Raised right

[King Phenomenon]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who hate homosexuals and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create kind people imo, so why would it create mean or opposing people?

By definition, religion (practice, beliefs, morals, rituals, etc) should make you more kind to others; ideally. All of the time, some groups promote their theology for the better and/or for the worse of other people and they don't see it. If what they say is true, then religion does harm people. If it is not, something about their religion they're just not getting and its doing more harm than good-consequently, people blame and try to address the religion but not the people who propagate it. The butter knife does nothing. If you don't change the person's attitude about other people, they can use any tool to their advantage and still get similar results than the tool you took away.

But we can't change other people. It's hard enough changing ourselves. But generally, religion doesn't/shouldn't harm. If we all looked at religion and used it "while acknowledging" it is for our own and community's benefit and not anyone elses, we could save a load of wars, arguments, etc. It really goes beyond tradition and politics. It's the people.

 

[sun rise]

Do you think religion harms children?

Religion that is presented as a structure to express love in all its forms as compassion, kindness and so forth is helpful.

Religion that is presented in a way to evoke fear and hatred is harmful.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

I really doubt it, because religion is what teaches that hatred towards homosexuals.
And speaking for myself, Christianity left me severely depressed and suicidal. It was agreat detriment to my development into adulthood, and left me impaired in many ways.

 

[King Phenomenon]

I really doubt it, because religion is what teaches that hatred towards homosexuals.
And speaking for myself, Christianity left me severely depressed and suicidal. It was agreat detriment to my development into adulthood, and left me impaired in many ways.

I think people teach that sort of hatred and I really do believe that they would still exist without religion. It's unfortunate that they would still exist. I wish they never did. I'm really sorry that happened to you in life. It's probably a good thing you got away from it then.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I think people teach that sort of hatred and I really do believe that they would still exist without religion. It's unfortunate that they would still exist. I wish they never did. I'm really sorry that happened to you in life. It's probably a good thing you got away from it then.

What would have taught them if it weren't for Biblical commands to execute homosexuals and them being condemned as abominations who's blood is on their hands?

 

[King Phenomenon]

What would have taught them if it weren't for Biblical commands to execute homosexuals and them being condemned as abominations who's blood is on their hands?

People would have taught that orally, if you will, but what's spoken is often written, so............

For the sake of argument, if there were no books in the world that hatred would still remain, I do believe. Plus people would be angry that there were no books. haha

Unfortunately there are 13 countries that still execute homosexuals which is beyond my understanding and I'm thoroughly disgusted with that.

99% of the Bible I have put in the trash.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Unfortunately there are 13 countries that still execute homosexuals which is beyond my understanding and I'm thoroughly disgusted with that.

Because of, thats right, religion.

 

[King Phenomenon]

Because of, thats right, religion.

Well I think those people unfortunately are way off in there thoughts so if they didn't have religious texts my guess is they would still be way off in their thoughts. I don't really know why they do that. It's almost as if they're living 2000 years ago. They have an archaic mentality and I'm dumbfounded. I mean we're talking about people who cut hands off of thieves. Something's not right unfortunately. People who do these things are an abomination really.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

I wouldn't say 'it does'. But I would say 'it can'.

Depends on the religion and the message.

Think of it this way, there are very few people who suggest religion has absolutely zero effect. The difference is usually around the positive or negative impacts, etc. Religion can have some impact on people's behaviour.

 

[King Phenomenon]

I wouldn't say 'it does'. But I would say 'it can'.

Depends on the religion and the message.

Think of it this way, there are very few people who suggest religion has absolutely zero effect. The difference is usually around the positive or negative impacts, etc. Religion can have some impact on people's behaviour.

Well if 'it can' cause someone to do harm to themselves or others then I think the reason goes beyond religious text's unfortunately.

 

[King Phenomenon]

them being condemned as abominations who's blood is on their hands?

I think 2000 years ago a lot of people hated and we're disgusted by homosexuals so they wrote it that way. As to why they don't change it, I don't think it has anything to do with the saying in the Bible that "ye shall not add nor diminish unto the word". I think they don't change it today because it's like tampering with originality. It would be like changing parts of Moby Dick I guess. I think most Christians, metaphorically, put certain parts of the Bible in the trash, or at least this Christian does.

 

[PureX]

I really doubt it, because religion is what teaches that hatred towards homosexuals.
And speaking for myself, Christianity left me severely depressed and suicidal. It was agreat detriment to my development into adulthood, and left me impaired in many ways.

Religion doesn't teach bigotry; that's an innate human (ego) response. But it too often does ratify and encourage it when it is supposed to be doing the opposite.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

Religion doesn't harm children. People who indoctrinate children into their personal beliefs and views harm children.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Well if 'it can' cause someone to do harm to themselves or others then I think the reason goes beyond religious text's unfortunately.

