Is religion holding us back from our true potential? (moral, mystic)

[Ori]

Do you think it's time that we gave up on religion and try as a whole race to pull together for once?

This question came out of a disscussion I recently had with a friend, he believed that religion was a childish, antiquated thing that should be discarded and we should learn to grow up.

I disagreed, as people who have a religious outlook are much more driven to do good, it holds their lives together and gives them hope.

What do you think?

[michel]

Originally Posted by JinnOnTheWinds

Do you think it's time that we gave up on religion and try as a whole race to pull together for once?

This question came out of a disscussion I recently had with a friend, he believed that religion was a childish, antiquated thing that should be discarded and we should learn to grow up.

I disagreed, as people who have a religious outlook are much more driven to do good, it holds their lives together and gives them hope.

What do you think?

The only way my faith interferes with my life is that I devote some time to praying and meditating. Even if I didn't have my faith, I don't believe that I would act any differently from the way I do. I do what I do and how I do it, because that is my chosen way; If I had it proved beyond doubt today that there was no God, it would'nt affect me (apart from the praying).

I disagreed, as people who have a religious outlook are much more driven to do good, it holds their lives together and gives them hope.

I actually disagree with your above comment (well, for me at any rate), though I suppose it is applicable to some.

For me, religion is not a crutch; if anything, it is something that could be said to put pressure on me.

[Ori]

Originally Posted by michel

For me, religion is not a crutch; if anything, it is something that could be said to put pressure on me.

How does it put pressure on you, if you don't mind me asking?

[ChrisP]

I disagree with the very divisive qualities of abrahamic traditions. It almost seems like a game of name calling at times.

I think it would be a good idea to put religion behind us. I don't see what we call religion now as being true religion. It's more like a set of rules, than a discovery of what is beyond the physical.

To me true religion is belief and attempt to come to understanding of what lies outside of the 5 senses. So yes, I think most religion is detrimental to furtherance of this understanding.

[Buttons*]

I think literalist religion holds us back, yes.

But then again, I believe that everyone is basically good, they just dont realize it, or have been taught to see otherwise. I seem to think that if you have "sin" and you think man is basically evil you're almost giving up your responsibility as a person to be accountable in making good decisions.

If you're talking about the "mystical" side of religion, i dont see what's wrong with looking beyond and seeing something bigger than yourself. It helps with perspective and understanding.

I dont think that the world would be better if we were all atheist, but i doubt it would be better if we were all of literalist faiths either.

[michel]

Originally Posted by JinnOnTheWinds

How does it put pressure on you, if you don't mind me asking?

The way in which it 'pressures me' is in the recognition of the sins (and moral wrongs from a non-theist angle) that I am aware I comitted when younger. As a Christian, I am to believe that Christ has forgiven me (because I have repented, and will try never to re-offend).

However, I am not so easy on myself (and I can't truly believe that God will have forgiven me); that, I know, makes me a 'bad' Christian, because I haven't enough faith. If I was athiest, I would have my conscience to appease; as a theist, I have two consciences to appease.

[Scarlett Wampus]

Religion is so entrenched in our collective cultures its impossible to imagine (apologies to John Lennon) just what it would mean for religion to be forgotten. The capacity for what is sometimes called 'religious experience' or what Buttons called the 'mystical' side of religion is pretty much built into our brains, and that in turn inspires religious thought, so unless we change our genes it ain't going away.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by JinnOnTheWinds

Do you think it's time that we gave up on religion and try as a whole race to pull together for once?

That's right up there with: "Do you think it's time that we gave up on religion and stopped beating our wives?" Whatever one thinks of God(s), religion is a quest and I see absolutely no reason to assume that this quest is inherently divisive.