Atheists: What are some good apects of religion... if any?

Answer 1

I like the golden rule, though that can be argued to have come about before religion. But they do a good job of expressing it.

Religion does do a good job of getting people to do charity work. Though, I wish they would recognize the human reasons for doing so, and not just to make God happy.

Religion also does a decent job of bringing people together socially.

I really hate the emotional manipulation the church uses to promote itself. However, I have to respect their proficiency in their technique. They are really good at getting people to think like a bloc and support their pet issues.

Answer 2

A) It can gather people together, which is part of mental health. However, this only applies to the more moderate ones, since there are crazy ones that train its followers its in views in politics, stance on issues, and gay bashing.

B) Charity work. Even though I personally wouldn't give a charitable donation to a religious organization, I would give it to a normal charity. (A lot of them spend some of it on building churches and sending missionaries)

C) The more "liberal" ones usually follow Jesus, not OT as an example. As an agnostic, I can agree he's a pretty good role model - if you can manage to follow his beliefs.

Yeah, so in conclusion, the non-fundies and more tolerant ones aren't bad at all. Problem is all the craziest ones are in power.

Answer 3

I think there are far fewer athiests (believe there is no God) than agnostics (don't have any specific beliefs, but arn't totally opposed to the God idea.) In any event I'm an agnostic, so my opinion might not count. With that being said, holidays... hands down are the best. Religion is different in my eyes from just believing in a God. To me you're talking about all the ritual stuff, and I have other things to do with my weekends & am not worried that God will be offended.

Answer 4

It keeps a lot of people off the streets between 7am and noon on any Sunday. Wed. between 7pm and 9pm, traffic is also lighter than most week nights. For waiters and waitresses, they make pretty good tips during Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner after church. Other than those things, I can't think of any other aspect of religion that I'd call "good".

Answer 5

The concept of forgiveness. It's hugely powerful and originates within one particular religion. Most of the others, and even some atheists, seem to have some sort of karma, or getting what you deserve, or what goes around comes around. Forgiveness is unique.

Answer 6

I can't think of any that don't come with some bad.

It serves to instill a weak form of morality, but one shouldn't rely on such an external source as that for their morality.

It offers comfort for those who can't go it alone, but in exchange for that the rest of society has to deal with the delusion, and its manifests.

It does seem to foster a sense of community and belonging, but that quickly turns into "elitism" and only serves to stratify humanity even more.

Answer 7

What benefits there are - are in this reality, that they will experience, and not any promises made about heaven, being 'saved', resurrection, etc etc.
What that means is the fellowship they enjoy with fellow christians - their company and support about things in this world, ie. goodwill, friendship, companionship, etc etc.

They have no 'insurance' about what happens to them, when they die... and are given false information concerning this.

Of course, doing good works - helping the poor and those in need, is always a good thing...

Answer 8

For the individual, the benefits are mostly psychological - having a secure worldview, insulating oneself from the idea of mortality, having a means of release and a sense of purpose, et cetera.

For society, the benefits are mostly economic - people in poor conditions who would ordinarily be likely to revolt or resort to crime are often controlled by the idea of an omnipotent, omnipresent entity watching over their shoulder waiting to reward or punish them.

Of course, there are the cultural benefits; some of the richest cultural contributions in history (e.g. architecture, literature, music, et cetera) have been purely inspired by religion; it has the capacity to drive some to fanatical levels of creativity.

Answer 9

I'd say that maybe a positive thing is that it can give people hope when they are feeling depressed. I know that praying can make people feel better and so religion would give some people something to pray too.

Also it can unite people, make people feel like they are apart of something.

Answer 10

I will give some credit to religions for the operation of such things as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and job training for the most downtrodden of society.

Answer 11

For some people, religion is their conscience. If there were no consequences, there would be no reason to be a good person.

For some, religion gives them hope that someday it will be better. It's the reason they keep trying.