If it's people who do bad things in the name of religion..... (ritual, mystic)

[MysticSang'ha]

Shouldn't the contrary be true as well? Meaning - when people do good, it's not because of the religion, but the person doing the act of charity or kindness?

Should religion take any responsibility for the actions of it's participants? Should it only be blamed when evil is committed or commended when good is done? Why or why not?

I hope I questioned with clarity.




Peace,
Mystic

[Willamena]

IMO, it's people who "do" religion, as well, so to answer your question, no, religion should not be allocated the responsibility for actions.

[BucephalusBB]

Football makes hooligans and fans..
Eventually either the religion or in my case the sport, it's all used as excuse.. In the end, the human is to blame or commended..

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Ball

Football makes hooligans and fans..
Eventually either the religion or in my case the sport, it's all used as excuse.. In the end, the human is to blame or commended..

Religion and sport have a great deal in common.

Large groups of people furthering an identity do horrific things. That will tend to occur with any group identity whether we think of it as "religious" or not (I personally don't think there's a huge difference between religion and nationalism, for example). So the big atrocities are a product of religious groupthink.

The good that comes of people who are also adherents of faith can also be fairly attributed to the mythical and mystical aspects that still ride alongside the dogmas and politics that compose religion. These tend to be individual acts of sacrifice and kindness rather than the product of large groups of religious people, who when they feel socially empowered as a member of their group, collectively tend to disregard and condemn those not part of the group and those in need.

[MysticSang'ha]

When religion is used as an excuse or as evidence for good or evil, is it projecting egoistic grasping for the sake of "proving" some man-made concept? Or do they have a point? Why or why not?




Peace,
Mystic

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Religion and sport have a great deal in common.

Large groups of people furthering an identity do horrific things. That will tend to occur with any group identity whether we think of it as "religious" or not (I personally don't think there's a huge difference between religion and nationalism, for example). So the big atrocities are a product of religious groupthink.

But where does this tendency for "groupthink" come from? Is it inherent?

Originally Posted by the doppmeister

The good that comes of people who are also adherents of faith can also be fairly attributed to the mythical and mystical aspects that still ride alongside the dogmas and politics that compose religion. These tend to be individual acts of sacrifice and kindness rather than the product of large groups of religious people, who when they feel socially empowered as a member of their group, collectively tend to disregard and condemn those not part of the group and those in need.

I have to think about this, but I'm not quite sure I agree with this sentiment, though. How do you explain missionary work in this regard? Or does it apply?




Peace,
Mystic

[tomspug]

Well said! I think the only purpose of organized religion is to DIRECT the love and compassion of others, not take credit for it. Like charity organizations, they COLLECT money from OTHER people and put it to good use. Same thing with religion.

[kai]

simply put, if i kill you and say its because of my religion then its because of my religion , if i offer you a bed for the night give you some money in the morning and wish you well and say its because of my religion, then its because of my religion. if people do good or bad because of their religion and say so, you can only take their word for it, its a matter of faith

[DallasApple]

When religion is used as an excuse or as evidence for good or evil, is it projecting egoistic grasping for the sake of "proving" some man-made concept? Or do they have a point? Why or why not?

I believe it can be both..used as an "excuse" and at times a real phenomenon..What I cant stand when its tossed around and one is accused of it by another as far as the evil side to deny the reality of consequences you face because of your own actions or inactions..

In particular an example I have seen over and over that really gets my goat..

A woman is unhappy in her marriage and complains to her husband..He dismisses her concerns and basically reduces her to a "nag"..She reapproaches over the years and ask for things such as counseling..or will even hint around that she would like more atteniton or romance and that she is lonely...He over the years continues to blow it off thinking she is "never happy" or whatever he does its "never enough"...

She throws herself into other things..her job,raising the kids,friends,shopping ,church,volunterring whatever it may be..She gradually becomes so emotionally distant from her husband and gives up on hoping..As a result she shuts down bulilds a wall and starts to withold affection and shows little interest in him..Then hes like WAHHH my wife says she's not "in love " with me anymore..She wont let me touch her. She pays more atention to the kids than MEEEEEEE..Sure she has been telling me she was unhappy for 20 years..Yes she asked me to go to counseling..NOW I am willing but she has to give me some "hope" .....Shes says its TOO LATE!!!!

Then you start to hear it...The advice he is given by many...Your wife is being attacked by satan...You are in spiritual warfare brother..Her heart has obvioulsy turned cold to the Lord..She is being disobedient and I will pray that her heart softens to you and she stops her rebellion..She is in direct opposition of Gods will for your marriage and is choosing her own free will!She has fallen off the track and is backslidden...If this continues you should consider her an unbeliever and do a Matt 18 on her and if she refuses to repent from her sin then you are left no options but to leave her...

And Im like HELLO!!! Did you ever hear "reap what you sew"...Did you ever think its YOUR FAULT not satans or your wife being attacked by him...Did you ever think that by ignoring your wife's needs for YEARS YOU were the disobedient one if you are going to blame anyone?...Did you ever think she is just fed up with YOU not God???..Did you ever think that through your wife God is using her to WAKE YOU UP of your selfishness??? Did you ever think sometimes it IS TOO LATE!. Did you ever think its a time for you to GROW yourself as in GROW UP!.If you are going to blame anyone blame your self mister.Now its YOUR turn to run around like a chicken with your head cut off scraping for ways to get her attention and good luck.Maybe after 20 years of your needs being neglected she will give you a 2nd chance.

Blessings

Dallas

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by tomspug

Well said! I think the only purpose of organized religion is to DIRECT the love and compassion of others, not take credit for it. Like charity organizations, they COLLECT money from OTHER people and put it to good use. Same thing with religion.

Okay.

So, does religion take any responsibility or credit? Should it?




Peace,
Mystic