Especially a religion that makes people scared about something that might happen to them after death…
2007-10-06 21:43:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Definitely - I decided about twenty years ago that if I ever got power over a brand new country I'd invent xianity to keep the natives under control ... and then I realised it wasn't a new thought.
Seneca: Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
2007-10-06 23:46:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I would allow them to practice religion but not force it on them. If you wanna see what happens when states impose religion read about The Spanish Inquisition or The Salem Witch Trials. Maybe a little something about Iran under the rule of the Ayatollah Khomeini too.
2007-10-06 22:22:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Religion helps people to take responsibility for their moral actions off of their shoulders ('I was tempted by Satan') and makes them think that embracing a set of beliefs endows them with moral rectitude and a "clean slate." I'm not saying people shouldn't be forgiven, or allowed to forgive themselves, but I find it much more encouraging when people find logical, non-religious means for determining what is moral or immoral behavior, and feel responsible to themselves for the way they act. Furthermore, I think it is wrong to take an opportunity when people are imprisoned and vulnerable to convert them. And as you pointed out, it might not be good to tell a bunch of imprisoned people (some who will die in prison) that they are damned for what they've done already, and death brings nothing but the promise of eternal punishment.
Unfortunately, private prisons that push Christianity on prisoners are already a reality in Florida and I think Texas. If they aren't in Texas already, I know they were planning to build some there.
2007-10-06 21:55:13 · answer #3 · answered by Pull My Finger 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it helps facilitate their return to society, then I'll take advantage of whatever works. A person who doesn't molest children because they think God hates that and a person who doesn't molest children because of an entirely secular new knowledge of right and wrong are pretty much the same thing to me. Personal responsibility and my own messianic fantasies don't mean so much when placed against recidivism rates and the potential for successful reintegration into society.
2007-10-06 21:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One religion or multiple?
If they are free to practice any religion they want I say no, they should all be atheists because the multiple religions will just fight with each other and try to kill one another.
If I get to pick one religion that they would all follow, it'd be Christianity, you can always get them with fear to make them listen.
2007-10-06 21:49:21 · answer #5 · answered by Leizl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would like everyone to follow the Bible and give their lives to God. But everyone hs a free choice to do whatever they like and there will be a time when everyone will give an account of all they did before God.
Yes it would be great if all could become Christians!!!
2007-10-06 21:55:05 · answer #6 · answered by Wally 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a free choice, not a requirement.
Jesus only accepts those who come to HIM freely.
And, being a christian if they wouldn't freely accept Jesus, I could not afford to have them study 1 of the thousands of false religions in the world.
2007-10-06 21:56:58 · answer #7 · answered by chezpaul1777 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to David H, I am not "really" a christian.......so
Since christians believe Catholics are decieved like myself, I guess I would go for CATHOLICISM!
Jesus Christ whom is the Image of God came to this world for sinners, and Paul who became Saul who wrote the book of Romans in understanding what it feels like to be a sinner shall be the saint to help them CHANGE. From the inside out.
2007-10-06 22:21:08 · answer #8 · answered by white_painted_lady 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do the will of God
DO THE WILL OF GOD
They need to find a be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show their self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18)
2007-10-06 21:48:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they already do,
you will find most criminals are uneducated, so they need something to believe in
even the ones who have committed the most despicable crimes(rape children etc.)
claim to have "found God".
2007-10-06 21:46:48 · answer #10 · answered by Follow The 9 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