Is Religion Good or Bad?

[Sunstone]

But as a whole is it good or bad for the planet. When religion is dead & gone.. Will it have left a good or bad footprint?

The question strikes me as highly academic -- mainly because I don't foresee a time when religion is gone from the planet, human nature being what it is.

Beyond that, the question also strikes me as impossible to give an intellectually honest answer to. There are too many variables involved.

 

[Trip Bapho]

This is true. Faith unites religion divides.

So do you mean faith is good then? Blindly believing in something without facts can certainly be bad.

 

[Trip Bapho]

The question strikes me as highly academic -- mainly because I don't foresee a time when religion is gone from the planet, human nature being what it is.

Beyond that, the question also strikes me as impossible to give an intellectually honest answer to. There are too many variables involved.

Alrighty

 

[Trip Bapho]

Religion is good, cult is bad.

But doesn't religion still mean I am this and you are that? Shouldn't we both just be of the same?

 

[Trip Bapho]

Good.

Why?

 

[Trip Bapho]

Suppose that I could answer your question. What would my answer be? I would create some categories in place of 'Religion'. Lets say 5 categories of things that religions are about.

• harmony and fitting people together
• training of the young
• dealing with tragedy
• training the mind and disciplining it
• communicating

Each of these can be good or bad depending. What you may want to think about is that people die all the time. If the 'World ends' as you say in a religious fight, then it will the the survivors who replace us. We take ourselves very seriously, but when you bring up religion you are talking about larger timescales than ours. You are talking about things that can survive for millennia. They can survive massacres. A religion could survive forever. Now pick a religion that you would like to see survive forever. If there is not one, then you probably see religion as a bad thing; because they don't end themselves.

A lot of religions have certain timeframes and prophecies that won't come true and eventually people will give up on that. So, are you saying we continuously create new religions that will last or saying for instance there will still be some Christians a million years after Jesus doesn't come?

 

[Trip Bapho]

Lets see . . . Erotic Dancing Girls, good or bad? Well, not boringly either one, eh?

If erotic dancing girls are an option I will certainly consider that religion. And will guarantee ill be at service each week w/ even more than 10% of my paycheck.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Why?

There is soooo much spiritual growth, service, devotion, and spiritual transformation in religions that to not see it in people is, well, to me shocking. Religion changed me a lot. When I had followed a structured religion, I wonder if I was not good all because I followed religion.

Maybe a better question is, are people's morals and actions align with the religions they follow.

 

[Trip Bapho]

There is soooo much spiritual growth, service, devotion, and spiritual transformation in religions that to not see it in people is, well, to me shocking. Religion changed me a lot. When I had followed a structured religion, I wonder if I was not good all because I followed religion.

Maybe a better question is, are people's morals and actions align with the religions they follow.

What if the morals do match what they follow? If my dad gave me a book and said this is truth live your life by every word.. Then what if I interpreted a part of it that said its ok if I commit murder against a person or certain type of people. Even if I did that I would be as moral as the religion right?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

What if the morals do match what they follow? If my dad gave me a book and said this is truth live your life by every word.. Then what if I interpreted a part of it that said its ok if I commit murder against a person or certain type of people. Even if I did that I would be as moral as the religion right?

The question is, why would you interpret it that way? Is seeing murder helpful for your spiritual growth? That same passage could be an example of cultural norms of war. People back when drew and wrote a lot about their cultural dealings with friends and enemies. Maybe it could teach you about your personality, like the negative part of you to which god is within. Like war, it could be a struggle within yourself to do god's will (service) or follow the example of sinners to whom the spirit convicts.

Another thing about that is, would you bring everything you read in the OT in light of the 21st century. The message of justice, sin, and changing one's actions in light of those who disagree or challenge your faith is one thing, but to interpret that message as if there were a being dictating murder is something else in deed.

It really depends on the person. You'd think we gradated from B.C. but we haven't. Religion is a tool for spiritual growth; it isn't alive, and does nothing on its own.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Just as much as religion brings people together it separates them.

(My Experience Only)
I was raised in a Christian family in Texas. My grandfather is certain this world will end in a fight against Muslims. My fiance was born in Saudi Arabia w/ a grandfather who thinks this world will end in a battle against Christians.


