Is Religion Good or Bad?

[Unveiled Artist]

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'.

Let me ask. Why do some christians, especially on t.v. and movies, try to resolve and find historical proof of spiritual evidence through physical findings when it's based on belief and not facts?

 

[Brickjectivity]

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.

Historically speaking, you don't seem to know how it works. I've never heard of a religion ending because of a failed prediction, and I challenge you to find an exception.

 

[Trip Bapho]

Historically speaking, you don't seem to know how it works. I've never heard of a religion ending because of a failed prediction, and I challenge you to find an exception.

But you know how it works? Wow I wish I had your knowledge. Super jelly.

 

[Brickjectivity]

But you know how it works? Wow I wish I had your knowledge. Super jelly.

It would be nice if you weren't making it up like you read it in a History book. All I ask for is an example to support your conclusion.

 

[Trip Bapho]

It would be nice if you weren't making it up like you read it in a History book. All I ask for is an example to support your conclusion.

IMO: The thought people will still believe in like a Jesus in 100,000 years seems ignorant to me. Glad you disagree. Maybe I'm the ignorant one.. Oh well. Nice chatting.

 

[Woberts]

Unequivocally, religion is one of the worst ideas ever put forth by the people of this Earth.

 

[FirstandAmistad]

Humans have a natural tendency to be drawn towards spiritual beliefs and practices, and I don't think that we'll ever see human society without religion. Whether that's a good or bad thing is certainly up for debate. I know it's overplayed, but I do think that there's something to be said for spirituality vs religion. Religion usually points towards organized religion: doctrines, rites, taboos, etc. Spirituality is more an individual's personal, introspective experiences. Spirituality is always an aspect of religion, but religion is not always an aspect of spirituality. I believe that a personal spirituality can be very helpful for helping one to look inward and consider the universe around them in different ways, and can also help one to see that we are all connected beings that should be kinder to each other. Community and support are good aspects of religion. Deeply-held dogmas and organized endorsements of hateful thoughts and behaviors are negative aspects of religion.

Overall, I think we'd be a more interconnected, peaceful, and loving species without religion. But I have a lot of personal bias in that answer and there are way too many variables to really know if that would be true. Religion isn't going anywhere and it's not necessarily good or bad, and does a lot of both in the world. Things are very rarely black and white.

 

[Quintessence]

It seems to me that religion is too big, too diverse, and involves far too much to be neatly categorized as either good or bad. Some religious things are good, some are bad, and most are boringly neither good nor bad.

Pretty much this.

One might as well ask if humans are good or bad. It's very nearly the same question, considering all humans have religion (whether it is called such or not). Everybody tells narratives - sacred stories or things they consider truths - that orient them within the world and are an articulation of their personal or cultural values. Everyone engages with these narratives through action in some way or another, often through community or fellowship. It doesn't even matter if it is good or bad. It is simply a universal part of being human. We cannot help but to tell stories and engage with them in our communities.

 

[ajay0]

Fire can be used for cooking food or for committing arson.

A knife can be used for cutting vegetables or for committing murder.

So you can see that it is the state of consciousness that matters.

As an ancient egyptian proverb goes, " The key to all problems is the problem of consciousness."

Awareness/Mindfulness or total love helps to bring about a higher state of consciousness that ensures the proper, positive use of everything. On the other hand,untamed desires and fears will bring about a lower state of consciousness that brings about an improper and negative use of everything.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

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?

Lack of education, ignorance, and extremism makes religion bad. Also, your fiancé's grandfather is wrong in Islam the end of the world comes after the battle with the anti-Christ when Jesus returns something both Muslims and Christians agree on.

 

[Trip Bapho]

Lack of education, ignorance, and makes religion bad. Also, your fiancé's grandfather is wrong in Islam the end of the world comes after the battle with the anti-Christ when Jesus returns something both Muslims and Christians agree on.

I'd tell em but he's actually dead. & IMO ignorance is to defend religion.

 

[Trip Bapho]

I'd tell em but he's actually dead. & IMO ignorance is to defend religion.

I should have put he believed.. My bad.

 

[Milton Platt]

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?

It does both of those things. Pretty much nothing is entirely good or entirely bad (well, there is fruit cake)
The larges question is that if our beliefs inform our actions, should we be willing to hold unjustified beliefs?

 

[GoodbyeDave]

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.

You pick the two most intolerant religions, Christianity and Islam. Then you pick the most intolerant branch of Islam and (quite probably, being Texas) a particularly intolerant branch of Christianity. Is it surprising that your experience of religion is one of intolerance?

 

[Trip Bapho]

You pick the two most intolerant religions, Christianity and Islam. Then you pick the most intolerant branch of Islam and (quite probably, being Texas) a particularly intolerant branch of Christianity. Is it surprising that your experience of religion is one of intolerance?

Obviously the extreme measures is why I made the point. Regardless of my experience they are real beliefs held by numerous people.

 

[ajay0]

The aim of religion is to create a higher state of consciousness.

However fanatics, fraudsters and pseudo-scholars are making it a tool for creating a lower state of consciousness in human beings.

 

[Trip Bapho]

The aim of religion is to create a higher state of consciousness.

However fanatics, fraudsters and pseudo-scholars are making it a tool for creating a lower state of consciousness in human beings.

Couldn't agree more!

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Obviously the extreme measures is why I made the point. Regardless of my experience they are real beliefs held by numerous people.

But it is a bit like quoting Stalin and Hitler and asking whether that proves that politics is evil!

 

[Trip Bapho]

But it is a bit like quoting Stalin and Hitler and asking whether that proves that politics is evil!

Not its not. Any Christian thinks Muslims are wrong. Any Muslim thinks Christians are wrong. That's separation. Love & Unity for all of mankind should be goal. Not debating if a guy fit a bunch of animals on a boat and such.

 

[LuisDantas]

Such as?

To use an example of particular significance for Americans, Scientology.

But also Heaven's Gate. Aum Shinrikyo. Rajneesh's Oregon Comune. Kardecist Spiritism. Islaam. Prosperity Theology.