You have to understand, I'm not suggesting any religion could cause someone to do something extreme.

But a child born to the Children of God (as a more extreme example) can definitely be caused to do harm by religious beliefs.

To draw a similar parallel, do political beliefs cause people to do harm? Meh...maybe not usually, but they can, and have, and will.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Religion doesn't harm children. People who indoctrinate children into their personal beliefs and views harm children.

I don't understand the distinction. Do you think a religious behaviour is universally a 'good' behaviour? Why?
It seems as forced as thinking a religious behaviour is 'bad'.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Do you think a religious behaviour is universally a 'good' behaviour? Why?

Such generalities are rarely true, however, if you are discussing behavior, we are getting back to the 'people' portion of my response.

Religion, in and of itself, is neither 'good' nor 'bad.' It is the one's interpretation of the religion and one's behavior based upon said interpretation that adds such qualities.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Such generalities are rarely true, however, if you are discussing behavior, we are getting back to the 'people' portion of my response.

Religion, in and of itself, is neither 'good' nor 'bad.' It is the one's interpretation of the religion and one's behavior based upon said interpretation that adds such qualities.

I completely and fundamentally disagree. A religious commandment to treat others as you would be treated is 'good' to my mind. People can then choose to follow it or not, and ultimately we are all responsible for our own actions. But the religious commandment itself is trying to influence the behaviour of it's adherents, clearly. That is the very reason for it's existence.

Religions are man-made (in my opinion). So, ultimately it's all just 'man's interpretation'. But when these interpretations are codified and ritualised it moves from mere belief to 'religion', and religion impacts on how people behave.

If you want to argue that a lot of religious practise and ritual has no impact on how people behave on a daily basis, I would hesitate to argue. But I would definitely argue that SOME religious practise and ritual has SOME impact.

My mother taught me right from wrong, etc. I'm a man, and ultimately everything I do is my responsibility. But her lessons had some impact. Religion in some cases is no different.

 

[dybmh]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

Super big questions, PS....

"Do you think religion harms children?"

• Blind faith, yes harmful.
• Distrust of Science, yes harmful.
• Shame of the human body, yes harmful.
• Discouraging critical thinking skills, yes harmful
• Calvinist Predestination / Caste system, yes harmful
• Encouraging War as the appropriate means to settle territorial conflict, yes harmful

I could go on, and on, and on.... It really comes down to the parents. IF the parents are able to mitigate these risks then, no, religion does not harm children.​

"if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around."

Really, why? Because of procreation? Gay sex would be like, what? a form of birth control... IDK, I'm just thinking outside the box.​

"Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?"

Well. I can't say for sure, I wasn't there when the Law was given to Moses. But, if you believe the story, certain families had certain jobs to do. But one thing that all the families were told to do was, Gen 1:28. Be fruitful and multiply. So, if you can put yourself in that scene. Approx. 1500BCE, in the desert, you had just witnessed the plagues, the parting of the red sea... it was an awesome devastating time to be alive.

Now, doesn't it make sense in that scene that G-d would know best **how** to be fruitful and multiply? And therefore if G-d, the one responsible for all those plagues and miracles tells you... in no uncertain terms ... "Hey you boys... 'Tab A' goes into 'Slot B', no exceptions"... that the people would listen and take heed?

Remember Gen 1:28, arguably the very first commandment given, be fruitful, multiply. Than means.... PowerStone, no birth control. Birth control is a violation of Gen 1:28. So, it's not really just anti-homosexuality. it's..... drum roll.... Pro-creation. I repeat, not anti-homosexual, it is Pro-Creation.
​

Does that help?

( disclaimer all of this is offered through the lens of Left Wing Modern Orthodox Judaism )

 

[Mock Turtle]

Do you think religion harms children? If I had to make an educated guess, if religion didn't exist, the same people who think homosexuality is wrong and oppose abortion would still be around. Religion doesn't create people who are for a certain behavior imo, so why would it create people who oppose certain behaviors?

Instead of 'Raised right' you might like to think of 'Allowed to grow naturally', and where the influences that enter or control their lives might very well be those that diminish or restrict them as individuals - and possibly based upon where they were born. Why would anyone want to restrict the development of their children, especially when any belief might come from some disputed text from long ago?

Homosexuality has been seen in a variety of ways in the past, and often accepted without condemnation. It seems that for some religions it is an issue for whatever reason, and one can hardly dismiss this when you will come across (even on this forum) people saying, 'according to my religion, homosexuality is whatever (bad thing)'.