Religion does more harm than good?

[Nebulous]

It seems like most evil results from an imbalance of natural and/or human resources and that's pretty much undebatable.

I'll debate it.

 

[Jayson]

I'll debate it.

The mic is yours. 🙂

 

[Jay™]

That's a difficult question to answer definitively because it depends on one's perspective. Some people believe that religion does more harm than good because of instances of religious extremism, intolerance, and discrimination. Others argue that religion provides a moral compass for individuals and societies, fosters community and social cohesion, and promotes acts of kindness and charity. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide whether they believe religion does more harm than good and to what extent. I was born RC; however, I don't go to church daily or weekly, I do think there is a higher than us.

 

[ElegantAura]

It's not about the religion itself, rather it's about the individuals and their actions.
Sometimes, people use religion as an excuse for what they do.

 

[vvithershins]

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”​

― Voltaire

 

[NeoMetallix]

You have to realize religion isn't the worship of a deity. It is simply repetitious worship and people worship nearly everything regardless of belief in a deity. People fully immersed in sports, hardcore sports fans could be considered religious to a certain sport team.

 

[MamaFrankie]

Religion is the cause of most of the world's problems because of all the fighting and killing committed in its name.

 

[Reddington]

Religions has always been and always will be the root of all the problems. In politics, most decisions on either side are fueled by religion. In war, fueled by religion. How you run your business, same thing. Almost all of the main-line issues in the world stem from religion. I don't give a fuck that some people say "but they are misquoting the bible", it literally doesn't matter. If religion wasn't a thing, no one would give two shits about two gay dudes kissing each other. No one would give two shits about women getting an abortion. They care because their imaginary being tells them to.

 

[Dismal_Bliss]

Religions has always been and always will be the root of all the problems.

Meh. Greed and subsequently greedy religious leaders, perhaps. For example...

In politics, most decisions on either side are fueled by religion.

Not by the Amish, lol.

In war, fueled by religion.

Not by JW's, lol

How you run your business, same thing.

Not all religious people discriminate in commercial setting. And if one does, well that person's competitor down the street probably doesn't.

If religion wasn't a thing, no one would give two shits about two gay dudes kissing each other.

Even atheists and non-religious heterosexuals might see it as unnatural and gross. Many others don't think public displays of affection are appropriate, even between boys and girls, and particularly don't want their young children being exposed to it.

No one would give two shits about women getting an abortion.

A host of non-religious people still value human life, even of the unborn.

Almost all of the main-line issues in the world stem from religion.

It's more complex and deeper than that. Blaming religion in general is just short-sighted. Sure, you could pinpoint problems with specific religions, but there are over 4000 religions and many of them are benign. What you're really referring to is specific religions that don't align with your personal political, social, and moral positions.

 

[DrLeftover]

Change the name of the thread to "IGNORANCE does more harm than good" and you've got something.

Pakistan: When a blasphemy accusation is evidence; the sentence often death​

A Lahore woman barely escaped with her life. But the problems run deeper than the mob that nearly lynched her.

Pakistan: When a blasphemy accusation is evidence; the sentence often death

A Lahore woman barely escaped with her life. But the problems run deeper than the mob that nearly lynched her.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[Mendalla]

I would tend to argue that the harm is done by organized religion that has become a structure for enforcing power rather than informing and enlightening the spirit. The medieval Roman Catholic Church, Protestant societies in up until the 18th or 19th century, and some modern Islamic societies all come to mind. Let's not forget that a segment of the US population hopes that electing Trump with a GOP majority will allow them to move the US to becoming a "Christian" society where their values will be enforced by the state (cf. current moves at the state level against abortion and LGBTQ rights).

Blasphemy laws (per post above me) provide a good example. They are more about enforcing an organized faith's doctrine on a societal level than actually honouring any kind of deity. Let's not forget that most Western countries had blasphemy laws on the books until fairly recently and those were passed by Christians seeking to "protect" Christianity in their societies. Canada's was only repealed in the tenure of the current PM, in 2018. Perhaps some countries still have them on the books.

On an individual level, or in a faith that is low on doctrine on high and supporting individual spiritual needs and explorations (Unitarian Universalism is one that I have been personally involved with, some of the progressive arms of Christianity come to mind as well), I do believe religion can do some good. It can provide comfort but also guidance in building a set of core values.

So the problem is not religion per se, but how to keep it from becoming just another mechanism for power and control rather than a means for understanding and building personal spirituality.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I'm an atheist and I don't believe in a God or a Goddess. It's all make believe nonsense. We invented these because we cannot comprehend creation and how we came to be. Also most refuse to believe that this life is all that there is and want to believe that there is an afterlife. These same people believed in a Santa Claus and a Tooth Fairy when they were small children.

My so called mother is a Christian but she is one of these hypocrites that judges everyone else while sinning left, right, and center. My girlfriend is a practicing Wiccan and I love her enough to keep my mouth shut when she's casting spells or charms. It makes her happy and she feels fulfilled. Why should I object?

Religion can offer comfort to some, especially weak people who require a crutch to lean on. To others it can be a call to arms. Much ado about nothing IMO.

 

[Mendalla]

I am officially agnostic, but waver a lot on religion per se (which is why I use agnostic rather than atheist). My "religion", such as it is, is more pantheist than traditionally theistic. That is, I tend to see the universe as holy/sacred moreso than believing in a divine "Creator". But I do have a bit of an open mind and panentheism, belief in a deity who both encompasses and dwells in the Cosmos and is more of a guide than the control-freak of traditional Western religion, appeals at times. But I still don't align to any specific tradition and have read and been inspired by works from many traditions, even if I was raised Christian so tend that way still.

 

[Crys]

It's the people that do heinous shit that say it's all in the name of religion that does the most harm.

 

[Nebulous]

It's the people that do heinous shit that say it's all in the name of religion that does the most harm.

Agreed. They think they are totally justified too which is sad.

 

[MrDawn]

Agreed. They think they are totally justified too which is sad.

Christopher Hitchens made a huge speech once about people who murder in the name of religion. In his speech, he described how it's being used more and more as an excuse for these people to do terrible shit to other people and then use religion as their excuse. It's a real problem in the world and it needed to stop a long time ago.

 

[Dee]

Do you think religion does more harm than good? Why or why not?

Yes. Religion is a man made construct and men are corrupt, greedy, violent, narcissistic and therefore their 'gods' are, too.