, and thanks for being respectful

Answer 7

I do not believe religion corrupts but I realize corrupt people use religion toe gain power and sometime riches. It does not matter which religion.
BB

Answer 8

No, it means that George W. Bush is the most corrupt!

Answer 9

absolute power doesn't corrupt absolutely,it absolutely empowers.Which means it humbles.And God is the most humble.

Answer 10

Absolutely, indubitably, most for certain.

See who has all the Gold, the church. So much in fact that they use it to decorate the walls and ceilings of their religious mansions whilst he poor reproduce like rabbits and starve in the slums.