Is religion good bc it brings comfort? -Or- Is it bad bc it brings separation?

Every good thing is of God, and every evil thing is from yourselves. (Baha’u’llah)

 

[pearl]

So do you mean faith is good then? Blindly believing in something without facts can certainly be bad.

Its only 'blind' for those who cannot or refuse to 'see'. Its a childish copout for the sake of denial.

 

[Trip Bapho]

Its only 'blind' for those who cannot or refuse to 'see'. Its a childish copout for the sake of denial.

Believing in something that can't be proven just bc someone said its true is childish? Hm.

 

[Trip Bapho]

The question is, why would you interpret it that way? Is seeing murder helpful for your spiritual growth? That same passage could be an example of cultural norms of war. People back when drew and wrote a lot about their cultural dealings with friends and enemies. Maybe it could teach you about your personality, like the negative part of you to which god is within. Like war, it could be a struggle within yourself to do god's will (service) or follow the example of sinners to whom the spirit convicts.

Another thing about that is, would you bring everything you read in the OT in light of the 21st century. The message of justice, sin, and changing one's actions in light of those who disagree or challenge your faith is one thing, but to interpret that message as if there were a being dictating murder is something else in deed.

It really depends on the person. You'd think we gradated from B.C. but we haven't. Religion is a tool for spiritual growth; it isn't alive, and does nothing on its own.

Ok. If it literally said it. Slavery and murder can be found within religion.

 

[pearl]

Believing in something that can't be proven just bc someone said its true is childish? Hm.

If you have a relationship with your significant other or spouse, do you require proof that she/he loves you or do you 'believe' it to be the case? The difference is believing 'in' something as opposed to believing a 'fact'.

 

[Trip Bapho]

If you have a relationship with your significant other or spouse, do you require proof that she/he loves you or do you 'believe' it to be the case? The difference is believing 'in' something as opposed to believing a 'fact'.

My significant other is a physical person telling me she loves me. The actions she makes backs up her claim of love. I can see and observe that. God is an idea that can't be proved in any way possible.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Ok. If it literally said it. Slavery and murder can be found within religion.

Religious history, yes. All politics. Religious devotion, no. They are both under the same term. If you say religious politics, it makes more sense. However, religion, by nature is about one's cultural and spiritual growth as a person. However that person or group of people want to go against this growth is on that person (which history shows). However, if you talk to people who do not mirror their history, they represent the religion as how it should be practiced. Unfortunately, because of history and politics, the religious are ignored in light of their religion's mess ups* throughout history.

In other words, edit, your devotion to god and service to humanity from the bible as you read it is nothing because people rather see and define you by your religious politics rather than your religion.

 

[Brickjectivity]

A lot of religions have certain timeframes and prophecies that won't come true and eventually people will give up on that. So, are you saying we continuously create new religions that will last or saying for instance there will still be some Christians a million years after Jesus doesn't come?

No I am not making such claims to know the future. I'm asking if there is a religion you would want to last forever?

A lot of religions have certain timeframes and prophecies that won't come true and eventually people will give up on that.

Historically speaking when has a timer or bad prediction ever ended a religion? I have never heard of that happening.

 

[MJ Bailey]

Just as much as religion brings people together it separates them.

(My Experience Only)
I was raised in a Christian family in Texas. My grandfather is certain this world will end in a fight against Muslims. My fiance was born in Saudi Arabia w/ a grandfather who thinks this world will end in a battle against Christians.


Is religion good bc it brings comfort? -Or- Is it bad bc it brings separation?

Doesn't it all have to do with how a person portrays their religion. Radicalism isn't a religion but can be portrayed by any belief.

 

[Trip Bapho]

No I am not making such claims to know the future. I'm asking if there is a religion you would want to last forever?


Historically speaking when has a timer or bad prediction ever ended a religion? I have never heard of that happening.

Because there hasn't been enough time. Its not even time for Jesus to be here yet so why would they give up now? There hasn't been enough time. There getting older and we are getting smarter. Just seems like it won't last.